[Darkre]

I have a 95 ZJ. I was thinking of installing a 1.5" BB with shocks and adding longer coils (1 to 1.5 inches) as well. The problem is everytime I talk to a shop about installing this, they try to sell me a full suspension lift kit. I don't do a lot of offroading and have a fairly tight budget. Is there a reason they won't talk to me about this lift? Will it place my drive shafts at awkward angles? Will it be too hard on the stock control arms? Or are they trying to make more money off of me? Any opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Also does anyone know where I can find coils that are 1 or 1.5 inch taller than stock? Thanks

 

[Chris S]

Do I understand correctly that you want 1.5" coil spacers and 1.5" lift coils? That seems like a waste of money when you could just buy 3" lift coils. Coils are almost all the same price regardless of lift size. For this reason it's actually hard to find coils with less than 3" of lift.

A 2" spring spacer lift with shocks runs around $200.00 US.

Figure $450.00 US for a 3" lift with new coils, track bar bracket, and shocks.

Many more expensive kits include control arms, sway bar links, quick disconnects, and a host of other "goodies". I don't know much about ZJs, but XJs and TJs can do a 3" lift with stock control arms so I don't see why a ZJ would have problems. All those extras make the vehicle perform better, but you can always upgrade later.


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Chris S.
2002 KJ - staying stock (almost)
2000 TJ - 2" suspension lift, 1/2" body lift, assorted skids, hooks, rock rails, rock lights, 33" BFG MTs, custom bumper, Warn 8274
Mud Puppy's Jeep site

 

[Outkast]

Just curious, why do you wanna get new coils and spacers if you can get (like Chris said) longer coils that would give the same amount of lift?

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2000 Sahara
Teraflexified

 

[Darkre]

ok I know you right about just going to 3" coils, or a 3" kit but the cheapest 3" kit I have located is a ProComp for $575 US. A 2.5" OME kit is also available for around the same price. The problem is the cost of the install for these kits is double that of the BB. There is a 3" Rusty's kit, coils, rear trackbar mounts and shocks only, for around $440. This could be my best option as the install price would be similar to the BB kits. By going with the Rubicon BB kit ($200 US) and adding coil springs at that time I was hoping to save a little money while not going too extreme in affecting the ride quality. I really wasn't sure if I could go 3" without lowering the tranny and adding the control arms. That's why I was considering the mopar upcountry coils (1" taller) with the BB. Not that 2.5" is much of a difference. I had forgotten about the Rusty's kit. Does anyone have any experiance with a Rusty's Lift? Any advice on this or the BB kit/coils will be appreciated.

 

[zookiguy]

I have a 97 ZJ with a 3 inch pro-comp suspension lift. If you have any mechanical knowledge, installing the lift is easy. You just need hand tools, drill,floor jack,jack stands, and your set. With the three inch lift, I did not have to do anything with the t-case. The kit came with new lower control arms, so the pinion angles were good.(no vibes). I have had this lift for about 2 and a half years and know problems at all. If you want more information, give me an e-mail.

[email protected]

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87 Samurai, 92 fuel injected 1.6 ltr.,s.o.a., 5.13 r/p, birfield rings, 2" exhaust, 32/11.5 mud kings, breeze steering and missing links, 5012 up front with custom towers, toyota mr-2 seats, breeze trac bar, custom rock sliders and still going.

 

[Kraqa]

i understand where your comming from. i have a 94 ZJ, with a home made 2 inch coil spring spacer, and eventualy i would like to get the up country springs,(1.5 inches bigger then stock) the reson why a store will go around the topic of selling you the parts is because it is a custom suspension lift it is all expirimental. i mean you could run into problems, trac bars, control arms, drivline angles. also you can go a head with a front to rear swap. it is really cheep and i think that is what i will do in the futur, also keep in mind that with any lift your going to have to replace your shock absorbers, even with the spacers i didn't change my absorbers but i really can notice when it would be nice to have proper ones for the lift. if you have any questions on the front to rear swap i am full of answers i have done alot of research, it will give you about 3-5 inch lift and will only cost you about $50. please E-mail for any futher questions. [email protected]

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94 zj, platnum +4 plugs, xenon lights, 2 inch custom lift 31x10.5, k&n,
Word.
Peace Out G,
Kraqa

 

[Chris S]

It was Rusty's kit I was thinking about as well. I've dealt with Rusty a lot and have found him to be a good guy. Sometimes her gets swamped and has a hard time meeting his quoted shipping times, but this time of year that's not a problem. A buddy who has Rusty's springs in his MJ had one sag on him. One call to Rusty and a new spring was shipped the next day.

3" of lift is 3" of lift, whether all coils or coils and spacers, so you might as well just get 3" coils. The extra install costs of the other kits is for control arms and such.
Lifts are easy to install. Strictly bolt-on one banana stuff.If you don't have the space or worry about your ability an offer of pizza and beer will probably find you a new friend to help out.

I would install the basic 3" springs and then find out if you have any vibrations. If you do you can shim the t-case to make-do for a while until you can add adjustable control arms. it may also be possible to use cam-bolts on the control arms to dial out vibrations. TJs can do this, but I don't know about ZJs.



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Chris S.
2002 KJ - staying stock (almost)
2000 TJ - 2" suspension lift, 1/2" body lift, assorted skids, hooks, rock rails, rock lights, 33" BFG MTs, custom bumper, Warn 8274
Mud Puppy's Jeep site

 

[need*a*jeep]

easist thing to do is go for the proper 3" lift kit. yeah it may cost a little more cash but you get what you pay for in the automotive world (providing you don't get ripped of in anyway). As for labour get a buddy or two and spend the day on the drive-way buy them a pack of beer and pizza to split. The kits come with simple instructions