RE 3.5 lift question

[DBLJ]

I just bought a 97 TJ Sahara edition. I've been looking at lift kits and wanted to go with either a 3.5" or 4" lift. I'm trying to keep the price low but i understand i get what i pay for. I found the RE 3.5" and liked the price on it. I was wondering if i need anything extra that doesn't come in the kit. I'm not buying the kit until next month because i'm a poor college student and i dont want to sit on it and wait for more parts or find out that i need something midway through. . Any suggestions would be helpful. I'm open to new ideas.




5 speed I-6
61,000 miles
never been off-road until i got it.

[JeremyJeep]

I've been researching that kit as well and I think something important is a slip yoke eliminator kit for the nv231.

[GringoLoco]

Yep, pretty much all you'll need with the RE 3.5 lift is a SYE kit and CV rear driveshaft. If you go the high quality route, an Advanced Adapters SYE and Tom Woods driveshaft will run you $535 shipped. You can get a lesser driveshaft and save a few bucks though.

Oh wait.... does that lift come with shocks? Cause you'll need those too.

[DBLJ]

Yeah it comes with a choice.

TJ/LJ 2"-3.5" RE MONOTUBE KIT
TJ/LJ 3.5"-4.5" BILSTEIN SHOCK
TJ/LJ 3.5"-5.5" DT3000 SHOCK
TJ/LJ 3.5"-4.5" RUBICON TWIN
TJ/LJ 3.5"-5.5" OME SHOCK KIT

And this is the kit:

RE1145 ~ SWAY BAR END LINK, FRONT
RE1155 ~ SWAY BAR END LINKS REAR TJ
RE1172 ~ DISCONNECT ADAPTERS TJ/ZJ 96+
RE1363 ~ COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" FRONT/PA
RE1365 ~ COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" REAR/PAI
RE1380 ~ BUMPSTOPS 2" FRONT LOWER
RE1385 ~ BUMPSTOPS 2" TJ REAR UPPER
RE1603 ~ TRACK BAR BRACKET TJ REAR W/O
RE2100 ~ T-CASE LOWERING KIT YJ/TJ 1"

[27jeep27]

I have the RE 7002 3.5 lift and am very satisfied. It does ride very tall and you may or may not need a SYE and new driveshaft (500$). I had to use the transfer case drop and 3 washers to get rid of driveline vibes. I used Skyjacker Hydro's (4 for 130$) and the ride is nice, but I am sure it could be better. Many people prefer the OME 2.5 kit from DPGoffroad. If I had it all to do again, based on my use, I would do the OME kit with with a 1" body lift. Just my opinion.

[DBLJ]

Do i need the SYE and CV driveshaft right away? Im not looking to spend a lot but I am looking to do this right. How will i tell if i need the SYE and CV driveshaft?

[87warrior]

Originally Posted by Bsktbll109

Do i need the SYE and CV driveshaft right away? Im not looking to spend a lot but I am looking to do this right. How will i tell if i need the SYE and CV driveshaft?

With much luck, on the SWB TJ you will not get driveline vibes. It may be possible to dial out the vibes with Adjustable lower/upper control arms. I tried this on mine. 99% of my vibes were dialed out, but there was drive shaft grinding... which disapeared after the CV install.

Being a broke college student as well, I would take an alternate route if I had to do it over agian:
-Full traction/BDS/Rusty's 3" lift springs (USED - check forum for sale section)
-OME Shocks (new)
-Front extended brake lines (the stock back is plenty!)
-JKS disconnects - (USED or NEW)
-RE Extended rear swaybar links (new/used)
-1" Body lift (new)

See if it needs the SYE/ CV. If it does, look into the Hack-n-Tap SYE. I have never done it, but understand it is tough and works great if done right if on a budget. If yes, add Nth Degree adjustable upper control arms to the list to dial in the pinion angle. Might also concider a belly up skid plate before ordering the CV shaft!

Then upgrade the control arms/steering/axles/armor as budget allows.

[luk4mud]

Originally Posted by Bsktbll109

Yeah it comes with a choice.

TJ/LJ 2"-3.5" RE MONOTUBE KIT
TJ/LJ 3.5"-4.5" BILSTEIN SHOCK
TJ/LJ 3.5"-5.5" DT3000 SHOCK
TJ/LJ 3.5"-4.5" RUBICON TWIN
TJ/LJ 3.5"-5.5" OME SHOCK KIT

And this is the kit:

RE1145 ~ SWAY BAR END LINK, FRONT
RE1155 ~ SWAY BAR END LINKS REAR TJ
RE1172 ~ DISCONNECT ADAPTERS TJ/ZJ 96+
RE1363 ~ COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" FRONT/PA
RE1365 ~ COIL SPRINGS TJ 3.5" REAR/PAI
RE1380 ~ BUMPSTOPS 2" FRONT LOWER
RE1385 ~ BUMPSTOPS 2" TJ REAR UPPER
RE1603 ~ TRACK BAR BRACKET TJ REAR W/O
RE2100 ~ T-CASE LOWERING KIT YJ/TJ 1"

You are going to need extended front brakelines and very likely an adjustable front track bar. You already know about the SYE/CV issue.

All considered, because the RE3.5 nets more than 3.5" which will likely lead to a SYE/CV, I would either spend the big bucks on the re4.5 SF kit (which gets you control arms) and swap in 3.5 springs, or go the 3" BDS/ Full Traction (or something similar ) route. Just my

[DBLJ]

Originally Posted by 87warrior

With much luck, on the SWB TJ you will not get driveline vibes. It may be possible to dial out the vibes with Adjustable lower/upper control arms. I tried this on mine. 99% of my vibes were dialed out, but there was drive shaft grinding... which disapeared after the CV install.

Being a broke college student as well, I would take an alternate route if I had to do it over agian:
-Full traction/BDS/Rusty's 3" lift springs (USED - check forum for sale section)
-OME Shocks (new)
-Front extended brake lines (the stock back is plenty!)
-JKS disconnects - (USED or NEW)
-RE Extended rear swaybar links (new/used)
-1" Body lift (new)

See if it needs the SYE/ CV. If it does, look into the Hack-n-Tap SYE. I have never done it, but understand it is tough and works great if done right if on a budget. If yes, add Nth Degree adjustable upper control arms to the list to dial in the pinion angle. Might also concider a belly up skid plate before ordering the CV shaft!

Then upgrade the control arms/steering/axles/armor as budget allows.

that sounds like the way to go. With the 1" BL what do i need to do?

[Jon_H]

Originally Posted by Bsktbll109

that sounds like the way to go. With the 1" BL what do i need to do?

With a 1" BL, you basically just need the BL. But you'll probably also need a motor mount lift, which isn't much if I remember right.

[rivers edge]

My dad's jeep has that kit(3.5 R.E. short arm kit), with a 1" body spacer and it looks great! He doesnt have the sye kit on it and it does fine for driving down the high way! So unless you have the extra money, I wouldnt worry too much about doing the sye immediately! Here is some pics:

[DBLJ]

How big are his tires?
I'm also looking at the full traction 3" econ or the rusty's 3" basic with extras.
I'm leaning towards Rusty's with the 1" bl, 1' raised MM, steering upgrade, and their performance shocks all for a grand total of $589.