3 ish inch lift and steering...

[Heath]

I searched the forum, but couldn't find anything 'current' regarding lifts and steering combinations.  If you know of one please point me to it. 

 

I have a 4x4 short bed.  I need a small lift (31x10.5x15 tires, Dana 30, 35) including upper and lower control arms, shocks, brake lines, rear leaf springs and all new steering linkage components.  I don't know enough about this to make sure I get the right size parts separately so was looking for kits or a good parts list for suspension and steering components that play nice together.  I'd like it to retain stock/good road driving performance, but also be fun to drive on long dirt/mud roads and trails (not going to be a rock crawler).  Thanks!

[Pete M]

31s can be run bone stock with some caveats.  

 

one of my favorite build plans:

31s

stock MJ/XJ/YJ/TJ/ZJ/KJ rims (I prefer the 8" wide TJ Gambler or TJ Canyons if going 15, TJ Moabs if going 16)

2" coil spacer

YJ front brakelines (longer than stock if your current ones are 35 years old and you need new ones anyway)

dakota or chevy truck rear brakeline (longer than stock if yours are 35 years old and you need new ones anyway)

new quality 0-3" front/rear shocks

WJ lower arms (same length as stock so good for 2" but have a bend in them to clear bigger tires at full steering lock)

new stock steering parts (except with a v8 ZJ tie rod)

 

[89 MJ]

This really depends on how much you want to spend on a lift.

 

With stock wheels, you can clear 31s with no lift. You could also run coil spacers (these ones are 2", I really wouldn't run more than that). You can also get adjustable spacers that replace your bump stops, most people run these ACOS. Otherwise, I think pretty much any spring company would have a 3" offering, just steer clear of Rough Country. For a rear lift, I'd recommend steering clear of longer shackles as that will alter your pinion angle, potentially creating vibrations. I did my own custom add-a-leaf in my MJ and would do the same again in a heartbeat. In fact, I did the exact same thing in my Eagle. It does stiffen up the rear some, but it didn't really make it ride worse in either case. Plus using them as a truck and towing and hauling, the stiffer springs are much better.

 

For control arms, it seems like Core 4x4 is the way to go. In my opinion, at a 3" lift, you really should get an adjustable track bar too. Here is the Core 4x4 control arm and track bar kit. The Core stuff is pricey, but I've heard great things about them. I don't recall if I did new steering stuff or not.

 

In my opinion (and experience), you really don't need longer brake lines, shocks, or upper control arms with a 3" lift. I have run out of suspension travel with the sway bar disconnected before I ran out of brake line or shock travel.

 

 

I'll briefly lay out what I did:

 

3" front springs with tubular lower control arms.

Probably stock replacement steering components

Adjustable track bar

Main leaf from an XJ lift spring pack with the eyes cut off added right below my MJ main leaf

 

I really like this combination. Everything was used when I got it, and its been fine. Just replaced the control arm bushings, tie rod ends, track bar end, and wear parts such as those. I'm going to be honest, I don't even know what the lift is. I was told it was a 5" lift. The front springs came with 2" spacers, so I suspect it was a 3" spring lift with 2" spacers for the front. I wouldn't hesitate to go that same route again though. I'd recommend just look for someone parting out a lifted XJ or look for someone selling a beat up XJ trail rig and buy the whole thing and part it out.

 

 

 

I think its worth saying that you really don't need a lift for mild trails. A properly driven mostly stock vehicle on all terrains would probably surprise you. That said, I can't blame you for wanting to lift it. They do look cool that way, but with a lift and larger tires comes the needs for better gears and your braking abilities won't be quite as good as stock.

[Heath]

9 hours ago, Pete M said:

31s can be run bone stock with some caveats.  

 

one of my favorite build plans:

31s

stock MJ/XJ/YJ/TJ/ZJ/KJ rims (I prefer the 8" wide TJ Gambler or TJ Canyons if going 15, TJ Moabs if going 16)

2" coil spacer

YJ front brakelines (longer than stock if your current ones are 35 years old and you need new ones anyway)

dakota or chevy truck rear brakeline (longer than stock if yours are 35 years old and you need new ones anyway)

new quality 0-3" front/rear shocks

WJ lower arms (same length as stock so good for 2" but have a bend in them to clear bigger tires at full steering lock)

new stock steering parts (except with a v8 ZJ tie rod)

 

Thanks Pete.  This is helpful.

