OP
I was planning on either 285 or 295/ 75 r16, I want keep the rubi hara wheels. It's the 6speed with 4.10s.
LJ lift advice
- Thread starter Camdenst
- Start date
fxrsliberty
TJ Enthusiast
I'm going to sound like an ass, sorry. You talk about some components like your heading to the trail and others like your building a mall crawler. The only reason to spend money on skids is because you've beaten the shit out of the bottom of your Jeep or plan on it. Less the 4 inches of lift pretty much means you won't be getting to the places that will cause any damage. I have two Jeeps, 97 sport & a 2013 jku Rubicon. These are Jeeps number 5/6 for me. I made lots of mistakes with suspension mods, going to make more. I have a cheap 3.5 inch spring and bracket kit on the Rubicon. It's half way between a usable trail rig and mall crawler. In driven the middle parts of the nachez trail in Washington with it and it works. But the short travel of the stock components make the Jeep tilt more then articulate. The 97 being my third TJ, I'm looking at the metal cloak. I want to try those joints and I've seen every one of the components included in that kit as either a repair part or an upgrade to the stock components in the other kits I and my friends have chosen. There is a reason behind this bundles, they are the components that are needed to adjust the geometry of the suspension for the spring height. Jeep builds the suspension parts for the height of the stock springs. Changing those means you have to adjust all the math if the suspension. You get what you pay for and when you have to drive it everyday, cheap shows up in the seat fast.
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With an LJ there are no major changes needed with a 4 inch lift. Once you go above yes, but just at 4 inches you dont run into driveline problems.
3 weeks ago I installed the currie 4 inch lift by hand and only installed springs, extended bumpstops, adjustable upper/lower control arms and adjustable trackbars. No SYE/CV deiveshaft needed. Ive had no vibrations or anything. I decided to go with the RS5000x shocks
Heres a pic with the lift installed with my 33in tires
I was originally going to do the 2.5 OME ultra lift since it betted 3.75 inches but after talking to Jerry I went with the full 4 inch. He pointed out the LJ needs a little more lift than a normal TJ because the breakover angle is worse (due to the longer wheel base). Also just installing 4 inch springs and control arms are easier than installing springs + MML + BL. You’ll do more work for no reason if you do the combo (if you install yourself)
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OP
Makes sense, thanks. I usually try to make it out to anthracite or rausch two to three times a year, blue and black trails. Other than that, the jeep is my summer driver and the "I need to make it through the snow to work vehicle". My previous TJ was a 97 with 2in bds springs and 31s. Aired down, I ruined an oil pan skid and left some nice dents in the tcase skid as well as the stock gas tank skid. I figured that the ucf transfer case no body lift skid would help the ljs breakover angle with out disrupting too much.
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Avoid the fox shocks on 3” of lift. If you really want a set I’ll give you a great deal on a set. I would not reccomend these shocks to anyone running SPECIFICALLY 3” of lift. Either bump up the coil size to 4” or switch shocks. 1.25” BL and 3” bumpstop in the front & 3.5” of bumpstop in the rear. The fox body’s on that shock is not appropriate for 3” of lift and it bottoms out way too early. I am in this crisis, I need to either purchase new springs or new shocks. Take it for what its worth.
fxrsliberty
TJ Enthusiast
Which should tell you that the short lift added to your undercarriage damage. You can get grab bars or straps to help the "little woman" get in. Lol with 4 inches, diff covers, gas tank and steering box skid, your LJ will be a very capable rig! It will make me jealous...
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Nice setup! So for the 4in Currie Springs, which did you go with, and did you relocate the rear spring seat on the frame side? I'm looking at a similar setup, but using MetalCloaks short arms, but haven't made up my mind on my Coils yet. My LJ is a soft top as well, and fairly light so far without a ton of armor (extremely slow build).
OP
Anyone run the metal cloak rocksport 3.5
I was originally planning a budget of 1500 or so for the lift, but after all the knowledge Im thinking to do it right 2500 is more realistic. Control arms adding the additions grand. I could also just get over the irrational dislike of body lifts and go the dpg route.
