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Rides better than stock???...

2K views 20 replies 5 participants last post by  Ironhead Jed 
#1 ·
I'm 8 days into having this 04 Saraha and it has been a blast. I've learned a ton from this forum but I can't wrap my thick skull around what I need for a new suspension. I've read a ton but there are so many options. Buy kit, buy separate shock and springs??? What other parts are needed to do it correctly? I bought the jeep with 130k and the back end feels lose. It has original shocks and coils, per the Jeep mechanic that looked it over for me before I bought it.
My driveway sits a little higher than the street and when I back into the lower street at an angle I end up swaying left and right for a while. A buddy of mine said someone could get sea sickness in here. So I think it is time for new shocks and springs. And while I'm doing this I would like to lift it a bit. It came with 31s with lots of tread so I won't be changing the wheels anytime soon. But when I do I might go up to 32s. It has a dana44 in the rear geared to 3.73 so I think I can run 32s.
This is a 80-90% DD but during hunting season hopefully it will be used on some trails. I also read that some 2-2.5 lifts you need to change the SYE and Drive shaft. That is something I would really like to avoid. I also would like the jeep to be symmetrical (something I've read??) so I guess I will need extra hardward (this is where I start to not understand what is all needed). Most kits look like they have shocks and springs but I think I'm going to need new sway bars and track bars? It looks like the BDS 2" kit is liked by many but I've only seen it with the shocks and springs for $400 ish. I guess I need to budget the other hardward to do the job right.
I also don't want to get a kit and then have to replace the shocks because it rides like it does now. Is there a good 2-2.5 lift that I can get for around $600 that will not require Dramamine when backing out of my driveway?
I know there are many treads on this topic I just never saw the complete list of parts. If it is cheaper to buy everything separately I can do that, I'm just not exactly sure what to look for.
Thanks
 
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#3 ·
Alrighty. First you have your basics. The springs and the shocks. Springs provide the lift and the shocks dampen movements. When you lift the Jeep however, 2 thinks happen: your trackbars are a fixed length so the increased angle pulls the axle over towards the trackbars because it can't extend. Simple trig will prove this. Adjustable track bars fix this problem. Second the angles on your driveline increase which when rotating, puts more stress on your u joints. Think about trying to rotate a driveshaft when it is at a 90 degree angle. It won't work. But if it's straight it's cake. So if your driveshaft angle is too much then you get what is called a double Cardon driveshaft. Basically two joints instead of one so it can take those steeper angles. You have to have an sye for a DC driveshaft. Now onto the lift you want. You want a 2" lift. bds is a great product based on reviews. Typically driveshaft vibes occur around 2.5" and 3" for tj's. A way to fix this is to either transfer case drop which decreases the angle of the driveshaft, a motor lift and body lift which decreases the angle also without clearance penalty like a transfer case drop, and a DC driveshaft and SYE. You most likely won't get vibes at 2". Next sway bar links may be a good idea at a 2" lift but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. Next you have track bars. You can either get a front and rear adjustable trackbar to center your axles or a front adjustable and a rear bracket. Rear brackets are quite cheap. And yes you need a front adjustable, you don't want to be drilling another hole in the front bracket because it is a weaker part of the bracket. Also you will need bumpstops which you will judge after you lift and cycle your suspension.

So you need a lift and shocks. 2" bds is a good idea. Next you need adjustable a front adjustable trackbar. Most recommend the metalcloak because it's chromoly which is very strong and gives great clearance. A rear bracket for the rear trackbar can be found cheap on rough country. After this point and installing the lift, it is generally just judging what else you need. Do you have driveline vibes? How much bumpstop do you need? These questions will be answered after the install generally.
 
#10 ·
Well I'm kind of lost again. From what I've read a clean consensus is that most of you guys like Bilstein 5100 shocks or said that your next shock with be Bilstein. I haven't seen any kits with these shocks. Can I build a 2" lift, starting with the shocks? If so, I guess I would need coil springs (any suggestions on brand and size), the front and rear adjustable track bars and the sway bars for front and back. Bad idea or go with something like BDS 2"? I'm just trying not buy $400 worth of shocks in 6 months to a year.
Thanks
 
#12 ·
and theree is a growing number of users that dont like the 5100's. i havent ridden in a jeep with them, but i am a fan of fox shocks and they seem to get some of the highest ratings out there.

BDS has a very solid 2" lift kit. I ran it for a while and then swapped the fronts for 3" springs when i got a winch. added weight lowered the front a bit.

no need for a rear track bar at only 2" of lift. just grab a $20 bracket from OME. front end will be off to the drivers side by ~.25" and can be corrected by using a Metal Cloak or JKS adj front track bar. only other necessity would be extending your bump stops
 
#15 ·
OME gets great reviews but after searching around one of the vendors has a deal on these...JSPEC 2" Suspension System. I think they will swap out their shocks for FOX 2.0 IFP PERFORMANCE SERIES SHOCKS. I think this kit has everything I need. The OME kit would require me to purchase other parts and would cost more.

Jspec 2" Suspension System, 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ

Does this seem like a decent deal?
 
#16 ·
that is a rather unproven kit and IMO is a bit over priced. but no real info on the shocks or springs yet, so time will tell.

seems like a $400-$500 kit that is paired with a jks track bar and jks discos.

you could do a 2" BDS lift with an MC track bar and an anti rock for about the same cost.

side note, unless fox made some internal modifications, the fox 2.0 shocks are not a good fit for a 2" lift with oem shock mounts. the shock body is simply too large and limits the up travel to less than oem
 
#17 ·
Ome springs, shocks, and steering stabilizer was my gateway drug. Then added Currie arms, front/rear track bars, then jks discos. As time and money would permit. I liked that it was at my pace. It always drove really nice at all stages of progress. One note to concider, my axles were 3/8 out of spec until I could get those adjustable track bars. I also learned alot doing one mod at a time. Just my 2 cents.
 
#18 ·
Thanks everyone for your input. I'm starting to figure this out...I think.
I'm thinking the BDS 2" shocks and springs kit.
Metalcloak or JKS front and rear track bars. Are they similar? Go with the less expensive ones if they are basically the same?
Sway bars-JKS has some discos for 160, rough country 60 and steinjager 70. Is there a $100 difference in sway bars? If I don't go with disco how do I know what length do buy (front and back) for the 2" lift?
I think that's all I'll need? Maybe some washers for the transfer case drop.
Did I miss anything?
Thanks
 
#19 ·
you dont need new sway bars, just longer links. disco is only for the front and is a step between being connected and running an antirock. 160 is far too much for discos IMO. i run an anti rock and until we get one for the gf's rig, i carry two ratcheting wrenches with me to just remove the replacement hex head bolt that i used. takes maybe a minute to get each side off. there are also a good amount of DIY discos for a few dollars

MC>jks for the front track bar, no need for a rear, just grab a $20 bracket from OME
 
#20 ·
Ironhead, thanks for your advice and sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I have everything so when it's time to do the job it can be all done at once. I was poking around looking at the differences between MC and JKS track bars, and bumpstops were talked about. What do I need for bumpstops and spacers? I agree that I don't need discos right now. You mentioned, longer links...is that different than sway bar links?
Thanks for the schooling. Hopefully in a couple years I can help the next newbie.
 
#21 ·
Unfortunately, bump stop extensions need to be measured for while the new shocks are in place and the coils removed, so there is no sime answer to how much you'll need. But shouldnt be much with the bds kit.

At 2", you dont even need longer sway bar links, but they can be purchased if your current links are worn. Zone has some decent ones at $40 per pair if needed.
 
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