Can a lifted Jeep be driven with stock shocks?

artur1808 · 07-30-2009, 11:57 PM

Just like the title says. I may be doing a lift, but I don't have the money for shocks at the moment. So I'm wondering if its possible to drive my Jeep with a 3 inch lift and stock shocks/brake lines? I'm not planning on doing any wheeling or anything with that setup, it's just a temporary issue. It would only be driven on the streets until I get shocks and brake line extensions.

Thanks

winston427 · 07-30-2009, 11:59 PM

As long as it only sees street use until you can do the proper upgrades everything should be fine.

XJ?2010 · 07-31-2009, 12:11 AM

In theory you could however i dont think it would work because when installing a lift you must drop the axles and to do that you must disconnect the shocks and i really dont think you could get the stock shocks to extend back down. However once you put the weight back on the tires you may have slack to connect them.

If I were you I would not take the risk just wait for the install.

93gc40 · 07-31-2009, 07:49 AM

At 3" your brake lines will be ok. You can staighten the metal portion on the front lines and remount them lower on the inner wheel well. The rear may be tight, at extreme flex, a 95 YJ line is only $15 get one. The shocks will need to be changed before you go off road, but will be fine on the street

caged · 07-31-2009, 07:54 AM

if you're gonna do this, just be sure to take it easy over speed bumps and railway crossings.

muddeprived · 07-31-2009, 08:06 AM

I would just wait till you get the shocks. The "bangs" from overextending your shocks on road bumps and stuff will get old fast and then you will end up taking off the springs.

Just wait till you get shocks.

Tame that jeep-diseased lift excitement. We know it's hard to control, but use the force luke.

bksm8 · 07-31-2009, 08:25 AM

i recently did a 3 inch lift and kept the stock shocks in until the other ones came and while i was on the highway one of the rear shocks fell apart. i guess cuz i was over extending them. i wouldnt recomend it but it can be done

dyte2004 · 07-31-2009, 01:14 PM

i had a shocker top break and i could only get a standard one quickly what i did was cut two spacers from 1 1/2 " box drill holes in it and use longer bolts it will give your stock shocks 1 1/2" more reach but still will be rubbish off road as it will shorten the amount of upward flex on the axle hope this helps

07-30-2009, 11:57 PM	#1
artur1808 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: White Lake, MI Posts: 111 My Photos 1998 Cherokee Year: 1998 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Front Axle: HP D30 Rear Axle: Chrysler 8.25 Tires: 31x10.5 Firestone Destination M/T Lift Specifications: ~3.5" of Homebrewed lift Misc Accessories: Hella 500's on bumper	Can a lifted Jeep be driven with stock shocks? Just like the title says. I may be doing a lift, but I don't have the money for shocks at the moment. So I'm wondering if its possible to drive my Jeep with a 3 inch lift and stock shocks/brake lines? I'm not planning on doing any wheeling or anything with that setup, it's just a temporary issue. It would only be driven on the streets until I get shocks and brake line extensions. Thanks

07-30-2009, 11:59 PM	#2
winston427 Junkyard pillager Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 5,371 My Photos 1991 Laredo Cherokee Year: 1991 Laredo Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: NP231 Front Axle: Dana 30 3.55 soon to be 4.56 Rear Axle: 8.25 3.55, got a D44 waiting for a regear to be installed Tires: 33x12.5x15 Dunlop Mud Rovers on 15x10 black steelies Lift Specifications: 6.5 inch Misc Accessories: hours of profanity, Le Baron hood vents, ZJ tie rod, ZJ pitman arm, CSF 3 row radiator	As long as it only sees street use until you can do the proper upgrades everything should be fine. __________________ Why is it called common sense if it's not very common? 89 XJ 4.0, AW4, D30, D35 91 XJ 4.0, AW4, D30, 8.25 01 XJ 4.0, AW4, D30, 8.25 89 Wee J

