Cons of 4.5" vs 3.5"
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 965
Likes: 4
From: Red deer, Alberta
you'll forgive me but, looking at your pic, there is no way you really have 4.5" of lift. maybe it's because of all your extra weight but, it looks like you have closer to 3" in that pic and, if that's the case, that would explain why you're not experiencing any handling or ride quality issues. even still, handling and ride quality is completely subjective to the person driving the vehicle and, unless you've had a lot of experience comparing what one suspension setup feels like next to another, it'd be impossible for you to really know what is good and what isn't. but hey, what do i know.
...I bought the Jeep with the lift on it already and the dealership did not specify exactly what lift was on it. However, I went underneath and got all the parts numbers from the coils and shocks and they are all exactly the same part numbers for the Trailmaster 4.5" lift. I also measured my Jeep from the centre of the axle to the edge of the fenders and compared that against a stock Jeep, same model. It measured out to 4.5". That was before I got the bumpers and winch on. Perhaps one of the issues people are experiencing (just a thought) with many of the lifts out there is that they are actually getting considerably more height from the lift than what it actually states. I don't know, is that possible? I suspect that most Jeeps with a 4.5" lift run bigger than 35" tires and I do carry a lot of weight. I think I lost close a half inch or more just from bumpers and the winch...not to mention the roof rack, so maybe it's a bit of an optical illusion.
Here's another view, maybe it will give a better idea....
Mine (far left) next to some others...
This has me curious anyways...
My part numbers match this lift....
http://www.trailmastersuspension.com...CKS&Active=Yes
I also pulled up next to another 4dr the same as mine with a 3.5" lift they had for sale on the lot at the dealership...mine was taller. Not by a great deal, but noticeably taller. Not including the roof rack.
I also pulled into a different dealership where they had a 4dr Jeep like mine with a 4" RC lift and a 1" body lift. I got out the tape measure and measured the height of both cabs. My Jeep was shorter by only 1/2". On the Trailmaster website, it doesn't look like they even sell anything under 4.5" in a coil lift for JK's. My Jeep does not have coil spacers either.
I have to wonder if some of the handling problems people are experiencing might also be due to running 35" or 37" tires on really small 15" or 16" rims with lots of sidewall flex. Is it possible? I'm running 18's on 35's.
You are right though, and I know that ride quality is entirely subjective.
Last edited by Runewolf1973; Mar 18, 2012 at 12:14 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Blue Springs, MO
Originally Posted by wayoflife
if you're only planning to run 35's, 3" of lift is all you need. i personally wouldn't recommend anything more as that would throw your COG off unnecessarily. trust me, 3.5" will look plenty big.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 965
Likes: 4
From: Red deer, Alberta
I found something to compare my lift to... Check out this thread...
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...a-tape-measure.
Dr.McNinja's Jeep with 4" RC lift and 35's...
[/QUOTE]
Here I measured my Jeep at the same spot (sorry it's kinda hard to see)....
Both are pretty close to the same height I would say. He probably has less weight with the soft top and no roof rack, etc...
Why would Trailmaster (a company who prides themselves on their high quality, high performance lifts and accessories) even sell a minimalist lift such as this if it really drove like crap on the road?It can't be all that bad. I suppose they sell it because it works. Is it their best?...No. Does it work?...Yes. Does it handle well?...That's up to you to decide. Do their more expensive/complete lifts handle better?...Most likely. Does it look good with 35's?...I think so. That's just how I see it anyways. It's all pretty subjective IMO.
All that being said, I agree with Wayalife that a 3" or 3.5" lift would probably be a perfect size lift for what the OP seems to be after.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...a-tape-measure.
Dr.McNinja's Jeep with 4" RC lift and 35's...
[/QUOTE]Here I measured my Jeep at the same spot (sorry it's kinda hard to see)....
Both are pretty close to the same height I would say. He probably has less weight with the soft top and no roof rack, etc...
Why would Trailmaster (a company who prides themselves on their high quality, high performance lifts and accessories) even sell a minimalist lift such as this if it really drove like crap on the road?
It can't be all that bad. I suppose they sell it because it works. Is it their best?...No. Does it work?...Yes. Does it handle well?...That's up to you to decide. Do their more expensive/complete lifts handle better?...Most likely. Does it look good with 35's?...I think so. That's just how I see it anyways. It's all pretty subjective IMO.All that being said, I agree with Wayalife that a 3" or 3.5" lift would probably be a perfect size lift for what the OP seems to be after.
Last edited by Runewolf1973; Mar 18, 2012 at 08:17 PM.
