Lift Kit Questions

[90JeepXJ]

Is it possible to just buy a 3" lift kit and 2" shackles and spacers for an overall 5" lift? If so, would I have to buy new 5" shocks and springs or would it work without buyin new shocks and springs?

[citizen@large]

Double post much? jk...

Sure, you can do whatever you want. except a body lift. LOL

It all depends on the amount of $ you wanna spend. Or how much you can fabricate on your own to save that $... This 3" kit you mentioned. Who makes it? What year is your rig? Do you already have any lift?

I've heard of some folks using a "Budget Boost" on top of another lift kit in order to gain an additional 1.5-2". Search and ye shall find.

[90JeepXJ]

I have a 1990, I've been lookin at a few different brands. Havent bought anything yet, cant make a descision.

[citizen@large]

Whatever you do, don't rush into this under any circumstances! This is the best advice that I can give you at this point. That being said, lets see what I can come up with quick like...

Since your initial question was about using a "less expensive" approach to gain around 5" total, I'm assuming you're working with a restricted budget. That's fine, who isn't!? This is when the do it yourself (DIY) approach really can gain you a lot more than you thought otherwise possible. And it's really not that difficult. Even for a novice/backyard mechanic.

You just need some pointing in the 'other' direction... Check this link, read it over and over, and see what you think.

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm

And once you get to a certain amount of lift, you'll need to address your rear driveshaft angle and length. Here you go...

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...liminators.htm

Good luck!

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by 90JeepXJ

Is it possible to just buy a 3" lift kit and 2" shackles and spacers for an overall 5" lift? If so, would I have to buy new 5" shocks and springs or would it work without buyin new shocks and springs?

Sure you can do that. The real question is what kind of ride and handling quality do you expect?
Some 3" lifts are very basic and only include coil springs and AAL. You will have to add alot to one of these basic kits to go up to 5". Some 3" lifts have adjustable arms, trackbar, extended brake lines, swaybar ends ect. If you get one of the better equipped kits, it wont be much more to go up to 5". In either case, if you get a 3" kit with shocks, you will have to address those at some point when you go higher (if you want full use of your suspensions travel). If you already know you are going to 5", your best bet is to go ahead and get the taller kit. They generally include most of what you will need. If good ride quality is important, then you should consider a long arm kit at that hieght.

[citizen@large]

Originally Posted by Ray H

If good ride quality is important, then you should consider a long arm kit at that hieght.

I myself cannot personally testify, but i have read that a long arm kit isn't really neccesary until you get to the 6" or beyond height??? I understand (limitedly) that geometry becomes a fektor, but since I was blessed with a rig already outfitted with the Clayton kit, (@4.5"), I'm sure not to know this firsthand until my girls rig gets 'equipped'.

The higher the lift, the steeper the angle of the 'short-arms'. Thus, more "shock" coming into the driver over bumps/obstacles? Lengthen the arms/angle, the more spread-out the load..?

Of the course, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LENGTH OF YOUR BRAKE-LINES.

~Thanks...

I just slapped on some 33's, (from 31's), did some fender trimming, and have since discovered that I'm still gonna have to go up another 1.5-2.0"s to clear under "heavy travel conditions". As well as possibly extending my bumpstops. This all has me quite 'involved'. ) I'm F*N LOVING IT!!! HiJaCK'd.

[Ray H]

Exactly, the angle of the control arms are a big factor. Another thing to consider is the arc of the control arms as the axle travels up and down. If you have 5 or 6" lift your control arms have to be longer to center your wheel in the wheel well at ride height, when the suspension is compressed, the wheel will now be pushed forward and be up against the front of the wheel well.
Ride quality and characteristics are a subjective thing. What one person is willing to except is differerent than what another will except. You can buy and run a 6" kit with short arms, so they do work, but whether or not you will be happy with it is anyones guess. My opinion is that I would never go over 4.5" without longarms or drop brackets, although I did just install a 3" lift on mine and saw very little difference in the driving and handling characteristics. It actually seems to ride better than it did but that could be due to several factors like new shocks and softer springs.
I was talking to a guy the other day that just installed a very basic 6" short arm lift on his XJ. He was not happy with it at all and told me he should've gone with the 3" instead. It takes some guts for a perfect stranger to admit that the $2000-$2500 they just spent on a lift, wheels and tires was a bad idea.