Suggestions: Are you lifting and getting bigger tires for looks or for off-road? My suggestion would be to check out the FAQ section to get a feel on what tire/wheel combo will work with lift and go from there. I would venture to say the most popular combination is 2.5 inches of lift (a good lift kit) an 35 inch tires. That seems to look good, will gain you around 3.5 to 4 inches of total lift, and will ride well without a lot of expensive mods. Just MO.
Body lift, suspension lift, Both?
I just bought a 2011 jeep sport with 28,000 miles on it. Looking to get bigger tires and raise it a bit but not sure what I need. Willing to put some $ into it but only want to do it once. Off-roading will be limited to 3-6 per year. Nothing really heavy. Want meatier tires as well. Figure AT type. No need to change out tires. I need new tires now so I figured I would do everything so as not to waste $ on tires I dont want. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Sounds like all you need is a 2.5" budget boost lift and you can run 35" tires easily. No need to go higher for your needs and stay away from body lifts.
Why should body lifts be avoided?Sounds like all you need is a 2.5" budget boost lift and you can run 35" tires easily. No need to go higher for your needs and stay away from body lifts.
What kind of negative effects do you get from a 1"- 1.25" body lift?
Are they difficult to install?
Do they have a negative effect on steering and suspension geometry?
Do they have a negative effect on drive shaft angle?
Do they decrease available suspension travel to increase tire clearance?
Are they expensive?
Do they require additional parts/components to make the Jeep drive and function properly?
Do they raise the COG higher than equivalent suspension only lift?
when I read the third post i KNEW SLADE would be in soon to comment, and he didn't disappoint.
I agree 100% with him on BL usage, I just wonder if he owns a company that produces them as often as I see him defend the usage lol
I agree 100% with him on BL usage, I just wonder if he owns a company that produces them as often as I see him defend the usage lol
:laugh: some ones gotta do it.when I read the third post i KNEW SLADE would be in soon to comment, and he didn't disappoint.
I agree 100% with him on BL usage, I just wonder if he owns a company that produces them as often as I see him defend the usage lol
No, I don't benefit any from defending body lifts (I wish I did). The body lift hatred was one of the first things I noticed when I started frequenting the JK section. Most of the hatred comes from those just regurgitating someone else's hatred and has no idea how to incorporate them into a build and does not understand how they can complement the suspension.
The lack of defense for them is why they have a regurgitated bad reputation. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask someone for their reasoning behind advising others to avoid a mod or a certain product. Most people that say to avoid a BL can't explain any reason for it though.
The best reason I've seen from someone not to run them is because they don't like the way they look. You can't argue with someone about opinion on appearance.
:cheers2: See you at the next BL bashing session. :laugh:
Do BL's create any unsightly gaps on the JK? I can't say I have seen a BL on a JK so I am not certain what it would change in the appearance. My biggest issue with them in the past has been they don't look good because of the gaps and such that they create, or that suddenly you see that much more the frame and it doesn't look good. Any issues with the steering and shift linkages or the fuel filler on the JK?
Just a looks thing for me. But that's what Jeeps are about.....personal preference. Around a 1" BL is OK on a TJ. When people do 3" that really looks bad. Just my opinion.
Referring to a 1"-1.25" (I won't defend any BL taller)...Do BL's create any unsightly gaps on the JK? I can't say I have seen a BL on a JK so I am not certain what it would change in the appearance. My biggest issue with them in the past has been they don't look good because of the gaps and such that they create, or that suddenly you see that much more the frame and it doesn't look good. Any issues with the steering and shift linkages or the fuel filler on the JK?
No "unsightly" gaps but if your looking, you can see a difference in the rear wheel well and around the rear bumper. Rough Country provides brackets to raise the rear bumper though. I like the small gap between the body and fame. It can make it easier to work on and clean out.
No issue with steering linkage or fuel filler. The standards will need some trimming around the metal and lower boot. Rough Country provides a shifter extension to address this so no trimming is needed.
I have a 1.25" BL on my 2 door and didn't bother raising the rear bumper. The small gap is there, but it doesn't bother me. I have plans of making a rear bumper to match the BL so it's not at all noticeable, but until then it's not a big deal.
I think I have a picture of mine before and after the BL I'll look for and post.
My reason for not doing a body lift is I wanted to increase my break over angle and the suspension lift is better for that
Body lift is mainly just to clear bigger tires right? Right! If thats all you want then dirt trails are fine because hell its a Wrangler and easy 4x4ing is zero problems to begin with. For more moderate to advanced 4x4ing you will need a suspension kit/wheels/tires of which prices range from fuzzy to hairy. So chose what you think is best for you. Now adding a BL kit on top of that to perhaps add larger wheels should be fine.
