Alp1n3

Alright I've got a 3.25" rc lift right now and that got the job done with getting me off the ground and I run 35's but will be upgrading to 5.13 gears w 37's when these tires wear out. Onto the meat of the question, what sort of lift should I be looking for if I'm using the jeep as a daily and I also like to hit the rougher trails (hard but not super difficult)? Another factor is I currently run the xrc fenders all around. (See pic)

NJKURPat

If you want to upgrade, I would stay the same height and just get a higher quality company. 3-3.5" is plenty of lift for 37a. I run metalcloak and love it. Rock Krawler, terraflex, and synergy are other too notch companies. They all have a really fantastic product and even better customer service.

On another note, what does your current lift contain? Arms, brackets, TB, etc? Are you looking to only do springs, shocks, what components do you want to upgrade? Or are you looking to redo everything and get the most complete lift you can get?

Alp1n3

that lift only came w shocks coils and some longer links. I'm wanting aftermarket arms etc. looking for a total upgrade kit for it. Something that can stay down there for duration of the jeeps life lol

nthinuf

What is your budget? What actual height do you want to end up at? (not the number the mfg lists for the kit, since you could potentially get 1 or 2 more inches of lift than advertised)

Most mfg's make entry level kits to get you lifted, then you can add more components as wanted/needed. Or you can just spend big and go for a more complete kit. MetalCloak, Synergy, Rock Krawler, Teraflex, Old Man Emu, etc. All are fairly popular with folks here.

While you are researching lifts, also read some threads on housing upgrades. And driveshafts. And draglink flips. And ... You just might find that you are actually ok with what you already have.

Alp1n3

I was only looking for another inch or two really. I'm looking at spending about 1500-2000.

Alp1n3

So could I realistically keep the lift and just upgrade arms etc?

NJKURPat

For a netted 4" of lift, 1500 is on the low end of things. I personally wouldn't want to go that high unless I was thinking around 3k. With that height I would want at least 4 arms but I would go with 8. That's about 750-1k right there, or more depending on the brand. Then shocks and springs, brake lines since you said you will be doing some good wheeling. And other miscellaneous items you are going to need at that height. A DL flip isn't necessary, but you might feel you want it depending on how misaligned the TB and DL are to each other.

Since you said it's your DD and you are going to do some wheeling, nothing crazy but some good trails. I would want to make sure it is done complete and right. At that ride height, when corners are cut, it's where parts end up breaking or you realize you need something new every week or two which ends up costing more.

Now that's not saying it can't be done for 1.5-2k, but just takes a little bit more research and having several different companies under your jeep. It can also take some trial and error. Which costs money. Buying a full kit from any of the mentioned brands with arms, brake lines, shocks, springs, TBs, etc. Will yield you the best result without a lot of research.

Again, buying a kit listed at 3-3.5 will actually net you an inch most likely more. So I would stay away from purchasing a kit that lists 4.5" and ends up giving you closer to 6". If you think about what a 3.5" lift needs to be fully setup, and what parts it strains. Imagine what a lift that ends up around 6 does.

Pretty much what I'm saying is, do your research. And then when you think you've read enough, read more and go to different forums and read more. It took me a year to decide that the MC lift I bought would be enough, and I still don't feel it's complete. I could use more arms and rear lines. And don't feel like any question is stupid and PM so guys and ask questions. All the guys that you see chiming in on these posts with 2k+ posts and fully custom stretched rigs are here to help, not intimidate. They have more experience than 99% of people and 98% of that was failure. It's a Jeep thing, we all just want the next guy to setup his rig right, because no one likes to see a break.

Good luck!

nthinuf

Of course. Nothing wrong with piecing together a lift. Just do a little reading to make sure that the components will work together. (draglink ends and flips, in particular)

If you are happy with the ride of the coils/shocks you have, just add a set of front adj ca's (or brackets) to correct the caster. Since your caster is low now with the lift height, that should give a noticeable improvement to the steering. There are several types of joints available, and some arms are bent in different ways for clearance, so you might want to spend a little time deciding on a brand.

Then maybe look at axle centering. Start with the rear. Find a beefy bracket that raises the trackbar from the axle. This not only centers the axle, but also helps with the roll center. For the front, an adjustable trackbar is the way to go. If you get to the point where you are looking at dl flips, you will add a front trackbar bracket at the same time.

The shocks have the little integrated bumpstops? May not be a bad idea to go ahead and add real bumpstops. (mandatory if you swap to different shocks)

If you end up going higher, you will want to make sure the brakelines are ok. Brackets or longer lines may be needed. And you will also want to keep an eye on the driveshaft joints. And for the 37's, as noted above, do a little research on front housing add-ons.

Alp1n3

so if get the 3.5" with the better shocks for $4k I would be setup? Besides upgrading the housings and gears plus lockers of course.

Alp1n3

I'm basically trying to squeeze as much as I can out of my wife. And if I sacrifice getting a street bike I might be able to make it work lol