Researching WJ lifts

[Haleyrz]

So I searched the Zone lift and seems like a lot of you dont like it because it isn't long arm and its not IRO. In my opinion, IRO kits are either incomplete (like the basic 4") or far out of my range, and over the top for what I want (long arms). Basically this is what I'm wanting to do. Given the fact that I'm dropping $7500 on the new WJ, i'm on a major budget. I'm not going to wait until 5 years when the WJ is paid off to do anything to that, because i'm impatient. There are no other 4" short arm kits that I can find out there, and from what people say who have owned the Zone kit, they are happy with it. I cannot really find much about ride, but I plan to upgrade to bilsteins or OME sometime down the road, so I dont really care about that. The WJ is going to be a queen mall crawling pavement pounder/show vehicle. The most she will see would be a little ORV park action and snowmobile trails in Idaho. I'm not overly concened about flex. The searches that came up seem like the Zone kit was incomplete, needing an a-arm spacer and extended brake lines? Looks like it now includes that spacer, so all I need is the front end links and brake lines? Am I right or wrong on any of said information?

[gmp211]

Looks like you know what your talking about, which is good. However, the IRO kits are made for a budget. Don't expect to get LA's and the whole shi-bang for a budget price. Most the guys on here that have that will tell you, Their serious about their stuff. If I were you, I'd take a look at the IRO 3" lift and get some nice shocks or Hydros.

Remember, you can always add to your lift, everything does not need to be taken care of right away.

EDIT: From what I read on your profile you already have 30"s so the 3" IRO would be a perfect match.

[gatorayde]

Go with the zone and some longer sway bar links in the front (or disco's). WJ's don't need longer brake lines until ~6"+ since they run along the control arms. The only thing I don't like about the zone are the fixed control arms, poly bushings in the control arms, and the track bar has been proven to be weak. Swap it with some adjustable lowers and a JKS track bar and it would be a great 4" short arm kit IMO.

[Haleyrz]

yeah, I do plan to get a JKS track bar in the future, but to get me started it seems like a good option. I dont want to go 3.5" because i'm getting some free 16" soft 8's on 33x10.50 KM1's, so I want to fit those, since they are free, lol. I'm skeptical about stacking spacers 1.5" or more. I'd do a .5-1" spacer MAYBE. I guess for a pavement pounder it really wouldn't matter. So what about rear track bar? Is that ok on the WJ's at 4"? This whole WJ nonsense has got me all newbie again.

[gmp211]

Take the 30's you have now, but them on the soft 8's and sell the 33's. For a Mall Queen, my opinion is that anything over 4" is too high.

And as far as getting something like JKS Quick Disconnects, dont worry about it. Since your not going to be worried about flexing. They just allow a little more flex when disconnected than normal.

[Haleyrz]

oh i should justify!!
Zone Kit
4" front and rear coils
4 Zone shocks
front fixed lower CA's
rear extended endlinks
ADDED front extended endlinks
minimal TC drop kit
Front adjustable track bar
a-arm spacer
2" bump stops

put it at $734.94 with free shipping.

IRO
Front and rear 4" lift coil springs
4 shocks
1" Transfer Case Drop Kit
Adjustable track bar
Front extended sway bar links
Rear extended sway bar links
*no a-arm spacer or bumpstops*

$750 not including shipping

Most companies are supplied springs from only a few manufacturers, and only a FEW actually make their own (ie OME, RE) So really I dont care much about the springs.

After shipping thats probably $100 difference I can use for my car payment that month

[Haleyrz]

Originally Posted by gmp211

Take the 30's you have now, but them on the soft 8's and sell the 33's. For a Mall Queen, my opinion is that anything over 4" is too high.

And as far as getting something like JKS Quick Disconnects, dont worry about it. Since your not going to be worried about flexing. They just allow a little more flex when disconnected than normal.

no way, i'm fitting those 33's. Plus when I need to drive over something i'll be set. Winters up here are crazy, and I do love the mud.

[gatorayde]

FYI, WJ's have a rear upper A arm, thus no need for a rear track bar. Noob

I would go with the zone.

