Hello, I'm a newbie to this site. Have owned a Jeep before 2010 2-door Sport and loved it. Back in the market for a 4-door now and truly prefer "older" Jeeps. I have found a couple that have all my wants/needs but are lifted. I don't truly understand a "lift" but I'm driving my first one tomorrow and am worried I won't be able to get in it! Ha ha. I'm 5' 5", it does have foot steps which actually look like standard height from the ground. The lift seems to be btwn the fenders and tires. Anyway, curious if a lifted Jeep can be unlifted? Is it an okay thing to do? Is it costly to do? I tend to prefer a more stock look for the most part...boring I know Any info/advice would be great! Thanks ---- Becky

 

it really depends- don’t you hate that answer? Most lifts are bolt on, they may include extra brackets but they should be removable. The first step is to identify which components have been changed- did they just add spacers? Different shocks and springs? Different control arms- fixed or adjustable?

once you figure out what’s changed, you just need to source stock versions and swap them out. A lot of people sell stock takeoffs pretty affordably. If you got a Jeep that has been heavily fabricated, mounting points could’ve been removed and new ones mounted in different spots- this would be harder to tackle but that’s pretty uncommon for most jeeps

 

Thanks! I'm attaching pics of the one I'm driving tomorrow...does this little peek tell anything? I'm so in love with this color blue, the chrome accents...and it is manual, woo hoo! (harder and harder to find) Also loaded with the power options, so checks LOTS of my boxes...just not the lift. And maybe it's wishful thinking but this just doesn't look "that" high to me? Like from pics looks like the footsteps are kinda at a normal height. Maybe I'm fooling myself and when I stand next to it I'll be like yeah...no, not happening. ha haa.

 

Those pictures don’t show us enough, but just my blind impression is that is not an overly modified Jeep- it probably has a bolt on lift kit. You can probably find out the exact kit from the salesperson as it’s a selling point for them.

I’ve posted an example lift kit below- the shocks, springs, swaybar links, bump stops, brake line and track bar relocation brackets- those are the things your looking for that you would be removing

i also posted a picture of adjustable control arms; you could have aftermarket arm / track bar kits- as long as they’re adjustable (Have threaded ends or middle sections, they don’t need to be replaced, they can just be shortened. At a minimum, you’ll need stock front swaybar links, shocks, and coils- someone in town where I live is asking $200 for their takeoffs- that’s probably the cost of unlifting it partwise- you’ll likely need another pair of hands or a shop to do the work- getting springs out can be tough- so add some labor cost at $100 an hour if you want to go that route, probably a couple hour job. Just my two cents

Teraflex lift kit example



Aftermarket control arms (labeled with rock crawler)

 

Wow, great info! Thank you so much. This really helps me understand it all more. Hopefully the sales guy can provide the info I need. So far I have learned, it "can" be un-lifted...and I'll paying someone to do it. I was kinda worried it might be harmful to un-lift a Jeep once it has been lifted. So I'm glad it seems that wouldn't be the case. So now...am I gonna be able to get in it tomorrow??? lol To be determined...

 

Are you here in the states, or Lebanon as in Middle East? Here in the states you can find take off shocks/springs for dirt cheap....I mean like $50-100 for all of it often times. It's easy to unlift,....just as easy to lift it. Likely you're just swapping the springs and shocks, removing some bumpstop if it even exists. If there are any brake line brackets can just leave them in place. If there is an adjustable track bar might need to adjust it. If there are brackets in place for TB, remove em.

 

Lebanon, PA!! Ha haaa. I'll need figure out how to add my state in there. lol And okay, thank you so much. Sounds like it is definitely a possibility. Looking forward to my first lifted test drive tomorrow. I think that will determine lots for me. A) Can I even get in it ? and B) Am I okay driving it until I can arrange the un-lift ? Worried I've fallen a little too in love with this cute blue Jeep. lol

 

If you have a proper lift kit as explained then just advertise locally that you want to do a swap with someone that has a non-lifted jeep. Just a note though that some lifts/shocks/component combos do provide a better ride on road and some do not. I just gave away 2008 Ruby springs so they are out there as they have no value as a part. I have free stock lower control arms lying around using up space but live too far away. Advice: if your height is the issue then keep the lift and install the steel grab handles from Grabar as they fit as bolt in and are rock solid and made in USA. I put them on mine and wife likes it now.

 

Okay, thanks for that info! I honestly have never been in nor driven a lifted Jeep. I'm 47yrs old so not a spring chicken anymore! Ha haa. BUT I am determined to get into this Jeep tomorrow to at least give a test drive and see how it is etc. I've been in lifted trucks before but they didn't have running boards or steps like this one does, so that was comical trying to get in. But I did it! Thanks about the grab handle idea. Who knows I may like driving it lifted. We shall see.

 

If you decide you like that vehicle, take some pics and we can probably help you with what aftermarket components are installed. As you may have gathered, there are several different ways to lift, and a variety of specific components that may or may not have been used.

A shock, especially if it shows a company logo.
A front coil, including the top and bottom so we can see if there is a spacer and get an indication of bumpstop height.
Front control arms on one side, both upper and lower, including the bolt at the axle end of the lower arm and where both arms connect to the frame.
I doubt there is steering correction, but take one of both ends of the trackbar and the draglink so we can eliminate that.
Rear - both ends of the trackbar to see if there is a bracket.

You could even take a quick measurement and see what you come up with.