The reason I'm posting this here rather than the members builds threads, is this thread is not about the build , I'm posting it to talk about the idea of keeping a project simple , affordable and effective , and give a glimpse into the mindset behind it.
The owner , @Hog , from Georgia , is a successful small business owner , and anyone who succeeds in small business does it with hard work and handling money wisely.
Hog had 33" tires on 16" JK wheels with spacers/converters on an otherwise stock ' 97 Sahara Automatic .
He got a complete 3" lift from Zone , shocks included , at a deal at Christmas . He did his research and new that was the tallest he wanted to go to avoid vibes, adjustable track bars and so forth.
He traded product with a customer for the labor to install it.
To level it up ,He added front spacers he already had , which also act as excellent coil spring insulators . He had 2" spacers , so he cut them down to the 1" he needed. This was all done in the driveway , along with setting the toe.
He added a nice spare tire carrier , but that's another thread topic. He installed it himself.
Right now he's cleaning smaller, stock size flares to install and paint . These were given to him.
He stripped his own wheels and is coating them.
Now, here is the good part - this is what he had to do to dial it all in -NOTHING.
The Jeep does nothing wrong , drives near stock .
It doesn't bumpsteer , need countersteered, pull, wander ,oversteer , float , rearsteer , pop, squeak, or vibrate at any speed.
Drives amazing . Effortless.
Soaks up the bumps . Feels almost plush.
The moral is this - you can lift a TJ without a line of credit at the bank , actually improve already good road manners, and not start down the path to endless corrections - if you do your research , take the time , shop smart and wrench a little ....and keep it simple.
He may post pictures when he's ready , it already looks fantastic and runs out and drives as good as it looks .
Note-I have the same or similar lift on my 2006 Rubicon , and I'm pretty impressed with what Zone offers overall.
Feel free to ask questions , I have been around it some, and will help any way I can.
I realize people have different definitions of the term "build", and this is in no way to disparage anyone for what they run or spend , but to encourage members you can modify these without headaches , if you do like him, and play it smart. Also , I totally realize any build needs to be right for what you do with the vehicle , so this isn't a "one build fits all" solution , but rather a note about not lifting a TJ to the point of complexity , and saving some headaches .
In other words. Cool Jeeps aren't an exclusive club for the wealthy or mechanical masterminds....any regular guy or gal can do this.
The owner , @Hog , from Georgia , is a successful small business owner , and anyone who succeeds in small business does it with hard work and handling money wisely.
Hog had 33" tires on 16" JK wheels with spacers/converters on an otherwise stock ' 97 Sahara Automatic .
He got a complete 3" lift from Zone , shocks included , at a deal at Christmas . He did his research and new that was the tallest he wanted to go to avoid vibes, adjustable track bars and so forth.
He traded product with a customer for the labor to install it.
To level it up ,He added front spacers he already had , which also act as excellent coil spring insulators . He had 2" spacers , so he cut them down to the 1" he needed. This was all done in the driveway , along with setting the toe.
He added a nice spare tire carrier , but that's another thread topic. He installed it himself.
Right now he's cleaning smaller, stock size flares to install and paint . These were given to him.
He stripped his own wheels and is coating them.
Now, here is the good part - this is what he had to do to dial it all in -NOTHING.
The Jeep does nothing wrong , drives near stock .
It doesn't bumpsteer , need countersteered, pull, wander ,oversteer , float , rearsteer , pop, squeak, or vibrate at any speed.
Drives amazing . Effortless.
Soaks up the bumps . Feels almost plush.
The moral is this - you can lift a TJ without a line of credit at the bank , actually improve already good road manners, and not start down the path to endless corrections - if you do your research , take the time , shop smart and wrench a little ....and keep it simple.
He may post pictures when he's ready , it already looks fantastic and runs out and drives as good as it looks .
Note-I have the same or similar lift on my 2006 Rubicon , and I'm pretty impressed with what Zone offers overall.
Feel free to ask questions , I have been around it some, and will help any way I can.
I realize people have different definitions of the term "build", and this is in no way to disparage anyone for what they run or spend , but to encourage members you can modify these without headaches , if you do like him, and play it smart. Also , I totally realize any build needs to be right for what you do with the vehicle , so this isn't a "one build fits all" solution , but rather a note about not lifting a TJ to the point of complexity , and saving some headaches .
In other words. Cool Jeeps aren't an exclusive club for the wealthy or mechanical masterminds....any regular guy or gal can do this.
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