Low CG vs Monster Lift
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Metro Detroit, MI
Low CG vs Monster Lift
Welcoming healthy debate about low CG setups vs the 4-6 inch lifedt rigs. I've been running low CG for awhile but I am honestly tired to getting high centered and stuck on rocks and mud bogs. I'm converting to the Church of High Lifts 
But I would still like to hear your opinions on both approaches and your stories for each one.
But I would still like to hear your opinions on both approaches and your stories for each one.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Leonard, MI
good morning Chris 
I consider my 3 1/2" lift in the low cg category, of which I belong. You have to remember your axle's pig is always your low spot and NO lift changes that, only tire size. Since I mostly like off camber hills and rock crawling, low cg is the safest set up and allows more success on obstacles.
with your cut fenders and some pinch seam trimming you can clear 37" tires with a 2 1/2" lift. Lift all you want with 33's but your axles are still low down to drag in the mud and NOT clear ruts.
I consider my 3 1/2" lift in the low cg category, of which I belong. You have to remember your axle's pig is always your low spot and NO lift changes that, only tire size. Since I mostly like off camber hills and rock crawling, low cg is the safest set up and allows more success on obstacles.
with your cut fenders and some pinch seam trimming you can clear 37" tires with a 2 1/2" lift. Lift all you want with 33's but your axles are still low down to drag in the mud and NOT clear ruts.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: USA
Well, first of all you are on 33" tires 
That's not helping you much. Now I am going to be "Captain Obvious" here, but in the world of offroading you 1) run bigger tires to create more clearance for axles to not get hung up. This is key to successful wheeling 2) You usually apply a bit of suspension and/or body lift to give clearance to those big tires you have installed for axle clearance. The days of monster lifts on jeeps are becoming a thing of the past because of the design of the newer JK's allowing you to run bigger tires with less and sometimes no lift (depending on tire size)
My rig runs 40"s with the equivalent of approximately a 3" lift. How do I know because it sits the same roofline height now on coilovers with 40"s as it did with 3" teraflex short arm with 35"s. It comes down to articulation of the suspension and down travel, up travel is needed but not that much. Also learning to drive and pick the correct lines, knowing approach and departure angles and using a spotter that knows what he is doing is going to save your ass more than any 6" lift ever will.
That's not helping you much. Now I am going to be "Captain Obvious" here, but in the world of offroading you 1) run bigger tires to create more clearance for axles to not get hung up. This is key to successful wheeling 2) You usually apply a bit of suspension and/or body lift to give clearance to those big tires you have installed for axle clearance. The days of monster lifts on jeeps are becoming a thing of the past because of the design of the newer JK's allowing you to run bigger tires with less and sometimes no lift (depending on tire size) My rig runs 40"s with the equivalent of approximately a 3" lift. How do I know because it sits the same roofline height now on coilovers with 40"s as it did with 3" teraflex short arm with 35"s. It comes down to articulation of the suspension and down travel, up travel is needed but not that much. Also learning to drive and pick the correct lines, knowing approach and departure angles and using a spotter that knows what he is doing is going to save your ass more than any 6" lift ever will.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Metro Detroit, MI
Originally Posted by GCM 2
Well, first of all you are on 33" tires That's not helping you much. Now I am going to be "Captain Obvious" here, but in the world of offroading you 1) run bigger tires to create more clearance for axles to not get hung up. This is key to successful wheeling 2) You usually apply a bit of suspension and/or body lift to give clearance to those big tires you have installed for axle clearance. The days of monster lifts on jeeps are becoming a thing of the past because of the design of the newer JK's allowing you to run bigger tires with less and sometimes no lift (depending on tire size)
My rig runs 40"s with the equivalent of approximately a 3" lift. How do I know because it sits the same roofline height now on coilovers with 40"s as it did with 3" teraflex short arm with 35"s. It comes down to articulation of the suspension and down travel, up travel is needed but not that much. Also learning to drive and pick the correct lines, knowing approach and departure angles and using a spotter that knows what he is doing is going to save your ass more than any 6" lift ever will.
That's not helping you much. Now I am going to be "Captain Obvious" here, but in the world of offroading you 1) run bigger tires to create more clearance for axles to not get hung up. This is key to successful wheeling 2) You usually apply a bit of suspension and/or body lift to give clearance to those big tires you have installed for axle clearance. The days of monster lifts on jeeps are becoming a thing of the past because of the design of the newer JK's allowing you to run bigger tires with less and sometimes no lift (depending on tire size)My rig runs 40"s with the equivalent of approximately a 3" lift. How do I know because it sits the same roofline height now on coilovers with 40"s as it did with 3" teraflex short arm with 35"s. It comes down to articulation of the suspension and down travel, up travel is needed but not that much. Also learning to drive and pick the correct lines, knowing approach and departure angles and using a spotter that knows what he is doing is going to save your ass more than any 6" lift ever will.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,239
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From: Metro Detroit, MI
Originally Posted by jctnt1
good morning Chris
I consider my 3 1/2" lift in the low cg category, of which I belong. You have to remember your axle's pig is always your low spot and NO lift changes that, only tire size. Since I mostly like off camber hills and rock crawling, low cg is the safest set up and allows more success on obstacles.
with your cut fenders and some pinch seam trimming you can clear 37" tires with a 2 1/2" lift. Lift all you want with 33's but your axles are still low down to drag in the mud and NOT clear ruts.
I consider my 3 1/2" lift in the low cg category, of which I belong. You have to remember your axle's pig is always your low spot and NO lift changes that, only tire size. Since I mostly like off camber hills and rock crawling, low cg is the safest set up and allows more success on obstacles.
with your cut fenders and some pinch seam trimming you can clear 37" tires with a 2 1/2" lift. Lift all you want with 33's but your axles are still low down to drag in the mud and NOT clear ruts.
Going with my 3.5 and 35s nets me 1 inch at the pumpkin but about 3.5 at the chassis compared to my old setup. It's hopefully the remedy for my constant high centering and bogging down in mud. Hopefully
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Leonard, MI
Originally Posted by ChryslerChris
Morning Mr J
Going with my 3.5 and 35s nets me 1 inch at the pumpkin but about 3.5 at the chassis compared to my old setup. It's hopefully the remedy for my constant high centering and bogging down in mud. Hopefully
I don't consider what you are doing to be a "monster lift". It sounds good and you can eventually go to 37's.
Monster lifts to throw off cg would be anything over 4" with short arms.
btw-you WILL need some sort of high steer bracket and high rear track bar bracket with that 3 1/2"'s of lift to keep all stable and true.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,093
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From: The Jersey Shore House
I ran the 2.5 and 35's for a long time, it served me well but I know how you feel with clipping things and hanging up in certain areas. The 4 inch I have now is "stupid high" compared to that lift, yet I didn't skimp and got all 8 control arms along with 37's. ( I wouldn't run a BL but that's just me) and I've swerved hard a few times on the highway to avoid accidents and I'm still impressed as to how much control I have. I'm also running a flipped steering kit which helps a lot with any setup over 3 inches. I'm not even sure I'd go to a long arm seeing how this thing rides and handles on trail.
And after looking it over 40's maybe 42's are a very real reality on this type of setup, I'd have to trim a little but they'll fit with no problem...right now I'm saving for some serious beef in the axle department.
And after looking it over 40's maybe 42's are a very real reality on this type of setup, I'd have to trim a little but they'll fit with no problem...right now I'm saving for some serious beef in the axle department.