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Need Advise on Lifting a Wrangler

1K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  530ktm 
#1 ·
Hey All, my name is Ron and I am new to this Forum. Yesterday the wife and I shipped our oldest to Okinawa, Japan for a vacation with the U.S. Navy. We also dragged his '04 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited home with us for security reasons, and because it needs some work. The boy mentioned that he might like to put a lift kit on his Jeep when he gets back from Japan, so I'm hoping I can surprise his by spiffing his Jeep up a bit and having his lift kit already installed by the time he gets back.

I am rather mechanically accomplished with a complete shop in the back yard. Got the tools and abilities, but I have no clue as to how much lift to put on this thing, or what type of kit to use.

So what I have is an '04 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It has 31 X 10.50R 15 LT tires and I'd like to stay with those tires. If it maters, it has a 6cly motor with coil-spring suspension. I just want to give it a slight bit meaner stance, not something ridiculous like a Monster Truck or something.

So, 3.5 Long Arm? Or what do you recommend.

Thanks Guys (& Gals?). I appreciate any help you can provide in pointing me in the right direction.

Semper Fi,
Ron Gettler, MSgt, USMC(Ret)
 
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#3 ·
Everyone pretty much loves the Old Man Emu kit. Gives about 2" of lift, and should be fine with 32" tires if you wanted to go a bit bigger at some point in the future. If you do a search on the forum for that kit you'll find a ton of better advice than I can give. Above 2" and the list of required modifications starts to get longer.

I had the kit installed on my old Cherokee, and it was faultless over 60,000 miles before I sold the Jeep on.
 
#6 ·
A common problem with lifting a Jeep Wrangler is reduction in ride quality and handling. So why not go Metalcloak and not worry about it?

This kit is fairly expensive but it replaces the entire suspension system and does it properly. The ride quality will be equal to stock if not better along with the handling. Best part is as time goes by he can upgrade to the long travel 6pak shocks and eventually the Metalcloak fenders for extreme up travel and tire clearance.
TJ/LJ Wrangler 3.5" Game Changing "Lite" Long Travel Short-Arm Suspension System, ARB Edition uses the Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sports

Other than that kit I would go with Old Man Emu. They have the some of the best quality in the market along with great handling, ride quality, and flex.
 
#8 ·
Whoops, I should have said that. The 3.5" lift would definitely need larger tires, at least 33". Maybe call your son and tell him you will fork the money for the lift if he forks the money for the tires? That way when he returns everything is done right and he has nothing to worry about.

I just wouldn't tell him what lift... Let that be the surprise.

If my father put a custom suspension on my Jeep while I am away in Air Force training I would be absolutely shocked and honored at the same time.
 
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