which lift is best?

[suzybryce]

I have a question about lift kits for a 1993 yj. my brother just bought this jeep and wants to lift it. I have been looking at lift kits for it and almost all of the lift kits keep the springs under the axle and use arched leaf springs instead. is a spoa lift ok to do on a yj or is it best to keep it spring under? this jeep will be a daily driver for him so he wants a lift that has good handling on the highway. he also doesn't plan on running anything bigger than a 33inch tire either.

 

[RKCRWLR]

Staying at 33s I would just do a normal lift. Properly done, the SOA is awesome, but its expensive to do right and your looking at a minimum of 5.5 inches of lift, with steering and spring wrap issues to address. More than you need to run 33s. I have ran a lot of lifts on YJs, including SOAs. I would focus on some good quality 3.5-4 inch lift springs and deal with the driveshaft issue (do a CV) so you don't have to drop the pan. A 1 inch motor lift can help with the angles too. BDS 3.5 kists ride VERY well. Skyjacker was making a great kit. I have become partial to RE in my old age. You get what you pay for there and there a a couple of guys on here who will cut you a great deal on RE parts. The SOA is unbeleivable, but unless your prepared for the financial issues and the extreme build bug has bit you, Iwould stay conventional. My $0.02

 

[Cherokeester]

RE (Rubicon Express) are great springs, just make sure you get the extreme duty.

 

[Jinx]

with 33s and 4 inch lift you get a pretty capable daily driver.

company wise, I always like TUFF COUNTRY, I haven't had issues with them but a buddy had a little sag and they replaced them no sweat, local company no shipping headaches.


Things to consider
Brake line $100
shocks (if not included in lift $45ish a piece you need four

otional:
Driveline issues.. Slip Yoke Eliminator would be best with new rear driveline. $$$

Good Luck

 

[Skylinerider]

I love my skyjacker lift, I have also heard great things about RE springs.

 

[Exalted 4x4]

X2 i have the military wrap ones and i use them for ramps to get up stuff and they have been great. They are nice for the road, i dont even need my sway bar connected but they arent the most flexy with that extra leaf but ok.

I love my skyjacker lift, I have also heard great things about RE springs.

 

[suzybryce]

Me and my brother both agree that a 3.5 or 4 inch lift will definetly fit the bill for what he plans on using his jeep for. Ive been looking at the rubicon express 4inch seems like that lift has just about everyhting in it. my only question is that is does not come with a drop pitman arm. i feel that drop pitman is definetly a must when lifting over 3 inches is this an option for this lift? has anyone ran a rubicon express lift?

 

[Jeremy]

i just put the RE 4" system on my cousins yj. with the track bar relocation bracket you dont need a pitman arm. the track bar bracket puts the track bar and the drag link at the same angle.

 

[Jeremy]

the other nice thing about the RE kit, it comes with everything you will need. brakelines, shocks etc.... and the price is pretty good for an all around kit.

 

[Greg]

Here's a set of lightly-used Rubicon Express YJ 4" springs for sale locally-

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=2312930&cat=402&lpid=3

 

[DaveB]

I have the RE 4.5 inch springs on my jeep and they work great.

 

[rondo]

I had rough country 4? spring under lift on my YJ back in the day and ended up busting one of the leafs and they also sagged.
I replaced them (forgot the brand, wasn't RE though) and they lasted 3 yrs or so and the rears sagged badly.
My suspension is all custom now but i'd advise someone to go 4" spring under using RE. When mine was spring under i had no axle wrap, and no need to run sway bars front or back because it was so stable on and off road.
Ensure he greases the hell out of all the bushings and DO NOT get it too tight; use locktite on the nuts. This will allow some pretty extreme flex; you'd be very surprised!

 

[greenjeep]

RE, hands down!

 

[snake]

RE makes the best leaf springs I have a couple of drop pitman arms that will work I could sell for $20

 

[xjshorty21]

you can just use a pitman arm from a xj or a zj... the zj is the biggest drop but i have talked to alot of yj guys use xj pitman

 

[88yj]

spring over

I still like the spring over depending on springs you can get anywhere from 3 to 7 inch out of it. Of course you do have spring rap issues. I have used the BAMBAR (jeepoholics) for 4 year now and havent had any issues of rap or binding. Plus its cheap you can use your springs or junk yard springs.