Lift for 33's opinions

[tvince]

Might be a little long but I usually am....
When I bought my 78 CJ7 it had 30" tires and decent room around them then bought 33 x 13.5 x 15 SS and before the anticapated 4" lift I put em on and they fit minimul clearance and rubbed just on tightest turn slightly.
I then think I goofed ! I skimped on the lift and got Rough Country 4" and I ended up with almost a full 7" lift! and it rides like I got cinder blocks for springs and the drivers side has "settled" about an inch Sooooo ordering new springs RC money down the toitie.
So I Am looking at Black Diamond 3" they say softer ride and will fit 33's
and here good things and they are about the same cost as RC.
I guess I just dont know what lift I need or maybe the question is what did I have or is the whole RC 4" lift just a bad example that should be disregarded. I just dont think I need a 4" lift if its gonna raise me 7" from where I was.
I guess I would like to know what is the minimal real life lift I could do and keep my 33's
No hard core rock climbing or anything but want to stay somewhat capable.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

well you got 5.5" of lift by adding the tires and 4" lift, if you had 30" tires and put on 33s you got roughly 1.5" of lift from those the rough country springs got you 4"+ being as they are stiff. yes the rough country lift holds up to its name ROUGH. you can get by with a 3" lift for a mostly street machine. check out Rustys Offroad

 

[tvince]

Well the 7 inch of lift was with the 33's on it in the pics the 33's were on it before and after the measured lift.
And dont get me started on RUSTYS
had one bad bad expeirience with that outfit dealing with Rusty himself
Jeep CJ 1976-86 4WD 3" Lift System
And I dont know about now but the lift I bought from Rustys a few years back fo an XJ was a rough country

 

[BrockGrimes]

I ran a 4" Super Lift with 33x14.50x15 Super Swamper TSL's.
Was a nice setup and once they settled it was a fairly smooth ride,
all things considered.

 

[Kane]

I have the black diamond lift and it ride pretty good. i would say the best ride so far. I have had pro comp, rancho and this one. I have plenty of clearance for 33 inch tires. Buy good shocks. that matters as much if not more than the springs.

 

[tvince]

Well I went ahead and ordered Black Diamond 3" they said a couple weeks before they ship but from all Ive heard / read it will be well worth the wait
Now I guess I will see but kinda hopin I can get rid of the xfer case drop spacers or at least maybe lessen them, and see if I need to change out the drop pitman arm I have on it that came with the RC
It will truly be interesting to see the B4 and after measurements I'm assuming I might see as much as a 2 or 3 in reduction in height.

 

[rumblephish]

I have the Pro-Comp 3" lift on my 78 CJ5 . It rides very nice for a 3" lift. I too will be putting 33" on and was wondering if I have enough room. It sure seems like i do as I'm running 32x11.5's right now and there's plenty of clearance. I also have HD shackles that give another 3/8" to 1/2" of lift. I'm planning on replacing the body mount bushings with the Daystar 1" urethane body mount bushings for a 1" body lift. I don't have any doubts that the 33's will clear.

I've heard that the Superlift "Soft Ride" springs were really nice as far as ride goes. Also heard very good things about the Warn Black Diamond so I think you probably made a real good choice.

 

[tvince]

I sure hope they work out and I'm reasonably SURE that they will be beter than the RC I have now.
I sure would think the 33's would fit fine on yours as it would only add another 1/2 all around. And be sure to confirm your caster using those longer shackles My PO had lift shackles and it took me into neg caster area and was a fright to drive. Removing them putting stock length greasables on and adding caster shims for 6 Deg and it is stable as heck
Thanks for the response

 

[rumblephish]

I sure hope they work out and I'm reasonably SURE that they will be beter than the RC I have now.
I sure would think the 33's would fit fine on yours as it would only add another 1/2 all around. And be sure to confirm your caster using those longer shackles My PO had lift shackles and it took me into neg caster area and was a fright to drive. Removing them putting stock length greasables on and adding caster shims for 6 Deg and it is stable as heck
Thanks for the response

You are welcome.


BUt please expand on your comment on "negative caster". I think this may be why it feels like the front end is all over the road. I noticed that the shackles kick in a few degree's and I have consistant problems with "toe in". Do you think that is from the shackles?

 

[tvince]

Negative caster is definatly a cause if hairy steering and longer shackles definatly rotate axle in neg direction I had about -1 deg before correcting and it was quite a handful
These guys set me up good on getting things set right
But I dont think shackles would do anything to toe in if its changin I would make sure your tie rod ends are good and also tight
I'll see if I cant find my old thread and link it
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/wonder-ing-about-steering-2698/
here it is