[IWantMyMTZ]

I have an 05 Unlimited. Bone stock except for tires...

I Have Mickey Thompson MTZ 31" tires with no lift.

After having my Jeep for 3 years, going through school and doing a LOT of driving, I can say Im just not going to be much of a wheeler. I like to take it in the mud every now and then and I like to play at the beach. Other than that, I just dont go to crazy. it is what it is. Im a 90% daily driver and a 10% off road enthusiast.

With that out of the way let me tell you what I want to do.
Even though I love the MTZ tires and they arent really that loud, they are hard as HELL to balance and keep balanced.

I want 33" BF Goodrich AT tires and I want about 4-4.5 inches of lift in any combo. 3 suspension 1" Bl or whatever...

I dont need a suspension kit that offers a lot of off road extras because I dont think I will ever disconnect, I dont need long arms. I DO want new springs and not spacers though. I dont know if need a SYE because I have an LJ and I keep hearing mixed things about that. Dont know if I need to go to 4.10 from 3.73.

If I do a 1" BL do I need a motormount lift?

Im very confused about all of this. Im trying to get a shopping list together and want to know EVERYTHING I will need to accomplish this.

And wise words would be greatly appriciated!

C

[TheBoogieman]

Originally Posted by IWantMyMTZ

I have an 05 Unlimited. Bone stock except for tires...


With that out of the way let me tell you what I want to do.
Even though I love the MTZ tires and they arent really that loud, they are hard as HELL to balance and keep balanced.

I want 33" BF Goodrich AT tires and I want about 4-4.5 inches of lift in any combo. 3 suspension 1" Bl or whatever...

I dont need a suspension kit that offers a lot of off road extras because I dont think I will ever disconnect, I dont need long arms. I DO want new springs and not spacers though. I dont know if need a SYE because I have an LJ and I keep hearing mixed things about that. Dont know if I need to go to 4.10 from 3.73.

If I do a 1" BL do I need a motormount lift?

C

You need a better shop to balance them.I'm on my 2nd set of MTZ's and never had a problem.3" springs alone would clear 33's for what you do.I've got Rancho 3"HD springs and got over 4" of lift.OME 2.5" springs and a 1"BL would work also.No SYE needed and 3.73's are fine for most people on the road(auto may be different).BL and MML have nothing to do with each other.MML is for getting rid of driveline vibes.

[IWantMyMTZ]

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

You need a better shop to balance them.I'm on my 2nd set of MTZ's and never had a problem.3" springs alone would clear 33's for what you do.I've got Rancho 3"HD springs and got over 4" of lift.OME 2.5" springs and a 1"BL would work also.No SYE needed and 3.73's are fine for most people on the road(auto may be different).BL and MML have nothing to do with each other.MML is for getting rid of driveline vibes.

Yeah I forgot to mention I drive an Automatic. I thought that a 1" MML was to raise the engine back up to where it was after a 1" BL?

So 3 inches of lift with a 1" BL would do the trick? nothing else? no SYE?

[otisdog]

You could do a 3" suspension lift and then add a 1" body lift if you want.
Full traction makes a pretty complete 3" lift.
You won't need an SYE because of your longer rear driveshaft but you probably will need the t-case drop installed - it comes with most lift kits.
Lift kits vary - some come with this, others with that and you have to piece in what's missing. MOST kits have a bracket for the rear trackbar but nothing for the front. You really need an adjustable trackbar for the front. The Full Traction does come with a front trackbar.
Another possibility is the OME 2." kit with a body lift. DPG has several kits put together.
http://www.dpgoffroad.com/TJ_LJ_OME_Kits.htm
Jim

[otisdog]

Seeing that it's an auto tranny - you will have to remove or modify the FRONT skidplate that protects the tranny pan.
Jim

[TheBoogieman]

Originally Posted by IWantMyMTZ

Yeah I forgot to mention I drive an Automatic. I thought that a 1" MML was to raise the engine back up to where it was after a 1" BL?

So 3 inches of lift with a 1" BL would do the trick? nothing else? no SYE?

2" springs and a 1"BL would clear 33's and need nothing else.
My Brother's jeep with 33's.

[IWantMyMTZ]

awesome! thanks for the info! Ill look into that full tracktion kit.
jeep looks good!

[Crashnburn80]

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

BL and MML have nothing to do with each other.MML is for getting rid of driveline vibes.

Originally Posted by IWantMyMTZ

I thought that a 1" MML was to raise the engine back up to where it was after a 1" BL?

So 3 inches of lift with a 1" BL would do the trick? nothing else? no SYE?

Installing a 1" MML with a 1" BL has several benifits. If you install the BL and dont install the MML you will need to drop your radiator fan shroud to be back inline with the engine. You will also need to adjust your Tcase linkage and maybe use the Tcase linkage drop bracket (comes with most BLs). You are also more prone to getting vibes. Installing the MML is cleaner (IMO), the engine lines up with the fan shroud, no need to adjust your Tcase linkage and your driveline angles are reduced so less need for a Tcase drop. It also moves your oil pan further up from rocks if you were to offroad it.

