crumbscomanche Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Hey everyone, looking to get some feedback on how to take things up a notch without breaking the bank. So far I've found the truck to be super capable, and ground clearance seems to be my biggest issue. I like 31s for the time being, and I'm not looking to get crazy right now, so I'm trying to come up with a modular plan and stay under $1k that will give me some more flex and room. I currently have moog ZJ V8 coils with the RE economy kit pucks and shocks (which I plan on keeping for now) I'm thinking 3.5'' RE coils ($180), 5(3/2) general springs ($220), and currie adjustable LCA ($400). I think with the weight I currently have with the bumpers and winch I should net around 3'' of lift with my current chevy drop shackles which I think will let me hold off on the SYE/CV and longer shocks upgrade until I go all out. Does anyone think I'll have too much rake with that setup? And will I be solid with these shocks? If so I have RE pucks I can put in to even things out. I currently have them on and don't live the ride but it is what it is. I guess I'm also looking for feedback on whether or not this is good route to go to get the most bang for my buck for the next 18 months or so while it's my weekend warrior. Thanks in advance! Current shots of flex maxed out - I do have bumpstops in place that have done a great job so far: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 SOA, adjustable trac bar, adjustable LCA's and WJ uppers. You'll lift it 5". An SUA lift would still leave you with those lame stock plate and shock mount which, to raise the clearance considerably you'd need much bigger tires (every inch of tire size lift only gains 1/2" of clearance) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbscomanche Posted May 3, 2018 Author Share Posted May 3, 2018 21 minutes ago, ParadiseMJ said: SOA, adjustable trac bar, adjustable LCA's and WJ uppers. You'll lift it 5". An SUA lift would still leave you with those lame stock plate and shock mount which, to raise the clearance considerably you'd need much bigger tires (every inch of tire size lift only gains 1/2" of clearance) does the trac bar make a big difference? I'll look into the wj uppers too. I haven't wanted to go SOA because of the axle wrap possibility and 5'' is honestly more than I need. I feel like 3-4 would be the sweet spot between practicality and capability with the long bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Axle wrap is an overstated problem with SOA. I think most of the people that squawk about it don't have and have never driven a SOA MJ. Remember all the XJs came SOA, and it's not like you see them having massive problems and being denied on obstacles because of axle wrap. SUA is a crappy way to combat it anyways, assuming you're not limited by arbitrary rules. You're better off with a properly designed anti-wrap bar if you have a real problem with it. Also, the other big issue with SUA is that the springs, spring plates, and shock mounts are hanging down under the axle, which is completely counterproductive to gaining ground clearance. You need an adjustable track bar for more lift, although you can cheap out and redrill the bracket on the axle. This isn't the greatest solution as the factory piece isn't the strongest. Honestly if I was you I'd not screw with it until I had more money to spend. Just go SOA and long arms with new shocks all around. I have not long armed mine yet, and even just with the 3.5" RE springs the ride is garbage on potholes and washboard because of it. With a long bed you're not going to need a SYE for angle reasons. That said I still believe in them and would do one, others will disagree. If you're to do it, doing it at the same time as going SOA makes the most sense as you can set the pinion angle correctly then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 FYI the general spring price is per side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 I always recommend planning a build in evolutions because chasing lift and flex an inch at a time is the most expensive and unwise way to do it. IMO, your plan will net you only marginal improvement over what you have now. For example, my 3" coils unseat at 4" of down travel and you look pretty close to that already. You are going to want more spring to make any more DT useful. Your next most worthwhile evolution is 4.5" or up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbscomanche Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 thanks everyone. great feedback all around, I'll continue to work on little things for now. waiting sucks! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 I have done soa in the rear w/ 2wd leafs, adjustable control arms upper and lowers, with 4.5" coils and a 1.5" spacer. sitting right around 6 inches of lift and the truck is sitting pretty level. The only gripe I have with my lift is that I can only go 31s right now because I don't have money for tires and a regear any higher than what I am at right now I need either control arm drop brackets or long arms or custom short arms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 2 hours ago, Swampy said: any higher than what I am at right now I need either control arm drop brackets or long arms or custom short arms you should ideally have them already. 6" is a lot for short arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Thinking about building mid arms in the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 To be realistic, remember ... trying to stay under $1000. A decent adjustable track bar = 300+/- Adjustable LCA's and/or drop brackets (or both)=250-400 Didn't include tires, but 31's would look a little weird at 5"...so if include bigger tires...you're over budget with just those few things and this doesn't include any shop labor, so you'll be doing all of it yourself. This is one of the reasons (OK the main reason) I'm staying close to stock. Time, money, and energy. I'm retiring this summer= more time. I'm retiring this summer = more money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Order up some “anti-wrap” spring perches from Barnes4wd or RuffStuff and ease your SOA worries. You have to buy new perches anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 3 minutes ago, Incommando said: Order up some “anti-wrap” spring perches from Barnes4wd or RuffStuff and ease your SOA worries. You have to buy new perches anyway. If you still have the factory overloads it won't make any difference, but I'd still order from either of those guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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