Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Estimate to install lift and new tires

18thcenturyguy

18thcenturyguy

Member
Original poster
Joined
Feb 11, 2023
Messages
88
Location
Connecticut/ Florida
I'm ready to lift my Rubicon and put some new tires on it.

I've decided on some Falken Wildpeak ATs 305/ 70/ R16 on the stock Moab Rubi Wheels.

Not sure about the lift, but looks like we are going to piece together a 3" lift with mostly J Spec parts, springs, bump stops, lower control arms etc.

Shocks: leaning towards Bilstein 5100s

Local Mechanic who did my frame work has given me a price for all the parts plus labor, mounting balancing alignment etc. $4500

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Keep in mind, this is my daily driver, it's never going rock crawling or mudding. Most off road it will ever see is a dirt road or light trail. Also, I'm not interested in a Body lift, not sure why, maybe one of you can convince me otherwise.

I haven't lifted a TJ since 2006!!! Prices sure have changed.

Yes, I've spent hours reading through the forums and Maybe I'm just looking for someone to make me feel better about my choices. lol Jeep TJ.jpeg
 
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18thcenturyguy said:
No rocks in Connecticut. Barely any place to even off road. I do go up to Maine in the summers though. Wooded trails, nothing too challenging.
Click to expand...

I'm going to be honest and frank here, after thinking about my previous post.

Why aren't you doing this work? It is a matter of unbolt this part and bolt the new one in place.

I don't have much time in my life and only a couple of cars I have the opportunity to work on out of the dozens I have. To do this job is so worth while and you'll never understand until you do it. You will have the opportunity to learn about every suspension piece on your Jeep and understand what it's function is and how it functions. You will learn a pieces reaction when action is taken on another piece. You will know what is wrong with it when an issue arrives in the future.

I fully understand the time and money equation but tuition is wasted money. (Tuition= mechanic)
 
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Honestly don't know if that is a fair price. I always try to do my own work, and I've learned so much by wrenching on my Jeeps over the years. If you have some mechanical ability and the tools, take a week of vacation and go for it. Even better if you have a friend helping that has some mechanical ability. It will take you longer than your mechanic but you'll have a better understanding of your Jeep. Otherwise if you're not comfortable doing this and have a good mechanic that you trust, let him do it.
 
What lift are they quoting? The only 3” I see for that brand includes more parts than you listed. The 2” would require a body lift to get 3”. Just making sure they didn’t quote you work that includes a body lift if you don’t want it.
 
DuckNut said:
I'm going to be honest and frank here, after thinking about my previous post.

Why aren't you doing this work? It is a matter of unbolt this part and bolt the new one in place.

I don't have much time in my life and only a couple of cars I have the opportunity to work on out of the dozens I have. To do this job is so worth while and you'll never understand until you do it. You will have the opportunity to learn about every suspension piece on your Jeep and understand what it's function is and how it functions. You will learn a pieces reaction when action is taken on another piece. You will know what is wrong with it when an issue arrives in the future.

I fully understand the time and money equation but tuition is wasted money. (Tuition= mechanic)
Click to expand...

This 100%. I was quoted $800 to have my lift installed back in 2021. Jeep friend from out of state was giving me shit for not doing it myself. In the end, I flew him out for the weekend and we did it ourselves. One of the top experiences with my jeep.
 
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I'm not opposed to doing the work myself. I have plenty of space and most of the tools I need. I just don't have a lift, or floor jack and stands. Maybe you guys are right, I should invest in a good floor jack and stands. I have friends that are mechanics, they could probably help me.

The lift he suggested is 3" JKS springs, front track bar, etc. I think I'm going to skip the Bilsteins and go for the Ranchos everyone seems to like.
 
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RHanna said:
What lift are they quoting? The only 3” I see for that brand includes more parts than you listed. The 2” would require a body lift to get 3”. Just making sure they didn’t quote you work that includes a body lift if you don’t want it.
Click to expand...

He's basically piecing it together. 3" JKS springs, Whatever shocks I choose, front track bar, lower control arms.
 
My .02 from someone who often has two car seats in his jeep and spends more time doing carpool than trail riding….

Read this thread
Chris

Thread 'A recipe for an affordable but quality 2.5" lift'

Thanks to @CodaMan for laying the ground work for this one as he inspired me to write this thread as a resource for others.

