Newbie suspension question
10-13-2014 | 08:30 PM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Eastvale
Newbie suspension question
Hello all, I just purchase a new 2014 jeep unlimited sport. I want to lift my jeep 3.5 inches and run 35 " tires.
I visited the off road expo earlier this month and got a lot of ideas from different vendors/manufactures. I liked the jks 3.5 suspensions with front sway bar quicker disconnects, the kit is $1250.00 and the kit includes fox 2.0 evolution shocks.
The next lift kit I really liked was the icon vehical dynamic 3 " the price is about $1280.00
The last kit is rubicon express standard lift kit 3.5 ". What I realize is that the 3 kits are identical except for the price. I'm thinking of running the RE 3.5 standard kit with fox 2.0 4-6 " shocks and AEV geo correction front drop brackets to avoid the cam bolts that come with the kit. I would also add the exhaust spacer modification. The total for this set up is about $900.00 and i feel that I can build the kit more to my liking by adding the shocks that I like and the front drop down brackets.
My concerned is the rear cam bolts, I tried to find info on the forum regarding rear cam bolts but no luck. Are the rear cam bolts safe to use? Does the installation of the rear cam bolts also require to grind down the exciting slot ?
Sorry if this has been as answered before, I know a lot of people on the jk forum get bothered if the question has been answered on a different thread.
I visited the off road expo earlier this month and got a lot of ideas from different vendors/manufactures. I liked the jks 3.5 suspensions with front sway bar quicker disconnects, the kit is $1250.00 and the kit includes fox 2.0 evolution shocks.
The next lift kit I really liked was the icon vehical dynamic 3 " the price is about $1280.00
The last kit is rubicon express standard lift kit 3.5 ". What I realize is that the 3 kits are identical except for the price. I'm thinking of running the RE 3.5 standard kit with fox 2.0 4-6 " shocks and AEV geo correction front drop brackets to avoid the cam bolts that come with the kit. I would also add the exhaust spacer modification. The total for this set up is about $900.00 and i feel that I can build the kit more to my liking by adding the shocks that I like and the front drop down brackets.
My concerned is the rear cam bolts, I tried to find info on the forum regarding rear cam bolts but no luck. Are the rear cam bolts safe to use? Does the installation of the rear cam bolts also require to grind down the exciting slot ?
Sorry if this has been as answered before, I know a lot of people on the jk forum get bothered if the question has been answered on a different thread.
10-13-2014 | 08:43 PM
#2
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
I don't recommend using cam bolts... plenty of folks on here with bad experiences. Also, nothing wrong with the stock control arms. And 3 inches is a good ride hieght for a daily driver. But, in the end, its personal choice
10-13-2014 | 09:00 PM
#3
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Cam bolts are not desirable because of the grinding, they're also are know to come loose off-roading.
I'd stay away from the AEV Front Control Arm Geo Brackets, they hang down low and love to catch everything, even big curbs at the mall. I bent my own AEV brackets and suggest going with adjustable front LCA's.
Any lift above 3" usually will require a new front driveshaft so don't forget to add that to the cost.
True 35" tires love 4.10 gears, 4.56 are very common as well.
Don't forget about upgrading your axle for those beefy meats. C gussets and/or truss/sleeves are food for thought. Might as well replace your stock plastic BJ's at this time.
Lastly, (which should be first) is armor. Protect your $30K investment with some HD dif covers, f&r LCA/engine/trans skids.
It takes lots of $$$$ to do it right...research research research.
I'd stay away from the AEV Front Control Arm Geo Brackets, they hang down low and love to catch everything, even big curbs at the mall. I bent my own AEV brackets and suggest going with adjustable front LCA's.
Any lift above 3" usually will require a new front driveshaft so don't forget to add that to the cost.
True 35" tires love 4.10 gears, 4.56 are very common as well.
Don't forget about upgrading your axle for those beefy meats. C gussets and/or truss/sleeves are food for thought. Might as well replace your stock plastic BJ's at this time.
Lastly, (which should be first) is armor. Protect your $30K investment with some HD dif covers, f&r LCA/engine/trans skids.
It takes lots of $$$$ to do it right...research research research.
10-13-2014 | 09:23 PM
#4
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 162
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Since this was your first post, I will assume that you have not opened the two threads stuck right to the top of this modified section...
3.5" coils with 4-6" shocks. Have you planned how to accomplish this? Synergy relo brackets or something similar? Or are you ok with over-compressing the shocks and blowing them out, or riding on the bumpstops, or ripping brake lines off the frame, or unseating a coil when the suspension droops.
You are going with long shocks, so you are wanting to try for a bit more down-travel when offroad? If improved offroad performance is the goal, why are you limiting the belly clearance with drop brackets? And since you have already talked yourself out of cams for the front, why would you still consider using them for the rear?
Perhaps you should put the credit card back in your wallet and get a handle on the various issues that arise at various lift heights, what 'all' of the individual components do, the heights people start wanting them, and how the ride is affected if you don't have them. Even the actual amount of lift people get from coils from different manufacturers can vary quite a bit, so you might also do some research on that. (you know, you might want more components if your 3" coils give you 5" of actual height than if they give you 2.5"...)
3.5" coils with 4-6" shocks. Have you planned how to accomplish this? Synergy relo brackets or something similar? Or are you ok with over-compressing the shocks and blowing them out, or riding on the bumpstops, or ripping brake lines off the frame, or unseating a coil when the suspension droops.
You are going with long shocks, so you are wanting to try for a bit more down-travel when offroad? If improved offroad performance is the goal, why are you limiting the belly clearance with drop brackets? And since you have already talked yourself out of cams for the front, why would you still consider using them for the rear?
Perhaps you should put the credit card back in your wallet and get a handle on the various issues that arise at various lift heights, what 'all' of the individual components do, the heights people start wanting them, and how the ride is affected if you don't have them. Even the actual amount of lift people get from coils from different manufacturers can vary quite a bit, so you might also do some research on that. (you know, you might want more components if your 3" coils give you 5" of actual height than if they give you 2.5"...)