Suspension Decisions: Can’t Make Up My Mind

[JMT]

Tires are brand new 32s.

The SYE is honestly one of the things making me heavily consider dropping down to stock. Cost of a quality one seems like a chunk of change, and then there’s installing it. I’m decent with a wrench and a YouTube video, though so maybe it’d be no big deal?

There’s lots of help on here. I did my SYE several years ago and I’m coming from no background on cars. Can be done from underneath or pull the whole case and do on the bench.

No way you’re getting your caster back without going back to stock or getting adjustable control arms along with the SYE.

Go back to stock pitman arm. Consider Skyjacker Blackmax shocks or Rancho 5000X. ZJ tie rod conversion. Alignment is toe only and there’s a thread on it. Super easy. And yes, ball joints. There’s a kit that’s commonly recommended for the tool. Spicer is the go to brand there. No Rough Country unless you like to repeat all this a year from now.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Gilaguy23]

You'd best check that rear diff pinion bearing and the fluid level. That leaky seal might be from a bad bearing.

 

[RHanna]

BFE, KS. You live in or just outside of KC metro. I lived in Lenexa for a few years.

Anyway, just make a couple of lists and price both choices out. Just fyi, a lot on here suggest Rancho shocks and Spicer joints. Also suggests OEM or crown pitman arm. I'd go ahead and start hitting the pitman arm with penetrating oil.

Just curious what's your tire psi

 

[JoseA]

give it a small lift, 2" and you wont need SYE or adjustable arms. https://jksmfg.com/products/2-lift-coil-spring-set-dual-rate-wrangler-tj-and-lj get some blackmax shocks to go with it https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...G-Y4zZt1TG_jks_jed7Na8&variant=39967502762033. change that pitman arm to stock and the rest is maintenance.
Keeping that 4" spring lift is going to be costly due to adjustable arms, track bars, and SYE.

 

[AWayne]

Tires are brand new 32s.

The SYE is honestly one of the things making me heavily consider dropping down to stock. Cost of a quality one seems like a chunk of change, and then there’s installing it. I’m decent with a wrench and a YouTube video, though so maybe it’d be no big deal?

2" lift and 32's would look great and do well. Might need a small transfer case drop, but put it all on and see what happens.

 

[AWayne]

I just noticed it's a Desert Sand Pearl TJ! Welcome to the "brown jeep" gang.

Here's 31's with a 2 inch lift for reference.

 

[GregBelleville]

I just noticed it's a Desert Sand Pearl TJ! Welcome to the "brown jeep" gang.

Here's 31's with a 2 inch lift for reference. View attachment 646608

Desert sand gang!

 

[AWayne]

Desert sand gang!

View attachment 646621

sweet ride! Mine has slightly changed since that last picture!

 

[Cameron23]

BFE, KS. You live in or just outside of KC metro. I lived in Lenexa for a few years.

Anyway, just make a couple of lists and price both choices out. Just fyi, a lot on here suggest Rancho shocks and Spicer joints. Also suggests OEM or crown pitman arm. I'd go ahead and start hitting the pitman arm with penetrating oil.

Just curious what's your tire psi

I live Olathe, work in Lenexa. Went all the way down to Cherryvale for the TJ.

 

[Cameron23]

give it a small lift, 2" and you wont need SYE or adjustable arms. https://jksmfg.com/products/2-lift-coil-spring-set-dual-rate-wrangler-tj-and-lj get some blackmax shocks to go with it https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...G-Y4zZt1TG_jks_jed7Na8&variant=39967502762033. change that pitman arm to stock and the rest is maintenance.
Keeping that 4" spring lift is going to be costly due to adjustable arms, track bars, and SYE.

I’m planning on replacing the arms anyway. Might just go adjustable so I can entertain a bigger lift in the future. I like the idea of a 2” lift. I was eyeballing the CORE4x4 Cruise series adjustable arms and adjustable track bars. Can probably get all arms and both track bars for ~$1k. Any feedback on those? Obviously the Camp series are better for Offroad but for now she’s just my (eventual) reliable daily.

 

[Cameron23]

There’s lots of help on here. I did my SYE several years ago and I’m coming from no background on cars. Can be done from underneath or pull the whole case and do on the bench.

No way you’re getting your caster back without going back to stock or getting adjustable control arms along with the SYE.

Go back to stock pitman arm. Consider Skyjacker Blackmax shocks or Rancho 5000X. ZJ tie rod conversion. Alignment is toe only and there’s a thread on it. Super easy. And yes, ball joints. There’s a kit that’s commonly recommended for the tool. Spicer is the go to brand there. No Rough Country unless you like to repeat all this a year from now.

