Need lift advice 2.5 vs 4

[clarythedrill]

I am going to order a Rough Country lift in the next few days, but I am undecided between the 2 1/2 or 4 inch lift. Right now the jeep is stock. I have a set of boomarang schackles that i believe give a 1 1/2 inch lift, not installed.

If I go with the 4 inch lift, the kit comes with the extented sway bar links, so no issues there.

If I go with the 2 1/2 inch lift, apparently I still use the stock sway bar links, or am I wrong?

If I use the 2 1/2 inch lift in conjunction with the 1 1/2 lift shackles, will I need longer sway bar links? I am assuming yes. I am also assuming I will need the drop pitman arm also, since the total lift will be around 4 inches.

also, will my drive shafts be long enough for a 4 inch lift, or will I need to lengthen them?

I am leaning towards the 2 1/2 inch lift, and add the shackles if i want more, but I dont want to have to source longer sway bar links and a drop pitman arm to do it. thanks for any advice on this.

 

[1986cj7]

I have a 4" rough country lift on my CJ7 and no the drive shafts won't need to be replaced but if you go with the 2 1/2" lift with the 1 1/2" shackle lift you will need a Transfer Case lowering kit to correct the drive shaft angle to the axles, or you can go with a degree wedge 4-6 degree put under the axle spring stack. With the rough country 4" lift mine came with a Transfer Case lowering kit. The only bad thing about the lowering kit you will loose about 2" of ground clearance on the Transfer Case . But with out it or the degree wedge you will need to replace your drive shafts or you will have alot of drivetrain vibration and ruin a drive shaft. I'm thinking of getting the degree wedges to get the ground clearance back up. But I'm not sure if it will be enough. With the 4" lift it creates about a 28 degree angle on the drive shaft, without the Transfer Case lowering kit. So maybe a 6 degree wedge would get it to 22 degree which I think is at the limit. Hopefully someone else can chime in and verify this info.

 

[clarythedrill]

thanks for the info, I forgot about the Transfer Case lowering kit that comes with the 4 inch lift. I think I will go with the 4 inch lift since it comes with everything needed in a one time shot. thanks again.

EDIT: 1986, did your kit come with ALL bushings for the shocks, shackles, swaybar links and all? Or do I need to order anything else on my own to install? thanks.

 

[74 Cj5]

I would go with the 4. Two months after you install the 2.5 you will want the 4. I have the 4" superlift and I didn't change the driveshaft lengths until I changed the tranny. I did do the Transfer Case lowering and the drop pitman arm. I have read that the Rough Country is appropriately named because it is very stiff. If I had it to do over I would consider the Rubicon Express but I'm sure it's more money.

 

[Old Dog]

I've got a 4" superlift and did NOT do the Transfer Case lowering, seems counter productive to me. I don't have any big driveshaft issues but it really should have a cv-joint shaft.

 

[1986cj7]

I've got a 4" superlift and did NOT do the Transfer Case lowering, seems counter productive to me. I don't have any big driveshaft issues but it really should have a cv-joint shaft.

Are you using a degree wedge on the axles or not? I would like to get rid of the lowering kit but not ready to buy a new cv-joint shaft just don't have the money right now. And would a 6 degree wedge be enough to correct the drive line angle? Also would this wedge mess with the steering linkage angles, alinenment?

 

[CJim7]

I did a 4" Superlift also. I lowered my xfercase 3/4 of an inch to alleviate a small vibration

A 1½" boomerang lift shackle means they are 3 inches taller then stock. You want to stay away from these

 

[Old Dog]

My rear springs came with shims, not sure what size.
I don't have any shims up front, I run stock lenght shackles though.
I do get a few vibs from the rear shaft at higher speeds (55-60)

 

[1986cj7]

thanks for the info, I forgot about the Transfer Case lowering kit that comes with the 4 inch lift. I think I will go with the 4 inch lift since it comes with everything needed in a one time shot. thanks again.

EDIT: 1986, did your kit come with ALL bushings for the shocks, shackles, swaybar links and all? Or do I need to order anything else on my own to install? thanks.

The rough country comes with every thing exept the shackles and new bushing for the top of the shackles that connect to the frame. Also I put brake line extentions on. You can get em from www.4wd.com It does ride a little rough but I'm not looking for a new suv car like ride. I've had mine for about 8 mounths and it seems to be smoothing out alittle. But for the price I think you can't beat it. BE CAREFULL ON REPLACING THE BRAKE LINE EXTENTIONS THE OLD FITTING ARE EASY TO ROUND OFF EVEN WITH A GOOD SET OF FLARE WRENCHS. Mine were so tight I ended up having to replace all the brake lines.