Best 2-3" Lift Kit?

[floundering]

I can't find many smaller lifts for the MJ.  I have found one from BDS, Skyjacker, and Rough Country.  I thought there was a place called Hell Creek or something but couldn't find it.  Don't really know much about any of these except the Rough Country shocks that are currently on the MJ are kind of stiff.  I don't have any idea how old they are though.

 

I have an Old Man Emu lift kit for an XJ with ACOS that I was going to sell but would it be better to fit this to the MJ (I know I'll have to bastardise the rear springs)?  It rides pretty nice but really was looking for something just bolt on and be done with it.

[Pete M]

cheapest possible is 2" poly spacers up front and a longer shackle in the rear (the most commonly used is a Chevy fullsize shackle designed to drop said chevy).  you can keep your brakelines, shocks, trackbar swaybar links, control arms, etc.  should be under 100 easy.

[floundering]

I'm not looking for cheapest per say.  I would like a nice ride on the streets more than anything else.  Just want to put some 31s under it.

[Pete M]

your ride should remain exactly as it is now. :thumbsup: 

 

I'd suggest some WJ lower control arms if you're sticking with Jeep rims.

[92tanMJ]

your ride should remain exactly as it is now. :thumbsup:

 

I'd suggest some WJ lower control arms if you're sticking with Jeep rims.

 

Yep just get some WJ lower control arms or put some washers under your steering stops and the 31's will fit no issues stock

[Eagle]

I'm not looking for cheapest per say.  I would like a nice ride on the streets more than anything else.  Just want to put some 31s under it.

 

You don't need a lift to run 31s.

[dscowell]

I know one person who has the ZJ BDS lift and loves it! I was planing on getting their 3in lift.  Also Superlift makes a 2.5" as well if you want to look into them

[Bornindesert]

By all means...I'm not an expert on lifts, not even close. Like you, didn't want to go completely budget boost - here's the combo I went with.

 

I was looking for lift to clear 31's, more articulation and a decent ride. What I learned was, coil spacers are good for lift but not necessarily articulation. After I shopped around, decided on OME springs which were around $160. You'll get about 2" of lift and they supposedly have decent ride quality. Quadratic sells the 1/4" nylon spacer, which would be a good addition on OME's.

 

For the back, I really liked the group buy deal offered by General Springs (Joe Wallace), military wrap metric ton springs for $300 a pair plus $80 to ship. They also will give somewhere around 2 inches of lift over old 3 leaf spings - results will vary.

 

I think this 2" lift would also work well with the 2012 Rubicon Shocks, there are brand new "take-off's" on Craiglist all the time here in Phx. Found a brand new set of four for $50, which I'm planning to use for a 2" lift on my daughers XJ. You have to switch the bar pins over and press out the lower bushings - no biggy.

 

Just giving you some ideas.

 

My lift is closer to 5-6" but I added ACOS and Chevy drop shackles to the above lift (plus other goodies, longer brake lines, Billsteins, track bar, discos, etc).

[floundering]

Thanks for all the ideas.  I think I may just use the OME lift kit I have.  I found a spring company in town that can mix the two leaf springs.

[1989 Eliminator]

cheapest possible is 2" poly spacers up front and a longer shackle in the rear (the most commonly used is a Chevy fullsize shackle designed to drop said chevy).  you can keep your brakelines, shocks, trackbar swaybar links, control arms, etc.  should be under 100 easy.

 I Agree!! ^^ I'm doing the same thing as Pete said

[GHayduke]

2 inch Chevy Drop / MJ Lift shackle question:  What Year full size Chevy do I source the drop shackles for? 

 

And do they come in different drops?

 

I'm using 2 inch spring spacers to lift the front my 88' MJ (with 98' Cherokee suspension).  After I put the rear 98' Chero axle in, I'll then need to add lift to level out the MJ.

I'd actually be fine with the MJ sitting a bit higher in the rear. This will primarily be my daily driver so I'm looking to keep decent ride quality.

[Pete M]

I'd imagine so, but the ones I've always heard of are the 2" drop.  any longer and the shackle starts to get too long.  and

 

those won't necessarily raise your MJ up 2 inches.  but since most all MJs have a slight forward rake, it balances out the truck front to back to have a 2" front lift and a bit less than that in the rear.

[GHayduke]

Thanks Pete,  I plan to lift the front, put the new axle in the rear, and see how it sits to start with. 

 

What Year full size Chevy do I source the drop shackles for?   80's, 90'S, 2000's? 

 

A quick Google search looks like later model 90's or 2000's might look similar? but some shown are a different style. If someone has done this, I'd like to know the year they sourced shackles for.

[GHayduke]

I installed my front axle and found the factory spring isolators are done.  I added a spacer and a new isolator that came out of my TJ.  Looks like I'll get a little less than two inches of lift.  I'm trying to decide do I just go full length 2" add-a-leafs in the rear spring pack?  Or get the mystery Chevy drop Shackles that no one can identify for certain?

 

I'm thinking of adding this as a tag line :laughin: : 

 

What Year full size Chevy do I source 2" drop shackles for?   80's, 90'S, 2000's? 

 

[GHayduke]

I added rancho add-a-leafs which only gained me about 3/4 inch of lift considering I also switched to a larger diameter axle tube Chrysler 8.25 axle.

I added some swap meet Shackles likely for a Chevy that were 6-1/2 inches long eye to eye which gained me 2 inches of lift at the rear bumper & around a inch overall. I modified Wrangler JK shocks front & rear.