Welcome to the forum.

I ordered the stock Crown one last night.

 

[cpwolf]

I’m planning on replacing the arms anyway. Might just go adjustable so I can entertain a bigger lift in the future. I like the idea of a 2” lift. I was eyeballing the CORE4x4 Cruise series adjustable arms and adjustable track bars. Can probably get all arms and both track bars for ~$1k. Any feedback on those? Obviously the Camp series are better for Offroad but for now she’s just my (eventual) reliable daily.

My opinion only, you’re on track. Core4x4 are good arms without going high $ completely.

You can change ball joints with normal mechanic tools , a Jack, and a free rent all joint press any Adv Auto, Oreilly or Autozone.

Shaky stuff is your biggest issue you want fixed
Personally, getting Caster back is 1A. Whole different Jeep when you fix that.

There is a thread in the How To I think, called “So you want 35’s” which basically also talks about 4” lifts. I don’t doubt you could do it, but it’s a $ commitment.

2” with 32’s based on what you’re doing, new tires, and you can do a new ZJ steering that’ll tighten it all up too.

Everyone gave you this advice, I’m just throwing in the .02.

Good looking jeep.

 

[Cameron23]

My opinion only, you’re on track. Core4x4 are good arms without going high $ completely.

You can change ball joints with normal mechanic tools , a Jack, and a free rent all joint press any Adv Auto, Oreilly or Autozone.

Shaky stuff is your biggest issue you want fixed
Personally, getting Caster back is 1A. Whole different Jeep when you fix that.

There is a thread in the How To I think, called “So you want 35’s” which basically also talks about 4” lifts. I don’t doubt you could do it, but it’s a $ commitment.

2” with 32’s based on what you’re doing, new tires, and you can do a new ZJ steering that’ll tighten it all up too.

Everyone gave you this advice, I’m just throwing in the .02.

Good looking jeep.

Tell me me about ZJ steering?

 

[Tronner]

Core4x4 are good arms without going high $ completely

X2 here, have been running cores camp and crawl arms for a while, good quality and good price.

 

[Cameron23]

This feels like a dumb question, but Core 4x4’s cruise series adjustable control arms/track bar combo say they fit a lift 0” -6”. It comes with all control arms and front and rear adjustable track bar. I just want confirmation that I can use all that even without a lift. That I’m not gonna buy this and then find out it doesn’t fit or something.

Yes I know I don’t need adjustable without a lift but I’d much rather buy them now and when I inevitably want a lift in a few years I already have them. They seem sturdier than stock arms, and having the ability to adjust geometry is never bad in my mind.

 

[cpwolf]

Tell me me about ZJ steering?

So the TJ and ZJ share the same steering geometry.

Parts are bolt in interchangeable.

The ZJ and TJ drag link are the same, but the ZJ has a beefier tie rod.

Search the How To Guide section, and you’ll see many posts.

It is bolt in, great chance to refresh all the joints and get a touch beefier tie rod when you get rid of that drip Pitman. I did it exactly the same, got rid of drop Pitman that was on mine, and put the ZJ setup.

I then went to Currie Currectlync when I went 4” with 35’s.

Either way, it’s an inexpensive upgrade while you put on a stock Pitman arm.

 

[KennethS]

Another pic of 2” lift (Old Man Emu spring lift) and 32s.

 

[cpwolf]

Another pic of 2” lift (Old Man Emu spring lift) and 32s.

View attachment 646706

Looks great

 

[AWayne]

Tell me me about ZJ steering?

Steering ZJ upgrade

Es3096L x2

Es2079s x2

Ds1312 X1

DS1238 x1

Everything fits the same as factory. It just has thicker tubing. If you're putting on new steering components, you might as well do it.

 

[Tronner]

This feels like a dumb question, but Core 4x4’s cruise series adjustable control arms/track bar combo say they fit a lift 0” -6”. It comes with all control arms and front and rear adjustable track bar. I just want confirmation that I can use all that even without a lift. That I’m not gonna buy this and then find out it doesn’t fit or something.

Yes I know I don’t need adjustable without a lift but I’d much rather buy them now and when I inevitably want a lift in a few years I already have them. They seem sturdier than stock arms, and having the ability to adjust geometry is never bad in my mind.

Yes, but I would not get the cruise series, at 0 or any lift height. The beauty of the stock TJ arms is they provide misalignment when flexing by the arm itself twisting. The cruise series is two poly bushings on each end, this does not allow for the same level of misalignment. Having a Johnny joint at one end helps retain the arm misalignment when flexing. Camp and Crawl series are much better bang for your buck.