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Help a broke teen lift his 2006 Wrangler

7K views 78 replies 30 participants last post by  pakman55 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Lift Advice Needed for an 18 year old.

Alright. So this is my story. I had a car and I wanted a different one. I've never done incredibly well in school, so my parents decided to motivate me and told me if I got straight A's they'd match the value of my car after I sold it, giving me a 14k allowance. I wanted to buy an older lifted Jeep, but my parents bought one from their friend who owns a small exotic car dealership and used his auction license to get me a car. I wasn't thrilled because they spent 15k on it and went over my allowance so I wouldn't be able to lift it. My mom knew I was angry they bought me a jeep before consulting me about it and told me that I could use the 1.4k in savings bonds I have that are about to mature to buy a lift and tires. When my dad found out he said no, we just spent 15k on a car you aren't using those bonds for tires when you have perfectly good ones and you shouldn't lift a vehicle because they weren't designed to be driven like that and it will only screw things up. I decided instead of being mad about it I'm just going to do it like any other person would do it and just save the money for one. After my next paycheck I will have about $500 and I'm deciding how I want to lift my jeep. I can get the tires cheap from a friend who owns a tire shop so I'm going to pick out my lift kit first. I'm thinking of two ways:

1. There are body lifts on craigslist in my area for TJ's selling for $100 for 2". I can buy one of those and spend $300 on the 2.5" Progressive Coil kit from Rough country and still have $100 to go towards the tires.

2. I can do the 4" ZJ/CV junk yard homebrew lift kit for probably $70 and then spend $150 on some midrange/average shocks and keep the rest of the money for the lift and tires.

The pros and cons:
I don't go offroading ever really. I basically just want the lift for a nicer look and to be able to drive over parking blocks and stuff easily. If I do the 4" ZJ/CV lift, I will have more suspension lift, letting me drive over bigger parking blocks and up small walls (lol), but it is probably going to be a really rough ride and may not be good for my TJ. If I go the RC+BL route, I'm spending more money for less suspension, but it will probably be a smoother ride. I'd also run the risk of a 2" BL failing in some freakish accident.

What would you do if it was your money and you were a broke college student?
 
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#2 ·
Not to be an ass. But you are a teen that has an 06 tj that a lot of adults could not afford. You got it for free and you are mad at your parents for it?:9lame:

But to answer your question.. you can go with a 2'' spacer lift and if you know how to do it yourself its 70 bucks.

If your parents are willing to buy it for you you can get a 2.5 inch coil lift and add a 1'' body lift to gain clearance.. But since its for looks you are better off just getting a 2'' spacer lift, with tires.
 
#3 ·
i agree, my parents never baught me or split the cost of an "new" car. i used savings bond given to me over the span of 10 year. i cashed them (in '91) and baught a $500 67 fairlane. btw one of the coolest cars i've ever owned. i was never good in school, i tried and failed at alot of things. i asked for things i needed, i've struggled, messed up alot.

the best thing for you to do is make a plan of attack for the jeep, what lift, rims tires and mods you want. make that list and do it one step at a time. starting w/ the cheapest/most sensable and go to the next, while still saving for the biggies. i think you'll find if you deal w/ what you have and making the best of it, you'll be happier w/ your progress. remeber slow and steady wins the race. you'll not only have an awsome ride but the satisfation w/ knowing you did it all on your own.

obviously we'll be here to maybe scathe or chastise you, we'll also be here to support you and help you w/ your plans on the jk. work hard and you'll be on your way. keep it up, you'll get it the way you want soon enough.

btw way never cheap out on you ride, you're asking for problems and dissapointment.
 
#5 ·
i wouldnt even lift ur jeep.. stock it can run over everything just fine.. just lift it two inches keep the 31's it has and maybe throw some spacers on to give you the "look"
 
#6 ·
Uhm... daddy said no to buying me a car... I worked at McDonald's till I had $2000.
I went out and bought a beat up 89 Full size Bronco.
The end.
 
#7 ·
lift

hey man I have an 06 also, I am on a tight budget so I went with the budget lift from skyjacker which you can get off of quadratec.com for $250 and then I put on the cooper discover stt tires but that i picked up at mavis that was the expensive part they were about a grand. But i had to get rid of those stock 205/75/15 tires holy cow thought i was in a car or gonna die in the snow. well good luck man and the lift is easy to install if you have a buddy or two around.
 
