KJamesJR

Starting a possible lift. Going to go the piece together rout. Trying to make it as cost effective as possible. Without question, I need new suspension. The price of after market leaf packs alone make a lift more worth it than going OME/factory springs.

Here's what I have so far:

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...-SPRING-XJ-3.5

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...ings-XJ-MJ-3.5

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...KIT-2.75-X-9-X

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/clm-7015812/overview/

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....105SR5GRAT2OWL

Few things extra... I see a lot of 3" lift kits without extended brake lines, or adjustable track bars. Will I need these for 3"? I was a little hesitant to go with the RE 3.5 springs, but the value has no equal. I just don't want to be doing an SYE. I was Also considering the Rusty's coil springs, which are only design for 3", which leaves the front .5" shorter than the rear, so I would be looking for a .5" spacer. I like the Rusty's coils because they're advertised as being heavier duty.

Still hung up on shocks, I don't really know what extension/compression length I should be looking for. I want a decent shock, at an affordable price, was considering going Rusty's on the shocks.

The tires I can get cheaper from local dealers, just show them the quoted price from tire rack, they'll beat it plus free mount/balance/alignment with the purchase of 4 tires. From what I've read and gather from some people, the General Grabbers at2 are a good tire.

So far I'm looking at $1,321 roughly.

So let me know what y'all think.

Atmos

correct. you shouldn't need a track bar or SYE with 3" lift. but rubicon express tends to sit almost an inch taller than advertised
at this point you will want lower control arms. you can redrill your track bar (sounds awfully janky to me, but apparently people do it and it works)
and since all jeeps seem to react differently to being lifted, you may need a tcase drop

rustys "heavy duty" coils are rated at 180lbs/in and rubicon are rated (last time I checked) over 200lbs/in
so by those numbers, rustys springs will ride softer. no matter which company you choose, your jeep probably won't ride any better than stock with your short arms and stock shackles

as for brake lines you can search this forum and find what brake lines will work from a dodge dakota or chevy. pick them up super cheap at a parts store

check what rear axle you have. the 8.25 has a 3" axle tube. not sure if those ubolts will work for that

as far as shocks, it seems that all white body shocks are pretty much the same. so get the ones with the coolest sticker. for a better quality shock maybe look into rubicon or OME

lastly, I bought cragar wheels and I WISH they had deeper back spacing. like 3.5"
and also I think you need bigger tires

XJ-92

im kinda confused on why you have dana 35 u-bolts, zj rear lift coils, and xj rear leafs. what you need are xj front coils, xj rear leafs, and whatever u-bolts you need for whatever axle you have

KJamesJR

Sorry, I clicked the wrong coil link. I have the XJ's in my actual cart.

KJamesJR

RE sit's an inch higher? Like 4.5"? That's pretty high.

I didn't know about the Dodge/Chevy brake lines, that will save me a good little chunk.

I have the D35 rear. Not as good as the 8.25, but not bad for trail riding either. It will get my job done anyway.

I can understand a lot of shocks are the same, or the hydro shocks at least. I just need to know the length I need.

I went with the 4" backspacing from what I've been reading. Something along the lines of wider set wheels, puts more strain on your hubs/bearings/steering linkage. I figured 4" was a safe bet.

Probably don't want to go higher than 31" tire. Maybe a 10.5" wide is even pushing it. But the Grabbers are a decent tire right? They had good reviews on snow/ice and street performance.

If RE's are netting that much hight, I may convert to Rusty's (I've heard bad things) or RC...

Griffin13

I have the Grabber AT2s on my ZJ and I love them. They are a great street tire and have yet to disappoint me off road. I would recommend them.

Atmos

websites should say shocks rated for such and such lift height. I've always flexed out and measured for myself then gone and found the proper length shocks

not going bigger than 31's? that's what they all say. true wider back space is worse on your axle components. you'll be fine with 4" back space. I just I had the wider stance

duratracs look sweeter

rustys doesn't seem to bad. I don't think you can really go wrong with coils. get OME leaf packs if you're worried

KJamesJR

You think 2.5" OME will net me 3"? I've heard they run big as well.