Budget boost lift question

[JP.Mongo]

Jeep experts

I need some help on my initial budget boost lift decision. I've recently purchased my first jeep and it's almost completely stock aside from bilstein shocks (no clue which model) and an aftermarket head unit. I am eventually planning on throwing on a full suspension lift kit but at the moment I simply cant throw that kind of coin at my new ride. Additionally, I dont have much wheeling if any in my immediate future so I feel comfortable with going with a budget boost type lift simply to achieve the visual ascetics as well as make room got the 32's I will be throwing on once my set of 31" KOs have seen their last days.

I've read a lot on this forum about lifts and what additional parts may be required, Kim looking at you slip yoke eliminator. But theres not a ton of info on spacer lifts and I'm looking to see what additional equipment I will need for a 2-2.5" spacer lift from stock in order to not induce any vibrations etc.

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

I do mild wheeling when I’m not working

Stock on 32” KO’s with a KO2 up front until the others wear out

I also have a BB in the garage just waiting on the time to get the longer shocks I need.

Under 2/2.5” I doubt you’ll need much in the way other than better/longer shocks


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[jjvw]

With a few exceptions, a spacer lift is no different than a spring lift. The drive shafts can tell one from another. All the same rules and guidelines apply.

With the thicker spacers you are using, you need to double check that the existing springs can't go solid when the suspension compresses. Bump stop extension will be what prevents this. That bump stop extension will also play a role in what shocks may be best for your setup.

 

[jjvw]

View attachment 68918

Under 2/2.5” I doubt you’ll need much in the way other than better/longer shocks


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

Factory shock travel is just under 8" with about 4" of up. The amount of lift will reduce the up travel the same amount. A 2" lift with stock shocks leaves 2" of up. A 2.5" lift leaves 1.5" of up.

Shocks need up travel to function properly.

Part of the purpose of lifting a vehicle is to recover lost up travel resulting the from larger tires and longer travel shocks. Do everything you can to at least maintain 4" of up travel.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Factory shock travel is just under 8" with about 4" of up. The amount of lift will reduce the up travel the same amount. A 2" lift with stock shocks leaves 2" of up. A 2.5" lift leaves 1.5" of up.

Shocks need up travel to function properly.

Part of the purpose of lifting a vehicle is to recover lost up travel resulting the from larger tires and longer travel shocks.

1.5-2” of up travel is ok for someone not wheeling but not optimum for proper functionality wouldn’t you agree?


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[Shane Mckinley]

With a few exceptions, a spacer lift is no different than a spring lift. The drive shafts can tell one from another. All the same rules and guidelines apply.

With the thicker spacers you are using, you need to double check that the existing springs can't go solid when the suspension compresses. Bump stop extension will be what prevents this. That bump stop extension will also play a role in what shocks may be best for your setup.

I considered staying with stock shocks just increasing bumpstop to protect the stock shocks.

All around reason why longer shocks are
Typically sold with a BB right?


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[bobthetj03]

1.5-2” of up travel is ok for someone not wheeling but not optimum for proper functionality wouldn’t you agree?


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

Do your front shocks have an exposed piston shaft?

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Do your front shocks have an exposed piston shaft?

Yes


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[jjvw]

1.5-2” of up travel is ok for someone not wheeling but not optimum for proper functionality wouldn’t you agree?


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

I very much disagree, especially on a street Jeep. Roads are not smooth and speeds are typically much faster than on dirt. Off the shelf shock valving is rarely going to be set up for that little up travel. The factory jounces are about 1.5" long, so 2" of up travel will have the Jeep riding in the jounces.

My Jeep is a daily driver. It has 6" and 7" of up travel. I can easily use 5" and more on the highway or going to the grocery store.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

I very much disagree, especially on a street Jeep. Roads are not smooth and speeds are typically much faster than on dirt. Off the shelf shock valving is rarely going to be set up for that little up travel. The factory jounces are about 1.5" long, so 2" of up travel will have the Jeep riding in the jounces.

My Jeep is a daily driver. It has 6" and 7" of up travel. I can easily use 5" and more on the highway or going to the grocery store.

Your right. I’m thinking of it backwards. [emoji21]


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[jjvw]

I considered staying with stock shocks just increasing bumpstop to protect the stock shocks.

Protect the stock shocks from what? Jeep already did that.

All around reason why longer shocks are
Typically sold with a BB right?


...

Correct. A lift of any kind should include longer than stock shocks.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Protect the stock shocks from what? Jeep already did that.



If I were to put the pucks in place with the stock shocks the extended bump stops would keep them from over extending. At least when I was totally new to 4x4 that was the train of thought


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[Thunderhead]

https://www.rocky-road.com/wrangler-lift-kit-budget.html

If your looking for 2 inches for cheap.. I run the 2 inch BB. $76

 

[bobthetj03]

Yes


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

Put a ziptie on the bottom of the shock piston at the base of the shock body and go for a normal daily commute drive. Afterwards, measure how much the ziptie moved, then measure from the bottom of the upper jounce bumper to the bottom of the spring pad.

 

[jjvw]

Something that many don't realize is that for most, a Jeep will suffer much more abuse on the road going 25-75mph than it will going slow on a trail. Build your Jeep to preform well on the street and it will take care of you on dirt.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Put a ziptie on the bottom of the shock piston at the base of the shock body and go for a normal daily commute drive. Afterwards, measure how much the ziptie moved, then measure from the bottom of the upper jounce bumper to the bottom of the spring pad.

That would give me dd up travel. Like that idea


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

 

[jjvw]

If I were to put the pucks in place with the stock shocks the extended bump stops would keep them from over extending. At least when I was totally new to 4x4 that was the train of thought

Bump stops limit up travel to prevent damage from things like over-compression of shocks and springs.

If over-extension is a problem that needs to be prevented, then you are in need of limit straps. Most will never need to solve this problem.

 

[bobthetj03]

That would give me dd up travel. Like that idea


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

This will tell you just how much you are riding on the jounce bumpers just under normal driving. You don't want to be doing that if you covet a nicer ride.

 

[jjvw]

That would give me dd up travel. Like that idea


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2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi

It's an interesting thing to understand and pay attention to. I have zipties on all four shocks. I have made a point to add up travel as I went along.