I'm doing a budget build, only a very limited budget. I see tons of people call their builds "budgets" but then they drop thousands upon thousands into it. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I'm serious, BUDGET.

Right now I have 2 inch coil spacers and a 2 inch AAL (more like 2.5-3 back there). Got a little over $100 into that. My goal is to get it up to 3. My options are ZJ V8 Upcountry coils in addition to my spacers (netting 3-3.5 inches) or full coils, 3 inches. ZJ coils I would hope to find for around $50-60. For 3 inch coils I've found some from Fat Bob's Garage for $120 shipped. I could then sell my spacers for around $20 netting a $100 investment.

Will full coils give enough benefit to justify spending that much more money? $40-50 more?

Based on whichever route I take and install I'll then decide if a shackle or block lift is necessary in the back, it would be .5, .75 or 1 inch tops just to keep it from having a rake.

 

see seriousoffroad.. i heard he has the RE coils cheaper than anyone else.

full coils will not wander the jeep as much as stock coils and spacers. but for the most part, stock coils and spacers will ride a little better and compress better.

 

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...j-3-front.html

Here are cheap 3 inch coils.
you will need extended brake lines. DONT forget about those.
you shouldnt need a tc drop due to your drivetrain (at 3 inch lift)
I would recommend waiting untill you can afford to build it right. it will be cheaper in the long run.

 

I have a 5 speed so my understanding is a TC drop is less likely to be necessary. Building it "right" is strictly opinion and needs-based. This price range of parts combined with my style of wheeling IS building it right for me. Spending $500 isn't right to me, it's just more than I need.

I have been reading things saying rerouting the stock brake lines can be adequate for a 3 inch lift. Like popping them out of their little mounting points and guiding them elsewhere.
Extended brake lines are very cheap though, right? Does it involve bleeding the brakes afterward? I'm unfamiliar with the procedure.

What exactly do you mean by wandering with the stocks+spacers?

 

Although I do see where you're coming from like as far as buying generic Chinese parts or cutting corners. I am just going an affordable-to-me route and doing my best to make smart decisions with my available funds as well as trying to stick to reputable brands. I've heard nothing but good things about Fat Bob's and that is where I got my AAL. I think I'm going to get shocks from them as well.

The Rustys coils posted, including shipping, came out to more than FBG.

 

SeroiusOffroad for cheap and good coils

 

your stock coil springs are rated around 150 lbs, so when you add height, the stiffness isn't there to keep it from wandering at high speeds. most aftermarket springs have more spring rate to compensate for the extra lift. not a huge deal, but is noticeable. for the same reason that the stock coils are softer, they flex better than stiffer, aftermarket coils.

 

If you're only wheeling it on the side and it's a DD otherwise get yourself ZJ up country coils and 1" spacers. They'll be better than thicker spacers or cheap springs for ride quality and unless you're constantly wheeling it you're not going to have to worry about spacers over full springs.

 

Why would I drop to 1 inch spacers with the upcountry coils?

Also, is there anything wrong with just swapping my 2 inch spacer for a 3 inch? I know stacking is bad so adding a 1 inch to my 2 is out, but I see tons of kits online with 3 inch spacers.

 

1) $500 isn't a lot of money when it comes to jeeps, of you don't want to spend $ then either a) don't lift the jeep or b) sell it and buy something else.
2) if you have the ax15 it has a 3/4"-1" lower crossmember than the aw4. You may not even need a tc drop. However each jeep is different.

 

You're going for 3" right?
Front ZJ Upcountry adds ~2" (got a full 2" out of mine) plus the 1" spacer.

1+2=3

 

I failed math class clearly lol. I read it gets you 1-1.5 but a few people were claiming just 1, that's where I was coming from. I hate that all Jeeps are different! I wish it was just "Part A will yield result B"

 

Iirc XJ Up Country and regular (4.0) ZJ rear gets you 1, V8 ZJ front gets you 1.5, and V8 ZJ Up Country front gets you 2".

I know my front is up a full 2" from V8 Upcountry coils.

 

I don't like your tone. Now you've gone and made me defensive.

You do not know me or my money situation. $500 IS a lot of money. Jeeps aren't magical vehicles that require you to spend money on them. All vehicles require money, be it maintenance or modification. All of these mods we're talking about are optional and strictly wants, not needs. You're right, if I don't want to spend money on my Jeep I should sell it and buy another vehicle, because that's not an expensive process or anything. And since I don't want my Jeep to be able to climb rocks, cross rivers and frickin' fly then I shouldn't even bother lifting it. Budget boosts exist for a reason and are very popular. I'm trying to do the best I can with the resources I have. I'll keep my Jeep and I'll budget boost it, but thanks for the well thought out suggestions.

 

Is it safe to assume that any of those options will maintain a better ride quality than a full 3 inch coil? Have you done anything with your LCAs?