[Heath]

8 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

This really depends on how much you want to spend on a lift.

 

With stock wheels, you can clear 31s with no lift. You could also run coil spacers (these ones are 2", I really wouldn't run more than that). You can also get adjustable spacers that replace your bump stops, most people run these ACOS. Otherwise, I think pretty much any spring company would have a 3" offering, just steer clear of Rough Country. For a rear lift, I'd recommend steering clear of longer shackles as that will alter your pinion angle, potentially creating vibrations. I did my own custom add-a-leaf in my MJ and would do the same again in a heartbeat. In fact, I did the exact same thing in my Eagle. It does stiffen up the rear some, but it didn't really make it ride worse in either case. Plus using them as a truck and towing and hauling, the stiffer springs are much better.

 

For control arms, it seems like Core 4x4 is the way to go. In my opinion, at a 3" lift, you really should get an adjustable track bar too. Here is the Core 4x4 control arm and track bar kit. The Core stuff is pricey, but I've heard great things about them. I don't recall if I did new steering stuff or not.

 

In my opinion (and experience), you really don't need longer brake lines, shocks, or upper control arms with a 3" lift. I have run out of suspension travel with the sway bar disconnected before I ran out of brake line or shock travel.

 

 

I'll briefly lay out what I did:

 

3" front springs with tubular lower control arms.

Probably stock replacement steering components

Adjustable track bar

Main leaf from an XJ lift spring pack with the eyes cut off added right below my MJ main leaf

 

I really like this combination. Everything was used when I got it, and its been fine. Just replaced the control arm bushings, tie rod ends, track bar end, and wear parts such as those. I'm going to be honest, I don't even know what the lift is. I was told it was a 5" lift. The front springs came with 2" spacers, so I suspect it was a 3" spring lift with 2" spacers for the front. I wouldn't hesitate to go that same route again though. I'd recommend just look for someone parting out a lifted XJ or look for someone selling a beat up XJ trail rig and buy the whole thing and part it out.

 

 

 

I think its worth saying that you really don't need a lift for mild trails. A properly driven mostly stock vehicle on all terrains would probably surprise you. That said, I can't blame you for wanting to lift it. They do look cool that way, but with a lift and larger tires comes the needs for better gears and your braking abilities won't be quite as good as stock.

Good info.  Yeah, I think my rig has mostly original steering linkage and suspension.  Seems I'll need to consider a mix of stock and aftermarket replacement parts, and not just focus on a 'kit'.  Especially given that I'm not looking for a lot of height, or wanting to spend that kind of money.  Thanks!

[75sv1]

     I have an XJ with Metric tires at about 31" by 9.5 and a 2 inch lift. Really like how it drives. I went with IRO 2" springs, Ford 8.8 rear and Crown Upcountry rear Leafs. If on a tight budget, I'd go with the Pete plan. Then upgrade as needed. I used some rims for a 2000 XJ, that are 16". I needed them for the WJ Big Brakes. I planned a semi budget build. It went out of control. If I have to do it over, I'd go with Old Man Emu front and rear springs at 1.75" lift. 

      

[75sv1]

Also, I use KYB Monomax shocks up front. YJ ones. On the rear I use some white box ones from IRO. Probably Rancho 200's. Didn't quire balance well. I put in some Rancho 8000 Adjustable on the mid setting. I like it better. I used some Raybestos E3 brake lines that are for a 3.5-4.5 lift. YJ as suggest by Pete would be a good start. 

      OK, auto or manual? Auto, I like 4.10 gears for a 31's. On a manual, 3.55's should be about right. I did have stock steering on a '98 with 31 X 10.5. Did OK. I did have a Rusty's Track bar on that. I was at 4.5 lift. Maybe a ZJ's steering setup. I forget what in the ZJ's steering is a bit beefier. Also, what Year MJ? The older pre 90's had different brake setup. So, might be able to go with a larger brake rotor. 

[ghetdjc320]

ZJ Steering works well on mild lifts with 31-33's. The general spring replacement leaf springs will net enough lift to accommodate a 3" front lift coil. Add a leaf is another good option with 3" front coils.