I'm heading to pick-your-part this weekend and am gonna be looking for some parts to fit together a 3" lift.

I already have: leaf springs/shackles, coils/spacers, shocks, bump stops

I'm gonna be looking for: adj track bar, brake lines

is there anything else I should keep my eye out for??

 

Not for 3in of lift. Even the adj track bar is not ness. Wheel 3in for several years. What you really need is protection. Look for all three of the skids. Steering, gas tank, and t/case.

Then a beefier rear diff cover for when u have to back up. Stock rear covers are very thin.

 

Thanks ill definitely look for some skids.

I already have an idea of what's necessary, but what are some unnecessary things that would help increase performance with the lift?? For example longer lcas, but how long of lcas would I need to optimize a 3" lift?

 

Do something with your sway bar lol...Discos or just for driving i have some drop brackets that get it back to a stock angle

 

WJ control arms have an S shape allowing wider tires. They're beefy. And have good ride quality bushings IIRC
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/w...ite-up-987327/

Another quick and easy thing to snag is a v8 ZJ tie rod. The. But new TRE's

Neithe of these things are really necessary though unless you're running 33's+
But I'd still grab them

 

just cuz they're not necessary doesn't mean they're gonna mess something up right? they will still be an improvement from where i'm at?

 

You're running 30" tires? You just really don't need much to run 30" tires

 

I ran 30's on 3 in for a while. Steering and control as were stock. You just dont need the stuff. Concentrate on beefing up protection with rock rails and skids. You will have a lot of fun at that height. If you are insistent on spending money. Then only buy stuff that is adjustable. Most adjustable items are only available for 4.5in and above though. You can buy stuff for lower lift but it is truly not necessary.

My main concern being at the height you are was protection otherwise you will take damage.

I just moved up to 4.5 and now i do have to purchase a bunch. Steering upgrades driveline, gears for bigger tires. While i was at it i got lockers.

Don't forget TOW points. A lot of people will not let you offroad with them without tow points.

Check out my build thread for what i did with the same setup.

 

at a 3" lift, doesn't that induce shaft vibration? I was told at 3" and more, you need to drop the transfer case a bit.

 

Drop spacers.Is a plus.on any lift! A steering shock!An alignment,balance wheels.And so forth! Need think if you will go higher than 3".

 

I didnt need a drop on either truck for 3in. I did have to relocate track bar on one of them. Did a write up in write ups section.

 

Do you have plans to go bigger at some point? If so, I would do what everyone else is saying. Keep everything for now stock, and then worry about adjustable stuff later. But if you plan to go bigger soon, stock up on parts now so they are ready for install when you decide to lift. I just moved from my 3" front lift and 4" rear lift to a full 4.5" lift. I changed nothing but the track bar to a JKS adjustable one, ZJ steering that came with a Rancho SS. I am still running stock LCAs, gears etc and have no problems. I now have to buy gears for my 33s but that will be later on down the road.

 

If you want to go off road stock arms on that lind of lift is not good. Your axle will be too close and not flex well at all. Zj steering is a good upgrade though.

 

Really,if I had the new chance to start over. I actualy would start at the engine sup it up and get every thing tighted up no fluid spilling out and striegthen the frame..
.Then go with my lift of choose and and make sure it is Upgradeable..........