Long arm lifts on the TJ's, etc...was worth it...but, on the JK's...the arms are not really that limiting...so, for bang for the buck, a long arm suspension kit for a JK may not make as much difference as it would on the previous models.

 

I run 35" and have the FT 3" lift.

Make sure you get the FULL lift and not the basic lift (like I started out with)

You need the adjustable track bars and should also get adjustuble lower controll arms.
I don't have adjustable upper controll arms but have no issues.
Its important that you get your proper angles back when you lift it.
if your wheels rest directly under centerline they will be "darty" as hell.

I went with the TF kit due to strenth in design.
They stay properly centered on all the stress poiints and don't do side mount brackets and week welds and so on.
Those lifts that depart from factory points and do welds and side mounted brackets and so on seem to me to be street rated only.

I have stuffed my jeep into a hole going 35 mph in such a manner that the front end bottomed out and the Jeep almost did and endover roll , instead it bunny hopped out of the hole and continued forward while the front end came up in the air to about 45 degrees ( iwas looking directly into the noon day sun at that point. This dragged the rear end in to the hole (still moving pretty quick) and those then SLAMMED and bottomed out, causing the front end to slam down forward while the rear end hopped out and AGAIN bottomed out the front end and then doing a straight up and level four footed bunny hop while STILL going forward and landing on all four feet and AGAIN bottoming out all 4 wheels. then once again bunny hopping a couple smaller times until we came to complete stop. Mind you the entire time my foot was stuffed down on the brake pedal in desperate hopes that we would stop before going off the cliff in front of us.

We got out and looked at each other , our Jeep , the trail , and the 500 foot cliff, and burst into insane laughter complete with hugs and love of life like we rarely get to share.
This was a true BONDING experience for my wife and my self and our JEEP and or TF lift!

By the way I learned to drive a bit more carefully now, even tho at the time it seemed the right thing to do.

The TF 3" lift is fully road tested and completely and totally recomended by yours truely.

That being said I did have an issue with it that needs sharing too.
After about 2000 miles on the lift I was puttering around the corner to go to the store. The Jeep went TOTALLY CRAZY! It jumped around and shuddered and bucked and the front end FOUGHT me for controll.
All this while doing maybe 37mph on a flat STREET!

The brakes didn't seem to help much as I guess the computer decided they shouldn't since it was obvious to it that the Jeep was in danger of losing controll... I hate computer controlled crap on my car. It only makes dumbasses safer and good driveres less safe. IMHO.

Anyway it took a LONG TIME ( like an entire city block) to slow down to around 7mph where the bucking and shuddering finally stopped. I was so in shock I pulled over and and chilled while thinking or trying to think what the hell just happened.

This happened again to me as went home.

The next day I took it to the dealer.
I payed for VIP care and have never regretted it. They teat me very well.

I didn't need a rental as my Jeep is not my daily driver, but I told them in all seriousness I did not want that death trap back untill they fixed it. Even if it took 10 years to do so I did not want ANYBODY to drive the sucker as I feel sure it would kill somebody.

Well the tested it and freaked out when it happend to them too.
Snicker
They hadn't really believed me as I was pretty excited...

They researched it further and found that the Track bar was loose.
Sigh

So I took it back to the installers and procceded to get their attention with the story I just told you, complete with lots of arm waving and ass puckering sound effects etc.

Scott put it up on the lift and we went thru the entire lift together.
Starting with the track bar.
Nothing was loose.
NOTHING.
So Scott called TF and got tech support right away.

When he decribed the problem he used the term "Death Wobble".
As soon as he did the TF guy told him it was the bushing in the track arm.

I was impressed that they even had a term for all this as it meant others have experienced similar events.
WOW! No WAY! Watch yer ASS!

The tech guy explained how to test it and if it was indeed true the unit would be warrentied out no question.

The test is simple.
1 guy gets in front and looks right at the track bar at the mount points.
The other guy goes and turns the steering wheel.
If the bar moves AT ALL. the bushing is shot.

Well the bar moved.
A whole 1/32 ov an inch.
I mean I almost missed it it was such a small movement.
But thats all it takes.
That little movement magnifies over distance thru youre suspension and you get DEATH WOBBLE.

So they switched out the track bar and now I'm scared its gona do the same thing again...

So I got a hold of TF and shared my experience and feelings.
They responded rapidly and with a full explination and assurances that now I can expect many many thousands of miles on my lift.

Then the bushing will wear...
They will.
So CHECK 'EM now and then.
It's not hard.

TF ROCKS and it was their supplier that screwed the pooch on the bushing.
You can not tell by looking that they are bad.
So there are some units out there that have bad bushings in them.
There just are.
We all wish there wasn't.
But there is.
Or was.
It was a small lot they said so prolly they are gone out by now.

Anyway I learned to check this bushing business and that its also true for ANY lift.
CHECK THEM!

peace

 

Even after all that you still recommend the same lift? I guess, that it could have happended to any lift. Glad everything turned out ok.