what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches?

Posted By: mikemee1331

what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 12/31/14 08:29 PM

hey guys! i'm not usually over here on this thread but....
my son has decided he wants a wrangler late 90's to early 2000's. he likes the look of 'lifted' but would probably never do any type of off-roading. I have heard to stick with the straight six (4.0?) and stay away from the 4-bangers. I also don't know what all is involved in lifting a jeep. do you have to get new driveshafts? what about any wiring for say the speedometer? I thought I would ask here for some real world pointers before I start reading up on it.

thanks!

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 12/31/14 09:18 PM

Search on ebay for jeep yj lift. He'll need new springs, shocks and a bunch of odds and ends. They sell it all in one kit. At around that lift level he may need a slip yoke eliminator to deal with the increased driveline angle. A 4" lift will need very big tires to not look stupid. Not cheap. Maybe better off with some 32" tires and a 1.25" body lift.

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 12/31/14 09:35 PM

Quote:

Search on ebay for jeep yj lift. He'll need new springs, shocks and a bunch of odds and ends. They sell it all in one kit. At around that lift level he may need a slip yoke eliminator to deal with the increased driveline angle. A 4" lift will need very big tires to not look stupid. Not cheap. Maybe better off with some 32" tires and a 1.25" body lift.

I thought 4-6 sounded too much without major changes. is 1.25 what is usually done to get that off-road look? I had a feeling most of the 'lift' was actually from larger tires but I haven't got any reference for it.

Posted By: Golden-Arm

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 12/31/14 11:16 PM

forget the yj, get a tj. then, look up lift kit.

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 12:23 AM

Quote:

forget the yj, get a tj. then, look up lift kit.

because of the coil springs or an aversion to square headlights? I kinda answered my own question about lifts by reading inspection codes. now i'm still curious about engines. I understand the straight 6's are easier to work on but what about the 4 cyl? are they just underpowered even with a manual?

Posted By: Blusmbl

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 01:07 AM

The 97-up TJ's are a lot more livable as a daily driver. They ride nicer and the interior is better.

If you want a YJ I believe the last couple years (94/95?) are the most desirable due to a better trans and engine. Think the external slave cylinder was 94/95. They switched from the 4.2 to the 4.0 with EFI in 1992. You also got the family style rollbar with rear seat shoulder belts in 1992 and up.

The 4 cylinder motor is reliable, it's just gutless. I've heard stories that the 4.0 will get better fuel economy in most situations.

4-6" of lift is a decent amount of work on either of them. For a smaller 2" lift I think you can get away with spacers on a TJ. You typically need about 4" of total lift on a TJ to get decently wide, 33" tires underneath it. You could accomplish that with a 2" coil spacer and 2" of body lift, or a complete suspension lift. On a YJ you have to swap springs.

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 01:44 AM

I would also recommend a TJ with 2" Suspension and 2" Body Lift....it will drive and ride much better that a 4" Lift

Stay away from the 4-Banger unless you plan on a bone-stock Jeep with factory size tires.

Rickster

Posted By: Cooter

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 02:51 AM

If he is talking about late '90s to 2000s, then he is talking about a TJ to begin with. I ran a 3" Tera (S3T) back in the day, and thought it handled well. A good complete lift will include a t-case drop, as well as everything else you will need, including shocks, swaybay links and steering correction. If you are going to wheel it at all, I would suggest a heavy duty slip yoke eliminator (SYE) and double cardan driveshaft. At that point you can lift the t-case, and put a flat belly skid on it (with a 1 1/4" body lift {I make my own out of aluminum bar stock} and a motor mount lift)

No wiring needed for the speedometer- it takes a standard MoPar speedometer pinion, just like my old Challenger R/T did. Just figure out the difference in tire size, and pick a pinion to match.

BTW, stay away from the 4 cylinders if you are going to drive it on the street with anything bigger than stock tires.

Bonus Pro Tip- A B-Body 8 3/4 makes a great rear end swap if you are running a D35, and will hold up to 35x14 Boggers or Q78 Swampers very well with a locker (even 38.5x11.00s if you're careful)

Posted By: ahy

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 03:58 AM

On the 4 cyl and 6 cyl question... both are great engines and the 6 has earned a reputation for unusual durability. 4 cylinder Jeeps can be fun. The 4 cylinder MT Jeeps are light, capable and fun to drive... but cannot handle big tires; performance suffers badly. If big wheels/tires and maybe a lift are in the works, stick with the 6.

