Lift kit help and advice for CJ-7

[Canadian CJ 7]

I am looking at installing a 2.5 inch lift kit, with a half inch shackle lift, giving my CJ7 a totally of 3 inches of lift. The question I have will I need to buy a drop pitman arm, new brake lines etc. My CJ currently has a sagging stock suspension and 31x10.5. I am keeping the 31 inch tires on. Looking at going with the Rough Country 2.5 lift kit with the Rancho 8000 shocks. Any advice is greatly appreciated by me.

Brian

 

[IOPort51]

I am looking at installing a 2.5 inch lift kit, with a half inch shackle lift, giving my CJ7 a totally of 3 inches of lift. The question I have will I need to buy a drop pitman arm, new brake lines etc. My CJ currently has a sagging stock suspension and 31x10.5. I am keeping the 31 inch tires on. Looking at going with the Rough Country 2.5 lift kit with the Rancho 8000 shocks. Any advice is greatly appreciated by me.

Brian

I put a 2"skyjacker suspension on mine and have not had a problem with pitman arm or brake lines.

 

[dalefan88]

i have a 2.5" pro comp lift. it has alittle bump steer at higher speeds. im gonna get a drop pitman arm when i can afford one. i have 31" tires to.

 

[scrambler]

I had an 84 CJ7 that just had about a 2 inch shackle lift with 32" tires and had no problems wheelin in moab. I also went to a 35" tire and cut up the fenders and didn't have any problems either. Might think about saving some cash and just going with the shackles?....

 

[LongHorn]

Here's a sweet shackle lift.

 

[LongHorn]

Here's a sweet "homemade" shackle on the left & a factory made on the left. If you look closely you may notice other issuses.

 

[LongHorn]

This is one of my personal favorite lifts. I think the came from "The fighting Texas aggie 4X4 club"

 

[IOPort51]

Here's a sweet "homemade" shackle on the left & a factory made on the left.View attachment 1584 If you look closely you may notice other issuses.

Wow are those LED tail lights??

 

[IOPort51]

Here's a sweet shackle lift.

As a dedicated "son of the south" it truly pains me to say this but the license plate kind of says it all.

 

[LongHorn]

Wow are those LED tail lights??

Spent all his cash on bling!

 

[IOPort51]

Spent all his cash on bling!

Isn't that always the way??

 

[Old Dog]

I think what they are trying to say is, do the spring lift. Shackel lifts only cause steering problems.

 

[CJ]

Springs = Good

Shackles = Bad (unless you want to reengineer and change the castor angle)

 

[coldwater]

I am looking at installing a 2.5 inch lift kit, with a half inch shackle lift, giving my CJ7 a totally of 3 inches of lift. The question I have will I need to buy a drop pitman arm, new brake lines etc. My CJ currently has a sagging stock suspension and 31x10.5. I am keeping the 31 inch tires on. Looking at going with the Rough Country 2.5 lift kit with the Rancho 8000 shocks. Any advice is greatly appreciated by me.

Brian

A 2.5" lift is an easy install, and will not require a pitman arm drop. IMO, you could do better than a Rough Country lift though.

 

[dalefan88]

im with coldwater for the choice of lift. spend alittle more and get a better lift. look for used ones. i got mine of craigslist for $225. a old guy bought it, put it on his 84 CJ7 and couldnt get into it and took it off. my lift never been used untill i bought it and put it on.

 

[LongHorn]

im with coldwater for the choice of lift. spend alittle more and get a better lift. look for used ones. i got mine of craigslist for $225. a old guy bought it, put it on his 84 CJ7 and couldnt get into it and took it off. my lift never been used untill i bought it and put it on.

X2 on that. I picked up most of my rig on "Craigs List". OP unfinished projects at half price or less. I picked up my roll cage kit, shackle reversal, frame reinforcing plates, locking hubs, seats all brand new never used.

 

[Canadian CJ 7]

Thanks for your advice everyone. There are mixed reviews on the Rough Country lift, from what I have read on online reviews, most people are happy with them, some aren't.

My jeep is mostly going to be a pavement princess in the summer time and garaged in the winter. My suspension is stock and original 1985. I currently have 31x10.5 A/T tires and might eventually go up to a 33x10.5 down the road, that's it, no bigger. I am just looking for an economical lift to replace my tired suspension. I will also need to replace my stock shackles, one shackle is bent in the rear. Any advice or suggestions on this and what size I should use. From what I have read large lift shackles are not recommended, due to steering issues.

I don't know what the stock size of shackle is. I am trying to avoid replacing the drop pitman arm (will if I have to), new brake lines and drive shaft angle problems. Like I said, I might go to 33x10.5 down the road, but if it is big expense and headache, I will stick to my 31X10.5. Here is a photo of my stock suspension how it sits now.

 

[LongHorn]

Thanks for your advice everyone. There are mixed reviews on the Rough Country lift, from what I have read on online reviews, most people are happy with them, some aren't.

My jeep is mostly going to be a pavement princess in the summer time and garaged in the winter. My suspension is stock and original 1985. I currently have 31x10.5 A/T tires and might eventually go up to a 33x10.5 down the road, that's it, no bigger. I am just looking for an economical lift to replace my tired suspension. I will also need to replace my stock shackles, one shackle is bent in the rear. Any advice or suggestions on this and what size I should use. From what I have read large lift shackles are not recommended, due to steering issues.

I don't know what the stock size of shackle is. I am trying to avoid replacing the drop pitman arm (will if I have to), new brake lines and drive shaft angle problems. Like I said, I might go to 33x10.5 down the road, but if it is big expense and headache, I will stick to my 31X10.5. Here is a photo of my stock suspension how it sits now.

I'm not a big "Lift Kit" fan. I tend to piece meal mine, but " Rubicon Express" makes good products.

 

[jeepzj]

I have just installed a rouch country 2.5inch on my CJ7 project. I also installed Trail master ssv shocks. The jeep is torn apart right now so no idea about how it drives yet. One thing to note is that in order to get a 1/2inch shackle lift you'll need at least a one inch lift. Reason is your only lifting one side of the springs so you get about half the lift amount at best.
Post up and let us know what you decide.
Here's a pic or two of my stuff. BTW the shackles I bought are HD greaseable. Worth the extra money I think.

 

[Canadian CJ 7]

I have just installed a rouch country 2.5inch on my CJ7 project. I also installed Trail master ssv shocks. The jeep is torn apart right now so no idea about how it drives yet. One thing to note is that in order to get a 1/2inch shackle lift you'll need at least a one inch lift. Reason is your only lifting one side of the springs so you get about half the lift amount at best.
Post up and let us know what you decide.
Here's a pic or two of my stuff. BTW the shackles I bought are HD greaseable. Worth the extra money I think.

Hi JeepZJ, I installed the Currie greasable shackles with my 2.5 inch Rough Country lift and shocks, I believe Coldwater gave me some good advice on the shackles. I am very happy with the height since I am only going to have 31 inch tires underneath. The Jeep sits at a nice height, I am glad I didn't go for a 4 inch lift.