Hey. I'm pretty new to this forum. Or any forum for that matter. I will be a part of Search and Rescue by the end of the month, but have a stock height ZJ. Any tips on where to get a good deal on a lift??? My budget is TIGHT but I dont want to be getting rescued more than I'm rescuing!!!! Thanks!

 

You might want to search under the term F>R swap. Basically it involves swapping the front coilsprings to the rear, and either installing new or used 3" lift coils up front. Add a set of 31" tires and a few small issues like trackbar relocation bracket, reforming your brakelines, extend swaybar links, alignment and you have a very economical lift.

Search that term here and google will bring you tons of info, writeups, pics etc.

 

You might check out Rustys Offroad...
The are available budget lifts but works pretty good as well...

 

Hurricane 4x4 Parts. Check them out

www.hurricane4x4parts.com

 

i second the front to rear swap.

i did this on a buddy's, only we used front v8 coils in the rear, then used 4.5 inch rubicon express coils up front and some cheap skyjacker lift shocks.

did some extensive fender trimming and he can flex out the 31's pretty good.

 

here is one of my favorite articles on it:

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/frt_bck_swap/

 

I have considered the F>R swap. In fact i'd love to do it. Just not sure if I wanna dig into it on my own. I have no problem turnin wrenches, just dont have much suspension experience. If I was to do the swap, I would need to put the front springs in the rear and get new front springs? What about control arms? I know you can swap the lower and upper CA's and get new lowers but isn't that for bigger lifts than the F>R swap? Also I need to get new tracbar up front and bracket in rear? Will brake lines still reach with F>R swap? Sorry if I sound like an amature. Just my only rig and if I tear it apart and come across an issue, it would really cause some damage with work and school.

 

You will be fine with your stock CA's with this amount of lift. You may be able to get away without the trac bar bracket by drilling a new hole in the stock bracket but I would recommend an adjustable front trac bar. Check out Rustys off road, they have very competitive prices and their products. Hope this helps. Also youll need a set of sway bar links for the front for sure, Ive heard of guys not even running a rear sway bar but seems a little risky in my book. You can make a set of quick discos for next to nothing or buy a set from rustys.

 

okay so for parts i need a list or "what you may need"
what i got out of all this is:

larger front coil springs.
Adjustable Front trac bar.
rear trac bar bracket.
sway bar links.

and that'll give me a 3-3.5" lift and will be sturdy, dependable, and economical?

anyone wanna help? lol.
1993 ZJ (limited 5.2 V8). gotta have the 318.

 

Don't use a rear trac bar bracket, they will cause the factory one to rip off. With 3 to 3.5 inches of lift you don't need to worry about it. I have about 3.5 inches in the rear and you don't really notice. Stock swaybar links also will work okay. If you want sway bar links ,get some discos. Here is a good place to get what you need.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch..._Code=IR-Z3FSP

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...t_Code=IR-SATB

You can get by with these two items, shocks of the proper length, and a front to rear swap. This will allow you to run 31x1050x15 on stock wheels. I have only heard good things about Iron Rock.

 

Okay. Sounds good. Also, I just spend a good chunk of money for Les Schwab to install some RMX Monotube shocks. Will those not be big enough? They seem like they would work fine! I hope so. lol.

 

So those two things from Iron Rock will do me fine? Just the adjustable trac bar and springs. NOTHING else????

 

u could always go with a good 4" Rough Country lift
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_4.html

 

I would like the rough country lift. In fact, I can get them brand new from RC for $350. I know its not much, but I don't have that kind of spending money. And most my free time goes into Search and Rescue or the kid instead of overtime at work.
Thanks for the advise tho.

 

You will need shocks. Stock length won't get it.