Hello all, I just bought a new bds 3" lift last night. I couldn't pass up the deal it was $158 dollars shipped to my door. My question is, what all do I need for a worry free set up? I have searched hours apon end and there are so many different opinions. I'd like to know if the control arms are neccessary? If so top upper and lower? Or just Lower? The kit looks complete with adj. track bar and etc... Is new shocks neccessary? I have a 2dr rubicon and was wondering if those shocks are fine? I am a little worried about the lift thing being that I had a 6" Lift on my 2002 Z71 and it was a pain in the @$$. having in aligned all the time with that ifs suspension. I am looking for all the possible ways to keep everything perfect as it was a stock suspension. I appreciate all your help and can say being my first jeep, I am a jeepaholic now.

 

At 3" of lift, I would recommend the following bare minimum for a "worry free setup" and if you don't already have them with your kit:

1. New longer shocks
2. Rear brake line extensions
3. Front/Rear bump stop extensions
4. Rear track bar relocation bracket
5. Front adjustable track bar
6. Front adjustable upper and lower control arms

If you have a 2-door, I would recommend that you get the following in the future:

1. Double cardin U-Joint style drive shaft
2. Rear adjustable upper control arms (to adjust your pinion angle)

Without this, you factory rear drive shaft will be at a steep angle and enough so that it will cause your CV boots to wear out prematurely.

Also, if you have an automatic, you may find that your front drive shaft boot will make contact with the auto tranny skid plate resulting in it tearing. An after market double cardin U-Joint style drive shaft will fix this as it is smaller in diameter but notching out your skid or removing it will fix the problem too.

Hope that helps you out.

 

Thanks wayoflife, Couple more questions for ya. Being that I have a rubi, the electronic sway bar wont be effected right? The kit has extended swaybar links. How close of alignment will I get before control arm upgrade? Or am I for sure going to be way out of camber? The kit has caster realignment cams, but if i recall on a forum those aren't to good of an option. I really have alot of plans that are going on right now with my winch and other mods that if i can help, i'd like to wait on spending atleast another $500 on arms. But I take your advise and if you believe there needed i will for sure buy them. As far as the relocation for the rear track bar with the bracket they supply, I have read on the breaks people were having, just a few problems some had? or was it a manufacture deffect that was with only some brackets? I sure appreciate your help.

 

Solid front axles like what the JK has will not have camber - only IFS vehicles have this to worry about. As you mentioned, I would not advise using cam bolts to adjust your caster - use adjustable control arms to make this adjustment. Regarding rear track bar relocation brackets, so long as it attaches from the frame, you should be fine. Ones that mount to the axle have caused breaks to the factory mount. As far as sway bar links go, that is actually something that I forgot to mention but yes, if you have extended links, you should be just fine.

 

well being said, once I put on the control arms, is that something that can be adjusted pretty easy by myself at home or still need to take it to an alignment shop? I hate to ask a hundred Q's i'm used to the nightmare IFS. I have a long commute to work and just dont want any hassles with all the crap i went through before. Once again thanks very much for your knowledge my friend.

 

Doing your own front end alignment is pretty easy. Here is a link to a write-up that I did:

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment

Granted, if you have a floor jack, a long pry bar and a heavy duty ratchet strap, you can pretty much do this with your Jeep on the ground.

 

Well i feel alot better with some of your basic knowledge. Once again Thank you