I was originally planning a budget of 1500 or so for the lift, but after all the knowledge Im thinking to do it right 2500 is more realistic. Control arms adding the additions grand. I could also just get over the irrational dislike of body lifts and go the dpg route.
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Eventually, we all come to the realization to the benefits a BL provides, even if it's a small one. 
OP
It’s been i great discussion gentlemen, thank you. I’ll post with the decision and before and afters. Might be a few weeks, this cold weather is shooting my motivation in face.
I have a 05 LJ with the DPG lift kit package, I have had it for 11+ years and for the most part am very happy with it. Here is what I like and what I don't particularly care for:
OME HD springs are awesome, they ride a little stiff but are way better than stock and the lift looks just right (IMHO) on an LJ with 285 75R16
The JKS 1 1/4" body lift is perfect for allowing a 1" MML, this makes everything line up much better and negates any chance of interference from the engine/trans/ etc. when the drive line is tilted
The JKS track bar (when I did mine no one even bothered messing with the back one) in the front is junk, their articulating joint at the frame end froze despite regular application of grease. I much prefer the Metalcloak track bar I now have
OME shocks (they have since changed dramatically) that came with my kit were junk, the right front blew within 3 months of being installed
The JKS sway bar disconnects are ok, nothing spectacular and they have tended to loosen up a few times at the sway bar end.......
An LJ does not have a double cardon joint in the rear drive shaft, but it does not have a slip yoke either. With this size lift you will not need to do anything to your drive shafts.
You can run stock control arms with issue, mine have 112,000 miles on them and I am just now looking at replacing them.......
Hope this helps.....
OME HD springs are awesome, they ride a little stiff but are way better than stock and the lift looks just right (IMHO) on an LJ with 285 75R16
The JKS 1 1/4" body lift is perfect for allowing a 1" MML, this makes everything line up much better and negates any chance of interference from the engine/trans/ etc. when the drive line is tilted
The JKS track bar (when I did mine no one even bothered messing with the back one) in the front is junk, their articulating joint at the frame end froze despite regular application of grease. I much prefer the Metalcloak track bar I now have
OME shocks (they have since changed dramatically) that came with my kit were junk, the right front blew within 3 months of being installed
The JKS sway bar disconnects are ok, nothing spectacular and they have tended to loosen up a few times at the sway bar end.......
An LJ does not have a double cardon joint in the rear drive shaft, but it does not have a slip yoke either. With this size lift you will not need to do anything to your drive shafts.
You can run stock control arms with issue, mine have 112,000 miles on them and I am just now looking at replacing them.......
Hope this helps.....
Pretty sure a drop pitman arm is not needed.... not with this small of a lift.......
fxrsliberty
TJ Enthusiast
I think the whole idea that an MML and BL are a waste off time. When you lift the engine angle and the output shaft of the front side of the TC you put stress on the front drive line. Imho, any Jeep lifted enough to warrant them should have had a dual carden rear driveshaft.
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OP
That’s great to hear. I actually tried calling dirk today but I found out he takes 3 day weekends. Lol
The front drive shaft already has a double carden joint and the amount of angle that is introduced over such a long shaft length is negligible, of course what do I know, I have only had this for over a decade and have only had to replace u joints once (more likely due to the mud hole I was buried in than any angle issues). Just my experience, not my opinion........
fxrsliberty
TJ Enthusiast
I'm not saying that it doesn't work, I'm saying the amount of work and the issues introduced aren't worth it. I.e shifter issues, having to either trim the fan shroud or remove it. I'm glad it worked for you, but I would never suggest it.
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I told you guys not to get the JKS trackbar, that MC is way better, even at low lifts. 11 years experience guys! 11 years. I’m not saying JKS may not have improved that component, but I am saying MC is better.
And BL and MML get rough treatment around here. Yet I fully agree with their function on a TJ. Engineering wise they are not hurting anything. Blaine said the BL is the single best mod for the money, and you guys run like cockroaches in the light.
And BL and MML get rough treatment around here. Yet I fully agree with their function on a TJ. Engineering wise they are not hurting anything. Blaine said the BL is the single best mod for the money, and you guys run like cockroaches in the light.