Here is my situation; I have a Pro Comp 3" lift with coils and lower control arms in the front and add-a-leafs in the rear. At minimum, I need more rear clearance so I know could buy 3 or 3.5" real leafs but I found a deal on here for some 4.5" front springs and possibly rear leafs as well.

I would prefer to upgrade to 4.5" now, rather than buying a set or 3.5" leafs that I won't need later, but here is the big question.

What else will I need to spend $$ on? I am doing this on a small budget.

Will my lower control arms that came with the ProComp lift work with a 4.5" lift?

I know I would need an adjustable trac bar and brake lines. Is there anything else I would need?

Thanks

 

Adj trac bar and brake lines are needed for the front, but i don't know about your control arms. You will also need new shocks for the front.

 

Thanks for the info. I figured that I would need shocks. Why only front shocks, wouldn't I need rears as well? Good news on the rest, it looks like it would be worth doing.

 

what size tire are you running? after 3", the domino effect starts. 4.5" is harsher ride on short arms, need adj tb, worse steering angles, driveshaft angles/length, SYE, longer shocks, lines, etc.

 

Right now I have 31x10.5 tires. I have okay clearance in the front, terrible clearance in the rear. I at least want more clearance for now and when I need replacement tires I would like to go to 32". 4.5" seems like what I need to go to to solve these issues, right? I could throw a 3.5" pack in the rear and coil spacers in the front but those rear leafs are not cheap, isn't it better to spend the money on the 4.5" springs?

I don't mind spending some money but if I can grab some bargain parts on the forum to help lower the cost a little, I am all for it.

 

You need new leaf springs regardless...

 

If it were me, in your situation, I would buy the 4.5 leafs and springs, buy a trac bar for a 4.5 lift and if you have vibrations, lower your tcase and get some 4.5" shocks.

Thats really all you HAVE to do when you go up to 4.5. Your control arms will be ok, but definately not the best ride, Longer brake lines are good also, but you can just unbolt the brakeline brackets in the front to give you a little more room.

This of course is all stuff i would do on a real tight budget, the right way to do it for the best results is sye, shocks, brakelines, adjustable track bar, adjustable upper control arms, 4.5" lower control arms, steering stabilizer for bigger tires.

 

let me ask you this, are you totally opposed to trimming your fenders? you can trim up to about 1.5-2" and re-mount your fender flares higher, and still look stock. that is really all you have to do. for the rear, get you some new 3.5" leafs, and some relocation brackets instead of paying $150 for the adj track bar. yes, you can do a t-case drop for 4.5" lift, but you will prob be around the same clearance as if you don't drop it, and stay at your lift height. brake lines can also be moved, which i did, but i already find mine being stretched at full droop on 3"/31s.

since you are working on a budget, i would trim first and go from there. get new rear leafs, and the shackle relocators. 4.5" lift is cool, and all, but really much more work and money, and you don't need that stuff for 32s. much better places to put your money, imo. i say from experience. went from 3" to 4.5" on my old xj, and it seemed like a can of worms. $.02

 

I just went from 3 to 4.5" lift. I bought a 231 with sye off Craigslist for $200.
New bds front 4.5" coils,
new bds 4.5" rear shocks. Fronts were the same part # for 3 or 4.5 " lift so I left them alone.
Fixed rc rubber bushings lower control arms off the forum for $50
New Rubicon express adjustable trac bar
And new bds 1.5" shackles for better flex with my 3" bds leaf pack

I'm still want to get adjustable upper arms but am out of funds

Just ordered 4.56 gears and new 33/12.5/15 eldorado mts
Add it all up and an extra 1.5" and bigger tires costs a ton........
But its gonna be awsome

 

rear shocks too. I thought you the rear all setup and you only needed to lift the front.

 

Thanks for all the advice. The deal I found was just on the front springs and sway bar disconnects but once I add all the other parts I need I am still at around $700. Since those parts come in most of the kits, it is not much more to buy as a kit that comes with everything.

Alot to think about, I am going to go scratch off these lotto tickets now and maybe I will win and go buy a 5.5" long travel kit.