pitbull4x4 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have a 89 Comanche 2wd,4.0, auto. Getting things for 4wd switch. As it will be mostly a daily driver would it be better to run a 3 inch lift or go with the SOA. Most likly going with 31s. Any help would be help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have a 89 Comanche 2wd,4.0, auto. Getting things for 4wd switch. As it will be mostly a daily driver would it be better to run a 3 inch lift or go with the SOA. Most likly going with 31s. Any help would be help You can run 31s with NO lift. For a vehicle that will be mostly a daily driver, don't lift it at all. I bought my '88 MJ with a 4" lift on it, and putting it back to stock height was one of the best decisions of my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Yep, 31x10.5 tires with no lift, just have to adjust the steering stops so your don't rub at full steering. If you don't need the lift, don't get it. Worse gas mileage from bad aerodynamics, unneeded money spent, higher center of gravity. Stick with stock height if shes your DD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 You could also fix the problem at its source and install WJ lower control arms and improve handling and ride quality while you're at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 IMHO an SOA is way too much lift for 31's. I am at 5.5" with a 32.4" tire ( about what some 33's actually measure) and they look undersized. If YOU want the look of a lifted truck, do it. That is all that matters. A small 2" budget boost type lift is detailed in many places and in a couple of forms around here. It is under $100... probably less work and about the same money as getting junk yard WJ parts and installing them. Personally many feel that the trucks look better with a touch of lift. If you agree then the WJ arms get you nothing in that department. Avoid a lift that uses a short add-a-leaf as they are commonly cited for a harsh ride. If your front springs are worn or you run a tire with any type of aggressive shoulder lug they will rub and the rear may possibly rub on the inner fender as well. Turn in your stops and increase your turning radius? Not the best solution IMHO. So why spend money and labor swapping control arms & the like when your budget lift gets you the look you seem to be interested in anyway? And without having to increase your turning radius? Although it may "sound right" that lifting the truck changes the aerodynamics & hurts MPG" is most likely one of those "well everyone knows..." things without a lot to back it up. Sure, it seems like it would be right but is it? The evidence is anecdotal at best. These things are as aerodynamic as a brick. Any MPG change after a lift/tire upgrade would be far more attributable to the change in height, weight, and width of the new tires (and maybe rims) not the lift raising the truck. You change the final drive ratio, increase rolling resistance - especially with an aggressive tread- & push more rubber with every RPM, and increase un-sprung weight. As a general rule adding 1# of un-sprung weight is equal to adding 10#'s of sprung weight. These items will all provide a noticeable change in MPG & performance. A minuscule coefficient of drag increase on a brick? Think about it. It gets overlooked that whether you lift it or not you are adding the exact same larger tires & that will still cause the same changes anyway. That and you generally have to drive it a touch harder to make up for those changes. So...if you want it lifted do it. My personal advice would be to just be careful about going too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 #1 Stock height & oversized 235/75/15's Stock height 31's (VERY mild tread tread) 4.5" SUA lift and 32x11.5's #2 Stock height & 205/75/15 tires: Stock height and 31's (same worn street tires) 5.5" SOA & trimmed fenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 You mostly want a daily driver, right? You want to run 31's? You don't NEED a lift of any kind. Spend your time and money making the truck a Good daily driver first. The 4 X 4 conversion is nice with a daily driver, get that done and running properly before you worry about lifting the truck. Just my not so humble opinion. And worth every penny you paid for it!! Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Oh, to throw this out: if you do decide to go SOA they can ride and handle great. Much better than the SUA lifts I have been around. SOA does not effect daily driver capable one bit if you are careful with your parts choices. People who think otherwise are either repeating internet rumors, saying what they "just know" has to be true without really knowing anything about it, or they have been subjected to cobbled up messes. Whether to lift and/or go with larger tires is generally a want thing versus a need thing anyway. That the OP even asked the question makes me think there is some "want" factor there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbull4x4 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Thank you all for reply. I forgot to s ay it has a really bad rake IMO. Front looks like it sits down about 4 or 5 inches. Have measured it as it said in the diy . About 4 1/2 inch different. You sit inside and hood looks like its hitting the ground. Tires on it now are 235-75-15. Yes know 31s will fit with no lift but want a mild lift. I do use the bed alot. can't post pictures but if someone would let me send one than they could post and everyone could see. Also only paid $325.00 for it and drove it home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 If you'vd got that much rake, maybe a new set of front springs is in order, just to level it out some. OME makes 1" lift springs that ride very, very well and should get you leveled fairly well. As for the back, if you haul a lot, I'd leave it SUA. If you go SOA, you just gotta lift things into the bed that much higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Thank you all for reply. I forgot to s ay it has a really bad rake IMO. Front looks like it sits down about 4 or 5 inches. Have measured it as it said in the diy . About 4 1/2 inch different. You sit inside and hood looks like its hitting the ground. Tires on it now are 235-75-15. Yes know 31s will fit with no lift but want a mild lift. I do use the bed alot. can't post pictures but if someone would let me send one than they could post and everyone could see. Also only paid $325.00 for it and drove it home 4-1/2" difference between the front and the rear, or the front sits 4-1/2" lower than what the factory spec is? The nominal factory ride height for a 2WD is 6-3/4" front and 8.2" rear -- that's a difference of an inch and a half. If your front has sagged 3 inches, the LAST thing you need is a SOA lift in the rear. That's going to lift the rear a minimum of 5-1/2" to 6". What you need is a pair of new front coils. Junkyard coils from a V8 ZJ Grand Cherokee (1993 thry 1998) will bring you back to stock heit plus a little more, and still ride well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I doubt the front has sagged 4.5". A stock MJ at normal ride height has neither 4.5" compression left on the front shocks, nor 4.5" between the bump stop and spring seat. No doubt the front has sagged, but there has to be some lift in the rear, whether it be a lift spring pack (bastard or aftermarket), re-arched springs, lift shackles, add-a-leaf, or a combination of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 SOA with 5.5" to level the front and 31" tires. My plan is 33's in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 With that much clearance, I'd go 35's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Here's a picture of mine with 235 75 15 tires (near stock) and soa with 4.5 ruby coils up front. I like the rake. shelbyluvv: What's the story behind putting Cherokee on the side of your MJ? That is a nice truck, really like the topper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I would guess that those are CHerokee fenders? PFC I can't see a truck in the pic you posted... :rotf: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 My truck had a 97+ front end. I took it off and had 96- fenders and nose that were red blue and white. I stumbled on a XJ that had all black parts in the yard and traded my stuff plus $20 for the all black parts. The shell was a gift from a member here. I really like it but it will be getting removed for my chrome LWB roll bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I would guess that those are CHerokee fenders? PFC I can't see a truck in the pic you posted... :rotf: Took me a second, thought the picture wasn't showing up. Clever.. haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw star Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I would guess that those are CHerokee fenders? PFC I can't see a truck in the pic you posted... :rotf: I would guess that those are CHerokee fenders? PFC I can't see a truck in the pic you posted... :rotf: Took me a second, thought the picture wasn't showing up. Clever.. hahaSgt: "How come I didn't see you at camouflage training today Private?!!"Me: "Thank you Sgt!!" Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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