Zone 4.25 combo, & JKS adjustable track bar: Anything else needed?

[Andy Maurer]

I ordered a Zone 4.25 combo lift and JKS adjustable front track bar, is there anyting else I will need in order to be up and running? Just want to confirm a rear adjustable track bar is not needed, or that I am not missing anything else. Went with the combo lift as 33 will be the largest size tire I will run & I do not want to go down the never ending road of SYE, upgraded driveshaft, adjustable control arms etc...

Thankfully this is not my DD, more of a toy that gets taken out a couple times a month so I will be able to take my time with the install.

 

[Cornbread]

I ordered a Zone 4.25 combo lift and JKS adjustable front track bar, is there anyting else I will need in order to be up and running? Just want to confirm a rear adjustable track bar is not needed, or that I am not missing anything else. Went with the combo lift as 33 will be the largest size tire I will run & I do not want to go down the never ending road of SYE, upgraded driveshaft, adjustable control arms etc...

Thankfully this is not my DD, more of a toy that gets taken out a couple times a month so I will be able to take my time with the install.

I have the same kit as you and am running 35's, it will be perfect for your 33's clearance wise. I didn't need the JKS adjustable trackbar as the zone lift has you drill a new hole to offset the factory trackbar which maintains a centered axle. I welded a short piece of steel to reinforce the bracket to help strengthen it (looked wimpy to me, especially with two holes through the bracket!) Although if you have the money, the JKS front trackbar wouldn't hurt.

A rear track bar is not needed, it comes with a factory relocation bracket that works great. My driveline angles are decent with this kit, I've got 5000 miles on my lift and still no driveline vibes.

Take your time to clean and antiseize your bolts, you will be glad you did. If you have air conditioning it might be very difficult to remove the motor mount bolt on the drivers side. Jeep installed the MM bolt in a direction where you would have to remove the ac to get the bolt out. I cut mine off with a sawzall and screwed it out with an impact, was a real pain in the azz. The body lift and MM took me longer to install than the suspension lift. Any questions while installing it feel free to ask any questions, wasn't too long ago since I installed it on my own.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

You don't want to hear it (the can of worms you're opening, that is), but I would still consider a SYE and drive shaft. I have a 3.5" lift (measures closer to 4") on 33" tires. My TJ was vibrating pretty good during acceleration. A 4.25" lift is going to make that angle even more extreme than mine was.

As far as adjustable control arms: I've got stock control arms right now and haven't had a problem with them. I'd like to eventually lift the transfer case, et al., so I'll end up getting them sooner or later.

 

[JMT]

If you have air conditioning it might be very difficult to remove the motor mount bolt on the drivers side. Jeep installed the MM bolt in a direction where you would have to remove the ac to get the bolt out. I cut mine off with a sawzall and screwed it out with an impact, was a real pain in the azz.

Next time just remove the MM Bracket. I think it's three 15mm bolts. Then you won't have to cut the bolt and you can put it back in the opposite direction for any future changes.

 

[Cornbread]

I would reconsider a SYE and drive shaft. I have a 3.5" lift (measures closer to 4") on 33" tires. My TJ was vibrating pretty good during acceleration.

A 4.25" lift is going to make that angle even more extreme than mine.

The zone kit he bought is 3" suspension lift 1.25" BL. Mine is fine but I have heard others have issues at 3". The motor mount lift that comes with the kit helps out a lot I think.

 

[JMT]

I would reconsider a SYE and drive shaft. I have a 3.5" lift (measures closer to 4") on 33" tires. My TJ was vibrating pretty good during acceleration.

A 4.25" lift is going to make that angle even more extreme than mine.

As far as adjustable control arms: I've got stock control arms right now and haven't had a problem with them.

He's got a combo, so I think it's a 3" SL and 1.25" BL. At that SL he should be fine and could do a TCase drop or MML to alleviate any vibes. SYE and DC would also work, of course, but requires rear upper and lower control arms too, it all adds up to ~$1000. A MML would solve it much cheaper.

 

[Andy Maurer]

Deleted. redundant.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

This is a combo lift, only 3" of it are suspension the other 1.25 is a body lift. I am really hoping SYE/Drive shaft is not needed, but one thing I have learned from this forum is each TJ is different in how it responds.

(D'oh! Your quote caught me in the middle of editing my original post.)

IIRC, anything above a 2" lift is going to cause an angle in which vibrations occur. I could be wrong, though.

That your TJ isn't your daily driver might help you ignore the vibration.

Don't forget a new speedo ring! They're pretty inexpensive.

 

[Cornbread]

Next time just remove the MM Bracket. I think it's three 15mm bolts. Then you won't have to cut the bolt and you can put it back in the opposite direction for any future changes.

Not sure why I didn't do this but I think there was a reason. Anyways I got the job done and put the bolt back in the opposite direction!

He's got a combo, so I think it's a 3" SL and 1.25" BL. At that SL he should be fine and could do a TCase drop or MML to alleviate any vibes. SYE and DC would also work, of course, but requires rear upper and lower control arms too, it all adds up to ~$1000. A MML would solve it much cheaper.

The zone kit comes with the MML. So just the price of the kit ~$650. I will say a SYE would never hurt but I'd be surprised if you needed it.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

Deleted. redundant.

Dangit! That's the one I responded to!

 

[Andy Maurer]

Thanks for the replies everyone, will be sure to update the thread once it has been installed. I will start spraying everything with kroil tomorrow and with any luck do the install next weekend.

 

[JMT]

Thanks for the replies everyone, will be sure to update the thread once it has been installed. I will start spraying everything with kroil tomorrow and with any luck do the install next weekend.

All the best to you. The Zone combo is one of the best kits for the money hands down. Great call! Report back how it goes and don't forget before and after pics. We love pics

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

I had a Zone 3" kit installed on my LJ and used the OEM track bars. The front mount was drilled and the rear had a relocation bracket. My Jeep handles fine, and no vibration. Instead of a MML, my transfer case was dropped. I hope to do a MML and tummy tuck in the future.

Although Zone does not require adjustable track bars, I could not leave things alone. I measured to find my axle was off center. I installed a JKS adjustable track bar, and I'm happy. Mr. Blaine did a write up on centering the axle. I followed his method, except I used a laser level, instead of a plumb bob.

 

[Sj's TJ]

Agreed with what has been said. I have 3” BDS springs and I have an adjustable front track bar, rear relocation bracket, 1.25” BL and a 1” MML and all is well. Had a little vibes until I got 33’s and the extra weight of the spare eliminated my vibes. An SYE is on the list of future mods, but I’m going to run this for awhile.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LD68]

I installed the zone combo lift, crown replacement control arms, JKS front adjustable track bar and ZJ tie rod upgrade on my 05 LJ the week of Christmas. Just rolled over 600 miles on it since the install and I am very pleased. My net lift was closer to 4.6"front and 4.75"rear. The one thing I did after the lift was replace the rear track bar, the bushings were shot....

 

[Andy Maurer]

All installed and back on/off the road. It rides great, overall I am very satisified!

 

[glwood]

All installed and back on/off the road. It rides great, overall I am very satisified!
View attachment 87125View attachment 87126View attachment 87124

All that lift is from the Zone 4.25 combo?

 

[Andy Maurer]

All that lift is from the Zone 4.25 combo?

Correct. It probably looks a bit deceiving due to the flat front & lack of rear fenders.

 

[glwood]

Correct. It probably looks a bit deceiving due to the flat front & lack of rear fenders.

True, thanks. I don't see tire size in your profile, so that would add to the illusion of more lift, depending on the size,

 

[ErikOffroad]

Welcome to the zone club