3" of lift + 1" BL + 1" MML and you should be set. Your unlimited is less prone to getting vibes due to its longer driveshaft, but that doesnt mean your immune. I would recommend installing the MML to lessen the chance of needing the SYE.

[IWantMyMTZ]

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

Installing a 1" MML with a 1" BL has several benifits. If you install the BL and dont install the MML you will need to drop your radiator fan shroud to be back inline with the engine. You will also need to adjust your Tcase linkage and maybe use the Tcase linkage drop bracket (comes with most BLs). You are also more prone to getting vibes. Installing the MML is cleaner (IMO), the engine lines up with the fan shroud, no need to adjust your Tcase linkage and your driveline angles are reduced so less need for a Tcase drop. It also moves your oil pan further up from rocks if you were to offroad it.

3" of lift + 1" BL + 1" MML and you should be set. Your unlimited is less prone to getting vibes due to its longer driveshaft, but that doesnt mean your immune. I would recommend installing the MML to lessen the chance of needing the SYE.

awesome! thanks for your help! Now if you all wouldnt mind sending me money so I can get all this!

[TheBoogieman]

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

Installing a 1" MML with a 1" BL has several benifits.

Yea, I know all that.My point was a BL is for added clearance without screwing up the driveline anymore and the MML is for getting rid of screwed up driveline vibes.If you do a BL,you don't need a MML and visa versa.

[JasonJW]

I think 4-4.5" of lift would look pretty weird with 33s. What's the aversion to spacers? For what you described (90% street 10% offroad) its pretty much ideal. When you go from 2" to 3" of suspension lift the price increases dramatically. You could end up needing front and rear adjustable track bars, and you'll need new shocks on top of the lift kit. You might need a SYE, a new driveshaft and adjustable upper control arms in the rear. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like you are planning on spending a lot of money for parts you'll never really use. Just go with a 2" BB and 1" BL and you'll fit 33s fine for a fraction of what that 4" will cost you. If you have to go spring, do the 2.5" OME and BL combo, but it sounds to me like it would be a waste for you and you could put that money into other things.

[TheBoogieman]

Originally Posted by JasonJW

I think 4-4.5" of lift would look pretty weird with 33s. What's the aversion to spacers? For what you described (90% street 10% offroad) its pretty much ideal. When you go from 2" to 3" of suspension lift the price increases dramatically. You could end up needing front and rear adjustable track bars, and you'll need new shocks on top of the lift kit. You might need a SYE, a new driveshaft and adjustable upper control arms in the rear. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like you are planning on spending a lot of money for parts you'll never really use. Just go with a 2" BB and 1" BL and you'll fit 33s fine for a fraction of what that 4" will cost you. If you have to go spring, do the 2.5" OME and BL combo, but it sounds to me like it would be a waste for you and you could put that money into other things.

Thank you Jason.That was my point.More lift than you need = more expenses that you DON'T need.

[krawler510]

I say go with a 3" lift and throw your 33's on. If you aren't ever going to disconnect then they will fit fine(Like the Jeep above with the Baja Claws). I feel like my 33's look small under my 4" lift sometimes, but they fit just right at full flex. I think the body lift would be a waste of money for you in that case. And really a 2" spacer lift with a 1" body lift is the cheapest alternative and is great on the street and good enough off road for an occasional mud bath.

[Schwalby]

I have 33s with 3" lift with 1.25" BL, so look at mine and see if you like it. Keep in mind also that when I flex mine out I really stuff the front tire in the fender, I also intend to wheel mine where you won't be as much. If I was going your route I would probably do a small life with the BL / MML. I think the BL MML will help with any drive line issues and if you do go bigger later you won't be replacing anything there. You are also set for a tummy tuck which you won't really need but may like the look of it. The BL also sets you up for different skid options down the road. Again if you decide to go that route.

[STW]

Also look into Rusty's 3" springs. They give a straight 3" not more so you're less likely to get into SYE territory while still getting 3" of spring lift. You're also not over-taxing your stock control arms at 3". Rusty's springs are a good deal $ and hold up well in my experience. Ask them about stiffer rear springs for the extra LJ weight and leverage.

I found that with Rusty's 3" springs I only needed .6" of T-case drop (washers), didn't need any front track bar adjustment (front axle offset is so minimal you can barely measure it), and used the OME rear track bar relocation bracket for $16. With 3" lift you can decide after it's on whether you want to do the body lift or not. If you do install a BL and MML then you can experiment with taking washers out of your T-case drop to see if the MML reduces vibes with less T-case drop. The 3" will clear 33s well, even wide ones for the wheeling you describe. My 10.5" 33s stuff all the way with only 3" but 12.5" wide 33s would need a 1" BL to stuff on my jeep.

So here's a list for a budget 3" spring lift:
1.springs
2.shocks
3.rear bracket for track bar relocation
4.some kind of anti-sway bar extentions if you don't want discos (which are just fine as extentions even if you don't disco)
5.washers for the T-case drop (to see how much drop you need)
6.realignment

This is the same lift list you'd need with OME springs too.
Save your money for a regear.