Need Help from the Wrangler Elders
***erator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
I am assuming that you have stock tires closer to 29" on your X.(thats where I started) So I can see why you would want to go 33". Full traction makes a good lift. The economy lift (I think) is a good place to start if you plan on building a ultimate or LA but dont have the money now. I do not on the other hand think it is the best all around lift if you think that all you will ever want is the basic lift. I think there are some more complete Econo lift out of the box. I am sure others will chime in on the other oppinions.
My point is that when I got my lift 35's and rims that is all I could afford after buying a brand new jeeep. But I knew over time I would want more so I went with the FT econo because I like the rest of the product line that will take me to the place I want to be (long arm).
If you go over the 2-2.5 others are recomending you are going to want track bar relocaters (or adj. trackbars) and at least one set (top or bottom) of front adjustable arms. These will greatly help the performance on road with a 3" or taller lift. Also if you stay under 3" you won't need the driveshaft mod.
As far as the ipod mount goes I think the one that toad has for sale now is great. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21779 I had a gooseneck mount from my other car and the damn thing never stayed put off road.
Well there is one jeepers oppinion. I hope it helps.
My point is that when I got my lift 35's and rims that is all I could afford after buying a brand new jeeep. But I knew over time I would want more so I went with the FT econo because I like the rest of the product line that will take me to the place I want to be (long arm).
If you go over the 2-2.5 others are recomending you are going to want track bar relocaters (or adj. trackbars) and at least one set (top or bottom) of front adjustable arms. These will greatly help the performance on road with a 3" or taller lift. Also if you stay under 3" you won't need the driveshaft mod.
As far as the ipod mount goes I think the one that toad has for sale now is great. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21779 I had a gooseneck mount from my other car and the damn thing never stayed put off road.
Well there is one jeepers oppinion. I hope it helps.
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
I was in your same position not to long ago so I will chime in with my 2...
First off I agree with all of the posts here about you not needing a 3 inch lift for 33 inch tires. For the wheeling it sounds like you will be doing a 2.5 inch budget boost would be perfect in every way. The minute you go above that height pretty much any kit under 1k would be considered "Incomplete". The reason for this is that you are changing the dynamics of your vehicle so much that you will need a lot more adjustment to try to keep the jeep stock in characteristics to maintain safety and comfort for a daily driver. 2.5 inches is close enough to stock that all stock parts still work, at three (My three inch lift actually measured right around 4 inches) you will need the following to run like stock:
Front adjustable control arms: These lets you adjust your castor back to stock so that your steering does not go "flighty"
Sway bar disconnect: In order to keep the sway bar as stock you have to take your current front connections and move to the back and then put adjustables up front.
Adjustable track bars: Because your vehicle is that much taller the stock piece will be to short and it will pull your axles so that it is no longer centered under the vehicle
Then you move into what you might need to wheel with a 3 inch lift:
Brake Lines: The stock lines may be too short while wheeling so you might want to consider longer stainless varieties.
Bump Stops: Keep your tires away from your fenders while flexing
actually this list goes on and on
After I had done all of my research I felt that I had to spend around five grand for the wheels and tires plus lift in order to have a daily driver with a three inch lift and stock geometry. That is of course leaving nothing to chance, but it's my better half driving it daily so I did not want to mess around.
For great advice and the best shop to purchase your lift give David a call at Northridge. He will get you going!
First off I agree with all of the posts here about you not needing a 3 inch lift for 33 inch tires. For the wheeling it sounds like you will be doing a 2.5 inch budget boost would be perfect in every way. The minute you go above that height pretty much any kit under 1k would be considered "Incomplete". The reason for this is that you are changing the dynamics of your vehicle so much that you will need a lot more adjustment to try to keep the jeep stock in characteristics to maintain safety and comfort for a daily driver. 2.5 inches is close enough to stock that all stock parts still work, at three (My three inch lift actually measured right around 4 inches) you will need the following to run like stock:
Front adjustable control arms: These lets you adjust your castor back to stock so that your steering does not go "flighty"
Sway bar disconnect: In order to keep the sway bar as stock you have to take your current front connections and move to the back and then put adjustables up front.
Adjustable track bars: Because your vehicle is that much taller the stock piece will be to short and it will pull your axles so that it is no longer centered under the vehicle
Then you move into what you might need to wheel with a 3 inch lift:
Brake Lines: The stock lines may be too short while wheeling so you might want to consider longer stainless varieties.
Bump Stops: Keep your tires away from your fenders while flexing
actually this list goes on and on
After I had done all of my research I felt that I had to spend around five grand for the wheels and tires plus lift in order to have a daily driver with a three inch lift and stock geometry. That is of course leaving nothing to chance, but it's my better half driving it daily so I did not want to mess around.
For great advice and the best shop to purchase your lift give David a call at Northridge. He will get you going!
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Medford,MA
Also..I have 33's with a 2.5 lift..works well..maybe 35's someday..but I get alot of compliments on my JK
