Got the go-ahead!!

**NYC_ZJ** · 11-01-2007, 06:34 PM

Just the ok from the wife to add a "little" lift to the ZJ.

Sounds sad but you married guys know what i'm talking about.

This is my daily driver with mostly city driving and about once or twice a year off road...so with that being said. Should I add UC springs to my 2" BB with 31's or just go with the F>R swap (3.5" lift) with 31's. I know most of you are going to say the F>R swap and suggest a kit like IRO but i don't need everything in the kit. Just need new springs, shocks...anything else? I have most of the other items...check sig. Is a new rear TB needed or even a drop bracket? Let me know what you think. Thanks!!

**FPKites** · 11-01-2007, 06:49 PM

I sure like my front and rear adjustable trackbars - even at 3.5" it would have been nice to have. You don't need a drop bracket. Don't bother. Springs and shocks should be good, though your ride may suffer a smidge using stock control arms. Definitely do-able, just takes away a bit of the cadillac ride.

RyanZJ · 11-01-2007, 10:15 PM

Do a F>R, you won't regret it. I had the BB/UC setup before I did it and there's a huge difference for not a whole lot of difference in price. Looks like all you'd need are the new front springs, new shocks, and an adjustable rear trackbar and you'll be set. You can always do adjustable control arms down the road if you want them. That's my plan anyway.

Just a quick pic to illustrate the difference between BB/UC and RE 3.5" springs. The front end has the RE springs installed, and the rear is still using the BB/UC combo. The rear end of my Jeep is even taller than the front now that the front UC springs are back there. I'm planning on adding 1" spacers up front once I can afford to do control arms too.

**NYC_ZJ** · 11-01-2007, 11:21 PM

Great info and thanks for the pic Ryan. Which shocks would be the best choice? How do you like your DT 3000's? Are Bilstiens the BEST? Did your ride worsen compared to the BB/UC combo?

Anyone else willing to share thier

?

Casper4x4 · 11-01-2007, 11:27 PM

My gf got me the bilstein 5150's and I LOVE them off road. But than again I like the cheap Rubicon Express monotube shocks. I kind of am wishing she got me the adjustable ones, the pro comps mx 6

MuddyLuxury · 11-01-2007, 11:41 PM

i have the DT 3000s. Stiff ride, but go look in the great grand story thread check out the video they get very flexy. But i like a stiff ride I know when i am in contact with the road and when i am not. that and i want ppl to kno they are in an off road Jeep not a mall cruiser

ZJMAN · 11-01-2007, 11:50 PM

My '98 5.9 Laredo has UC springs and a Teraflex BB. The result was 3.5" over the stock standard springs. It also has an adjustable front TB an rear TB bracket. The front lower control arms are modified curved WJ arms. Shocks are Rancho RSX. Tires are 31x10.50x15 on stock Jeep wheels. I will be swaping out the front spacers in favour of a set of ACOS because my winch and Backbone mount lowered the front half an inch. Otherwise it works well on and off road as well as pulling our travel trailer.

**NYC_ZJ** · 11-02-2007, 04:59 AM

Good to know ZJMAN. Do you think that i could re-use my orginal shocks (non-UC suspension) with a BB and UC springs? I do have the BPE's that give about 1/2" of lift to the OEM shock...and they're fairly new.

**FPKites** · 11-02-2007, 07:54 AM

You can use your stock shocks for a bit with a BB. Ride may suffer a tad.

RyanZJ · 11-02-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmc2079

Great info and thanks for the pic Ryan. Which shocks would be the best choice? How do you like your DT 3000's? Are Bilstiens the BEST? Did your ride worsen compared to the BB/UC combo?

Anyone else willing to share thier

?

I'm not the biggest fan of the DT3000s. At the time when I got them I was on a pretty tight budget so they worked the best for me. I'm planning on getting some MX-6s in the very near future.

Like I said the difference between the BB/UC and RE 3.5" springs is huge. I wouldn't bother doing the BB/UC combo unless you can get the BB and UC springs for free or very cheap. It will end up costing almost the same for a lot less lift...

As to the ride, it defintiely got rougher after the F>R swap. I attribute a lot of that to running on shocks that are too short for my lift, and obviously increased control arm angles are coming into play. I would image that once I get new control arms and shocks I'll regain some of the Caddy ride.

**NYC_ZJ** · 11-02-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanZJ

As to the ride, it defintiely got rougher after the F>R swap. I attribute a lot of that to running on shocks that are too short for my lift,...

Your running stock length shocks on your F>R swap? So if you had a choice of shocks, you would recommend the Pro-Comp MX-6 over the Bilstein? where would be the best place to get a set...KOR, pro-comp website?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPKites

You can use your stock shocks for a bit with a BB. Ride may suffer a tad.

Thanks FPKites, but i already have the BB installed with my stock shocks. Looking to upgrade from there.

**FPKites** · 11-02-2007, 09:16 AM

Actually, Ryan is running BB length shocks on his F>R. You can get MX-6 just about anywhere. A lot of us prefer KOR because of his stellar customer service. For all-around purposes, I think the MX6 would be better than the Bilstein.

RyanZJ · 11-02-2007, 09:20 AM

Jim's right. I'm still running my shocks from the UC/BB combo with my F>R lift. I'm guessing they're about 2" too short for my application, which can't be helping things.

ZJMAN · 11-02-2007, 11:25 AM

I ran the stock shocks for a while but they were definitely out of their sweet spot and extended travel was very short. I replaced them with Procomps and found those very harsh, so went to the RSXs. If I had it to do over I would go with either Bilsteins or Edelbrocks. They both give a much better ride and more control, especially on rebound.

**NYC_ZJ** · 11-02-2007, 08:04 PM

I see on the KOR site you have to supply the F to H measurements and they will get you shocks. Does KOR make their own shock...or do they ask you which brand and they get the right size? How does that work? Probably end up going with KOR because of their famous customer service. Thanks for all the info!