How high can a TJ go without new control arms?

[moparfreak77]

dana 35 question

Just bought a 97 TJ ( ) and it aint gonna be stock for long. I know most 4" kits out there include new control arms, but what happens if they arent used? ie...I have 3" coils from my 95 Cherokee, what would happen if I used them (and my 1 3/4" spacer...maybe) and didnt get new control arms? I would then buy longer coils for the rear (and a spacer if I needed it.) I am in the middle of buying a house so funds are very tight. I would like to go about 3" suspension lift, and 1" or 2" body lift and go with some 32's or 33's. thanks guys.

 

[jeepdude832]

I had a 3 inch lift no problems put in 1.75 spacers and had some shimmy bought rough country 1 inch longer arms I was fine You will always want to go bigger so I would save money do a cheap 3 inch and a body lift then if you want to go bigger later go with a long arm kit

 

[moparfreak77]

So you think there would be no problem with 3" all around? No vibration, binding etc? What will I get into with a 2" body lift? shifter problems(3 speed auto)etc. I dont want to get the body up in the air and find out I need a bunch of other stuff to make it work. thanks jeepdude.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I've seen some TJ's use up to a 4" spring (any combination of spring and spacer) on stock arms and have no problems. Others get death wobble real bad until longer lower control arms are installed. Just depends on the jeep.

If I were you I'd put the TJ front coils on the back (about 4" of lift and flex great) and the XH coils in the front. Then add another stock coil isolator (.75") to the front if you need to level it out. Try it with the stock arms and go from there.

 

[moparfreak77]

Really!? that is great news. .
I think the rear coils on my TJ are bigger around than the front, why is this? So your telling me, move the coils from the front to the back, and use my XJ coils in the front (with maybe a spacer)? I already have a
1 3/4" spacer that I could turn down in a lathe if I had to.
I have done coils in a couple of XJ's and it was fairly easy, just had to disconnect sway bar. Anything different on my TJ? thanks again guys, you've been a big help.

 

[jeepdude832]

coil spring compressor disco your shocks well yo will need new ones if you go higher than 2 and sqeeze em in there crow bar is very helpful

 

[dick_wilderness]

Watch your 4" lifts with automatic TJ's. I put one on thinking i'd be ok. Here's what happened next.......

The transmission and transfer case shook so much on take off (1200rpms) that the hose that runs to the transmission radiator came loose and I lost the transmission fluid. Drove it about 150 feet after I realized what happened. Blew the transmission (1100$).

Next had Slip yoke elim kit with new driveshaft installed(900$, 600$ if you can do it yourself). No more shake at all, but 2000 $'s later I'm a wiser man.

So if you go with a 4" lift expect SYE kit.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

YJ lift

You can usually get by with a transfer case drop at 4" of lift.

Yes, I'm telling you that it's possible to use TJ front springs in the rear, it's been done many times. The difference in overall spring diameter does not matter.

You can often install 3" and 4" lift coils by simply disconnecting the shocks, swaybar, and track bar. Leave all the control arms connected. Slightly pick up one end of the axle if you want the other end to droop more.

Spring compressors aren't a must, but they are usually safer.

 

[moparfreak77]

Thanks a lot guys for all your help. I am hopefully getting some 32's within the week then I will post some pictures if someone can tell me how to put them up. :?

 

[dick_wilderness]

On a TJ with automatic and a 4" lift you need a SYE. Just went through it.
Mulled and explored my options for a month. T case lowering kit simply wont correct the angle enough.

Keep in mind 3" should be ok maybe even 4" on a manual. Auto is different.

 

[moparfreak77]

is this too much mula?

Am I sure to get a 4" lift by using the front coils in the back? The problem is more $$$ so I don't really want to get into a SYE. A jeep book I have here says the spring rate of the front coils are 120 and the back ones 160. That would mean the fronts are softer than the back. So how does that lift work? (Not calling anybody a liar, just learning and want to know before I get started :wink: ) So if 3" is safer I might just buy new coils, about $250 i think. Would still consider a 1" or 2" body lift but want to know what has to be altered. Shifter problems, gas filler tube problems etc. thanks

 

[brian4.2]

electric supercharger

On a TJ,I would do the 1" body lift regardless of what you chose for lift combination. Its a great, cheap, simple, mod that buys you an inch of tire clearance for next to nothing.IT works with every other lift upgrade you are likely to do down the road.

 

[ecor]

I done a lot of auto TJ's with 4" kits and never had to put in the SYE. The T/C drop works just fine.

 

[nkdskls1978]

Pine Barrens, NJ

Do you have to make any mods to the automatics and A/C .. I have a TJ w/ 2" susp lift and want to get 2" spacers.... SYE is too expensive ... T/C drop seems cheap .. will it work?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Yes, it will work with a TC drop. You may develop some DW down the road if you use stock control arms at 4" suspension lift.

 

[nkdskls1978]

I dont have the do anything with the shifter and 4wd lever?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

No, not if all of your lift is suspension. You only have to mess with the 4wd lever when doing a body lift.

 

[dick_wilderness]

I had the death wobble right away. ecor, do you do alot 4" lifts on automatics?
The guy who put my sye kit in has been doing 4x4 work for 31 yrs, says for every fifty tj's he works on 1 is auto.