i am thinking about getting a 2.5 or 3'' lift on my baby. i know absolutely nothing about what goes into it or how it works, all i know is my old TJ had a 2'' lift when i bought it and it went runnin through all kinds of fun stuff. I have been reading alot on here lately and it seems like the majority of people got the Teraflex budget boost. I went to the local Jeep shop and the guy said the 3'' Teraflex with 35'' tires would my best bet. im not wantin to run it through hell and back, i just want it set up so that if i decide to play i can actually play instead of feeling like a soccer mom. he priced it with install at just under $700. does that sound about right or does anyone have any suggestions on some other option i could check out?

 

Hmm, a TF basic 3in is $973.99 on their site. I'd ask him exactly what the hell he was puttin on.

 

Hmm, a TF basic 3in is $973.99 on their site. I'd ask him exactly what the hell he was puttin on.

x2

 

Doesn't sound like a Teraflex kit... Most places will charge around $250 - $300 to do the install - that's just labor . If he's pricing it at just under $700.00, that means the parts are just $400 - $450 - something doesn't sound right.

 

Are you sure that $700 isnt labor?

 

My guess would be that he is quoting for a 2.5" coil lift with shock adapters. (the coils give 3+". Kit costs around $480 + install?)

But as MK suggested, find out what he is installing. Get a full list of components.

Also open the suspension FAQ's and look at this one:
Q: What are all the components that I will need with a 3" lift?
Pay attention to the driveshaft cautions.

Also read this one:
Q: What is Caster? How much do I need?

Anyway, just a suggestion to look at the big picture when you select your lift. Know what is in the kit, what isn't, what you may want to add at some point, and what you can live without...

 

A 2.5 kit with shock adapters is $482.99, maybe this is what he's callin a TF 3in kit because it gives you 3in in the front. I dunno, sometimes people will try to "salesman talk" you if you don't know what's goin on. I'd definately ask him, or even you could print out the 3inTera kit from online and show him what a TF 3in is. One better, tell him ok, I'll let you do the TF 3in for $700, then show him the print out and tell him how much you appreciate the deal he's giving you.

 

i brought up the budget boost when he asked what i was wanting, is that the 2.5" that is around $480?

 

Shop time is usually $50-$100 hour so you may want to. BB's should take most shops a couple hours minimum of shop time. Ask more questions to see what you are being quoted.

 

You should also look into adding upper or lower control arms in the front to get the caster back to an acceptable angle. The stock arms with a 3" lift will leave you with about 2.5 degree's of caster which will cause poor highway handling. When you add front lowers, you can extend them longer than stock and get to about 5 degrees or so and have a great stable ride on the highway.