jonoZJ

hey guys,

i just sold my yj and got a 900 dollar 1993 zj with the 5.2 v8. its bone stock, and i want to both do some light trailing and still tow my little boat that weighs 2200 lbs. i took it on the trail already and the suspension feels very soft, i feel like parts need replacing. i want to run slightly larger tires than stock, with maybe a 2 in lift. please advise me on the pros and cons and your recommended setup. the jeep was only 900 bucks, so Im not really looking to spend thousands on suspension. btw god bless the cherokee and its luxury ride, that wrangler i had was pretty rough around the edges!!!!

dnuccio

you can do whats called a budget boost, or BB. you install 2 inch spacers on top of the coil springs. the spacers themselves can be had for under a hundred bucks, but if you're wheeling it, you'll want new, longer shocks so you can take advantage of all the suspension flex. you can get a set of shocks for anywhere from a little over 100 up to over 300 for top-of-the-line bilsteins. its all in personal preference.

your jeep will have no problem towing that boat, just make sure you leave some extra stopping distance when towing. the ZJs brakes are less than excellent

jonoZJ

Thanks dnuccio.

I ran a search on ebay for BB lift and found these:

ttp://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=280892860676

2" kit with speakers and shocks
it also comes in 3".

jonoZJ

what do you think? are you running a lift on your zj? how high?

lozo63

I have a 96 with 2.5 budget and Rancho shocks and running 31's rides good and looks good

jonoZJ

lozo, did you install the bb lift yourself? just trying to see if i need the coil compressor to do the job. also, did you get longer bump stops or the extensions for them?...or is there even a need for those?

thanks for the help, im slightly new to suspension mods, but not to working on jeeps

dnuccio

i have a BB. 2 inch. dont go higher than 2 inches on a BB. a 3 inch puck will ride like crap, and you cant just throw the 3 inch spacers in and call it good. you need adjustable track bars at that height.

i did not need spring compressors when i installed mine. i unbolted the lower control arms from the body, and that let the axle droop enough to get the spring in.

jonoZJ

dnuccio, i thought that was the case. i will get that 2" kit next paycheck. last question, did you get an alignment after the install? i know its not a skyscraper lift but i heard anytime you add height you get toe in and premature tire wear. have you experienced this?

lozo63

Yes I did install the lift it is the 2nd Jeep we have done at the house. And I did buy a spring compressor about $30.00. You can also rent one from the parts store. Ride is good but get an alignment done after.

dnuccio

i lifted it about a week before i put new (bigger) tires on it. i left the alignment alone for that week. after i mounted the new tires, i took it to sears for an alignment.

jonoZJ

I have to get alignment anyway so ill get the lift on first and make some repairs then go get it aligned... My track bar bushings are toast, front end is out of alignment its pulling to the right and that tire is also toast. Also found out my steering pump is leaking and maybe my front diff from the pumpkin. Alsoooo Im running at 215 degrees all the time, no matter if Im on the highway at 70hp mph or sitting on my lunch break with the ac on for 30 min... I don't get it lol