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Is 3inch lift enough?

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Old 02-09-2012, 09:35 PM
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Default Is 3inch lift enough?

Ok so im now thinking about getting a lift. I was thinking a 3inch or 3.5? Is that enough. Im looking at wheeling just trails and doing some intermediate things. Nothing crazy. I have the front fenders and rear cut already.
Old 02-09-2012, 09:39 PM
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for the type of wheeling youre going to do 3" will probably be plenty. you probably didnt need to cut the fenders either, depending on what tire size you go with.
Old 02-09-2012, 09:49 PM
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Go with 3 inch coil springs, shackle relocation kit, shackle, new shocks, remove rear sway bar, And get quick disconect for front. then get 31/10.50/R15 on a 15/8 rim.


With all that you should be happy then you can add a locker to the front and a lsd in rear and be a good dd/weekend warrior
Old 02-09-2012, 10:01 PM
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I have a bds 3in lift witch is just coil spacers and a add a leaf witch was only $120 lol and I clear 31x10.5x15 fine the only time the rub is when I cut the wheel all the way they tap the trailing arm because I have the stock rims some back spacing and I would be fine. but ya 3in lift and 31s will make you pretty capable
Old 02-09-2012, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by byrinxx74
Ok so im now thinking about getting a lift. I was thinking a 3inch or 3.5? Is that enough. Im looking at wheeling just trails and doing some intermediate things. Nothing crazy. I have the front fenders and rear cut already.
Umm this in my jeep with Acos, and a RE 3.5 superflex full leaf pack next to a mediumly sagged stocker.

Old 02-09-2012, 10:27 PM
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enough for what? depends how you build the rest of the rig. some of the most capable rigs i wheel with only have about 3" of suspension lift
Old 02-09-2012, 11:32 PM
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Since you cut fenders already do a 3" and some 32" tires or even 33". That would be a nice setup. I wish i had gone 4.5" instead of 3" since i dont want to cut fenders.
Old 02-09-2012, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by bnkk
Since you cut fenders already do a 3" and some 32" tires or even 33". That would be a nice setup. I wish i had gone 4.5" instead of 3" since i dont want to cut fenders.
i think this is pretty common, in fact i feel the same way. i have a 3 inch lift and i thought that would always work for me, and now i want to do 4.5. i want to run bigger tires without trimming, and from what i hear 4.5 is about as high as you want to go without making too unstable for the highway.
Old 02-09-2012, 11:56 PM
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3" FTW
Old 02-10-2012, 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by bigboy813

Umm this in my jeep with Acos, and a RE 3.5 superflex full leaf pack next to a mediumly sagged stocker.
What tires are running on that lift?
Old 02-10-2012, 12:11 AM
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3" and 31's works great. As said throw a locker in the front as long as your have a 231 transfercase. And it'll go anywhere you point it. If you have a 242 transfer case you can lock the front still, but you can not use full time 4x4 as it'll bind. Crawl under your jeep, check the silver-circle tag on your transfer..231J or 242J..231 is perfered.

Heres a video for you. Lockers and armor/skids is where I would spend my money. thats a 2" budget boost, and 235's or 30x9.5's and lockers and skids.


I'd piece together a lift so you get the best of the best and its usually cheaper! 3-3.5", bastard pack, choice of shocks, JKS quick disco or cheaper version, relocate/bend front hard front brake lines straight to gain some slack-takes 30 seconds, ditch rear sway bar-some cherokess came without from the factory..after that find a set of adjustable lowers, or get some 16.5" long lower control arms, this will help the ride and flex.
I have 3" and did this exactly and love it, I have about $120 into it all, recently bought Currie adjustable uppers & lowers and those cost a little over 500, their the most expensive thing on my jeep!
Buy some 30x9.5's or 31x10.5's and some wheels if your feel the need. You'll probably need to trim slightly either way!

So cheap lift then gas tank & transfer case skids! You will bang your gas tank more times than you know!! You can get both of these off a cherokee in a junkyard if you don't mind going and pulling them. Probably cost about 60 bucks for both...or a few hundred if you go aftermarket.

After that a front spartan locker..cost is 230 and it can install in your driveway!

All said and done, this is exactly what I have. 31x10.5's factory gas tank skid, factory transfer case skid, 3" rusty coil, bastard pack, no sway bars at all, and currie upper & lower arms and a locker in the front. I love it!
Old 02-10-2012, 12:25 AM
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YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!! A VET COMING HOME TO GUYS THAT DONT MIND ANSWERING SOME STUPID QUESTION FROM ME!! You guys have helped in every way possible. Im thinking of going 3 inch with 31. I have the np231 transfer case. Will i need a sye?
Old 02-10-2012, 01:09 AM
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YOU, sir, are awesome. Thanks for your service to our country

No SYE necessary, but you may experience some minor vibrations for which there are remedies such as dropping the transfer case, extended shackles, or shims. I used 4 degree shims and still have some wiggle at about 30mph.
Old 02-10-2012, 01:26 PM
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My friend has a 3in lift, compared to my 4.5 and he keeps up fine, we have yet to go on anything that he cant keep up with me on, just watch ur clearance on some trails and you should be fine. GOOD LUCK and have fun
Old 02-10-2012, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by byrinxx74
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!! A VET COMING HOME TO GUYS THAT DONT MIND ANSWERING SOME STUPID QUESTION FROM ME!! You guys have helped in every way possible. Im thinking of going 3 inch with 31. I have the np231 transfer case. Will i need a sye?

First thank you for serving!
Ok so I can clear some things up for you. 90% of the time you won't need a sye or a t-case drop or even shims, as long as your 4.5" or under...unless you get different shackles! At least this has been my experience..always!
When shackle angles change, driveline angles change and thus vibes come a knocking! A 3" lift with a bastard pack and stock shackle won't need a SYE or a tcase drop or shims. Rule of thumb is lift it first, find the vibes and fix accordingly..don't try to fix them before you know whats going on, cause you'll be wasting money!
Sometimes vibes are caused by worn parts and not the lift, so get your lift, then go about fixing vibes.


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