Lift kit Install

[Riverat]

Hello all, I am brand new to the jeep community and have Limited experience with all the hands on technical (lifts and such) being that my back ground has mostly been hot rods.
I am in the navy and currently deployed, i purchased a bonestock 1984 CJ7 (the only rust is the chrome on the wheels thank god lol) from a great uncle and plan to have some work done to it while i am gone.
My question is Which shops in the dfw area would yall recommened to have a lift installed? me and my wife will be making about a 1000 mile road trip after i pick up the jeep so a highly rated shop would be nice.
i have read that the skyjacker softride springs are about the best. the rig will be a everyday driver with an occasional trip out to outer banks north carolina. im not trying to get too crazy with the lift like an SOA or anything and probably wont be doing too much rock crawling so any suggestions on a lift would be great. i have the time and the money so its not a huge rush.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

A set of lift springs will be the easiest thing you have ever done to a jeep. all you need is a jacke and some jack stands.. or just a jack. I would never pay to have a spring lift installed. If you have some hand tools and an after noon you should be able to do it your self. Stay away from SOA lifts.. they are alot more involved then you want to get into, plus they will net you about 5-6" of lift. One of the questions we need answered will be what size tire do you plan on running?

 

[Riverat]

I want to run 33's
I would do the lift myself but I am deployed right now and I want to have it done before I get back to the states. The stock suspension isn't gonna hold up to a 1000+ mile road trip (neither will the driver ha) it rattles you around really good and that's the main reason for replacing it before I get home.
I have heard about reverse shackles is that something I should look into?

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I want to run 33's
I would do the lift myself but I am deployed right now and I want to have it done before I get back to the states. The stock suspension isn't gonna hold up to a 1000+ mile road trip (neither will the driver ha) it rattles you around really good and that's the main reason for replacing it before I get home.
I have heard about reverse shackles is that something I should look into?

If you not doing extreme rock crawling I would stay away from the reversal. if changes alot of your geometry and the way your front end moves. For 33's you would be in great shape with a 4" lift. Make sure you get one that has brake lines, drop pitman arm, and Transfer Case drop and good quality shocks. Now keep in mind a jeep is not a soft ride. even with a good quality lift its not gonna be as nice as a longer wheel base car. As far as shops go Im in FL so I got nothing on that front. Also stay away from shackle lifts as much as possible. they mess up your camber(?) and pinion angle.

As far as what springs to use ask around and see hows riding what and how they like it. or if possible find some one with the lift close to you and see if you can ride in the jeep to get the feel of it.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Define the rattles? you may have a bearing, TRE, wheel, tire, alignment, pinion bearing, Transfer Case , u joint, etc, etc ,etc... the springs truly shouldnt cause rattles. If they are not broken or bent the wrong way the old ones will actually ride better then new springs since they are broken in. YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE IT TAKEN TO A SHOP FIRST TO SEE WHATS TRULY QWRONG WITH IT

 

[Jimbos76cj]

sorry for the caps.. I have to type in caps at work and didnt realize I left them locked.

 

[1986cj7]

I want to run 33's
I would do the lift myself but I am deployed right now and I want to have it done before I get back to the states. The stock suspension isn't gonna hold up to a 1000+ mile road trip (neither will the driver ha) it rattles you around really good and that's the main reason for replacing it before I get home.
I have heard about reverse shackles is that something I should look into?

It matters also how much you want to spend I have a 4"Rough Country suspention lift on mine the only thing it didn't come with was the brake extentions. Now it does ride rougher then other lifts but for the money it is a great value. But others on hear have better (more expensive) lifts then I do. Buy the way what ship are you on? I was on the USS BRISCOE DD977 from 92-94. Thanks for your service!!:us::rock:atriot:

 

[mtnwhlr]

If was me I would take it to 4wheelparts store and get a good 4'' lift and have them install it.

 

[Riverat]

By "Rattles" around, it is just old so bounces everytime you hit a bump and just all around rough ride.
I gonna just go with a 4" probably something from either skyjacker or super lift

 

[Riverat]

Buy the way what ship are you on? I was on the USS BRISCOE DD977 from 92-94. Thanks for your service!!:us::rock:atriot:[/QUOTE]

I'm at a expeditionary command. Ships aren't really my thing haha

 

[Old Dog]

IMO no 4" lift is going to give you a good ride.
1000 miles in a cj, all I can say is more power to ya.
I think you will be real happy when the trip is over.

