How to lift?
10-27-2010, 12:36 PM
#1
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How to lift?
Hello all
Eight months ago I bought a 2010 Unlimited, I don't have thousands of dollars to throw into it but I would like to modify it a little.
I have been looking around online at lift kits, wheels and tires and bottom line is I am as lost as Moses in the desert.
It is mostly used to get around but have tackled a couple of easy trails in southern Colorado.
If someone could give me some guidance as where to start or recommend where to look I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Chris.
This is how it looks at the moment:
Eight months ago I bought a 2010 Unlimited, I don't have thousands of dollars to throw into it but I would like to modify it a little.
I have been looking around online at lift kits, wheels and tires and bottom line is I am as lost as Moses in the desert.
It is mostly used to get around but have tackled a couple of easy trails in southern Colorado.
If someone could give me some guidance as where to start or recommend where to look I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Chris.
This is how it looks at the moment:
10-27-2010, 12:40 PM
#2
JK Enthusiast
Welcome to the forum.
Since you've wheeled it for a short period, it would be best if you tell us what kind of wheeling you have planned and also what size tires you want to run eventually.
All time and money.
Since you've wheeled it for a short period, it would be best if you tell us what kind of wheeling you have planned and also what size tires you want to run eventually.
All time and money.
10-27-2010, 12:41 PM
#3
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Start with the FAQ's (stickied to the top of this modified area. Not the main one up top)
Then move to the Show Off threads stickied to the top of the JK Show & Tell area for pics to get some idea of what you want it to look like. (lift and tire size, etc)
Then move on to the Write-ups area and browse through some installs. (there is an index stickied to the top)
And then come back with all the questions you have...
Then move to the Show Off threads stickied to the top of the JK Show & Tell area for pics to get some idea of what you want it to look like. (lift and tire size, etc)
Then move on to the Write-ups area and browse through some installs. (there is an index stickied to the top)
And then come back with all the questions you have...
10-27-2010, 01:14 PM
#5
Sponsoring Manufacturer
im gonna take stab in the dark and say 2.5 budget boost or coil lift and 33 inch tires an awsome inexpensive (in comparison) combo..
10-27-2010, 01:32 PM
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In my opinionated order of need:
1. Tires. Only the Rubi comes from the factory with tires good for off-road adventures. The "X" or "Sport" tires are POS Goodyears that are even more useless on-road than off. The Sahara Bridgestones are slightly better, but still impotent and vulnerable against rocks and mud. Don't go above 33" or 34" or your MPG will take it in the backside and your drivetrain will strain. (remedy being a regear, which Chrysler celebrates as "Woohoo, another drivetrain we don't have to cover under warranty!") Rubi tire take-offs are readily available at bargain prices.
2. Protect that evap canister. Relocating it may give Chrysler a reason to void your warranty, but protect that poor thing at the very least. Chrysler located the evap canister to act as a flag that an owner took his vehicle off-road, even for the most tame of adventures.
3. Lift. BE WARNED, YOU WILL LIKELY RAISE THE IRE OF CHRYSLER AND HAVE YOUR WARRANTY FLAGGED OR VOIDED, REGARDLESS OF LIFT HEIGHT. (see forum owner's saga, along with countless others) At 2.5" of lift, you'll avoid the need to make the financial leap of driveshaft, trackbar, and arm upgrades. A mild lift can make a difference, especially given the Unlimited's wheelbase effect on breakover angle.
4. Bumpers. The factory bumpers were made to pass federal regulations, not tackle off-road adventures. If you don't replace or modify them yourself, trails will most certainly oblige and modify the factory bumpers for you.
Happy wheeling.
1. Tires. Only the Rubi comes from the factory with tires good for off-road adventures. The "X" or "Sport" tires are POS Goodyears that are even more useless on-road than off. The Sahara Bridgestones are slightly better, but still impotent and vulnerable against rocks and mud. Don't go above 33" or 34" or your MPG will take it in the backside and your drivetrain will strain. (remedy being a regear, which Chrysler celebrates as "Woohoo, another drivetrain we don't have to cover under warranty!") Rubi tire take-offs are readily available at bargain prices.
2. Protect that evap canister. Relocating it may give Chrysler a reason to void your warranty, but protect that poor thing at the very least. Chrysler located the evap canister to act as a flag that an owner took his vehicle off-road, even for the most tame of adventures.
3. Lift. BE WARNED, YOU WILL LIKELY RAISE THE IRE OF CHRYSLER AND HAVE YOUR WARRANTY FLAGGED OR VOIDED, REGARDLESS OF LIFT HEIGHT. (see forum owner's saga, along with countless others) At 2.5" of lift, you'll avoid the need to make the financial leap of driveshaft, trackbar, and arm upgrades. A mild lift can make a difference, especially given the Unlimited's wheelbase effect on breakover angle.