#8 ·
honestly? bro, i would put my head down and stay focused on your goal of solid useable lift. no corner cobbleing and grind out a year or so and SAVE up for a good lift. This will translate into a longer life of the lift. longer wear for your tires, and safer for you to drive. It will also show your parents 1: your ability to calculate the best route of action 2: your maturity on patience and not just flinging into something that may turn out as krap 3:It will show them how serious you are about your intentions w/ this vehicle and then they may HELP YOU with future mods in the persuit of thier son having a solid safe and useable vehicle. This route is going to SUCK! I know thats how I had to do it and im married and 33. but in the end after a year or two when your crusin' in your fat rig, you'll be happier. Ohh, and you WILL do more w/ it than parking blocks once the rig is where you want it,...trust me.
 
#9 ·
i thought you was trying to sell it because of your commute to school i may have you mixed up with someone else not sure but before you spend any money on it decide how long you want to keep it if it will be a long time just save up and buy a little along so you can get the parts to do it right lmo look 6months ahead not 6 days good luck
 
#10 ·
your target for money minus tires is: stage one- standard lift kit(4) about $800.00/pitman arm $100.00 or a decent skyjacker single flex complete kit for $1700.00<---and that includes shocks. So as you can see plan on $1000.00<--doubtfull to $2000.00<--realistic to $3000.00<--w/ tires. junkyard lifts belong in the junk yard when its your ass on the line.
 
#11 ·
If it was me, I would sell the Jeep for 15,000, buy another Jeep for 10,000 and go crazy. I dont know what your parents will think of this, but you are lucky. If my parents bought me a 15,000 Jeep I would nut my pants. I got a job when I was 15 and worked my ass off for over a year and then bought my own Jeep for 6,000. And then worked my ass off some more and paid for the lift and everything else. Just be happy your parents are helping you out. Work hard and save your money and then buy everything later. I know I probably sound like your dad, even though I am only a year older than you, but it will make you take better care of it and appreciate it more if YOU buy everything. Just be patient.
 
#12 ·
buddy if you only have $500 don't do it
this is coming from a (back then) 17 year old who thought he only wanted to spend around $600.... it ended up being over $1200 (yes that was me)

what if something happens to the engine or you get in an accident?
you need to save money for those types of things
 
#14 ·
Just to answer a few questions.

@mknight: Yes I was going to sell it to buy a commuter vehicle, but my parents won't let me sell it. Good memory btw.

@Ol'Red: That's the approach I wanted to take (The 10k Jeep thing, that is).

@RatherBNMexico: It's still under warranty. No need to worry about engine troubles, yet. :p

@Felsengleiskette: Good advice.

@Everyone else: I am in college full time and work part time when I can. I end up making about $150 every two weeks but it all ends up all getting spent on food and gas.
 
#15 ·
@Everyone else: I am in college full time and work part time when I can. I end up making about $150 every two weeks but it all ends up all getting spent on food and gas.
thats bullshit. you're not trying hard enough if all you can make is $75 a week. i worked full time and put myself through college and grad school. that was taking a full load also. hell, i made more than 75 a week when i was in high school. im not bashing you, if thats all you want to work, thats fine, but you need to get your priorities in line. do you want a sweet jeep? or do you want to slack all week :D :bottom:
 
#17 ·
my parents are born out of country.. they dont believe in buying their kids a car.. i been workin in family pizzeria since 6th grade.. once in highschool i took a job fixing apartments between tenants.. this let me buy my jeep when i turned 16 for $5000 . my senior year in highschool i worked at Smythe Volvo after school for 4 hours every day and saturdays i worked all day... i was pullin in serious dough so i could fix up my jeep the right way.. ur definitley not bustin ur ass and ur not grateful at all to your parents... you should be more than happy with a pretty much brand new jeep..
 
#20 ·
@GianCarlo: Congratulations, that's great for you. However, my family values education above everything else and I don't have time to work like that while going to school like I am. Maybe that's why I'm on my last semester at a junior college (I started when I turned 16) and I just turned 18?


Tiny Terror said:
Ok guys, this is a tech area.
Exactly. Now can we get to the actual question I asked?

I'm thinking of two ways:

1. There are body lifts on craigslist in my area for TJ's selling for $100 for 2". I can buy one of those and spend $300 on the 2.5" Progressive Coil kit from Rough country and still have $100 to go towards the tires.

2. I can do the 4" ZJ/CV junk yard homebrew lift kit for probably $70 and then spend $150 on some midrange/average shocks and keep the rest of the money for the lift and tires.

The pros and cons:
I don't go offroading ever really. I basically just want the lift for a nicer look and to be able to drive over parking blocks and stuff easily. If I do the 4" ZJ/CV lift, I will have more suspension lift, letting me drive over bigger parking blocks and up small walls (lol), but it is probably going to be a really rough ride and may not be good for my TJ. If I go the RC+BL route, I'm spending more money for less suspension, but it will probably be a smoother ride. I'd also run the risk of a 2" BL failing in some freakish accident.
 