The issue is that I see people constantly posting about purchasing the OME 2.5" lift, Rough County 2.5" lifts, or others "lift kits". In reality, I think you can save a lot of money and get better quality parts if you piece together your own lift. The problem I have with the OME lift is that the newer shocks they switched to years ago ride terrible in comparison to the shocks they used to use. Rough Country is the same way in that the shocks they include in...
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Many happy customers with a Rancho (or your preferred shock), a procomp type 2insh lift, and a 1-1.25in body lift (get the one from Blain/Black Magic), running 33s

If you’re not bashing on the rocks, for the same 4k, you can do the above, get a decent winch, floor jack, jack stands, beer, steaks, long weekend, and have a rig which sounds like it would be more than capable for your off road use and be pleasant on the road.

PS Edit: Car seat and 6yr old in the top two pics. They aren’t mutually exclusive :)

IMG_2946.jpeg


IMG_1820.jpeg


IMG_2817.jpeg
 
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Take it for what it's worth but I have bilsteins and they ride great (for a vehicle that has 2 solid axles - and you're pretty much sitting over the rear one).

If youre not mechanically inclined...a lift is a pretty daunting first task to take on.
Maybe start with smaller jobs and learn your way around - and then revisit.

Guys bring up a good point though (i was in same boat as you)...these things are pretty easy to work on and there are a ton of youtube tutorials out there for pretty much anything you want to do it (its been done before).
 
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red02tj said:
My .02 from someone who often has two car seats in his jeep and spends more time doing carpool than trail riding….

Read this thread
Chris

Thread 'A recipe for an affordable but quality 2.5" lift'

Thanks to @CodaMan for laying the ground work for this one as he inspired me to write this thread as a resource for others.

The issue is that I see people constantly posting about purchasing the OME 2.5" lift, Rough County 2.5" lifts, or others "lift kits". In reality, I think you can save a lot of money and get better quality parts if you piece together your own lift. The problem I have with the OME lift is that the newer shocks they switched to years ago ride terrible in comparison to the shocks they used to use. Rough Country is the same way in that the shocks they include in...
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Many happy customer with a Rancho (or your preferred shock), a procomp type 2insh lift and a 1-1.25in body lift (get the from Blain/Black Magic), running 33s

If you’re not bashing on the rocks, for the same 4k, you can do the above, get a decent winch, floor jack, jack stands, beer, steaks, long weekend, and have a rig which sounds like it would be more than capable for your off road use and be pleasant on the road.

View attachment 611393

View attachment 611394

View attachment 611395
Click to expand...

^ this
 
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18thcenturyguy said:
I'm not opposed to doing the work myself. I have plenty of space and most of the tools I need. I just don't have a lift, or floor jack and stands. Maybe you guys are right, I should invest in a good floor jack and stands. I have friends that are mechanics, they could probably help me.

The lift he suggested is 3" JKS springs, front track bar, etc. I think I'm going to skip the Bilsteins and go for the Ranchos everyone seems to like.
Click to expand...
If you’re planning on a 3” lift you’ll want new upper control arms as well and be prepared to have the rig handle like a boat if you go with the Rancho’s.
 
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KingPhilip3rd said:
Take it for what it's worth but I have bilsteins and they ride great (for a vehicle that has 2 solid axles - and you're pretty much sitting over the rear one).

If youre not mechanically inclined...a lift is a pretty daunting first task to take on.
Maybe start with smaller jobs and learn your way around - and then revisit.

Guys bring up a good point though (i was in same boat as you)...these things are pretty easy to work on and there are a ton of youtube tutorials out there for pretty much anything you want to do it (its been done before).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I had Bilstein shocks in my JK and I thought they rode great. I'm not frightened to work on my Jeep. I just did Plugs the other day. I replaced the steering stabilizer. Put in new headlights, and running lights. I replaced my fuel neck and hoses yesterday. Small jobs I can do, I just don't feel comfortable doing the whole lift, and I don't have the wheel balancing machines and alignment machine.

I'm also 52 years old and I don't have access to a lift. I don't think spending two days on my back sounds like fun. I'd rather play guitar or go for a hike.

The more time I spend reading things in this forum the more confused I feel. 20 years ago I bought a TJ, sport, had my local mechanic slap a pro comp 4" lift and 33s on it, and drove it for over 10 years w/o issue.

I'll keep reading. LOL
 
Chris said:
^ this
Click to expand...

Hi Chris. Thank you for suggested post. I've read a few posts from you before.

Questions:
1. Having a Body lift with new motor mounts installed sounds expensive compared to just having a Suspension lift. Am I wrong?
2. Why would my local guy try talking me out of Body lift hybrid suspension? When I spoke to him he was dismissive of the idea.
3. Since the Rubicon has 31" tires stock, would 2 inches be enough for 33"?????

Agh, Maybe I'll just drive it Stock. I'm getting used to the 31" on the Rubicon.
 

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