[tennesseewj]

Since I'm researching stuff, too (trying to decide between 3" or 4"), here is what I've noticed:

Zone pros: New front CAs and bump stop extensions are a nice touch, slightly cheaper
Zone cons: No front sway links, rear a-arm spacer doesn't look as nice as the IRO one

IRO pros: Well known for good quality/customer service, comes with front links, easy to mix and match (different shocks, etc.)
IRO cons: Doesn't even include a-arm spacer

Tough call, and I don't know how good the shocks are with either kit. With the Zone kit being relatively un-heard of compared to the IRO, it's hard to get good feedback on quality. It could be a case of "you get what you pay for" or it could be a really good deal. I like the fact that the Zone kits come with new CAs, but if the CAs and/or their bushings are bad quality - you could easily be sitting in death wobble city.


I will say that both kits save you some cash over piecing it together. I priced out my ideal 4" budget lift ( IRO coils, JKS front discos,IRO rear links, JKS adj. track bar,IRO a-arm spacer, and ~$300 shocks) and it came out to be over a grand before tax.


/random observations


Edit: I noticed you added front links to your Zone kit, so that helps that kit out.

[Haleyrz]

Originally Posted by gatorayde

FYI, WJ's have a rear upper A arm, thus no need for a rear track bar. Noob

I would go with the zone.

Well thats good to know!!!! I haven't crawled under there much, and when I was, i was looking at the front half and drooling over the skids

[gatorayde]

Originally Posted by HaleyWJ

Well thats good to know!!!! I haven't crawled under there much, and when I was, i was looking at the front half and drooling over the skids

Skid? You mean transfer case brush guard? That's about all it's good for anyways

[Haleyrz]

Originally Posted by tennesseewj

Since I'm researching stuff, too (trying to decide between 3" or 4"), here is what I've noticed:

Zone pros: New front CAs and bump stop extensions are a nice touch, slightly cheaper
Zone cons: No front sway links, rear a-arm spacer doesn't look as nice as the IRO one

IRO pros: Well known for good quality/customer service, comes with front links, easy to mix and match (different shocks, etc.)
IRO cons: Doesn't even include a-arm spacer

Tough call, and I don't know how good the shocks are with either kit. With the Zone kit being relatively un-heard of compared to the IRO, it's hard to get good feedback on quality. It could be a case of "you get what you pay for" or it could be a really good deal. I like the fact that the Zone kits come with new CAs, but if the CAs and/or their bushings are bad quality - you could easily be sitting in death wobble city.


I will say that both kits save you some cash over piecing it together. I priced out my ideal 4" budget lift (coils, front discos, rear links, adj. track bar, a-arm spacer, and quality shocks) and it came out to be over a grand before tax.


/random observations

Good observation! As for the Zone cons, their front endlinks are a $35 add-on, which really isn't that big of a deal. The CA bushings are of poly, so they are going to last longer than OEM rubber bushings. I dont think those are going to be an issue, do you?

[gatorayde]

Originally Posted by HaleyWJ

Good observation! As for the Zone cons, their front endlinks are a $35 add-on, which really isn't that big of a deal. The CA bushings are of poly, so they are going to last longer than OEM rubber bushings. I dont think those are going to be an issue, do you?

They are stiffer and may ride a little stiff because of that (you're at 4" of lift anyways, it's not going to be a cadillac). The biggest thing is that they will probably squeak like no tomorrow, poly bushings have a tendency to do that.

[Haleyrz]

Originally Posted by gatorayde

Skid? You mean transfer case brush guard? That's about all it's good for anyways

psh, and the one under the engine. They will at least help. The poor ZJ took a beating with its wide open belly the 2 simple times i took it the the orv park. Bopped the TC on some humps a few times. I said eff it since the stupid TC had been leaking and a bad VC since I owned it. You have no idea how happy I am to have talked the lot up to $2300 trade it (or should I say Lou talked them up). They had no idea what was coming. Serves them right for being idiots, but heck, I got a good deal.

[Haleyrz]

Originally Posted by gatorayde

They are stiffer and may ride a little stiff because of that (you're at 4" of lift anyways, it's not going to be a cadillac). The biggest thing is that they will probably squeak like no tomorrow, poly bushings have a tendency to do that.

what if you keep them greased?