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Check my work - proposed build

747 views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  Water Dog 
#1 ·
Hello All,

I've spent a great deal of time reading posts and I've come up with what I think is a plan for a "budget" lift on my LJ. I'm asking to have my thinking verified.

The Jeep.

06 LJ Rubi - auto trans. Stock except for tires, amazingly rust-free for a New England Jeep. Previous owner put 265/75R16's on there, yes, they rub everywhere. They measure 31.8ish.

The use.

Trails that require lockers and probably a winch buddy, I'll add my own winch later. I'm wheeling with a group and toting three kids, this is more about getting the kids out than impressing my friends with acts of daring.

The restriction.

I have a rule - roof and doors off April until October - so it HAS to fit in the garage. Pretty much keeps me below the 4"/33" line. I'm thinking ~3"/31"

My thinking.

I came here thinking Rubicon Express 3.5" Standard but from what I've read, the Zone 3" looks like the answer, quite a bit cheaper too. Both have (very different) upgrade paths which is nice.

My questions.

Seems smart if I go with the Zone to buy an adjustable track bar, I'm not interested in drilling that hole (seems risky, not the drilling, but the fact it is drilled) Which track bar? What size?

Transfer case drop - Should I drop it? Should I leave it? Slip Yoke Eliminator? What transfer case is in the Rubi anyway?

I have about 86k on it, should I just install new u-joints right off?

What is up with this adjustable cam-thing? Do I need that or will an alignment shop have them?

Those are my questions for now - I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks!
 
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#2 · (Edited)
3" zone lift would work fine for you. If you do not want the t-case drop, you have a couple of options. Least expensive would be a 1" motor mount lift. Since you have a d44 rear axle, you may find that you have to space the t-case skid down by a couple of washer thicknesses even with the mml.

Option #2 would be a double cardan drive shaft. Along with that, you would need rear upper adjustable control arms to adjust rear pinion angle.

The best solution for front caster adjustment is front lower adjustable control arms which give you way more caster adjustment than cam bolts, but even without adjustable arms or cam bolts, you shouldn't loose too much caster on stock arms with 3" of lift.

I would also suggest a Metalcloak front adjustable track bar to eliminate drilling the extra hole and keeping necessary clearances.
 
#3 ·
My wife's 04 Rubi has a spring spacer lift plus 1" body and motor mount lift with stock control arms and driveshaft and no issues with metric almost 33 on stock Rubi wheels except for needing a couple washers under steering stops

Not an LJ and no vibe issues
It is a 5 SPd which may be a little shorter than the auto overdrive

If you do go with the motor mount lift I would consider also a small body lift

The metal cloak track bar is a nice one I have one on my 98 sport that has a 4-5 inch spring lift

It does require drilling out the mounting hole
 
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