07-31-2009, 12:11 AM	#3
XJ?2010 CF Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,504 My Photos 2000 Cherokee Year: 2000 Model: Cherokee Engine: I6 4.0L Transmission: AW-4 Transfer Case: NP242 Front Axle: Dana 30 Rear Axle: Chrysler 8.25 Tires: 33x12.50x15 Goodyear Duratracs Lift Specifications: 3" Rough country with a 2" Budget boost Misc Accessories: Flareless, two 55watt driving lights, Homemade Intake, 7/8ths inch D shackle reciver, Clinometer	In theory you could however i dont think it would work because when installing a lift you must drop the axles and to do that you must disconnect the shocks and i really dont think you could get the stock shocks to extend back down. However once you put the weight back on the tires you may have slack to connect them. If I were you I would not take the risk just wait for the install. __________________ 2000 XJ - Limited - 109,000 - 5" lift - 33" Wranglers Build Thread White XJ Club Member #3

07-31-2009, 07:49 AM	#4
93gc40 Seasoned Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Visalia, Kalifornia Posts: 471 My Photos 1996 Cherokee Year: 1996 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: 231 1" Drop Front Axle: D30 Rear Axle: C8.25 Tires: 30" BFG AT on Canyons Lift Specifications: 3.5" (3.5"coil/B-Pack+1.5" shackle Misc Accessories: Hi-Lift,	At 3" your brake lines will be ok. You can staighten the metal portion on the front lines and remount them lower on the inner wheel well. The rear may be tight, at extreme flex, a 95 YJ line is only $15 get one. The shocks will need to be changed before you go off road, but will be fine on the street __________________ A Dirty XJ is a happy JEEP.

07-31-2009, 08:06 AM	#6
muddeprived CF Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: W-PA Posts: 3,747 My Photos 2001 Cherokee Year: 2001 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: 231 Front Axle: 30 Rear Axle: 8.25 Tires: 31x10.5 Trxus MT's Lift Specifications: Hot Rod 3" / 5" Misc Accessories: skids	I would just wait till you get the shocks. The "bangs" from overextending your shocks on road bumps and stuff will get old fast and then you will end up taking off the springs. Just wait till you get shocks. Tame that jeep-diseased lift excitement. We know it's hard to control, but use the force luke. __________________ 2001 Sport 4.0 30/8.25 Flux Capacitor Heat Machine Black XJ club member #1

07-31-2009, 07:54 AM	#5
caged CF Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,681 My Photos 1990 Cherokee Year: 1990 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 H.O. Transmission: aw4 with shift mod Transfer Case: 231 Front Axle: d30hp w/lock-rite Rear Axle: d44 w/lock-rite Tires: 36 inch iroks/beadlocks Lift Specifications: R.E. springs/clayton longarm Misc Accessories: m8000 / custom roof basket	if you're gonna do this, just be sure to take it easy over speed bumps and railway crossings.

07-31-2009, 08:25 AM	#7
bksm8 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: bohemia, NY Posts: 36 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: I6 Transmission: automatic Rear Axle: dana 35 Tires: 30x9.50 goodyear wrangler mt/r Lift Specifications: 3inch zone lift Misc Accessories: kicker audio components, mtx sledgehammer 9500 subwoofer, soon to come kargo master safari rack	i recently did a 3 inch lift and kept the stock shocks in until the other ones came and while i was on the highway one of the rear shocks fell apart. i guess cuz i was over extending them. i wouldnt recomend it but it can be done

07-31-2009, 01:14 PM	#8
dyte2004 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 125 My Photos 1994 Cherokee Year: 1994 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4000cc Transmission: auto Rear Axle: lsd Tires: 31.10.5.15 Lift Specifications: 3" all round ish Misc Accessories: 120l lpg tank	i had a shocker top break and i could only get a standard one quickly what i did was cut two spacers from 1 1/2 " box drill holes in it and use longer bolts it will give your stock shocks 1 1/2" more reach but still will be rubbish off road as it will shorten the amount of upward flex on the axle hope this helps

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