Attn TJ owners!! Lift questions

[Jinx]

Ok I have a friend who just got a completely stock '03 rubicon out of California.

He was asking me what I would do with it, I told him a lift that will clear 35" tires and enjoy it.

then he said which one. That is where I said crap, I don't anything specific about TJs but I have some friends that do.

He is a pretty good wrench so he will be doing the work himself. I am thinking a long lift would make him the most happy.

What would you recommend? Brand, 4"-6"? Etc

Thanks in advance.

 

[bamacpl]

The quality bolt on lifts that come to mind are Rubicon Express or Full Traction 6" long travel

 

[Samersen]

I run a 4 1/2 inch rubicon express short arm with a one inch body lift (so I can run a belly up skid, and larger gas tank) this with the bushwhacker flat flares clear 35's no issue. I do not recommend a short arm with that much lift and the rubicon express bushings squeak like crazy. When I do a long arm I am planning on the TeraFlex. I have only heard good things about it.

 

[DAA]

Personally, I think 6" is way too much for 35's. Can fit them easily with 4". I only have 3" of short arm lift on mine with 35's, but the fenders are highlined.

- DAA

 

[DAA]

P.S... Forgot to mention, I'm the furthest thing from an expert, but I think if I were doing a long arm, I'd look at Clayton. I'd stay away from poly bushings and do Johnny Joints no matter what brand though.

- DAA

 

[skippy]

The Teraflex kits are second to none when it comes to strength and engineering, they are seriously top notch kits

 

[gijohn40]

if money is no object then teraflex... I have a superlift 4" short arm with a 1" body lift and could clear 35 just fine. the whole lift only cost me a $1000 total with shocks and all... only thing I am missing is the extended brake lines.

 

[iamsparticus]

Long arm for sure and 4 inches is enough for 35's, thoug id still reccomend high rise fenders for extra clearance. Tera flex, rubicon express and Rock Krawler are all great brands that make great long arm kits for his jeep.

 

[Greg]

Long arm, even at 4". It will ride and work so much better on and off road. I really did like the quality of the Teraflex kit on my TJ, very well-built products.

I would avoid Full Traction at all costs...

 

[pkrfctr]

Jinx, definitely a long arm and belly skid. He'll get more out of a tummy tuck then anything else. Without cutting fenders he will need to run 6". Alot of us run a 4" and then bb pucks. That way if/when he highlines it he can just pull the pucks. You already know what lift i would recommend but I have heard AEV Is discontinuing tj stuff. I also love my diff sliders.

 

[TurboMinivan]

He was asking me what I would do with it, I told him a lift that will clear 35" tires and enjoy it.

I like the way you think. I feel that 35" tires are the perfect size for a dual-purpose TJ.

What would you recommend? Brand, 4"-6"? Etc

I am going to give another strong endorsement for TeraFlex. I am running 35" tires on my TJ, and I have the TeraFlex 4" longarm system plus 1" of body lift:

This is the second TJ I have owned with a 4" TeraFlex longarm kit. I went with it again because of how happy I was with it the first time. I like how it rides; I like how it performs. Yes, there are cheaper lifts out there... but in this case I definitely feel you get what you pay for.


EDIT: I also frequent the TJ subforum in WranglerForum from time to time, and about 90% of its members are total cheap-asses. One by one, they'll start a thread to debate which brand of lift they should buy, only to end up with the cheapest option simply because it costs less than all others. Inevitably, soon thereafter that same member will then post a thread complaining about their new lift--how the "kit" wasn't complete, or how bad it rides/performs, how much the springs sag, etc. Then they cry and ask how they can fix it. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I can't recall ever seeing anyone complain about their TeraFlex system, though.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

To funny, depending on what forum you go on depends on what answer you're going to get because of biased brand loyalty. Nobody asked you the magical question though...................What will be the TJ's intent, daily driver, moderate trails, extreme trails, etc. You cannot possibly answer your question without answering that first.

I can go anywhere those long arm kits go if it's a trail rated from 1 to 7 with my short arms (Tera Flex) and 33" tires. I personally don't care for the ends on the arms because I continually have problems getting grease into them. I use to have TF springs in the rear but they sagged unevenly on me, then again every darn brand of spring that I have run seems to do it, to include CE, AEV, TF, OME.

If you are talking 8 to 10 rated trails then the long arms take over: but if you go on one site they'll swear TF, another TNT, another Rock Crawler, and yet another Clayton. The only thing that I see consistent in the sites is pretty much everyone hates RE's customer service which may or may not be an issue. Anyone that has dealt with Full-Traction or whom they really are Cal-mini eventually complains about customer service, good product just really terrible service.

I'd say go with the shortest lift you can to get the biggest tires on that you need to conquer whatever rated trail it is that you seek. Just for a mathematical reference and not to say which is better you can easily fit 37" tires on a TJ with a 4" SA lift and Xenon flat fenders. You probably could pull it off with 3" of lift.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

"I can't recall every seeing anyone complain about TeraFlex System Though"

Want to bet on that? Go on Rubiconownersforum and ask that question. You'll probably get hammered by the "Nothing could possibly be better than Clayton". Personally overall I like Teraflex and most of my TJ is TF parts. I just don't like their ends or springs.

 

[I Lean]

Where long arms really shine is in ride quality, not necessarily offroad "ability". Comfort, both on and offroad.

Clayton or Tera.

 

[TurboMinivan]

To funny, depending on what forum you go on depends on what answer you're going to get because of biased brand loyalty.

That's certainly true. The "accepted" brands on WranglerForum are Currie, RE and OME.

Want to bet on that? Go on Rubiconownersforum and ask that question.

I've never visited that forum since I don't own a Rubicon.

 

[bamacpl]

I agree with what everyone has said!!
--spend the extra $$ & go long arm...if your not happy with the ends change em'

At the end if the day it all depends on your expectations & budget!!!

High line the fenders for clearance & 4" on 35's will clear---/ keep that CG LOW!!!

 

[gertsch]

2" budget boost and bumpstop. And a bellyup kit. With 1" body lift.

 

[thenag]

Where long arms really shine is in ride quality, not necessarily offroad "ability". Comfort, both on and offroad.

Clayton or Tera.

I like it when I agree with Carl. I have no experience with Tera products, I will probably get a dual rate sway bar from them (I will have to mod a JK one for my xj) When I did my xj I went Clayton, totally beefy and a really complete kit (brake lines, pitman arm, etc) I had to swap out some springs and they had no problem with the exchange (I had to pay shipping to east coast)

2" budget boost and bumpstop. And a bellyup kit. With 1" body lift.

that is what my father in law has, tj on 33-ish tires with 2 inch spring spacers and 1 inch body lift, he rubs a little. Don't be scared of a 1 inch body lift, it will give you more space for other stuff too. He still has the slip yoke too, got some brown dog tilted motor mounts or something if I remember correctly.
his rig



Nathan
99 xj with pretty much everything
build thread
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?83436-Nathan-and-Tanja-s-99-XJ-Build-up

 

[glockman]

I Love my Tera Long arm kit. It rides really nice. I'm running a 3" kit with 1" body lift and 35's. I do rub on the front but that will be corrected when I install my bump stops one of these days.

 

[Bart]

I wouldn't do anything but a long arm kit. It does shine on road but also affects offroad capability. It reduces the left front tire lift that is inherent with TJs. I like Tera also. It is more work to get the long arm installed as there is cutting and welding involved, but once done correctly, it will be a great machine.