What lift kit for cj7???

[Jaywithacj]

Ok I know it's been on here a 1,000 times but here go's...I have a CJ7 I want to lift. I have new 33 12.50 r15s I want to put on and I want to get a good lift not sure 4" or 2.5" looking at black diamond or skyjacker. You guys have any opinions as what to go with. I want a good ride and some flex. The rubicon express is 4.5"....is that too much. I don't want to run into driveshaft problems. So many options...if you guys could give me some feed back on what you run and what you like. Thanks guys!

 

[Old Dog]

IMO you need a 4" lift for 33's if you are going to offroad it at all.
You can do a 2 1/2 lift if you want to trim the fenderwell's and run tj flairs.
I've had good luck with my superlift which also makes the blackdiamond lift.

 

[cj7 arlington tn]

Go with a 4in lift i have a 2 1/2 in lift on mine with 33in 12.50 tires and i put a 2in body lift on it to get the clearance i needed.

 

[Incommando]

Research the reps of the companies you are thinking of using. Check both usage reviews and customer service reviews. Companies like Rubicon Express or BDS ( Big D.I.C.K.S* Suspension) generally have really good reps for longevity, flex, and ride while you may find that the cheaper lift kits are a case of "you get what you pay for." (cough rough country cough) Add-a-leaf style lifts have a reputation for harshness. SkyJacker has long had a rep for a good on-road ride but at some expense of off-road ability and longevity. If your Jeep is going to be used much more on the street that may be a good option as they tend to be a little cheaper than the R.E. or BDS, just to use them as examples.

Don't overlook shocks in the equation. The almost universal white-bodied hydraulic shocks in many of these kits do not help ride quality much. Even gas charged versions of these aren't great IMHO.

Although I still recommend Rubicon Express my concern with the them is that its rep was built on the original ownership. A huge profit driven conglomerate called Transamerican Auto Parts has bought out R.E. Traditionally that company has purchased established companies to get the name and then cheapened the product line for quick profits. They have promised to maintain the R.E. quality but I don't know enough about their new products to say. Their in house Pro Comp brand is not well liked.

These thoughts of mine are not meant to start a " well, my skyjacker is the most awesomest ever" or " my rough country kicks all other lift's butts" war but are just the thoughts of some idiot who has had way too much time on his hands for decades and spent that time prowling the internet and 4x4 rags for info as a hobby. Depending on the usage and expectations of the owner every lift probably has its proponents and critics.

*If i didn't type it like that the site censored it to "big pinkies suspension"...lol

 

[Jaywithacj]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of going with the bds 4" lift or should I spend a little extra and get the rubicon express? any opinions. I do about 50/50 offroad/hunting And street driving.

 

[maos84cj7]

I went with rubicon express (before they were bought out) 4.5". I had no experience with installing a lift... My heep had a horrible SOA. The re5525 kit came with everything needed. Drop pitman arm, Transfer Case drop, degree wedges, brake lines , quick disconnects. Shocks not included... Quality, fit and finish are good and very easy to install... Ride is pretty decent as well... Stock driveshafts haven't been an issue, although I haven't flexed it out...


Some kits may be cheaper, but all the things they don't come with will add up $$.

just my 0.02 $

 

[Chip Day]

DO GO WITH A PRO COMP! I'm in the middle of a disaster with 86 CJ7 with a recent 4" lift. Looks awesome in the garage but drives like HELL!

 

[jswatson0917]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of going with the bds 4" lift or should I spend a little extra and get the rubicon express? any opinions. I do about 50/50 offroad/hunting And street driving.

I have just installed a BDS on my ride I ran into a little bit of trouble. Make sure you get the 1/2 inch shackles instead of the 1 3/4 shackles and you will need brake line extensions. I also need to check about the rear shocks since the ones they sent me are too short.

 

[csuengr]

I just bought YJ springs for my lift since everything else on my jeep is custom. Originally I had Pro Comps, but switched to RE. I wish I had kept the Pro Comp. The springs were better quality and after three years, my RE springs are completely rusty, the friction pads are all gone, the leaf retainers (around the springs) are rusted solid (I can't undo the bolts) and I have had to replace three center pins. The three years I had the Pro Comps they were in much better shape, rode better and flexed better, not to mention were quieter.

The problem I have with kits are the shocks. For some reason, they send the cheapest and harshest shocks they can find. CJ's already ride like a buck board, then for some reason people thick they need really stiff shocks.

 

[85cj8]

I have the procomp 4" with 33S when first installed with no accessories it rode pretty firm but after a front winch bumper and a 8000 warn with a rear bumper/ tire carrier and spare and a toolbox it rides fine with good flex .procomp along with alot of others only make 1 spring rate so they tend to go on the heavy side for hardtops winches etc.one of the best springs out there is ome they offer or did offer 3 different spring rates but only in a 2.5" spring ( as far as I can remember ) My buddys CJ8 with the same setup but superlift springs rides a little better unloaded but when we load up both jeeps to go camping / fishing and pulling trailers with an atvs mine rides way better ,his squats in the rear and sways pretty good mine stays level with no sway .Ive has my lift 5 years and his is 2 years old .so it really depends on the weight of your jeep and the useage.