more capable with no lift
10-17-2014 | 06:21 AM
#31
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
2" is your limit if you don't want to change LCA. the vehicle is very capable stock. Your first consideration is traction (tires, lockers). Next, technical ability. You don't have to lift the vehicle. In all honesty, I did my lift for extra clearance and looks. Many of the trails I hit, the extra clearance helps in the Colorado Rockies. It really depends on where you plan to wheel. Rock crawling? Clearance is good. Over landing? Might be a piece of mind thing but not necessary. I see Subarus on the same fire roads I see heavily modded jeeps on. The only thing many of the Subarus have done is put on a more aggressive tire.
In the end, your rig. Whatever you do, research, buy and install what works for your intended purpose. Raising it will affect handling. I disagree with Dirtman on he better handling part. My stock suspension on my JKUR was a little sketchy on wash board roads. It handles better now. Higher center of gravity? Yes. But, I think we all know Fox has some of the best shocks out there and by far better than the stockers on any rig. And the spring rate I have, is cushier than the stock springs I pulled. As for geometry, I just made certain those axles were pushed out a bit more. No wandering, no tracking, and very, very little pull to the left.
I would lift again, but I also hit some solid 4x4 only rails. I think a vast majority, wouldn't even attempt many of the trails we have out here.
In the end, your rig. Whatever you do, research, buy and install what works for your intended purpose. Raising it will affect handling. I disagree with Dirtman on he better handling part. My stock suspension on my JKUR was a little sketchy on wash board roads. It handles better now. Higher center of gravity? Yes. But, I think we all know Fox has some of the best shocks out there and by far better than the stockers on any rig. And the spring rate I have, is cushier than the stock springs I pulled. As for geometry, I just made certain those axles were pushed out a bit more. No wandering, no tracking, and very, very little pull to the left.
I would lift again, but I also hit some solid 4x4 only rails. I think a vast majority, wouldn't even attempt many of the trails we have out here.
10-18-2014 | 02:34 PM
#32
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Im really debating on just the teraflex leveling springs since I have the soft sport ones now and my winch caused a little sag already let alone if I ever get a bumper. And I like the looks of a little higher stance but nothing crazy, and ive been thinking about the fox 2.0 shocks for awhile now
10-18-2014 | 02:50 PM
#33
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Milford, OH
My vote is to only read Dirtman's posts!
10-19-2014 | 04:10 PM
#34
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor
Added JKS adjustable track bar and what tiny bit of play or bump steer might have been there is gone. Thing handles great on road, and with the 35's, cut fenders, and disconnects it's way capable offroad. I take it to Bundy Hill every couple of weeks and it's basically walked through everything I've attempted. I haven't done rock crawling but otherwise I've far from babied it. Only real downfall is the 3.73 gears, but I 4lo it on the trails and it's a stick so it works on road for now too.
Anyway, morale of the story is that it handles so well off road and on that a lift other than the pucks isn't even on the radar until after some other things.
Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
10-27-2014 | 08:17 PM
#37
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: 54° 4.5' N 123° 7' W
Haha. Guess you're right. It was just an observation. I ran without a lift for 2 years or so. Dragged my belly over enough stuff but did not want to go overly large with the tires since it is a daily driver, so I lifted with the 2.5" TeraFlex coil with extensions, then went with Bilstein 5100s after a bit. Even though the tires are not much bigger than what I had pre-lift, I now clear where I used to scrape.
10-28-2014 | 01:26 AM
#38
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,998
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
Haha. Guess you're right. It was just an observation. I ran without a lift for 2 years or so. Dragged my belly over enough stuff but did not want to go overly large with the tires since it is a daily driver, so I lifted with the 2.5" TeraFlex coil with extensions, then went with Bilstein 5100s after a bit. Even though the tires are not much bigger than what I had pre-lift, I now clear where I used to scrape.
10-28-2014 | 04:24 AM
#39
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
Originally Posted by black_14_jks View Post
Ive lifted several vehicles ive owned in the past and have tossed around the idea of doing the same with my jk, but for now I have decided against it. I like the way it handles and I hate how the steering geometry goes insane with even the smallest lifts, and I love the fuel economy im currently getting. So, my question to you guys is: what can I do to make my jeep more offroad capable without a lift kit?
Ive lifted several vehicles ive owned in the past and have tossed around the idea of doing the same with my jk, but for now I have decided against it. I like the way it handles and I hate how the steering geometry goes insane with even the smallest lifts, and I love the fuel economy im currently getting. So, my question to you guys is: what can I do to make my jeep more offroad capable without a lift kit?
That's a myth.
On my previous Jeep, I could change between 0" and 4" lift (it had air springs). With 4" it didn't behave any worse than with 0". Part of the good overall ride and handling quality was due to the air springs, and steering definitely didn't suffer.
The current JKUR, with 4" lift, behaved and steered well, no flaw vs stock.
Then, after adding the Full Traction CRC Link, the steering of the 4" lifted Jeep had improved and became much better than stock, as the typical (to live rear axles) need for constant little steering corrections is gone.
Last edited by GJeep; 10-28-2014 at 02:06 PM.
10-28-2014 | 02:28 PM
#40
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Weston, FL
"I hate how the steering geometry goes insane with even the smallest lifts"
That's a myth.
On my previous Jeep, I could change between 0" and 4" lift (it had air springs). With 4" it didn't behave any worse than with 0". Part of the good overall ride and handling quality was due to the air springs, and steering definitely didn't suffer.
The current JKUR, with 4" lift, behaved and steered well, no flaw vs stock.
Then, after adding the Full Traction CRC Link, the steering of the 4" lifted Jeep had improved and became much better than stock, as the typical (to live rear axles) need for constant little steering corrections is gone.
My suggestion to the original question which was "more capable without a lift" I would say that you need to cut the fenders or install flat fenders so you can fit 35" or 37" tires, install a snorkel if you are anticipating any high water, add a full set of skid plates or at least for the engine oil pan and transmission along with a good set of rock rails, and finally if you are going to add an aftermarket front bumper with a winch, you will want at the minimum a leveling kit.