Right now, I'm considering getting this lift...

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_jk_3-seriesII.html



Can I keep my stock driveshafts if I keep my swaybars connected?

Will my stock 17s (255/75R17) fit? I have a vague understanding of backspacing, but I don't know how to check what mine are.

And while I'm on it... how long should I anticipate the install to take if I have a shop do it? Originally I was planning on doing it myself, but I'm considering my options to have it done by a shop.

 

no, you will still end up damaging your front drive shaft as your shocks will still allow for more droop than it can handle. if you have a 2-door, your rear shaft will fail sooner than later just by virtue of of how much lift you'll have.

they'll look tiny with this much lift but, yeah, they will work.

really, you should do it yourself. you'll most likely get charged for about 4 hours worth of labor and that ain't worth it.

 

With that height in lift you will need new shafts. You might be able to get away with the weak stock shafts for a minimal period, but since the arms are fixed, they will not allow you to adjust the perfect pinion angle for the shafts like adjustable would. You might be alright with the rear shaft for some time but they will have to be replaced, especially the front if you have a 2 door. Anything over 3" shafts are pretty much required.

 

Well, I'm trying to be budget minded in my decision, but I don't want to wait and save up for a driveshaft / new shoes.

Sounds like I would be better off with a smaller lift, if I don't want to get new driveshafts yet - and also avoid looking awkward with my current shoes.

Will a BB vs shock/coils change anything when it comes to the driveshaft, assuming they both net the same height?

And so then, would a 2.5 really help that much as far as saving my stock driveshaft? I've noticed my rear axle has plenty of articulation right now, I can almost rub my rear (haha, I'm glad I worded this sentence that way) just by parking on the snow in my driveway.


Edited for above post. If I'm safer with a 2.5, does that mean I can disco with a 2.5 and stock driveshafts?

 

if you go with a 2.5" lift, try to use shock extensions or new longer shocks that aren't too long. i know that teraflex makes shocks that will give you more travel but not so much that you will damage your drive shaft.

 

You would be fine with a 2.5 bb, but beware that if you disconnect the front shaft boot that covers the splines will hit the transfer case skid and rip the boot causing the shaft to fail. That's what happened to mine and just about everyone I know, but I was wheeling disconnected every time. You might be able to Save this from happening by staying connected. Just a little advice, don't waste your time trying to get stuff now. You will waste your money on parts that are cheap and will end up replacing them in the future with what you wanted in the first place. Save yourself the grief and money and just budget for what you REALLY want. Although, bb's are not bad for starting out. Try that and then when you want to do more move up to the 3.5 lift with shafts. You might wanna look at axle sleeves and gussets when you get up in the 3.5-bigger lifts. There is alot more involved than you think. Hope this helps!

 

Oh and btw, WOL can answer any question you have correctly! He knows what he is talking about!! Shout out WOL, you would know more than I would

 

I live in the area..I can help ya install it!

 

That is indeed a good question! Besides liking the way I believe it would look...

I usually try to get out with my club once a month, and occasionally other times as well. I don't think it's fair to say that a lift will necessarily make things easier for me - but some of the places we go, even with the right path chosen, I'll wack my skid plates. I know they're there to protect me, but I don't want to feel like I'm just pushing myself closer to replacing them.
I've been lucky enough to not have had any problems hitting my axles/diffs, so I feel like a lift is the most logical solution.

 

Wow, I've never heard/seen the ACOS. That definitely gives me some more options.

If I installed an ACOS, that would just pull my stock shocks a bit higher to adjust to my ride, right? What downsides are there for doing that?