 

[defibvt]

IMO no 4" lift is going to give you a good ride.
1000 miles in a cj, all I can say is more power to ya.
I think you will be real happy when the trip is over.

I have to agree. I drove Phoenix to Flagstaff which is about 220 mile and I was numb from the vibration and exhausted from manhandling a 4" lifted CJ and 33 inch super swampers. Mine has a Superlift on it.

I would think leaving it stock height with slightly larger radial tires would be a better ride. I would for try to figure out what all the rattles before you go a 1000 mile trip.

 

[Riverat]

Ordered the lift today. Procomp 4"
I got a quote from 4 wheel parts and they are out of their minds for the install. So it looks like ill be trying to pull it off myself.

When I said "it rattles you around good" I ment the jeep is a rough ride and rattles the driver around. The jeep it self doesn't rattle

 

[defibvt]

Ordered the lift today. Procomp 4"
I got a quote from 4 wheel parts and they are out of their minds for the install. So it looks like ill be trying to pull it off myself.

When I said "it rattles you around good" I ment the jeep is a rough ride and rattles the driver around. The jeep it self doesn't rattle

Good to hear the rattles. You shouldn't any difficulty put in the lift. You hand do it with hand tools although air tools make it easier.

 

[Torxhead]

I have those Procomp 4" springs in the rear of my CJ and after many years think it is a pretty good for the price, they seem to be holding up also. The customer service is also good if you have to call them for anything. The 4" lift does require some driveline mods to get a good ride out of it, like good off-road shocks and the alignment of the Transmission ,driveshaft, and pinion angles.

 

[JR74CJ5]

The 4" lift does require some driveline mods to get a good ride out of it, like good off-road shocks and the alignment of the Transmission ,driveshaft, and pinion angles.

I agree. While it's really not rocket science, this was probably the hardest thing I have done so far with my jeep. Let me rephrase that... This was the hardest thing to wrap my brain around on my jeep.


~ JR

 

[rr41mag]

Riverrat, first off thank you for your service to our great country. I did 27 years myself.

Second, a 1000 mile trip in a 4" lifted jeep? God bless you! I wish the jeep was closer to me I would install the lift for you! (I have several jacks, stands, and air tools) When you take off on this adventure don't forget to stop and tighten up all this stuff again OK?

Be careful out there young man, come home in one piece.

 

[Riverat]

rr41mag. you are certainly welcome and thank you for your prior service and continued support of what we do.

ok so here is the latest, i ordered the lift and some other parts (fuel sending unit, chiltons manual, and two sets of wiper blades since nodoby in the dfw seems to sell the ones i need)
the small parts already came in and are waiting to be installed, i have not recieved the lift yet so hopefully this upcoming week it will come in.

now that the lift is out of the way, what tires would you guys recommend? i am going to run 33's and i wanna stay under $1100 for 5 tires (spare)
i ran Bfg all terrains on a old chevy i had and loved them except when i would get off in the nasty texas mud. being that mudding is about out of the picture, i would like to see what you guys (being the experts yall are) recommend for a jeep.

 

[Riverat]

Also I will have the guys at 4 wheel parts install the lift for me. with the Limited time im going to have and making the trip, im gonna put it in their hands.

 

[1986cj7]

rr41mag. you are certainly welcome and thank you for your prior service and continued support of what we do.

ok so here is the latest, i ordered the lift and some other parts (fuel sending unit, chiltons manual, and two sets of wiper blades since nodoby in the dfw seems to sell the ones i need)
the small parts already came in and are waiting to be installed, i have not recieved the lift yet so hopefully this upcoming week it will come in.

now that the lift is out of the way, what tires would you guys recommend? i am going to run 33's and i wanna stay under $1100 for 5 tires (spare)
i ran Bfg all terrains on a old chevy i had and loved them except when i would get off in the nasty texas mud. being that mudding is about out of the picture, i would like to see what you guys (being the experts yall are) recommend for a jeep.

I have Goodyear duratracs 33"/12.5/15on my cj. I love them their good on the street, good in the mud. But if I was to do it over I would probly go with the Goodyear MT/R their suppost to be better in the mud, and rocks, but still good on the street. But for 5 you'll probley be closer to $1200.