Lift regrets

[AndyG]

My goal for my Jeep was to be able to hit the moderate trails at Windrock so, I rebuilt my TJs suspension specifically to run 33s, ironically, I'm only running 255/70r17s from a JK. I knew from prior experience I needed a fully adjustable CA set. I landed on a Rock Krawler 3.5 inch lift with Fox shocks and stabilizer, 1800$. I bought a pair of axles on the cheap. HP Dana 30 100$ and another Dana 35 75$, rebuilt and re-geared to 4.56 with disc brakes from a 99 ZJ( queue the Dana 35 haters)1000$. I installed an SYE and shaft 600$. Speedo gear, 35$. I'm moving towards a locker and chromolly shafts, 1200$.
My Jeep drives and feels like it did stock, power and handling all on point! I'm confident that next years addition of the locker will eliminate the short comings on the trail. I feel validated in my choices and have no regrets. Yes it's expensive but I bought the Jeep for 3k with a bad cooling system from the original owner, it is clean! View attachment 91205View attachment 91206View attachment 91207View attachment 91208View attachment 91209View attachment 91210View attachment 91211View attachment 91212View attachment 91213

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Resourceful guy right here.

 

[fourpointzero]

I have 33's and it rides great. I'd like to do 35's, but the re-gearing thing is holding me back a little bit.

Same here. I’ve got 33’s, luv em, the Jeep rides great. Considered 35’s but like yourself, hesitant on doing the regear. And since I wheel less than a handful of times a season, I’m realistically good w my 33’s. In my head, I chuckle at the dudes who extreme they’re Jeeps (TJ’S / JK’s) and I see their IG posts when something breaks or they’re without a Jeep for weeks while its in the shop. Lame, really. Sort of like Napoleon complex, is what Im starting to believe.


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[ZEN357]

I never regretted lifting my Jeep and going with bigger tires. I never liked the stock stance on the Jeep.

 

[indio]

My unlifted 1985 CJ7 with 31 inch all-terrain tires generally rode better than my lifted 1998 TJ with 33 inch mud tires. I don't know what sort of lift the previous owner put on my TJ. But I would attribute the difference to the stiffer TJ springs combined with the rougher riding and noisier mud tires. I would not buy mud tires unless particularly needed for some offroad situation. Even on my friends 4 door JK, his mud tires that came from the factory give a rumble vibration to the passengers and add noise.

 

[Hcwlsu101]

If done correctly, these Jeeps can ride really well. Correctly does not usually equal cheep. Mine drives great with 33’s and a 2inch lift.

 

[Buck]

I'd like to go 33 some day, I've got 31 on stock suspension. I guess right now I've never wished for more clearance just more traction. AT tires for me suck.

 

[HeffTJ]

Speaking of inheriting things, I purchased my 2005 TJ from a cousin. His son had put a Rough Country 3 1/4 inch lift on it with 35 Goodyear MT tires. Off road it was fine but on pavement it was not, so I put 31 inch Falken Wildpeak AT's. You still feel evry bump in the road but I'm not sure it isn't related to the short wheelbase, NO2 shocks or 3/4 inch coil spring spacer, probably all! I was thinking of removing the spring spacer or possibly changing to a hydraulic shock as most (80%) of the time I'll be on pavement. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

 

[Gunnersmate]

My guess why they would regret going to a lift/33" tires would be if they or the shop they chose to install the lift didn't know what they were doing. Bad shock absorber choices, bad tire choice, steering system screwups, etc. Properly installed, a lift and 33" tires can ride and handle as well as the Jeep did with its factory suspension and 30" tires.

I have been correcting this very problem on my jeep factory control arms, crappy springs and shocks on top of worn out steering components it amazes me what kind of money people will pay the 4wd shops to have a shitty job done (like using SAE bolts in a metric threaded hole really and also using cheap ass chinesium parts) because they don't know any better and i'm also amazed at the lack of maintenance by vehicle owners seems like we need to get rid of the safe spaces in school and send the younger generation to shop class so they can learn how to at least do an oil and lube job and oh yeah rotating the tire is not done by driving it, and another thing an impact gun is not a torque wrench and anti seize is really inexpensive

 

[HeffTJ]

You make a very good point!

