Help for 14 year old

[89 MJ]

I am a 14 year old that owns a mostly rust free 1989 Comanche short bed 4x4 5 speed 4.0. I would like to put a lift in it, but I have a limited budget. What do you recommend?

[dasbulliwagen]

There are threads here and elsewhere for budget lifts. Look in the DIY section and search and youll find what youre looking for. Id help you with a link but I'm at work. I'm sure others will chime in as well. The rear doesnt take much to lift six inches just by going spring over axle with weld on perches and a longer brake line. Original rear shocks can be used if the original spring plates are used upside down. That much lift is a little too much for many people. If you do that, youd have to do the same in the front. Some 5.5-6 inch springs in the front, adjustable control arms, and an adjustable trac bar, again with longer brake lines, and longer shocks. All can be had used with a little patience on local forums and facebook marketplace. I wish you luck and look forward to seeing what you do.

[Eagle]

The cost of a lift increases exponentially with the height of the lift (which is a fancy way to say that twice as much lift costs four times as much money). You didn't say how much lift you want or why you want to lift it, but as soon as you say "I have a limited budget" all sorts of alarm bells go off in my head. You can half-@$$ a 4-inch or 6-inch lift on a low budget, but it won't make you happy in the long run and may not even be safe. The absolute best advice if you don't have a lot of money is to decide what you want/need to do it right, and then save your pennies until you can afford to do it right.

 

There are three reasons why people lift:

1. Looks
2. Tire clearance
3. Ground clearance

#1 is personal and subjective. Personally, I think a stock MJ looks better than a lifted project truck. My red '88 had a 4" lift on it when I bought it. I took it out after a couple of years of wheeling with the lift, and I think it was one of the better decisions I've made in life. A stock MJ can run 31x10.50-15 tires with NO modifications, so unless you're looking to clear 32" or larger tires and/or you're into heavy-duty rock crawling (which would be sacrilege with a pristine Comanche), you really don't need any lift.

 

Practicalities: because the solid axle needs a track bar to locate the axle laterally. lifting the front shifts the axle to one side. Beyond about 2 inches of lift you need an adjustable track bar. $$$ At 4 inches or so, you reach the point where you need adjustable control arms and longer sway bar links. $$$$$

 

Budget lift? 1-3/4" lift spacers in front, Rancho full-length add-a-leaf in the rear.

[Pete M]

welcome to the club!    what all do you plan to do with the truck?  

[AZJeff]

I agree with Eagle.   If you are on a limited budget, a lift of NO MORE than 2 inches is still both functional and practical.  It won't break the bank, and it won't create some sort of mechanical monster that has bad handling and road manners.

 

Welcome to the club.   We are all glad to help!