I've been doing much research regarding lifts and have read your stickies and I have a question:

What is the difference between lifts that replace OEM coils or shocks versus ones that don't? For instance I can get a lift kit with the same amount of lift, but one has just coils spacers and the other kit includes new coils or shocks. How much difference is there between my stock coils/shocks versus the modified ones?

Thanks

 

That is a really big question.

How much lift are you looking at?

I think the biggest difference would be suspension travel or just performance?

 

Spring rate and height control that the most. If you are NOT using the down travel of the suspension to maintain traction over a big obstacle, stock springs are going to be ok with a puck lift. If you only want to wheel rough roads with little obstacles, this may work.

If you desire increased travel only limited by your shocks, that opens up a big can of worms.

The shocks, or an extension are needed with a lift spring.

With a puck lift, extensions will work, and keep your flex in check with the stock shocks.

 

So if I follow correctly, replacement springs or shocks will allow the axle to move more thus improving my articulation/off-road performance especially on bigger obstacles. With stock coils or shocks the articulation will be less but I'll maintain a better street ride.

I'm thinking a 3" lift mostly to fit 35" tires with the intent of doing mild off-roading and rock-crawling. I've wheeled before but....don't laugh....in a stock Dodge Dakota with MTs and a T-bar crank. Looking forward to some proper Jeep wheeling and joining a club.