Just Another Idiot Looking For Lift Advice

[skel130]

Alright, I know this question has been asked a million times, and I've tried to read through most of the threads regarding lifts. 

 

Here's what I've got:

1 -1988 Jeep Comanche (Pioneer, Olympic Edition)  2x4 4.0L 5 speed, Bone stock.

1 -fairly competent human being

 

Here's what I'd like:

1 -Jeep Comanche that sits ~2" higher. 

1 -fairly competent human being with a sense of accomplishment and retaining all 10 fingers, as well as most of his blood.

 

 

I'm really looking for off the shelf parts that will just bolt on. I don't have access to a welder, and my metal working tools are very limited. The truck has what looks to be the original suspension on it, and I'd like to do shocks, springs and the like in the process. I don't off road, and the truck mostly putts around town, back and forth to college, and to the lake (with a jet ski).

 

If some of you kind souls wouldn't mind actually just linking the parts I would need, I'd pretty much love ya'll forever. More than I do. 

 

Being a college student, I'd like to also retain my money, but I don't have time to pull shackles and the like from junk yards. I've never done a lift on a vehicle, so I'm nervous to attempt it, but I know I can do it. 

 

tl;dr: Cheap is good, but want new parts that bolt on easy. Shocks and springs would be great, and mainly care about ride quality, and only tow ~1500 on rare occasions, but when I do, it's on the highway. 

[skel130]

Oh, and a quick question I hope has a good answer: What is the best cheap roll bar to add to a Comanche (short bed)? I know they aren't that useful, but I think: A) They look good, and B) While not that effective, if my truck were to roll, I'll take the extra metal that might be just enough to stop the roof from breaking my neck. 

[Pete M]

your cheapest option is 1.75 or 2" pucks for the front and a longer shackle (the most commonly used ones are aftermarkets designed to drop a late 90s chevy truck 2") in the rear should give you the bump in height you're looking for. :thumbsup:

 

lift pucks: http://www.ebay.com/...4f07693&vxp=mtr

 

 

drop shackles: http://www.ebay.com/...941f5e4&vxp=mtr

 

 

and you can run stock everything else with it.  you might need an alignment after lifting the front.  oh, and rust sucks.  be prepared for it.

[skel130]

Arizona Truck :) It's actually pretty free of the cancer. Any recommendations on brands for suspension stuff? Just best bang for the buck kinda thing.

 

Thanks a million though for the links.

[dasbulliwagen]

I agree with Pete. The parts for the small lift will give you the good ride youre looking for and be easy to install. I think an alignment should be a requirement, otherwise death wobble will be much more likely to occur. Get it done professionally, and make sure they adjust toe AND caster. As for shocks, sometimes you can find JK Wrangler take off shocks real cheap on craigslist or your local Jeep forum. They are about an inch longer than stock and ride real good. I have a set on my MJ. It doesnt matter between Rubicon or regular JK shoicks, as they are all about the same length. The JK shocks need minor mods to be able to work, but it really isnt a big deal. Let me know if you want to use a set of these and Ill tell you whats needed to ake them work. Good luck.

[skel130]

I'd be interested in knowing what it takes to make those work. I'm also not opposed to buying a set of new shocks, but suspensions are kind of a mystery to me, as I've never really messed with it before (I always liked sports cars ;) )

[Pete M]

a good reason to keep it simple for your first lift. :D

What tires are rims are you planning to run? k

 

 

keep in mind that 2wd MJs sit about an inch lower than 4wd MJs, so if you got a lift kit that included new 3" coils, you're essentially lifting the front of your truck 4".

[dasbulliwagen]

Ok, I think I'm getting this right, but may be off as I don't have my truck in front of me to look at. The front lower point on the MJ uses a bar pin, and the Jk ones don't. You can press out the bar pin from your old shocks, press out the inner metal sleeve from the JK shocks, and insert the bar pin into the JK shocks in place of the lower metal sleeve. Then you can mount the front shocks. You may need some lubricant to accomplish this, and a press or a large vice would be extremely helpful. For the rear, you need to press out I think the lower shock mount metal sleeve from the Jk shocks. The MJ mount uses a large boss and doesnt require the sleeve. Be sure to use a large washer on this so the shock doesnt slip back off over the bolt.

[skel130]

Awesome. Thanks for all the advice. I'm not quite sure the pros/cons of using the JK shocks vs just getting longer new shocks. I took a peek on my local craigslist and didn't see anything, so that might decide for me ;)  

 

Rim/Tire wise, I've not decided. I have the stock combo (I think) which is 235/70/15 I believe. I might just leave those for a while, and then just see what pops up cheap on the old craigslist. 

 

Like I said, I don't exactly do too much with the truck, so the lift is solely for cosmetic purposes. I might lift it, and take one look at the wheels and laugh at how small they are and be forced to get bigger ones.

[skel130]

Also, any tips on brands for new shocks if I go that route, or Coil/leaf springs (the darn truck likes to lean left)

[dasbulliwagen]

I think the only real pros about getting JK shocks would being able to get them cheap and they are slightly longer. Just a good option if you can get them cheap or free like mine. Otherwise aftermarket one are fine. And there is a shock compatibility guide somewhere on here too that might help. Good luck.