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LJ specific lift kit

3K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  LJ Bobcat 
#1 ·
So I've been looking into lift kits for my '06 LJ for a couple of years now, and I can finally pull the trigger! I'm looking for a 4 inch lift, to run 33's. Fyi, I absolutely do not want a zone kit! My question: how the hell can the same lift kit work for BOTH the TJ and the LJ?!? I understand the suspension geometry is identical, but the weights are obviously very different! How can a combination TJ/LJ kit give me the proper ride height on an LJ with a different vehicle weight then a TJ??? Am I over thinking this (highly possible)? Or did the manufacturers say: "screw the weight, it'll still fit"? Anybody have a good or bad experience with a TJ lift kit on an LJ??? Thanks guys! You all rock!
 
#2 ·
First off, may I ask why you don't want a Zone kit? I've been looking into them because I want a larger lift on mine, have you had a bad experience with them? Just curious.

Second, regarding the weight difference. From what I understand, when you buy an aftermarket suspension system, it is built to a higher spec and quality than the OEM is. That said, a TJ suspension kit is able to stand up to the weight of a LJ, whereas a TJ OEM suspension kit would fail miserably under the weight of a LJ. I had an issue on my old YJ that was similar. It came stock with a soft top and when I put a hard top on it, I experienced the rear springs sagging quite a bit (that was under the stock suspension). When I put a lift on it (Teraflex 4") my sag was gone. I did a little bit of research and found that after market suspension systems are built to a high spec over OEM, because they are designed to take the abuse of going off road, running larger tires, etc.

That's my understanding of it at least. I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are a ton of guys on here running TJ kits on their LJs and I don't think they are having any issues.

Good luck on your build.
 
#4 ·
First off, may I ask why you don't want a Zone kit?
I think the zone kits are a good idea, just not for me. I do not want to put on both a lift kit and a body lift. I also want to leave the option of putting on 35's with the addition of a 1 inch BL, and not having to worry about rub. I have not had any experience with a zone kit, in fact the overwhelming option is that they are awesome. I just knew if I didn't say it up front, someone would say go for a zone kit, lol!

Spring rates are definitely the root of my concern. I do have a hard top, and carry a lot of crap! OME has always been on my mind, I will definitely give them a call, thanks!
 
#3 ·
I can relate to and understand the want of having something LJ specific. You are absolutely correct though - for an LJ specific kit, the springs and/or spring rates (particularly the rear) need to be different than those of a TJ.

It's not really a matter of specifications or quality as montoya said, it's the spring rate. I'm not saying that aftermarket isn't a better quality than OEM, most times it is. At the very least it will not have 9+ years of sagginess in the springs. Nearly all aftermarket kits are higher spring rates as well, but still may be optimized for a TJ and not an LJ. This is a particular issue if you, like me, plan on running a soft top during the summer and a hard-top during the winter.

My advice, if you are wanting something in "kit" form, would be the following -

Old Man Emu Ultimate TJ/LJ Wrangler Kit | dpgoffroad.com

they can customize spring rates to your application. Call them up and tell them what you have. Hard top and body armor with huge rear swing out tire carrier with 35's and a big front bumper with 12k winch? They can spec the springs to match. Plus, the OME stuff is really good. Some don't like the newer shocks as much as the older, but after some emails to ARB's customer service (they own OME) I would trust them to get you what you want.

In full disclosure - what I am currently running is 2" spacers, and bilsteins made for a 3" lift. I plan on spending the money for some 3.25ish inch springs from OME once I recover from the cost of the soft top. I will be buying through DPG and getting custom rates for the LJ.
 
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