Ok so heres my first post, on what you all have answered on just about every other newbies posts, but here it goes.

I went to the local shop and did a paper build, and this is what i went with 4.5" BDS Long arm lift, 35" Micky MTZ's some Viper rims. Now they said they can re-work my stock DS's since its a 4dr and they also said i should leave my stock 3.73 gears for now. I havent finialized what bumpers i am going to run yet and i have no idea where to start on body armor! Oh yeah the also said they could work the exhaust too if it needed to be shifted.

I am asking for some advise, does this sound ok for a newbie jeeper that will most likely wheel every chance i get, but still want to make long trips with out havein to but the wife on the street to pay for gas! And is BDS the only Co. with an awesome warrenty?

Looking foward to your wisdom!! Oh yeah once its lifted i will be posting Pics in the Wife/Girlfriend and your jeep Thread!

thanks in advance..... Swanny

 

Re-work the stock driveshafts? What exactly do they mean by that?

 

The shop told me they could keep the stock Shafts but may have to modify them a bit? they told me it would cost about $300. But that was all they said.

 

A 4 door, automatic, 4.5” lift, 35s, 3.73s and metal bumpers?

Any reason whey you aren’t going for a 2.5” lift with 35s (it’s your Jeep, just letting you know you don’t need a 4.5” lift to clear 35s.)? No need to worry about the drive shafts with a 2.5” lift. If you want the 4.5” lift, why not 37s? You’ll be getting new drive shafts with the 4.5” lift. If you’re going to be wheeling a lot then you’ll want to get new gears.

 

These guys are bending you over, go somewhere else or order a kit and have an install party with some local jeepers.

 

well i want the 4.5 so i can do a bit more flexing on some trail rides. i am trying to get out to Moab and dont want to miss out on a fun trail due to not enough lift. i have bounced back an forth about 35-37's i just went with the 35's to watch cost.

the Shop had a quote of 7500 out the door with labor and all, does it still sound to high? i have only found a couple of shops in my area, and these guys seem to have the best rep.

 

This is about all you can do for the front driveshaft on an auto, trim the skid, drop it an inch using some washers and cut off the metal band clamp on the boot and replace with a ziptie. Even then your on borrowed time with stock ds with 4in of lift or more. The rear will last a pretty long time on a 4dr until you bang it into something.

 

I think if your stressing, than wait and do more research. These are expensive toys we have, and I don't think any of us should do anything to them unless you are 100% sure it's right for you! I know I won't do any major mods to mine unless I am totaly sure they will be done right. From what I have read on here, it sounds like you should find another shop to do your mods.

 

well now it looks like i may head back to the drawing boards for a bit!!! thanks for the insight.

ok i will have to bounce my need build off you guys again, when its done!

if i drop down to a 3.5 LA would i be getting my self into as many issues or would i be sitting pretty? i was looking at the smaller lift to avoid the hassel with the drive shafts, but went with the bigger is better mindset!

 

I haven’t been to Moab yet, but didn’t know a 4.5” lift was required. If so, guess I won’t be doing some trails…

As mkjeep indicated, there really isn’t anything they can do to your driveshafts to “re-work” them, when they blow out you’ll just get new ones that can handle the increased angle.

I don’t know about installation costs (I’ve done all of my own work except the gears), but you should be able to calculate the labor from the parts and see if it is reasonable. You say they have a good rep. Did you talk to others that got their JKs worked on by them? Do they do a lot of JK work? What kind of warrantee do they give you for their work?