 

[freedom_in_4low]

My LJ came with a Zone 3" lift and 18" JK wheels wearing metric 33s that ran into the fenders before the bump stops made contact, which was actually the shock absorbers bottoming.

If that was the result I knew of getting a lift and 33s I'd probably regret it, too.

 

[Gunnersmate]

My LJ came with a Zone 3" lift and 18" JK wheels wearing metric 33s that ran into the fenders before the bump stops made contact, which was actually the shock absorbers bottoming.

If that was the result I knew of getting a lift and 33s I'd probably regret it, too.

same lift mine had it now sports OME rides and drives like a dream mine had 17 wheels

 

[freedom_in_4low]

same lift mine had it now sports OME rides and drives like a dream mine had 17 wheels

Just for the record, I think zone is the best entry level lift but in my experience 3" is not enough lift for 33s and the lift is better with the right shocks.

I kept the zone springs, but I've paired it with the proper length of rancho shocks, correct bump stops, and added coil spacers to get the ride height up to clear the tires.

 

[Gunnersmate]

Just for the record, I think zone is the best entry level lift but in my experience 3" is not enough lift for 33s and the lift is better with the right shocks.

I kept the zone springs, but I've paired it with the proper length of rancho shocks, correct bump stops, and added coil spacers to get the ride height up to clear the tires.

mine sitting on OME 2.5 springs and shocks, Apoc adj CA upper and lowers front and back and new bump stops and new coil spring isolator pads

 

[steelhd]

Unless the physical height is an issue, I suspect the most regrets come from poorly done modifications resulting in a badly behaving Jeep.

Most lift and tire size increases are done purely for looks as cheaply as possible with nearly zero information. Lots and lots of garbage out there.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

Just for the record, I think zone is the best entry level lift but in my experience 3" is not enough lift for 33s and the lift is better with the right shocks.

I kept the zone springs, but I've paired it with the proper length of rancho shocks, correct bump stops, and added coil spacers to get the ride height up to clear the tires.

I have the Zone too but the 4.25 and 33s. 3 suspension and 1.25 body lift.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Looks like as long as you build it right and not half-hearted there are no regrets.....same goes for most things on a Jeep.
Also as was said before ...Build it for your needs and what your using it for.

 

[Forty]

31" tires rule!

Seriously only step up if you run into problems on the trail. It is such a huge performance hit and expense running larger tires. Some people just plain forget how nice a stock-ish TJ rides.

Nobody on their death bed ever whispers, "I wish I ran 35s"

stop hating on my 35’s.

 

[Modoc Guy]

I wound up pretty lucky with my rig. It had a 4" lift with 33's on it when I got it. And I would have put that on a stock Jeep if I'd have bought a stocker.

But it took a long time for me to catch up with what the PO did with respect to the quality of the work. And some wonky mods.

As it turns out, the original builder didn't cheap out on anything. He used top shelf stuff at the time the work was done. So I scored pretty well there.

I got lucky in that it was later sold to a young man who experimented with some cheap components, and along with zero maintenance, screwed it up pretty good, Then finally sold it to me for a reasonable price.

Once I fixed the kid's screw ups, I wound up with a great rig that looks, runs, and drives well.

So I can say I'm pretty happy with my 4" lift and 33's.

 

[JeepingNet]

On a previous build when I made the jump from 31s to 33s I had zero regrets but I also had 3.73 gears the AX-15. When I went from 33s to 36s iroks and locked full time I had lots of regrets.
* Harder trails were now super easy
* It sucked on the road (iroks)
* It was always covered in mud
* really sucked in the snow/ice on the road

On 33s I'd go camping all time, explore for days, and just loved driving around. On 36s it was all about finding the hard trails and fixing things.

My new build I really debated about going to 33s or 35s but I went to 35s because I also have a pickup truck that I explore with so this has become my harder wheeler. But I was very set on selectable lockers and doing it right.