Lift advice? Please

[Hitman1881]

Ok I have been reading all over the net and this forum on lifts. This is my first jeep and I have been plugging away at it for the last couple months. What I want to do next is a lift.
From what I can tell the PO installed a 2" body lift which I would eventually like to ditch or at least go down to 1". It also appears that it has 1" of shackle lift ( 5" bolt to bolt). So with all that what I would like to do is 2.5" of suspension lift. I have 33" tires now and do not want to go any taller bigger with tires. This jeep will be a weekend driver around town mostly with some weekend light trail riding. What do you think, Am I thinking right for what I want to do with the jeep?
Also what would you suggest for a lift- type, brand etc. etc....... A consideration would also be ease of installation. Remember I am new to all this. Thanks in advance for any advice you could give.

 

[hole]

Lots of ways to go on this one. Do it too cheap and it will ride like a buck board. Spend some more coin and it will ride better than stock. That said, I went with OME YJ conversion springs and couldn't be happier. It was +/- $500 more than a cheap Rancho lift , small potatoes for a happy kidney if you ask me.

 

[dunebuggy18]

First thing, understand that the more you lift, the more you will have to make other changes as a result of the lift. The attached will help to understand what a lift does to a suspension, and what you may have to modify to compensate for the lift.

That said, I agree OME makes a good product. Personally, I would go with a 4" lift (YJ springs are always a good upgrade), can the body lift and your 33's should fit fine. Things to consider: was the steering shaft extended/modified for the body lift? Do you have a drop pitman arm?

More than a 4" lift and you'll start talking a lot more work (and $$$). As with all things Jeep - how deep are your pockets?

 

[PaRenegade]

I believe it's a good plan, and real similar to mine. I went with the OME 2 1/2" wrangler springs, 1" shackles (5" b2b), and a 1" body lift on 33" tires. I would suggest a quality set of shackles with 3/8" sides and a welded block between and also an upgrade to the weak factory shackle mounts if they're still on it. And don't forget to address your shocks (proper length) and bump stops.

 

[Sasquach]

Great attach Dunebug, should be requirred reading here.

 

[poppatello]

Plan sounds solid to me too. I would do a BDS lift kit. I love mine. I have heard great things about Rough Country. But I have also heard that Rough Country springs sag over time. I can honesty say my BDS 4" lift has been on for over 7 years and haven't dropped at all. Still rides like it was the day it was installed.

I think once you start getting 3" or more you start changing how the driveline, caster angles, and center of gravity was. You will be @ that mark with the 1" body and any lift. Just take your time and work through everything and you will love any lift you put on it...

 

[Old Dog]

IMO you will need 4"s of total lift for 33's to clear unless you trim the wheel wells.
When you talk springs you usually get what you pay for. Most people like
Old Man Emu, BDS, and Rubicon Express.
There's also very good custom springs from Alcan, Denver, and others.

 

[Hitman1881]

Thanks for the input. I have read a lot of good about OME stuff, so what does it take to add Ome 2.5" springs? Is it as simple as swapp out the springs with the new ome springs? If not what else do I need? Does anyone sell a kit with everything I need?

 

[Sasquach]

Thanks for the input. I have read a lot of good about OME stuff, so what does it take to add Ome 2.5" springs? Is it as simple as swapp out the springs with the new ome springs? If not what else do I need? Does anyone sell a kit with everything I need?

The main change is the springs are wider than stock on the front so the shackle hanger needs to be replaced, the spring hanger is already 2 1/2" though.
The only "complete" kit is the Rubicon but they only provide stepped shackles so you keep your frames hanger and the shackle adapts to the wider spring, kinda mouse but works.
To do it right will take some effort on your part, I made my own large yj size bushing hangers but they are available in both bushing sizes for the 2 1/2" spring.
You also need wider spring plates for the U bolts and shock mounts.

 

[hole]

Thanks for the input. I have read a lot of good about OME stuff, so what does it take to add Ome 2.5" springs? Is it as simple as swapp out the springs with the new ome springs? If not what else do I need? Does anyone sell a kit with everything I need?

Check out Rocky Road, I had good luck with them, and it was an easy conversion to do

 

[PaRenegade]

Thanks for the input. I have read a lot of good about OME stuff, so what does it take to add Ome 2.5" springs? Is it as simple as swapp out the springs with the new ome springs? If not what else do I need? Does anyone sell a kit with everything I need?

No, it's not quite that easy but it's not too difficult, though it varies depending on what you currently have and what you want. Some kits include parts you don't need or already have. The back is pretty much a wash. The front is where it varies because the std. Jeep springs are only 2" wide but the wrangler springs are 2 1/2".
There are various "conversion kits" available but not all are created equal. Review each one to determine any installation qwerks that may interfere with other equipment. For example the Rocky Road shackle mounts wrap around the side of the frame, but you may have a winch plate that needs that space for attachment. And it is possible to seek the parts individually and cheaper. The Rock Granite kit from Okay4WD is also a pretty good kit and I know they worked closely with TR Burris at ARB (OME's US distributor) to put it together. I got some parts from them and the only issue I had was that the bolt sleeves weren't drilled for the greasable bolts to pass grease, but they may have fixed that oversight by now.

 

[davey25]

Is it really worth doing all that work for the extra .5 inch wide spring in the front..I've heard that there really isn't much of a difference..if you put someone in 2 jeeps with and without the yj spring in the front I'm assuming they wouldn't be able to tell..

 

[PaRenegade]

Well in full disclosure, I did the conversion during my frame off rebuild but it's still not drivable yet. But from everything I've been told or read, theres definitely a noticable difference. The wider spring allows the spring rate to be softer and give more flex (another reason for it's popularity). Plus when the Wranglers first came out in 87, which were modeled closely to the Cherokee as a dd, it (the smooth ride) was touted as a selling point and compared to the now discontinued Jeeps rough ride.
So will I can't say with first hand experience, I've never heard anything to the contrary. I can say that once I mounted my OME springs (CS36R- rear heavy's) and set the axle back on them, I could bounce the axle with one finger like it was an RC toy truck with spring suspension; and I could put my thumb in between the first leaf, let go, and not scream in any pain! Try that with a stiff Jeep spring!

 

[Sam5038]

I just installed the Rocky Road 3.5" OME SU kit. It rids like a modern SUV. This suspension is a big improvement over my old worn out Rancho 2.5" lift. I bought their medium duty spring. I've found the front to be to soft. I should of bought the heavy duty set because of the heavy winch on the front of my Jeep. This meant I had to order an extra leaf. So if you have a winch or a heavy V-8. You'll want to get the heavy duty springs.