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 07:16 AM

Yes meant to say ebay search for tj lift. On my yj 32's fit with a 1.25 body lift. Don't do more body lift than that. It will start to look stupid and you will run into issues with stuff not fitting.

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 02:48 PM

guys, I really appreciate this information and it's nice to see familiar user names in this section too! i'm kinda getting a feel for it now. there was mention of 2" 'body' lift. what is that?

Posted By: Blusmbl

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 04:05 PM

Body lifts are just that... they lift the body away from the frame with longer bolts and pucks that go between the frame and body mounts. You usually will get extension pieces for the steering column, fan shroud and transfer case linkage depending on how complete the kit is. On pickup trucks a body lift will also relocate the bumpers upward.

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 05:27 PM

Any more than a 1.25 body lift and you start to have stuff not fitting right. Then there's a visible gap between body and frame. if you did that plus some 2" coil spacers you are at your best bang for your buck right there. As mine is a yj it has leaf springs front and back where the tj has coils. You might want to google search for tj death wobble. I hear this is an issue on lifted tjs. Not applicable on the yj because of the leafs.

Personally i prefer the leaf spring suspension over the coils. I was never big on the minivan interior on the tjs either. But the only real good years of the yj are the 92-95 because they got the fuel injection, upgraded transmission and better roll bar.

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 06:10 PM

I absolutely hear what you're saying DaytonaTurbo and since all he's looking for is the 'look' and not actually off-roading a lift under 2" is all we will need as long a we can get 32's or 33's under there to complete that image. I also agree that a 4 banger will be vastly under-powered with big tires.

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 07:13 PM

Quote:

I absolutely hear what you're saying DaytonaTurbo and since all he's looking for is the 'look' and not actually off-roading a lift under 2" is all we will need as long a we can get 32's or 33's under there to complete that image. I also agree that a 4 banger will be vastly under-powered with big tires.

My 2001 Sport fit 31's with no lift....I would think 33's with a 2" Lift would not be a problem...????

Rickster

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/01/15 09:07 PM

We lift a lot of jeeps and I own one myself. I hate body lifts and with that being said here is my advice. 97 to 2006 TJ models ride and work real well with a lift. Your factory springs are most likely getting weak and not to OEM height anymore. So 4 new springs and shocks will do the job nicely. 3 to 4 inches will give you the best bang for your buck. Going over 4 inches will cost a lot more and you make a lot of durability and reliability compromises. I like BDS and Zone lifts. So 3 to 4 inch lift. Get a slip yoke eliminator and a cv rear shaft. That way the skid plate will stay stock height and you wont have to modify the 4wd linkage or have stiff shifting if a manual due to shift boot interference.

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/02/15 09:48 AM

My local axle guy said that running any tire bigger than a 33" on these late model Jeeps results in rapid failure of the axles. He thinks they used thinner metal on the housings and they warp from the additional streeses from the bigger tires.

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 12:56 AM

Quote:

My local axle guy said that running any tire bigger than a 33" on these late model Jeeps results in rapid failure of the axles. He thinks they used thinner metal on the housings and they warp from the additional streeses from the bigger tires.

From what I've read on the forums, 34's or 36's are the limit for what the rear diff will take. IIRC the tj's had a better rear diff than the yj's.

Posted By: Cooter

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 01:32 AM

They still had the D35, but some came with a D44.

The 33" tire line is poppycock.

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 04:51 AM

Quote:

My local axle guy said that running any tire bigger than a 33" on these late model Jeeps results in rapid failure of the axles. He thinks they used thinner metal on the housings and they warp from the additional streeses from the bigger tires.

I have never seen the housings bad as far as warping. The smaller axle shafts are the weak links and the smaller gear set can be a weak spot. The 44 axle is for sure a lot stouter and more desirable. There are better axles for the 35 which help. Keep the tires at 33 inches will also help. I run a tall narrow tire 33 x 10.50 bfg on a 8 inch rim which gets harder to find. When you start with 33 x 12.50 on a ten inch with only 4 inches of backspace that works the axles hard.

