Lift kit opinion

[jameschump]

Hello,

I am in the process of shopping for a lift kit and tires for my CJ7 . It has been years since I have installed one or shopped for one (there is that internet thing now) so I thought I'd ask for an opinion from folks more up on things than I am. I'm not looking to do any crazy rock crawling but would like to be able to take it off road occasionally.I have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l motor (stock) and live in NC. Id like to go as big as I can (4-6 inch lift; 33"-35" tires), but there is so much to choose from and so many options and kits out there. I also have a budget of about $2500-$2700. Again I am not looking for anything too extreme. Also, where would you suggest purchasing from? I live about 2 miles down the road from a 4WD parts. thanks

 

[Old Dog]

IMO if you are going 33 or 35's and no hard core offroading, a 4" lift should be enough. Any thing over 4" just starts to be more trouble to set up right.
I have a 4" super lift kit that works for me. It rode pretty ruff till the springs got broken in though. (or maybe I just got use to it)
Theres been a lot of threads here about different kits, it would be worth doing a search.
As far as where to buy, who ever is the cheapest.

 

[Sasquach]

Hello,

I am in the process of shopping for a lift kit and tires for my CJ7 . It has been years since I have installed one or shopped for one (there is that internet thing now) so I thought I'd ask for an opinion from folks more up on things than I am. I'm not looking to do any crazy rock crawling but would like to be able to take it off road occasionally.I have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l motor (stock) and live in NC. Id like to go as big as I can (4-6 inch lift; 33"-35" tires), but there is so much to choose from and so many options and kits out there. I also have a budget of about $2500-$2700. Again I am not looking for anything too extreme. Also, where would you suggest purchasing from? I live about 2 miles down the road from a 4WD parts. thanks

Be advised you will be opening a can of worms especially if going to 35" tires. Gearing being the first that comes to mind and while your in there why not put a locker in and oh those 2 peice axles will have to go. Don't know if you will want a CV driveshaft on the 7 like you would on a 5 but a thought. Up front if you have anything less than tight steering components(ball joints/steering gear etc.) you will be magnifying those issues and the steering damper you might be planing on will do nothing to help that. Drop pitman on your steering gear would be nice and I'm guessing you already have power steering on a 83? Be thinking about degree shims a possibility as well. Sounds like your budget is within reason and I hope I did'nt sound to negative.
I have bought from 4wd hardware before and happy enough but a search is easy enough too for the best price but you wiil save shipping at 4wd.
FYI mine came with a Rubicon express 4.5" kit and it's good quality stuff.