So I'm currently running a 2 inch spacer lift with BF Goodrich AT 315s. I'm looking to upgrade to an actual suspension lift. I'd like to get a 4 inch lift and possibly a 1 inch body lift. I know thats a big lift, but I've seen it on another jeep around my town with it and I love the look of it and I also might be looking into putting 37s on it when my current tires are in need of replacement. I do pretty moderate off-roading, no rock crawling, and I'm looking for a good lift that won't completely drain the bank account. Suggestions?

 

Won't drain bank account and a good lift should not be used in the same sentence. At 3.5-4" you want a complete lift and it's going to cost you.

Check this out
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-lifts-288269/



2007 Rubicon /2 door/6 speed

 

X2. I learned This the hard way. Just replaced my cheapo

Stay muddy my friends

 

I'm going to post up not to give a suggestion on a 4" lift, sorry I don't really have any experience with 4" lifts. What I will write is as I was getting ready to buy my JKU I read tons and tons of threads on here and other jeep forums (mainly Wrangler Forum) about lifts. To summarize what I read, once you go bigger than 3" you have much more to think about and more upgrading to do. Things that come to mind from my reading is drive shafts, steering, axles (with 37s at least beefing them up especially if the front is a dana 30). Plus, with 5" of total lift I would think anything less than 37s would not please you (I know I wouldn't be happy).

I have read of many with 3" or 3.5" who run 37s and it looks sweet and is functional.

Good luck with whatever you do and don't forget to post pics.

 

I know its gonna cost me, When I say "not drain the bank" I'm really just trying to keep it at or under $1500. Does it sound possible to get a good lift for around $800-$1300?

 

Did you read the sticky that was linked up here for ya? I just read it again and it's good stuff. It doesn't seem likely to get a good lift with quality shocks for $800-$1300. Is your jeep a rubicon? Is it 2 door or 4?

 

Can you go cheap and be happy with a 4" RC lift? Sure. Would you be better off with a more expensive lift? Don't know, I'm not you. Will you end up dumping more and more money in to what you thought was the perfect lift? Again, don't know, but there are plenty of threads for you to read through from people who thought the same thing...

Just do the research so you know what issues may arise and what your options will be. Since there are multiple ways of doing the same thing, learn about the various components, know which components you will be installing, and what their weaknesses/strengths may be.

For instance, you could start with looking up:
Cam Bolts
Drop Pitman
Fixed control arms
Body roll
Drag link flip / high steer
Aftermarket drive shaft(s)


Both the MC 3.5" and RK 3.5" are getting fairly favorable reviews lately, and both should put you around that 4" mark (depending on actual build). And I'm sure a few mfg's/vendors will post up a few other suggestions.

 

^^^This! With that much lift you're going to need f/r adjustable upper/lower control arms, f/r track bars, high steer kit, etc. Or it will just drive like crap without getting the alignment in check and the axles centered. Stock driveshafts will absolutely fail at that height so you'll need to replace those. And your 315's will look small and you'll more than likely be unhappy with the look until you upgrade to the 37s. Once you get the 37s, then you'll want to look into axle reinforcement. There's no inexpensive way around it, when you go big it just truly gets expensive. Be patient and build it with high quality parts and save up if you have to. If you have to wait to get the 37s anyway, keeping socking away cash for a better lift and do them at the same time..... In short, that $800-$1300 range will not get you an adequate lift of that size. You may get the height you want but you'll hate how it drives and performs without the necessary components. Sorry for the lengthy post!

 

The simple answer is no. Once you factor in everything that comes along with 4 inches of lift and 37's, your price range is really not feasible. At the very least at 4 inches of lift you should be looking at a lift with all 8 arms preferably, shocks, driveshafts and c gussets. Once you factor in install double your number and then readdress your idea. On second thought maybe triple.

 

A proper 4" lift with 37's should run you $4-7k depending on the route you go and the amount of labor you do. Add in proper gearing for $1200-$2000. Sure you can just go out and buy a set of Rough country coils for $300 and throw them on for a 4" lift, expect a terriable ride that is rather dangerous on road and off due to the the improper suspension geometry, your axles will not run in the same track, your driveshafts will fall apart at some point down the road. You will have no down travel in the suspension due to having too short a shock, your tires will rub your fenders off when stuffed due to no bump stops. When you take off from a stop the front of the jeep will raise up and when you brake the front will dive and the jeep will pull to one side. Your steering will feel very light and the jeep will wander on the road. Expect some pretty decent bump steer. If you intsall longer travel shocks these are some things you should expect: if you fully droop your front axle connected you may filp the sway bar and lock up all of your steering linkages, damage to brake lines, damage to abs lines, damage to shocks from having too little bumpstop.

But hey, you will look "Cool".

Good luck with the build.