4. Bumpers. The factory bumpers were made to pass federal regulations, not tackle off-road adventures. If you don't replace or modify them yourself, trails will most certainly oblige and modify the factory bumpers for you.
Happy wheeling.
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10-27-2010, 04:10 PM
#9
JK Super Freak
a teraflex "dealer" already chimed in. call him, no one is closer to a dealer than he is! id go TF 2.5 or 3" coil lift. then call direct tire direct and order some 16" wheels and duratracs (since you will be dealing with Snow in Co).
10-27-2010, 04:46 PM
#10
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Just found this nice little post on a jeep site:
Here are some things to think about BEFORE you purchase a lift kit for your Jeep:
Research: make sure you do your homework before you buy. Read lift kit reviews, ask questions on forums, and quiz other Jeep owners about their lift experiences. If you've got a buddy (or club member) with a lifted Jeep, ask them to take you for a ride. Keep in mind that some Jeepers automatically think that the lift in THEIR Jeep is the best lift going....so make sure you talk to a few different people.
Driving Habits: do you plan to take your lifted Jeep offroad regularly, or do you simply want to throw on your Jonas Brothers t-shirt and park out infront of Abercrombie & Fitch? If you want a "mall crawler," hey that's cool (everyone's welcome here), but just be honest with yourself. If your Jeep will only see the pavement, you can probably deal with a budget lift, stock gears, and 33s. However, if you plan on aggressively hitting the trails, you're bound to be disappointed pretty quickly with a setup like that.
Budget: how much are you willing to spend? You can spend as little as a few hundred or as much as several thousand dollars on the kit alone. However, don't forget about other items that you "may" end up needing/wanting after the fact such as: control arms, longer brake lines, adjustable track bars, slip yoke eliminator (SYE), new driveshaft, bigger tires, new wheels, gears, stronger axles, better steering components, etc. $500 will suit some people just fine, but others may have higher expectations and should wait until they can save up some more cash. Make sure your expectations are inline w/ your budget.
Lift Kit Choice: there are tons of options out there such as short arm lifts, long arm lifts, coil spacer lifts (aka: budget boosts), and body lifts. Within those options, some kits are much more complete than others. For example, you can buy a 4-inch lift kit that comes with the bare minimum of coil springs, shocks, a transfer case drop, and a track bar relocation bracket. Speaking from experience, you can "get by" with a kit like this for while, but you'll most likely end up spending more money later b/c of vibes and limited performance. Admittedly, I went this route in the beginning, but ended up spending significantly more money later on to correct driveline vibrations and poor handling. I ended up purchasing adjustable trackbars, SYE, new driveshaft, adjustable control arms, better shocks, better quick disconnects, etc. At the end of the day, I spent more money adding to my "basic" kit than I would have spent by buying a fully-equipped kit in the beginning. Some of this will come down to personal preference though. Not everyone will be comfortable with (or can afford) spending $2,000 on a kit right out of the blocks. Sometimes you may need to start with the $500-$600 kit b/c that's all your budget (or gf/wife) will allow. I'll just remind you again that you need to set your expectations appropriately and understand how much money you "may" need to allocate to additional accessories later on.
Jeep Performance & Road Manners: the right lift kit can really unlock your Jeep's offroad potential, but it will also change your onroad handling as well. Again, think about your driving habits and make sure your prospective mods make sense for you. If you use your Jeep to commute 50 miles to work each way, the 6-inch lift, 35" boggers, and 3.08 gears might not be the best option.
The Side Effects: as I alluded to earlier, lifting your Jeep and adding larger tires will change your ride and will most likely cause some annoying side effects. Some of the "fun" things you may experience are driveline vibrations, worn steering components, poor handling, tires that won't balance 100%, etc. I'm sure some people will chime in and say that their Jeep rides better than stock after the lift and that they've never had any problems whatsoever. That may be true, but just search a few of the Jeep forums for keywords like "death wobble," "wandering," "loose steering," "____ after lift"....this will give you an idea of the challenges that many lifted Jeep owners are dealing with.
Conclusion
So, this probably sounds like I'm telling you not to lift your Jeep, huh? No, that's certainly not my goal here. I just want to give full disclosure on the pros and cons of lifting. I lifted my own Jeep several years ago and I would certainly do it all over again (I might choose some different parts, but I'd definitely still lift it). My lift, tires, gears, (and now lockers) have pushed my Jeep well beyond its original capabilities...it really is a blast to drive on the trails. However, my Jeep has certainly brought its share of headaches along the way (some b/c of the lift, and others b/c it's simply a "Jeep"). But, I think that's the life of a Jeep lover. I sometimes compare it to playing golf....you can have the worst 17 holes of your life, but if you birdie the 18th you can't wait to get back on the course. When the doors are off my Jeep, there's mud on the windshield, and I've just conquered a tough trail...I forget all about the previous steering box replacements, death wobble, burning brakes, crappy starter motors, and electrical demons.
