I had a 4" Skyjacker lift kit and 35's installed by a national 4WD shop 4,000 miles ago. Haven't had any problems until last weekend when the rear driveshaft blew 200 miles from home. Had it towed to a Jeep dealer and they installed a new stock driveshaft. Just picked it up today and the Jeep dealer is (of course) pointing the finger at the lift for the driveshaft problem. Looking at it, the driveshaft is at an extreme angle because of the lift. Took it to the 4WD shop that installed the lift, and they said (of course) they've never heard of this. We called Skyjacker, and they said said "Sure, we know about the problem. We don't have anything to fix it, and we don't plan on making anything to fix it." Nice, huh?

I ordered some Rubicon Express adjustable rear upper control arms and their CV driveshaft. I'm hoping this will cure the problem, as I really don't want to replace my rear driveshaft every 4K miles. I suppose if this doesn't work, I'll look at getting a better quality, lower lift. I'm willing to listen to any advice anybody has to offer. Thanks for listening to me vent.

 

with a 4 " lift it is recommended to change the drive shaft because of the angle.

there are many posts on this board about it.

others have broken their drive shafts, also.

your new drive shaft with the new control arms (to adjust the angle) will do the job.

you really should have a beef with the place that installed it not Skyjacker.

 

thanks for the heads up

 

from my reading around and asking a 4" lift on a 2 door would require some mods to drive shaft... replacing atleast the rear one on a manual trans. is that correct anyone?

 

A not to sound sarcastic but with any lift OVER 3" on the 2dr you are going to have an extreme angle on the rear drive shaft. There is a fix for it, its called after market drive shafts. Its not skyjackers fault because if you bought any other 4" ift you would still need to change ur drive shafts.

 

You're correct, I should be upset with the 4wd shop as well. I am, and I told them so. I've read all the posts regarding this problem (that's how I found out about the aftermarket driveshafts and the control arms). I just wish I would have been told that when they sold me the lft. I would have went with another lift that came with adjustable rear UCA's.

I've read that the front stock driveshaft should be okay because it's longer and the angle isn't so severe. True?

 

Sorry to hear it man, but the call 'em Skycrapper for a reason (at least most of their TJ stuff I've seen is).

 

Here's my post on Skyjacker from another thread. Not really mad at anyone, just learned a bunch....

I bought the 4" skyjacker kit with plus drop pitman, shocks, stabilizer, and 3/4" spacers.
Had an off-road shop install. Results were:
Both axels off center by 1", resulting in tire rub when flexed.
Caster angle at 2.7 & 3.2 degrees, resulting in steering wandering all over the road.
Pinion angle at 10 degrees with rear drive shaft at 20 degrees, resulting in a drive shaft that was destined to blow up (see other posts on this).

Bought the following to remedy all of the above:

Full traction adjustable upper & lower front & rear control arms, plus adjustable track bars front and rear.
Currie weld in track bar brackets.
JE REEL HD 1350 drive shafts.

This brought a new meaning to Just Empty Every Pocket!

Moral of the story, if you're going to 4" and want things set right, get adjustable stuff (IMHO) and put it in yourself. Also David at Northridge was great! Also Eddie was super helpful on info. for a novice on installing this stuff!

PS Skyjacker parts are for sale. Only 100 miles on them.

 

Your front should be ok for awhile. I have'nt really heard of issues with the fronts,.

Like everyone said, its not skyjackers fault. The shop should have known about the problems.
Any two door with 3" or more of lift should get atleast a new rear driveshaft.

JE reel makes replacement drivelines, and get a set of upper adjustable arms and you'll be set.

 

Not to beat a drum or anything like that but whenever you lift a vehicle you should expect to have problems. Nothing is bullet proof and jeep never designed the vehicle for 4 inches of lift. I am sorry you are having problems but it kind of comes with the territory.
Front driveshaft is another story. If you are doing some serious wheeling you will tear the boot that is on the front driveshaft. The only real way to keep this from happening time and time again is a new driveshaft. Sorry to let ya down on the front end too.

Good luck!