Posted By: cogen80

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 05:09 AM

Quote:

We lift a lot of jeeps and I own one myself. I hate body lifts and with that being said here is my advice. 97 to 2006 TJ models ride and work real well with a lift. Your factory springs are most likely getting weak and not to OEM height anymore. So 4 new springs and shocks will do the job nicely. 3 to 4 inches will give you the best bang for your buck. Going over 4 inches will cost a lot more and you make a lot of durability and reliability compromises. I like BDS and Zone lifts. So 3 to 4 inch lift. Get a slip yoke eliminator and a cv rear shaft. That way the skid plate will stay stock height and you wont have to modify the 4wd linkage or have stiff shifting if a manual due to shift boot interference.

this is the best advise posted. listen to him. he is dead on.

i know a few guys running the 4 cyl. they have had good luck with them. just have to gear them.

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 09:29 AM

Quote:

The 33" tire line is poppycock.

Okay, YOU know everything. I guess we should just PM you directly for every question from now on.

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/03/15 11:03 PM

this site is the best and i'm glad to see this forum is no different than the other ones

!
keep in mind that he wants the look but will never actually do any off-roading. that said here is what I've learned from here and a few other sites. either TJ or YJ is fine. i'm good with leaf spring suspension but the coil spring would be newer and probably more plentiful with the added plus of finding one that is just someones daily driver. straight six is what I should look for but a 4 banger might be ok for his use. 33's could present a problem with steering radius and might require a gear change but a 2 inch lift (not body) would be plenty. 31's are probably all he needs to achieve the 'look'. am I on track?

Posted By: Cooter

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/04/15 12:36 AM

Quote:

Quote:

The 33" tire line is poppycock.

Okay, YOU know everything. I guess we should just PM you directly for every question from now on.

Probably not everyone, but YOU might want to before you believe your "axle guy"

My photos are up there, those tires sure seem to be bigger than 33".

Posted By: Cooter

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/04/15 12:40 AM

Quote:

this site is the best and i'm glad to see this forum is no different than the other ones !
keep in mind that he wants the look but will never actually do any off-roading. that said here is what I've learned from here and a few other sites. either TJ or YJ is fine. i'm good with leaf spring suspension but the coil spring would be newer and probably more plentiful with the added plus of finding one that is just someones daily driver. straight six is what I should look for but a 4 banger might be ok for his use. 33's could present a problem with steering radius and might require a gear change but a 2 inch lift (not body) would be plenty. 31's are probably all he needs to achieve the 'look'. am I on track?

He may not be satisfied with the look of 31" tires. But if he is, he can run them on a street driven TJ without a lift, as long as the springs aren't shot. With the correct back spacing, his steering radius shouldn't suffer.

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/04/15 01:16 AM

I mounted my Wrangler 31'S on the stock rims (2001 Sport) and they fit with Zero Rub

Rickster

Posted By: Golden-Arm

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/04/15 02:12 AM

Quote:

Quote:

forget the yj, get a tj. then, look up lift kit.

because of the coil springs or an aversion to square headlights? I kinda answered my own question about lifts by reading inspection codes. now i'm still curious about engines. I understand the straight 6's are easier to work on but what about the 4 cyl? are they just underpowered even with a manual?

yes, to both. get a rubicon tj, and be done with it.

the 4.0 is the engine to go with, along with the manual trans. the 4 cylinder is a slug. you'll burn more gas with it trying to roll larger tires, and you'll have no power. if you go with the 4, you'll soon want the 6. save yourself the aggravation.

just a quick skyjacker 4" lift kit. comes with everything, rolls on 33's with no problems. took a full day to install, in the driveway with no special tools.

Posted By: QuickDodge

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/04/15 08:45 PM

No one has mentioned it, but it would depend on the OP's kid's maturity level as to whether or not the kid should have a 4 or 6 cylinder. Some teenagers should drive under powered vehicles!

Posted By: mikemee1331

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/05/15 12:18 AM

Quote:

No one has mentioned it, but it would depend on the OP's kid's maturity level as to whether or not the kid should have a 4 or 6 cylinder. Some teenagers should drive under powered vehicles!

very true! he's more into the 'sexiness' part than the tearing up the streets and yards part!

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/05/15 02:54 AM

A 4-Banger Sport with stock tires will run 90 on the interstate

Rickster

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: what all is involved in lifting a wrangler 4-6 inches? - 01/05/15 05:13 AM

Quote:

No one has mentioned it, but it would depend on the OP's kid's maturity level as to whether or not the kid should have a 4 or 6 cylinder. Some teenagers should drive under powered vehicles!

Drive a lifted 6 banger jeep with big tires. A hot rod they are not. Even with stock tires...