My thoughts on lifts
#381
JK Junkie
I have the fox shocks that were an optional upgrade upgrade when I got the BDS 3" lift.
I've wondered what benefits I'd get if I had a better set of shocks with more travel...
Also, I'm still unclear what benefits I would get with a long arm suspension...
I go on trail rides with a moderate level of difficulty, some fairly steep elevation changes (at least for the NorthEast) a lots of large rocks but not crazy big boulders that you'd see a buggy taking on.
matthew
#382
JK Jedi
Sorry stupid typo, it was definitely a coil spacer...
I have the fox shocks that were an optional upgrade upgrade when I got the BDS 3" lift.
I've wondered what benefits I'd get if I had a better set of shocks with more travel...
Also, I'm still unclear what benefits I would get with a long arm suspension...
I go on trail rides with a moderate level of difficulty, some fairly steep elevation changes (at least for the NorthEast) a lots of large rocks but not crazy big boulders that you'd see a buggy taking on.
matthew
I have the fox shocks that were an optional upgrade upgrade when I got the BDS 3" lift.
I've wondered what benefits I'd get if I had a better set of shocks with more travel...
Also, I'm still unclear what benefits I would get with a long arm suspension...
I go on trail rides with a moderate level of difficulty, some fairly steep elevation changes (at least for the NorthEast) a lots of large rocks but not crazy big boulders that you'd see a buggy taking on.
matthew
#383
JK Newbie
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Centennial, CO
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Thanks!
OP: You saved me around $800. I'm a complete Jeep/Truck/Offroad noob, and I'm taking my '14 Sport in tomorrow to get spacers and tires instead of a full lift kit, wheels, tires, etc. Thank you so much!
#384
JK Jedi
Thread Starter
Work on driver skills.
#385
I wish I knew more about this stuff. I suspect you can put 37" on a Jeep that wasn't lifted, if you wanted to start cutting away at it. I guess I wonder, if 37s will run on a 3.5" lift, why would anyone EVER get a higher lift? I've heard people say, "get the smallest lift to accommodate your tires" but is that always true? Or let's play devil's advocate and ask, "if one put 37" tires on their jeep, what justification would there be for ever going higher than 3.5" lift?"
Just trying to understand this subject.
Just trying to understand this subject.
There is a fad going on right now.... the LOG (Low Center of Gravity) movement. While I fully understand the desire to be low and stable, one loses quite a bit of clearance and tire travel in that configuration. Of course, as Dirtman points out... your tires are a big deal... they are the only way to get that lowest point of your car up, but... as one moves from trail driving to more exciting things, clearance in other areas makes a LOT of difference. My car is stretched to about 115.5"... just shy of the wheelbase of a four door. Break over angles become a real issue at that length and I set a goal for 24" of belly clearance (and I often wish for more).... to obtain that kind of clearance and keep my geometry all hunk dory, I effectively lifted my car 10". I do not feel the car is unstable in the least bit, although I am about 14" wider than stock.
All that being said, my personal opinion is that a 2.5" Budget Boost and 35" tires is more than adequate for 99.95% of Jeep owners, mall or crawl (which). I often wish I'd left mine there, as it was much more fun to play with in that config. So yeah.... get the smallest lift to accommodate the tire size you wish to live with... but try and be proactive. If you think your're getting a 33 today and a 37 next time, you might want to build to fit the 37 so you don't spend twice.
#386
While TheDirtman has laid out some great info here and should easily get one started in understanding suspension, there is a bit more that can go into it.
There is a fad going on right now.... the LOG (Low Center of Gravity) movement. While I fully understand the desire to be low and stable, one loses quite a bit of clearance and tire travel in that configuration. Of course, as Dirtman points out... your tires are a big deal... they are the only way to get that lowest point of your car up, but... as one moves from trail driving to more exciting things, clearance in other areas makes a LOT of difference. My car is stretched to about 115.5"... just shy of the wheelbase of a four door. Break over angles become a real issue at that length and I set a goal for 24" of belly clearance (and I often wish for more).... to obtain that kind of clearance and keep my geometry all hunk dory, I effectively lifted my car 10". I do not feel the car is unstable in the least bit, although I am about 14" wider than stock.
All that being said, my personal opinion is that a 2.5" Budget Boost and 35" tires is more than adequate for 99.95% of Jeep owners, mall or crawl (which). I often wish I'd left mine there, as it was much more fun to play with in that config. So yeah.... get the smallest lift to accommodate the tire size you wish to live with... but try and be proactive. If you think your're getting a 33 today and a 37 next time, you might want to build to fit the 37 so you don't spend twice.
There is a fad going on right now.... the LOG (Low Center of Gravity) movement. While I fully understand the desire to be low and stable, one loses quite a bit of clearance and tire travel in that configuration. Of course, as Dirtman points out... your tires are a big deal... they are the only way to get that lowest point of your car up, but... as one moves from trail driving to more exciting things, clearance in other areas makes a LOT of difference. My car is stretched to about 115.5"... just shy of the wheelbase of a four door. Break over angles become a real issue at that length and I set a goal for 24" of belly clearance (and I often wish for more).... to obtain that kind of clearance and keep my geometry all hunk dory, I effectively lifted my car 10". I do not feel the car is unstable in the least bit, although I am about 14" wider than stock.
All that being said, my personal opinion is that a 2.5" Budget Boost and 35" tires is more than adequate for 99.95% of Jeep owners, mall or crawl (which). I often wish I'd left mine there, as it was much more fun to play with in that config. So yeah.... get the smallest lift to accommodate the tire size you wish to live with... but try and be proactive. If you think your're getting a 33 today and a 37 next time, you might want to build to fit the 37 so you don't spend twice.
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#388
JK Jedi
car
kär/
noun
Does it not fit that definition?
But anyway i agree on the lcog while i also see the benfits and such, not many people here truly need to be concerned with that and if your going for looks anyway put on whatever you feel is "cool" Almost any of kits will handle most peoples offroad desires. You can go thru here and get tons of great info to help you decide but in reality everyones version of offroading and hardcore offroading varies, so there will always be some different opinions..
kär/
noun
- a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.
Does it not fit that definition?
But anyway i agree on the lcog while i also see the benfits and such, not many people here truly need to be concerned with that and if your going for looks anyway put on whatever you feel is "cool" Almost any of kits will handle most peoples offroad desires. You can go thru here and get tons of great info to help you decide but in reality everyones version of offroading and hardcore offroading varies, so there will always be some different opinions..
#390
JK Junkie
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: West Richland Washington
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car
kär/
noun
[*]a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.
Does it not fit that definition?
But anyway i agree on the lcog while i also see the benfits and such, not many people here truly need to be concerned with that and if your going for looks anyway put on whatever you feel is "cool" Almost any of kits will handle most peoples offroad desires. You can go thru here and get tons of great info to help you decide but in reality everyones version of offroading and hardcore offroading varies, so there will always be some different opinions..
kär/
noun
[*]a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.
Does it not fit that definition?
But anyway i agree on the lcog while i also see the benfits and such, not many people here truly need to be concerned with that and if your going for looks anyway put on whatever you feel is "cool" Almost any of kits will handle most peoples offroad desires. You can go thru here and get tons of great info to help you decide but in reality everyones version of offroading and hardcore offroading varies, so there will always be some different opinions..