'83 CJ-7 Total Renovation - Need Lift Selection Help!

[flytowny]

I am certain this has been asked 1000 times - but one more time can't hurt, right?

I have recently completed a small block V-8 conversion and it came out beautiful (and very shiny!). I am now going to lift the CJ, put on need wheel and tires, and then finish things off with a new paint job.

I have decided on 33" Goodyear Kevlar MTRs and Mickey Thompson Classic Locks (polished aluminum). I am also pretty much settled on a 4" lift (unless someone can convince me otherwise).

Can I solicit some advice from you experts on what brand will give me the best bang for my buck and the best reliability/performance for the money?

I am installing myself, so ease of install is a factor too.

Thanks so much in advance!

FlyTowny

 

[PaRenegade]

I hear good things about Rubicon Express and Superlift, but I have no experience with either. RE was out of business for about a year while being bought up by TransAmerica but are now back in production. Can't say if things will go downhill after that takeover or not.

A v8 and 33's??? You should also think about replacement 1 pc. axles.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Welcome fellow florida jeeper.. 4" spring lift should do you right to cleat the 33" tires. Like PaRenegade stated with the power and bigger tires it would be a very wise idea to upgrade to 1 pc axles.. Your CJ rear has a flange design that tends to brake with more powerful motors or bigger tires.. and when it breaks there are alot of times when the whole tire will fall off.

 

[BajaEdition]

BDS makes excellent lifts , I run them on both jeeps
a very good company with great support

A lot of guys here will tell you to go with them for a 4 inch lift
American steel

 

[flytowny]

Thanks Gents! I appreciate the input...

After a good deal of research, I just ordered a complete 4" kit from ORV thru CSE Offroad in NY. The kit comes with all required hardware and ORV nitrogen shocks. I also purchased a nitro steering stabilizer.

The true discriminator was price and after a 10% military discount the total was $576 and included free shipping.

In regards to the single piece axle - is this something that can just wait to be replaced if it fails? Or it a much worse situation if it breaks and then needs to be fixed?

Thanks again for the information!

FlyTowny

 

[BajaEdition]

well that depends, if it lets go 10 miles into the woods, how much is it worth to you then?

 

[Old Dog]

With a V8 is not if it breaks, it's when will it break.
Yes it's something you need to do.

 

[flytowny]

Good points! OK, back towards my original question...

Any recommendation on a brand of axle to purchase and best place to procure one?

Thanks!

FlyTowny

 

[clarkbmw325is]

I'm running a SBC 350 in my '81 CJ7 and I sheared one of the rear axle keys a few months after I got my Jeep back on the road. I went with Superior 1-piece axles in my rear AMC20 . Ultimately, I'd like to upgrade to D44s, since my Jeep sees mainly road use but occasional offroad.

I agree 100% though - you'll want to go single piece axles, at a minimum!