#21 ·
im currently in college susquehanna university.. and have received scholarships and grants... i value my education thats why im at a 4 year school.. just daddys credit card boys like you who whine about brand new tj's need to get their prioritizes straight
 
#23 ·
im currently in college susquehanna university.. and have received scholarships and grants... i value my education thats why im at a 4 year school.. just daddys credit card boys like you who whine about brand new tj's need to get their prioritizes straight
So I'm supposed to drop out of school to build my jeep? :rolleyes:

Where does "daddys credit card" come into play when they are my savings bonds?

Please don't respond to this thread any more. I'm not interested in arguing with people about my jeep, I came in here looking for advice.

Any more input?

I'm thinking of two ways:

1. There are body lifts on craigslist in my area for TJ's selling for $100 for 2". I can buy one of those and spend $300 on the 2.5" Progressive Coil kit from Rough country and still have $100 to go towards the tires.

2. I can do the 4" ZJ/CV junk yard homebrew lift kit for probably $70 and then spend $150 on some midrange/average shocks and keep the rest of the money for the lift and tires.

The pros and cons:
I don't go offroading ever really. I basically just want the lift for a nicer look and to be able to drive over parking blocks and stuff easily. If I do the 4" ZJ/CV lift, I will have more suspension lift, letting me drive over bigger parking blocks and up small walls (lol), but it is probably going to be a really rough ride and may not be good for my TJ. If I go the RC+BL route, I'm spending more money for less suspension, but it will probably be a smoother ride. I'd also run the risk of a 2" BL failing in some freakish accident.
 
#27 ·
You are a teen with a jeep!!!! What else do you need. If i had a Jeep when i was in school i would have been getting all kinds of @#$%^!!!
Shouldnt matter if its lifted or not. ITS A JEEP BABY!!!!

If you HAVE to do something to it.. a 2" spacer lift would give it that look untill you have enough saved for a major lift. You get any higher then that and from what i have read there is a ton of stuff you have to change around.
Driveline,transfer case drop,brake lines... But im no mechanic.... these guys know a ton here. Take their advice.. you need advice about a firearm i can help ya...lol

Love your jeep and love the "trim" package that you get with it...lol
 
#29 ·
You are a teen with a jeep!!!! What else do you need. If i had a Jeep when i was in school i would have been getting all kinds of penises!!!
Shouldnt matter if its lifted or not. ITS A JEEP BABY!!!!



Love your jeep and love the "trim" package that you get with it...lol

fixed:D

Yeah my friend had a jeep in out senior year in highschool.. I always wanted one. Though it is not as fun and practical during highschool. I am glad I got one 12 years later:punk:
 
#28 ·
I don't think anyone means to be mean. You just came accross as a lil ungrateful. You are lucky... very lucky. I didn't have the choice to go to school after highschool, or the choice to live with my parents even.

I did a Rough Country 2.5" Progressive Lift on mine. This was $330 after shipping off E-Bay.
Have heard from two people now(including Brewski) that the quality of the products is questionable. I decided to test out the new 2.5" So far I have had no problems.

Now I am going to Dunlop Mud Rovers 32-11.5-15's. These are gonna run damn near $650 after mounting and balance.

You can get a nice set of 31's for cheap if you keep an eye out. If you can't afford it... work more. Side work is out there... Roofers are looking for some temp help before the winter sets in. :D
 
#30 ·
I put a smaller set of Mud Rovers on my Dodge... it's only 2 wheel drive but looks like a bad @$$ Mud Machine.
Just a thought
( I figure we've teased you enough to at least give you some ideas)

:blunt:
 
#31 ·
Well from what I've read the 2.5" RC kit has come leaps and bounds from their dreaded 4" lift. Apparently the 2.5" RC kit rides even a little better than stock. Better than a 2" BB for the money, but nothing like an OME kit. There is a 40+ page thread about it on jeepforum. I talked to the rep briefly through private messages there and he said he'll give me the kit and throw in a steering stabilizer for $330 shipped. I think I'm going to pick that up on Friday when I get my next paycheck then keep saving.
 
#32 ·
i've got the RC 4" lift, and like it alot. but i've got all the required mods to stop the heavy DL vibration that usualy comes w/ a lift. in the imortal words of Mr. T " don't be a fool!! stay in school!!"
 
#33 ·
yeah, i think that is a good choice in lift.$330 is good price as well. have fun w/ it until you want bigger. but hey,you will be stylin' till then. 2.5 will barely cause any vibrations. hell, when i put my 4" on my YJ I couldnt even tell i lifted it. no vibrations at all.
 
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