3.5/4'' lift confusion (really need some help)
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Canada
3.5/4'' lift confusion (really need some help)
Hey all, I'm really hoping to get some clarification, and maybe even a bit of helpful information on 3.5/4 lift kits.
To start with, I currently have an AEV 2.5'' DualSport installed with Toyo OC MT 35's. I don't mind it, rides nice and everything, but I just want a little bit more lift, so I've been looking at 3.5 and 4's. Almost all the 3.5 kits that I've looked at, seem pretty complete, at least from what I can see, basically you buy the kit, and it has everything that you need. The 4'' kits is where I have been getting really frustrated. It seems like every manufacturer I've looked at has about six different 4'' kit versions. With shocks or without, stage 1, stage 2, etc. (whatever that means), some are just shocks, springs, and spacers, others have transmission cross-members and skids, some have track bars, some don't.
What I'm really needing (moreso hoping) to find out, is what the hell do I need to go to a 4'' lift? I just want to find a good kit that has everything I need, So I'm not waiting and buying individual parts later or anything like that, if that makes any sense. All help is greatly appreciated.
Edit: I actually just answered a lot of my own question from the Stickied post on lifts, but any input is always welcome.
To start with, I currently have an AEV 2.5'' DualSport installed with Toyo OC MT 35's. I don't mind it, rides nice and everything, but I just want a little bit more lift, so I've been looking at 3.5 and 4's. Almost all the 3.5 kits that I've looked at, seem pretty complete, at least from what I can see, basically you buy the kit, and it has everything that you need. The 4'' kits is where I have been getting really frustrated. It seems like every manufacturer I've looked at has about six different 4'' kit versions. With shocks or without, stage 1, stage 2, etc. (whatever that means), some are just shocks, springs, and spacers, others have transmission cross-members and skids, some have track bars, some don't.
What I'm really needing (moreso hoping) to find out, is what the hell do I need to go to a 4'' lift? I just want to find a good kit that has everything I need, So I'm not waiting and buying individual parts later or anything like that, if that makes any sense. All help is greatly appreciated.
Edit: I actually just answered a lot of my own question from the Stickied post on lifts, but any input is always welcome.
Last edited by Jarratt39; Sep 7, 2018 at 03:43 PM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
You can do 4" of lift with just coils. If you want to do it right just find a kit that replaces everything under the jeep including a high steer kit and driveshafts. Why not just add a 1" coil spacer to your existing lift?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Yep, the stickies are a great resource. As noted above, taller coils and/or spacers are there to provide the lift. All of the other components are ways to correct the things you mess up by going higher, and there seems to be a lot of opinion and personal preference as to what is required/needed/wanted/meh. It pays to do your homework before pulling out the credit card.
I assume you have aev control arm brackets on your current lift? They have a set of holes for a 3.5" lift height, so if you add spacers (or taller coils instead of a complete lift), you can just move to that set of holes instead of buying new arms. It probably came with a rear trackbar bracket to center that axle? Going an inch taller will shift the axle a bit to the side again. If it bothers you, add an adjustable trackbar also. If you choose to do a flip/high steer (which most like to do on taller lifts), you will add a front trackbar bracket in addition to relocating the draglink. That may center the axle to your liking, or add an adjustable there as well.
Just spend the time it takes to understand what the various components do. -- as well as which version of a given component is right for you. (ex. - cam bolts vs ca brackets vs fixed arms vs adj arms. They do the same thing, raise the caster, but there are some pro's/con's to each. Another example would be steering correction using drop pitman vs moving the draglink to the top of the knuckle. One is cheaper, the other is arguably better.)
I assume you have aev control arm brackets on your current lift? They have a set of holes for a 3.5" lift height, so if you add spacers (or taller coils instead of a complete lift), you can just move to that set of holes instead of buying new arms. It probably came with a rear trackbar bracket to center that axle? Going an inch taller will shift the axle a bit to the side again. If it bothers you, add an adjustable trackbar also. If you choose to do a flip/high steer (which most like to do on taller lifts), you will add a front trackbar bracket in addition to relocating the draglink. That may center the axle to your liking, or add an adjustable there as well.
Just spend the time it takes to understand what the various components do. -- as well as which version of a given component is right for you. (ex. - cam bolts vs ca brackets vs fixed arms vs adj arms. They do the same thing, raise the caster, but there are some pro's/con's to each. Another example would be steering correction using drop pitman vs moving the draglink to the top of the knuckle. One is cheaper, the other is arguably better.)