Lift my 86 cj7?

[dinolambchop]

I plan on lifting my cj here in a about a month or so. Ive thought of the several ways to do it and would like others inputs. Ive considered just added a few leafs to the rear and front to increase my height to add my new new 33x12.50 tires. But i would rather not waste my money on a cheap lift i will eventually be changing. Looked into buying the 4" skyjacker which is probably what ill buy. But I'm also a broke college kid so the kit i found is about $350 comes with everything but the shocks which i don't need because i already have the same shocks that come with the kit.Also i plan on taking the cheap way and wedging my rear and front end. WIll i need new shackles, shackle mounts,?etc any help would be good thx

 

[Kane]

If you want cheap and no concern for ride quality then do an add-a-leaf and then get a 1 inch body lift. This can be done for just a couple hundred bucks. I have done this at one point in my life. It rides like but actually flexed pretty well. You could also just buy the leaf springs with no other parts and then reuse what you have. Most companies will sell them separate for a good amount less than the whole box kit. This may be a better option for you.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

i got the 4" rough country, had shocks,links,springs,ect for under 500 buck and its not bad at all.

 

[Old Dog]

IMO if your going to be going off road with 33's you need the 4" lift.
I don't think an add a leaf will give you enough lift.

 

[steve1973]

Back before the internet and forums to pour over advice, both correct and misguided Jeep lifts tended to be of lesser height than today and much simpler. When I was a poor college kid in 1984 driving a 77 CJ7 Golden Eagle and needed to clear the tires, the cheapest option was the hockey puck body lift. Just drill a hole in the middle of the puck. I'm not saying its the way I would do it today, but my circumstances are different.

 

[dinolambchop]

ya i found a skyjacker for descent price with u-bolts, bushings, and pitman arm. I plan on using just wedges to angle the rear ends because i don't want to lose ride height by dropping the Transfer Case . Also plan on buying new shackles and possibly shackle mounts.

What type of "links" are you guys referring to that i'll need to change when i lift? i'm assuming something on the front end that has to do with the steering. Any other suggestions would be helpful as well! thanks

 

[Scooter402]

They're talking about sway bar end links. As far as steering, you'll need a dropped pitman arm to bring your steering linkage angles back close to correct.

EDIT: Never mind, you already have a pitman arm with the kit you're looking at. I'm tired...Coffee hasn't kicked in, and I'm just waking up LOL (I work nights).

 

[Petescj]

With a 4 in lift I would recommend extended brake lines.

ya i found a skyjacker for descent price with u-bolts, bushings, and pitman arm. I plan on using just wedges to angle the rear ends because i don't want to lose ride height by dropping the Transfer Case . Also plan on buying new shackles and possibly shackle mounts.

What type of "links" are you guys referring to that i'll need to change when i lift? i'm assuming something on the front end that has to do with the steering. Any other suggestions would be helpful as well! thanks

 

[dinolambchop]

So i will need to get longer sway bar links when i lift the jeep is what your saying? Do i have to buy these new or is there anyway to alter or add to them without purchasing new ones.

 

[Scooter402]

Depending on your state's laws, and how your jeep handles with the new lift....you may not even need a sway bar. I took off my sway bar when I swapped full widths and 40s on my Jeep years ago. Handled fine without it.

 

[Old Dog]

when I first put my 4" lift on, I cut my links and welded extensions in.
Than one day I ran home from the trails without putting them back on
and found out it handled fine without the sway bar. I've been running
without one for years now.

 

[Torxhead]

With extended brake lines, It would help to attach a light spring to the brake line to prevent it from hitting the tire, if it gets that close. Some guys do lower the front hard lines instead. The high arch in a four inch lift spring does help with sway, like most guys my sway bar went in the trash years ago. A high lift spring does put extra stress on the frame, spring pivots,front cross member, and front spring shackle mounts and if you off-road at lot they will eventually crack and a good one time weld should fix it.