I agree with Slade that a good 1" BL is fine as long as you make sure all the linkages, hoses, lines, etc are good to go. Tho most of the time with a good suspension lift a BL is not worth the time or money. But again if you desire a tire size that just needs that little extra clearance then go for it. :cheers:
I agree with Slade that a good 1" BL is fine as long as you make sure all the linkages, hoses, lines, etc are good to go. Tho most of the time with a good suspension lift a BL is not worth the time or money. But again if you desire a tire size that just needs that little extra clearance then go for it. :cheers:
Well that looks like poop...18/60 coils and 35x12.50R17 Goodyear MTR/K.
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With Rough Country 1.25" Body lift. You can't really tell the difference in the wheel well. The first picture is black and the second has a shadow that makes the gap look larger than it really is.
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Just kidding, I honestly don't know that I would have noticed if I had just seen it in the parking lot. Not a huge fan of the larger gap in the back but not super noticeable and you could easily make a bumper to hide that. The way the grill is on the JK it probably is barely noticeable up there.
How about difficulty of installation? I'm talking BL vs. Pucks for budget boost? Just curious. Never done a BL. Also talking strictly for clearance
I would say the BL would be WAY easier and quicker than a BB. I bet a guy with little to no mechanical experience could do a BL in a couple hours by himself and not require nearly as many tools. Probably just a couple of jacks and a ratchet for the BL.
Body lift does not add to ground clearance, but some new shocks ad springs or spacers under the springs would
Depends on how familiar you are with swapping coils/adding pucks. It's a toss up for someone comfortable with swapping coils, but for a beginner a body lift would probably be a little easier.How about difficulty of installation? I'm talking BL vs. Pucks for budget boost? Just curious. Never done a BL. Also talking strictly for clearance
Yes for the most part. In doing so though, it reduces the amount of bump stop needed for tire clearance and allows you to bump stop for shock clearance so there is no wasted stroke. Shocks do not come in increments that match the needed bump stop for a given tire size. Results will vary depending on tire size and shocks. Increasing tire clearance without limiting or decreasing suspension travel is a benefit you don't get from a suspension lift.Body lift is mainly just to clear bigger tires right? Right!:
Along with running larger tires comes more ground clearance, better break over angle, and better approach and departure angle. Gaining the tire clearance without effecting the steering and suspension geometry or making the drive shaft angles worse can be considered a big benefit for both handling and budget.
It also depends on how far you want to take it. I plan on using the additional space above the front shock towers to raise the upper mount and switch the stem out to an eyelet mount. Without the body lift, it was tight getting the nut on top of the stem on the one side. With the 1.25" body lift, there will be room to easily raise the mount 2" -2.5" (3" will be getting tight but may be doable). I have Synergy rear upper mounts that I may also modify to raise the mount up another 1" or so. I'm hoping to raise the lower rear mount up to improve ground clearance without sacrificing shock stroke while maintaining minimum bump stop.
Planman did a good right up on incorporating a 1" BL with flat flares into his build.If thats all you want then dirt trails are fine because hell its a Wrangler and easy 4x4ing is zero problems to begin with. For more moderate to advanced 4x4ing you will need a suspension kit/wheels/tires of which prices range from fuzzy to hairy. So chose what you think is best for you. Now adding a BL kit on top of that to perhaps add larger wheels should be fine.
I agree with Slade that a good 1" BL is fine as long as you make sure all the linkages, hoses, lines, etc are good to go. Tho most of the time with a good suspension lift a BL is not worth the time or money. But again if you desire a tire size that just needs that little extra clearance then go for it. :cheers:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/running-37s-2-5-3-lift-1-body-lift-flat-flares-924510/
Don't hold back, tell me how you really feel. :laugh:Well that looks like poop...
Just kidding, I honestly don't know that I would have noticed if I had just seen it in the parking lot. Not a huge fan of the larger gap in the back but not super noticeable and you could easily make a bumper to hide that. The way the grill is on the JK it probably is barely noticeable up there.
I thought about raising the rear bumper with the brackets but figured I'd just wait until I pulled it and figured out how I wanted to make a rear bumper. The FRONT really wasn't too noticeable at all. I picked up a used Bestop High Rock front bumper and it's not at all noticeable now. The bumper was installed on a JK without a BL and you could see where the fender flares were rubbing the top of the bumper. With the BL, it looks right.
The body lift did make installing the rear Currie AntiRock a lot easier. I appreciated it when I was bending the brake lines.
Good info, thanks for sharing. Been 4x4ing with trucks for awhile but plan on going back to Jeep if in fact the new Wrangler Unlimited comes in diesel, 8sp, and hopefully still solid axles. I can live with a good gasser but loving the diesel idea. So Creeping on the forums until then but if I am disappointed, straight to the new Ford Raptor...lol.Yes for the most part. In doing so though, it reduces the amount of bump stop needed for tire clearance and allows you to bump stop for shock clearance so there is no wasted stroke. Shocks do not come in increments that match the needed bump stop for a given tire size. Results will vary depending on tire size and shocks. Increasing tire clearance without limiting or decreasing suspension travel is a benefit you don't get from a suspension lift.
Planman did a good right up on incorporating a 1" BL with flat flares into his build.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/running-37s-2-5-3-lift-1-body-lift-flat-flares-924510/
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
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