Research: make sure you do your homework before you buy. Read lift kit reviews, ask questions on forums, and quiz other Jeep owners about their lift experiences. If you've got a buddy (or club member) with a lifted Jeep, ask them to take you for a ride. Keep in mind that some Jeepers automatically think that the lift in THEIR Jeep is the best lift going....so make sure you talk to a few different people.
Driving Habits: do you plan to take your lifted Jeep offroad regularly, or do you simply want to throw on your Jonas Brothers t-shirt and park out infront of Abercrombie & Fitch? If you want a "mall crawler," hey that's cool (everyone's welcome here), but just be honest with yourself. If your Jeep will only see the pavement, you can probably deal with a budget lift, stock gears, and 33s. However, if you plan on aggressively hitting the trails, you're bound to be disappointed pretty quickly with a setup like that.
Budget: how much are you willing to spend? You can spend as little as a few hundred or as much as several thousand dollars on the kit alone. However, don't forget about other items that you "may" end up needing/wanting after the fact such as: control arms, longer brake lines, adjustable track bars, slip yoke eliminator (SYE), new driveshaft, bigger tires, new wheels, gears, stronger axles, better steering components, etc. $500 will suit some people just fine, but others may have higher expectations and should wait until they can save up some more cash. Make sure your expectations are inline w/ your budget.
Lift Kit Choice: there are tons of options out there such as short arm lifts, long arm lifts, coil spacer lifts (aka: budget boosts), and body lifts. Within those options, some kits are much more complete than others. For example, you can buy a 4-inch lift kit that comes with the bare minimum of coil springs, shocks, a transfer case drop, and a track bar relocation bracket. Speaking from experience, you can "get by" with a kit like this for while, but you'll most likely end up spending more money later b/c of vibes and limited performance. Admittedly, I went this route in the beginning, but ended up spending significantly more money later on to correct driveline vibrations and poor handling. I ended up purchasing adjustable trackbars, SYE, new driveshaft, adjustable control arms, better shocks, better quick disconnects, etc. At the end of the day, I spent more money adding to my "basic" kit than I would have spent by buying a fully-equipped kit in the beginning. Some of this will come down to personal preference though. Not everyone will be comfortable with (or can afford) spending $2,000 on a kit right out of the blocks. Sometimes you may need to start with the $500-$600 kit b/c that's all your budget (or gf/wife) will allow.
I'll just remind you again that you need to set your expectations appropriately and understand how much money you "may" need to allocate to additional accessories later on.Jeep Performance & Road Manners: the right lift kit can really unlock your Jeep's offroad potential, but it will also change your onroad handling as well. Again, think about your driving habits and make sure your prospective mods make sense for you. If you use your Jeep to commute 50 miles to work each way, the 6-inch lift, 35" boggers, and 3.08 gears might not be the best option.
The Side Effects: as I alluded to earlier, lifting your Jeep and adding larger tires will change your ride and will most likely cause some annoying side effects. Some of the "fun" things you may experience are driveline vibrations, worn steering components, poor handling, tires that won't balance 100%, etc. I'm sure some people will chime in and say that their Jeep rides better than stock after the lift and that they've never had any problems whatsoever. That may be true, but just search a few of the Jeep forums for keywords like "death wobble," "wandering," "loose steering," "____ after lift"....this will give you an idea of the challenges that many lifted Jeep owners are dealing with.
Conclusion
So, this probably sounds like I'm telling you not to lift your Jeep, huh? No, that's certainly not my goal here. I just want to give full disclosure on the pros and cons of lifting. I lifted my own Jeep several years ago and I would certainly do it all over again (I might choose some different parts, but I'd definitely still lift it). My lift, tires, gears, (and now lockers) have pushed my Jeep well beyond its original capabilities...it really is a blast to drive on the trails. However, my Jeep has certainly brought its share of headaches along the way (some b/c of the lift, and others b/c it's simply a "Jeep"). But, I think that's the life of a Jeep lover. I sometimes compare it to playing golf....you can have the worst 17 holes of your life, but if you birdie the 18th you can't wait to get back on the course. When the doors are off my Jeep, there's mud on the windshield, and I've just conquered a tough trail...I forget all about the previous steering box replacements, death wobble, burning brakes, crappy starter motors, and electrical demons.