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I'm going to be "that guy" - budget boost questions

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  jp2611 
#1 ·
I've been on Internet forums most of my life, and normally can't stand people who don't use search, but I've been using search on multiple different forums for about 3 hours now, and I've only managed to confuse myself more. So yeah, I'm going to be "that guy" who asks the question that's been asked 257,438 times.

Put 32x11.50s BFG KM2s on my Jeep (2003 X 4.0L) today, looks great, but obviously not practical for wheeling with stock suspension, which I do about twice a month. No rubbing right now lock-to-lock, because I have the pro comp series 51 with the 3.75" backspacing, which gave me the extra room. However, I want to put a bit of a lift on it to give myself a little more vertical clearance, which right now is just barely more than "rub when you run over a curb."

So, I understand that my "best bet" to do it the "right way" is going to be dropping somewhere from $400-$600 on a kit with springs and shocks. However, it's going to be awhile till that is an option, so I'm currently looking for a $100-$150 stop-gap until i'm ready to make that jump.

Where i'm getting confused at is that there are a ton of people raving about how well their budget boost has worked for them, but nobody is specifying whether that is a BB w/ or w/o shocks. If I just get one of those $100 kits that basically has 4 coil spacers and some shock extenders is that going to be ok for 6-8 months while I prepare for the real deal?

Important note: I live in Florida aka "Flatland, USA." There really isn't anywhere near me that provides any kind of serious flex, so it doesn't have to perform perfectly or even really well by most people's standards. I just want to be able to still have fun with it two weekends out of the month.

Thanks!

Richard
 
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#3 ·
I like Jlem's perspective and that's the direction I'm trying to head. The thing that's hung me up is that the Zone 4-1/4 includes BL and MML for like 525. BL and MML will run about 200 alone. It's a no win. At that point, for ONLY ~20 more, you'd get better shocks. No brainer! LOL Then, $38 more gets you disco's! That has to be near the top of the list of mods, probably before suspension, imo. Gotta do that!!!! So, now were at 590 for a much improved system- springs, shocks, better driveshaft angles... Any less and it's money wasted! :banghead: :banghead:

Like you, I'm not really ready to drop that much right now, so I'm still stock. And not happy about it.

In the end, the BB is the cheapest option, as long as you're willing to do the alignment yourself. If you're gonna' pay a shop, back to the previous mumbo jumbo ^^^... And $$ stay in the pocket!
 
#4 ·
the difference between the 4.25" kit and the 3" kit from zone is $70. you can find bl and mml for around $150. so getting it all at once saves you about $80

also, the "better shocks" are not considered an upgrade by most and discos are $60 extra and i think they are a waste
 
#5 ·
I agree with the 1.25" BL. But if you want something temporary, throw on the 2" spring spacers until you decide what you really want long term. When I finally decided on the Zone 4.25" combo, I was able to sell a 2" spring spacer for about $50....so I got 1/2 my money back on the spacers. So its not a huge financial loss.
 
#6 ·
I'm currently running a Rubicon Express 2" BB. It was a kit that came with four spacers and shocks. The shocks don't provide the best ride quality in the world, but they're better than the blown ones that were on it before. With my 2" lift and 31" tires I've gone through and over quite a bit of stuff no one expected me to. I also installed a Teraflex front disconnect. The links came with brake line extension brackets; a little bend in the hard line and the new bracket give the stock brake hoses almost a full extra inch.
If it's going to be a long time before buying a full lift kit, I would definitely recommend a BB. In the long run you'll lose out on one or two hundred bucks, maybe, big deal... it'll be worth it for the little bit of extra clearance in the meantime.
The ONLY problem I've run into with my BB is it doesn't help support the extra weight of bumpers and a winch. My front end sags a little. I'm hoping once I add a rear bumper/tire-carrier it'll level out, and around the same time I'll install a body lift to regain some clearance. It's going to be a while yet before I can afford the lift and tires I really want.
 
#7 ·
I have been running a temp BB lift for three years now.....one day I will have the money to do the 4in lift correctly. like stated above if/when I remove the 2in BB spacers I can sell em on craigslist for a few bucks with the satisfaction that I got my moneys worth out of them.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the input everyone :)

So here's what happened, lol. Kind of like what NRath said, you start looking then it's like, well, if i'm going to spend $100 on some coil spacers only, then I also need to buy shock extenders, so I might as well at least go to the $200 set so I get shocks with it so I don't tear up the stock ones.

But then, for $240 you find a little better set that has better reviews, and finally decide on that one.
Rubicon Express Part RE7030 - 2 Inch Economy Lift Kit with Twin Tube Shocks - Fits 1997 to 2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler, Rubicon and Unlimited - 4 Wheel Parts

But then you wonder, you know, I have 32s, so I really need just a little bit more clearance, maybe I should get body lift too? Plus like UndergroundTrev said, I've seen people say that the spacers don't support the weight of a winch, which I will be getting fairly soon as well.

But then you keep looking and find a set for $300 that has good reviews, and comes with shocks AND springs, and gives you another 0.5" and convince yourself that, you know what, it's only $40 more, so you might as well do it right the first time.

Then you add in shipping and "vendor handling fees" and it comes out to $335, but there's nothing you can do with those fees, and you've already made up your mind by this point, so whatever!

And that's the story of how I ended up buying a Rough Country 2.5" lift.
2.5in Suspension Lift Kit for 97-06 Jeep TJ Wrangler | Rough Country Suspension Systems®

Funny how a bunch of "only" increases added up to a 335% increase over what you started with.....

Just Empty Every Pocket
 
#12 ·
I've seen some people say that, and some say they were fine without it, so I'm just going to give it a shot and see what happens. Also the $50 T-case drop too if I get the vibration that nobody can seem to explain or pinpoint. If I end up needing it I can just take it easy for a month or two and get those things. An extra $100 isn't too hard to save up.

Edit: Had no idea what bump stops were, just looked into them, definitely a good idea to get, so thank you. I will be ordering those ASAP.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the tip on the washers. Certainly love easy and cheap fixes.

And yeah, I agree that Rough Country isn't a quality lift - the cheapest one on the market usually isn't. I fully expect to be replacing this within about 2-3 years with something better quality (Old Man Emu?), but I've seen enough positive reviews that I'm not too worried about it. I'm not super picky when it comes to ride quality and stuff like that, so I'm sure I'll be fine with it for now. I'll certainly be able to make a decision on that within the first 90 days (I looked up their return policy).

I just figure a cheap lift that actually gives new shocks and springs is better than just using coil spacers. Plus it will look better. :)

I do appreciate everyone's input and opinions either way. Thank you!
 
#17 ·
You could certainly buy a cheap BB w/ shock extenders for probably less than $100. Personally though, it don't think it'd be worth it. It wont give you all that much more clearance (I ran that setup w/ 32s for while) and its not all necessary. I think you'd be much better off doing what most everyone else is saying and invest in a 1.25" BL and an MML. It would be a better investment as you looking to upgrade in the future anyways. You might not be able to wheel as hard as you want for a while but when you finally get the money to "do it right" you'll already have the BL and you wont be worrying about removing the BB.
 
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