It's a weird day...

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
01/15/2014 at 16:31 • Filed to: None

Have an RSR clone...

So it was 36* when I left my house this morning, just went out for lunch and its 78* (talk about temp swings). I was starving my 10am, went and grabbed lunch at noon, destroyed my sandwich, was still absolutely starving 10 min later. Now, without eating anything else, I am so stuffed I think I might explode. Also I need a nap.

Anyways , just a weird-ish day.

DISCUSSION (16)

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 16:35

You'd have more consistency in your life if you turned right on red.

Kinja'd!!!

KB Garage > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 16:47

Try eating instead of destroying said sandwich. =)

I would really like to pick your brain about suspension lifts. Shall I do that here or would you like me to return to our previous thread?

CAR_IS_MI > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
01/15/2014 at 16:48

Wise guy over here!

CAR_IS_MI > KB Garage
01/15/2014 at 16:49

But destruction is so much more enthralling.

Jack this thread (get it) if you like.

oldirtybootz > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 16:49

It takes you time to get full, that's why it's so easy to over eat.

KB Garage > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
01/15/2014 at 16:51

After all the time you spent crafting those responses, it would have been quicker if you just went and took the sign down yourself. (If it's ground level, I'm not advocating getting a lift truck, but given your disposition towards said sign, it would not surprise me.)

CAR_IS_MI > oldirtybootz
01/15/2014 at 16:54

So I shouldn't conehead my lunch?

(I hope you are old enough to get that reference)

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > KB Garage
01/15/2014 at 16:55

But that's a misdemeanor! I'm not willing to incur actual criminal charges in the name of my principles, I stop at civil fines!

KB Garage > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 16:56

I see what you did there. I'm ruling out body just because I've not had much luck with the previous two I had I terms if longevity. So, suspension it is.

I want to clear 35's for a bit of rock crawling and off road shenanigans. I would assume 4" will allow me more room for articulation (correct me if I'm mistaken). So, let's start with your brand(s) preference.

In addition, what other components will be or should be utilized? Will I need a longer front drive shaft? Running 35's, will I get away with stock gearing? Forgive me I don't know the factory ratio on a sport.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

KB Garage > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
01/15/2014 at 16:57

Ha! Well done. Got a lol from me on that one.

oldirtybootz > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 17:01

Only from context. I only vaguely remember watching the Coneheads.

But no, and they say to drink a glass of water prior to and during a meal.

desertdog5051 > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 17:08

But... the Coneheads were such delicate eaters. :)

CAR_IS_MI > KB Garage
01/15/2014 at 17:16

4" Might be too much. The JK has a surprising amount of articulation to start.

35"s tend to fit nicely on 2.5" lifts, the only issue guys have on 2.5 is that the tires will sometimes rub the factory fenders, either cutting the OEMS or installing flat flares fixes this issue.

Also, going over 2.5 requires a lot of extra parts. things need to be relocated, brake lines all extended, the exhaust pipe often needs relocated or extended, track bar relocation, etc. etc.

Most guys who run 4" lifts are on 37" tires, some ever 40" tires (too big IMO but to each his own)

Make sure the kit you choose has full length replacement shocks, not just relocation brackets. If you go with 2.5" you wont need much other than what comes in the kit (depending on the kit). I have the Rough Country 2.5" full suspension with shocks, it is very cheap on entry price. Complaints, the springs are stiff. Will they articulate, yes, but not as well as others. I am building for Overland so the stiffer springs are good for me as I will weigh this thing down. The 2.2 shocks are ehhh, they do okay, but could be better, I will be upgrading once I brake these. Finally, the lift did not come with longer sway bar end links, this is causing minor tracking issues on the highway.

I would recommend Rock Krawler suspension or TerraFlex.

If you want to go bigger than 2.5 you will need to make sure you relocate the track bars, get sway bar extensions, brake lines, and ask around the forums to other people who have installed that specific kit for anything else you may need.

Stock gearing on a sport is 3.21, however, they did offer a 3.73 upgrade. I have the 3.73 in mine on 35"s and they do just fine. You will have to refresh my memory though, if you got a 3.6L the 3.73 would be okay as long as you don't go with a really heavy tire / wheel combo (I'd say 85lbs ea or less), anything more you would need 4.10s. If you have the 3.8L, 4.10s. A lot of the guys who crawl around here are running 4.55 gears, some (the guys doing the real technical stuff) are even running upwards of 5.xx

The Sport has Dana 30 axles all around, decent axle, and can support 35"s but, depending on how much crawling and how difficult, you may want to consider axle gussets and sleeves.

KB Garage > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 17:31

Super informative. Thank you. I ran a rough country on my old tahoe. It did what it was supposed to but it was definitely stiff.

I have no intention of running anything larger than 35s so perhaps you're correct on sticking with a shorter lift. For reference I've got a '14 so it's the 3.6 (not the 3.8 thank goodness).

I saw my exact model with a Teraflex 2.5" that's been installed for a couple of years. It was only about 1.5" higher than mine even though they had taller tires. (33's if I remember correctly) I don't know if the springs just sagged or what.

Friend of mine has a local shop and was trying to sell me a 4" zone lift, but reviews are extremely mixed.

I'm not trying to stay on a tight budget for something I will drive everyday. I want to do it right the first time. Please understand I have no need for a long arm kit or anything over the top like that.

I'll start checking more reviews on other brands, but it's like shopping wheels. The choices are endless and overwhelming.

McMike > CAR_IS_MI
01/15/2014 at 17:32

That's the Ikea Garage (aka 12 gauge garage) guy's car.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

CAR_IS_MI > KB Garage
01/15/2014 at 17:38

The TF 2.5 is a good choice, but most that get used for crawling have lower spring weights, and therefore tend to sag a bit overtime (it so common that the right rear is known to sag (gas tank wears into it faster) and a lot of guys end up buying a spacer kit to fix it. This isn't an issue strictly with TF, but rather most kits.

Also, with 33"s you have to remember, the advertised tire size =/= the actual size. Most 33"s are between 32.4 and 32.8", the factory tire is 32.06" so the difference is minimal (i.e. if you parked a stock Jeep next to one with mo lift and 33"s you probably couldn't tell the difference in height).

Jeeps are the Civic of the 4x4 world. There are 1000 manufacturers in the business, which means many many options. do proper research on a specific brand / part and you will be fine.

And as always, glad to answer any questions you may have.