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Skyjacker Lift Kits...MUST READ

Old Feb 5, 2007 | 07:10 PM
  #1  
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Default Skyjacker Lift Kits...MUST READ

I recently bought a Skyjacker lift. It is advertised as a 5 inch lift for the 2DR. But it has all the same exact components for the 4DR... nothing is different. The extra weight of the 4DR only gives it 4 inches of lift. The spring rate is the same for both kits. I measured before and after and I got 4 3/4 inches of lift which is fine. Also it did not come with a drop pitman arm. It is REQUIRED on the 2DR but not the 4DR. But does not COME with the kit...doesnt make any sense. I found this out the hard way. Had the lift put on...and the mechanic doing the work realized that it did not come with one. He figured the jeep was redesigned for this year maybe it didnt need one. Well thank god he caught it because I called Skyjacker and they told me DONOT drive it without it. Be very aware of what these kits come with and what is required or as some of them say is "recommended". Thats how they advertised the drop pitman arm as "recommended" which is bull when Skyjacker says it is required. I dont know if the Wholesaler screwed up or Skyjacker but I notified both of them of my shity situation. Now... for anyone serious about lifting there JK this is a must read. In order to dial in the correct pinion angle you MUST have Upper Rear Adjustable Control Arms. IF YOU DO NOT YOU WILL HAVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION IN THE REAR!!!. Vibration is always bad. So I had to buy those arms separately from Teraflex because they are not included in the Skyjacker lift. DONOT lift any JK higher than 3 inches if you dont want to replace the front and rear drive shafts. I ordered mine threw JE Reel and it was around 1300 dollars after shipping. Also I just put on a M.O.R.E 1" body lift and its definitely worth it!!! Im trying to give as much info as I can so others can learn from my trial and error. I love this site and I hope its here to stay.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:05 AM
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Thanx for the info.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:17 AM
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i think you are the first to report using the MORE BL. how was the experience? did you do it yourself? did you have to move the fan shroud? i heard the tcase is cable actuated, are you having issues with the 4wd?
sorry to hear about the skyjacker lift man. and this is the first i've heard of a lift giving less than the advertised height. they are usually at least half an inch bigger. i guess your loss is our gain, but it's still too bad you had to experience it for us.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by stumpman79
I recently bought a Skyjacker lift. It is advertised as a 5 inch lift for the 2DR. But it has all the same exact components for the 4DR... nothing is different. The extra weight of the 4DR only gives it 4 inches of lift. The spring rate is the same for both kits. I measured before and after and I got 4 3/4 inches of lift which is fine. Also it did not come with a drop pitman arm. It is REQUIRED on the 2DR but not the 4DR. But does not COME with the kit...doesnt make any sense. I found this out the hard way. Had the lift put on...and the mechanic doing the work realized that it did not come with one. He figured the jeep was redesigned for this year maybe it didnt need one. Well thank god he caught it because I called Skyjacker and they told me DONOT drive it without it. Be very aware of what these kits come with and what is required or as some of them say is "recommended". Thats how they advertised the drop pitman arm as "recommended" which is bull when Skyjacker says it is required. I dont know if the Wholesaler screwed up or Skyjacker but I notified both of them of my shity situation. Now... for anyone serious about lifting there JK this is a must read. In order to dial in the correct pinion angle you MUST have Upper Rear Adjustable Control Arms. IF YOU DO NOT YOU WILL HAVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION IN THE REAR!!!. Vibration is always bad. So I had to buy those arms separately from Teraflex because they are not included in the Skyjacker lift. DONOT lift any JK higher than 3 inches if you dont want to replace the front and rear drive shafts. I ordered mine threw JE Reel and it was around 1300 dollars after shipping. Also I just put on a M.O.R.E 1" body lift and its definitely worth it!!! Im trying to give as much info as I can so others can learn from my trial and error. I love this site and I hope its here to stay.
Why did you need new drive shafts??? Also what size tires are you geting why did you need the 1" body lift?
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:40 AM
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Do you have a link for the Body Lift? Bewteen the Rubicon Express 2" Lift, and this 1" Body Lift, my JK should look pretty good. I was also planning on purchasing the same Drivesafts for my JK as well. Not that I need it for the Lift, just because I'd rather install the best one's available in my JK. Hey, you never know! I'd also be interested to hear whether or not you installed the BL yourself, or? Also, any problems encountered installing the new Drivesafts? The Heavy Duty one, from what I have read, requires the Transfer Case to be somewhat taken apart. At least this was written in a Magazine Article a short while back.

Last edited by lionhart; Feb 6, 2007 at 03:22 PM.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 03:18 PM
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Found a source for the lift. Northridge4x4 has 'em
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 03:56 PM
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Was the B.L. instalation pretty straightforward or were there any surprises? I've installed a few on various Jeeps, just wondering if this one is much different.

Also, can you post some pics, in the area of the bumpers especially. Just wondering if it causes any unsightly "gaps".
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 04:10 PM
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I like the body lift idea. anyone else done this?
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by degenerate
i think you are the first to report using the MORE BL. how was the experience? did you do it yourself? did you have to move the fan shroud? i heard the tcase is cable actuated, are you having issues with the 4wd?
sorry to hear about the skyjacker lift man. and this is the first i've heard of a lift giving less than the advertised height. they are usually at least half an inch bigger. i guess your loss is our gain, but it's still too bad you had to experience it for us.
I have a friend that owns an auto body repair shop and he is a Jeep fanatic like myself. He has installed many lifts in the past as well as everything for me. The body lift took about 3 hours. It is very cut and dry. No other modifications had to be done. Body lifts that are bigger like 2" or 3" you will run into transfer case and shift linkage problems. I haven't been able to drive it due to the missing drop pitman arm. Once all the parts are in and installed i will have to dial in the suspension and alignment. I will report on any problems or snags.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 2K1TJ
Was the B.L. instalation pretty straightforward or were there any surprises? I've installed a few on various Jeeps, just wondering if this one is much different.

Also, can you post some pics, in the area of the bumpers especially. Just wondering if it causes any unsightly "gaps".
I will post more pics soon. There are no unsightly gaps. The aluminum pucks look pretty cool. I just wanted that extra inch for clearance for the 37's. I will still have to trim the rocker bar and minor under fender trimming... no biggie. Definitley worth IT! Total lift w/Skyjacker and Body Lift is 5 3/4. Not bad.
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