| Why lift your Jeep? More height means more | | | | of your various options. |
| clearance for dealing with obstacles while | | | | With Body Lift Kits you basically unbolt the body |
| offroading. It allows you to run larger tires, which | | | | from the frame, and place manufactured blocks |
| also helps with conquering offroad challenges. Still | | | | between the Jeep's body and the rolling chassis. |
| another reason is that many folks just feel that a | | | | This raises the body of your Jeep but doesn't |
| lifted Jeep with larger tires looks better, and I | | | | directly increase the clearance of your |
| certainly agree with them. The added height and | | | | undercarriage. The body lift does allow you to run |
| larger tires just give a Jeep a better more | | | | larger tires, which will increase your Jeep's |
| pronounced profile | | | | clearance. |
| No matter the reason for lifting your Jeep, there | | | | Suspension lift kits will directly increase the |
| are a number of ways to go about it. Before you | | | | clearance of a Jeep. They call for installing taller |
| pick which one is right for you, youll need to | | | | suspension components (higher lift springs and |
| make some decisions along the way. First, you'll | | | | longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, |
| need to decide on what youre looking to | | | | better articulation, and better offroad handling. |
| accomplish with the lift. Is it simply for show, or is | | | | Unfortunately, they are the most expensive of |
| it for go? Serious rock crawling anyone? Second, | | | | the lift options, but they deliver the best handling |
| determine just how high you want to go. Looking | | | | performance. |
| for a little height for some mild wheeling or are | | | | When it comes down to choosing a lift, youll need |
| you really serious about this height thing? Third, | | | | to determine why youre lifting the vehicle, and |
| youll need to select the type of lift to use. Finally, | | | | how much youre willing to pay for it. If youre only |
| install the lift or have it installed. | | | | looking to add a couple of inches and you want |
| The basic methods for lifting a Jeep are | | | | the lift just for looks, a body kit, |
| Suspension Lift Kits, Body Lifts Kits, Shackle Lifts, | | | | coil-spring-spacers or lift shackles may be just |
| Spring-Over-Axle Conversions, and Coil Spring | | | | what the doctor ordered. If youre looking to build |
| Spacers. Jeep shackle lifts and coil spring spacers | | | | a Jeep that is more offroad capable then you |
| typically result in a maximum increase of 2 inches. | | | | should look at suspension lift systems. |
| Coil spring spacers are just what they say: | | | | Many serious offroaders combine the suspension |
| spacers that are inserted under the base of the | | | | lift with a body lift for additional height. Installation |
| coil spring, resulting in lifting the springs higher. | | | | of any of these lifting methods will usually change |
| Shackle lifts are comprised of leaf spring shackles | | | | the handling of a vehicle. They all raise the center |
| that are longer and lift the frame higher from the | | | | of gravity and will, therefore, affect side-to-side |
| leafs. Both of these kits are rather inexpensive | | | | handling and cornering. This can be addressed by |
| methods, but if youre looking for more than a | | | | adding wider tires along with the lift. Depending on |
| couple of inches, youll need to look elsewhere. | | | | the type and size of kit you install and the model |
| Spring-Over-Axle conversion kits allow you to | | | | of your Jeep, you may need to install a dropped |
| change the location of the leaf spring from | | | | Pitman arm, longer control arms, longer brake |
| beneath the axle to sit on top of it. Theyll usually | | | | hoses, a transfer case drop, and/or a CV drive |
| result in a lift of 4 inches or more. This can be | | | | shaft and slip yoke eliminator kit (due to a change |
| increased by the size of springs you use with the | | | | of the angle of the drive train on TJs and some |
| over axle kit. Use of these can cause cantering, | | | | Cherokees). Its important to not cut corners |
| and steering linkage and driveline issues which | | | | when lifting your Jeep. Why spend the money on |
| must be addressed. It can become a little | | | | a lift just to compromise the handling |
| complicated for the less mechanically inclined | | | | performance and face potentially serious wear |
| among us (Im one of them!). It will definitely | | | | and tear issues with key components? Do it right |
| change the handling of the rig. While the | | | | the first time and it will serve you in the long run. |
| spring-over-axle conversion kits are rather | | | | Whatever system you select, the one thing for |
| inexpensive when compared to suspensions lifts, | | | | sure is that the added height will help give your |
| there is a good bit of time and money spent on | | | | Jeep that rugged tough look most of us seem to |
| fixing the issues it creates, which needs to be | | | | prefer. |
| taken into consideration when assessing the costs | | | | |