Another lift question thread, sorry

[kxrider]

I know the which lift is best thread has been done a million times, but I have searched for a while and not found the answers Im looking for.

First off let me introduce myself since I am a noob. I just recently aquired an 85 CJ7 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . It is in excellent shape.

This is my third jeep. I had a 1970 CJ5 , a 1988 YJ and a 1993 yj. I put a 2.5" skyjacker softride with doeutsh tech shocks on the 88 and a 4" skyjacker softride with skyjacker hydro's on the 93. I liked both lifts, but perferred the 4". Both jeeps had the old BFG 9.50/33s.

I am putting a lift on the new jeep, I am looking at the RE 4.5 with RE mono tubes, the BDS 4" with fox 2.0, or the OME with OME shocks. I would liek to hear from peopl who have actually run these lifts. I want mor than it rides and articulates well. I perfer a firmer ride for fast jaunts down the trail. (My other vehicle is a Ram 3500 Diesel with super springs, so I understand harsh ride.) It will however spend a couple of weekends a year in Moab. Mostly on fairly easy trails like Elephant hill. This jeep will also be a daily driver.

I am leaning towar the OME, but am concerned it may be to soft. I am wondering if thier heavy duty springs help that out a little. I really like the BDS but worry it may be to stiff. As far as the RE, I am concered they may not be as good as they used to be under the new owners. Anyway any help and insight you care to share would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

PS, I will get pictures up asap.

 

[Sasquach]

I have the RE 4.5 setup that is prior to the sell-off and I like it now that I have replace the frames shackle hangers with larger YJ bushing type to match the springs larger bushing size. The kits shackles are also poor quality and bend easily and plain to long in my opinion so I also cut some new ones out of 1/4" plate with a 3-3/4" center to center length, this is the min. length to allow full spring flex.
My 2 cents.

 

[Torxhead]

I heard from the guys at Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers the other day that they bought the RE company. I would think that 4WPW would keep up the quality that RE is known for other than that spring shackle issue which I didn't know about. I have just purchased some BDS springs and see that they still use the narrower CJ spring width up front in their kit which is what I was hoping for. A good point about both RE and BDS is that they have the military wrap on both ends, which helps for spring wrap which tends to be hard on u-joints and in the pic here which shows an example of how the rear axle rotates and the u-joint wacks the the muffler:

 

[kxrider]

Just out of curiosity, why were you hoping for the smaller cj springs? I like that as well, I think it keeps it closer to original. But I would like to know what you are thinking... Oh and thanks for the replies

 

[Torxhead]

Its pretty much a personal preference. The RE front spring is longer and wider, plus it requires an adapter for the front spring hanger. It does provide a smoother ride, or thats what I have read. It seems like you are trying to choose from the best and most expensive lift kits on the market. Shocks are pretty critical for a CJ too, I would also think they would be critical for a 1 ton pickup. Another thing is with a high lift springs, the oem front spring shackle hangers tend to break at the rivet clearance hole after time and the spring pivot hangers will eventually require rewelding.

 

[kxrider]

I am all about not buying the lift twice...so I look for the best. Beside they are a pain to install. My truck rides ok, I just have a 4000lb camper it needs to carry, so when empty its a little harsh. I am pretty sold on the BDS with fox. It might be from my bike, but fox usually makes me happy. Thanks again for your help.

 

[jswatson0917]

I just installed the BDS springs and shocks with the YJ conversion. So far the ride seems ok the only complaint I had was the rear shock didn't reach the spring plates.