Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Is this normal for a lift?

Joe Broke It

Joe Broke It

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Arkansas, USA
Hello all!

So, in researching lots of posts here, and looking over my jeep much closer, I've noticed something odd.

My jeep has 4.5" of lift spread between three different methods.

1" Body
1.5" suspension spacer
2" suspension

I included a photo of my front right spring to show the spacer.

Why would someone do this instead of just getting a single lift kit? I'm contemplating removing the spacer and getting a full 3.5" suspension lift kit. The Jeep sits on 33" tires right now and I don't plan on changing that size.

With the body lift, can I just remove the spacers and not need to mess with anything else? I know the reason my transfer case shifter is whacky is because of the body lift, but is there anything else that I need to adjust when dropping the body back to the frame? Would it be a better idea to get a 4.5" lift instead of a 3.5" lift because of that 1" body lift?

PXL_20250311_152510257.jpg
 
That spacer could've been added to compensate for extra front end weight from heavy bumpers and a winch. You may still need spacers with 3.5" lift springs to compensate for excessive rake from heavy components.

Doesn't look like your passenger upper ball joints is properly seated. Could just be a weird angle in the photo.

Instead of removing the body lift, considering installing an aftermarket tcase cable shifter. Will remedy your tcase linkage issue.
 
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Duck Doctor said:
That spacer could've been added to compensate for extra front end weight from heavy bumpers and a winch. You may still need spacers with 3.5" lift springs to compensate for excessive rake from heavy components.

Doesn't look like your passenger upper ball joints is properly seated. Could just be a weird angle in the photo.

Instead of removing the body lift, considering installing an aftermarket tcase cable shifter. Will remedy your tcase linkage issue.
Click to expand...

It does have an aftermarket bumper, no winch yet though. That's on the ever growing list of things to see to.

Good catch on that ball joint! I will inspect closer when I get back home. Who needs those anyways 😅

I have considered the tcase cable shifter kit. Is there any other thing I might need to consider with tweaking when removing the body lift?
 
Joe Broke It said:
Hello all!

So, in researching lots of posts here, and looking over my jeep much closer, I've noticed something odd.

My jeep has 4.5" of lift spread between three different methods.

1" Body
1.5" suspension spacer
2" suspension

I included a photo of my front right spring to show the spacer.

Why would someone do this instead of just getting a single lift kit? I'm contemplating removing the spacer and getting a full 3.5" suspension lift kit. The Jeep sits on 33" tires right now and I don't plan on changing that size.

With the body lift, can I just remove the spacers and not need to mess with anything else? I know the reason my transfer case shifter is whacky is because of the body lift, but is there anything else that I need to adjust when dropping the body back to the frame? Would it be a better idea to get a 4.5" lift instead of a 3.5" lift because of that 1" body lift?

View attachment 600111
Click to expand...

Is that an ACOS spacer on the front? If so, it gives you the ability to adjust ride height at a pretty fine level and may be the reason someone installed it.

As for the body lift, it's very common to have a small (1" or 1 1/4") body lift in conjunction with a suspension lift. The body lift allows you to install a motor mount lift to tilt the driveline to eliminate vibes frequently caused by a small lift when used with the OEM driveshaft. If you remove the body lift, you'll need to ensure you don't have a motor mount lift installed as well, if so, you'll need to remove it. A small body lift also allows you to tuck the transfer case up into the frame and decrease the low hanging skid plate underneath, this is frequently called a tummy tuck.

Finally, if you decide to keep the body lift, a cable operated transfer case shifter will eliminate the problems you're having now.
 
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Joe Broke It said:
It does have an aftermarket bumper, no winch yet though. That's on the ever growing list of things to see to.

Good catch on that ball joint! I will inspect closer when I get back home. Who needs those anyways 😅

I have considered the tcase cable shifter kit. Is there any other thing I might need to consider with tweaking when removing the body lift?
Click to expand...

IMO, I would keep the body lift (assuming it's in good condition.
Especially if you're planning on buying different springs anyway.
However, if removing the BL puts you at the height you want, then you're done.
YRMV
 
Duck Doctor said:
That spacer could've been added to compensate for extra front end weight from heavy bumpers and a winch. You may still need spacers with 3.5" lift springs to compensate for excessive rake from heavy components.

Doesn't look like your passenger upper ball joints is properly seated. Could just be a weird angle in the photo.

Instead of removing the body lift, considering installing an aftermarket tcase cable shifter. Will remedy your tcase linkage issue.
Click to expand...

After closer inspection, Neither of the upper ball joints are seated properly. The guy I bought the jeep from, I'm assuming, wasn't much of a mechanic.

I'm going to be regearing the front and rear end to 4.56, so the ball joints will be much more accessible. I'll see if I can't whack those down into place while It's all apart. I'm assuming I'll need to take the steering knuckles off too....
 
LONGJP2 said:
IMO, I would keep the body lift (assuming it's in good condition.
Especially if you're planning on buying different springs anyway.
However, if removing the BL puts you at the height you want, then you're done.
YRMV
Click to expand...

I'm halfway between removing the BL and keeping it. Maybe someday I'll want to do a tummy tuck. Maybe not. Who knows. I sure don't. I figure it's already there, and the jeep rides fine and looks great. It certainly isn't hurting anything being there.
 
deadbeat son said:
Is that an ACOS spacer on the front? If so, it gives you the ability to adjust ride height at a pretty fine level and may be the reason someone installed it.

As for the body lift, it's very common to have a small (1" or 1 1/4") body lift in conjunction with a suspension lift. The body lift allows you to install a motor mount lift to tilt the driveline to eliminate vibes frequently caused by a small lift when used with the OEM driveshaft. If you remove the body lift, you'll need to ensure you don't have a motor mount lift installed as well, if so, you'll need to remove it. A small body lift also allows you to tuck the transfer case up into the frame and decrease the low hanging skid plate underneath, this is frequently called a tummy tuck.

Finally, if you decide to keep the body lift, a cable operated transfer case shifter will eliminate the problems you're having now.
Click to expand...

I have a Tcase cable upgrade in the mail on the way, so that will get fixed.

I've also learned that the person who I got the vehicle from, who lifted the jeep, never installed a motor mount lift. so I'll be doing that too while I've got it all apart.
 
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Joe Broke It said:
I'm halfway between removing the BL and keeping it. Maybe someday I'll want to do a tummy tuck. Maybe not. Who knows. I sure don't. I figure it's already there, and the jeep rides fine and looks great. It certainly isn't hurting anything being there.
Click to expand...

Tummy tuck or not, that extra space gives you easier access to things.
Plus, you can also raise your gas tank.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
Tummy tuck or not, that extra space gives you easier access to things.
Plus, you can also raise your gas tank.
Click to expand...

I'm learning so much on here... Raising the gas tank too? What's the reason for doing that? I didn't think that hung down all that low
 
GregBelleville said:
What is required to raise the tank, I'm interested in this, my tank is banged up.
Click to expand...

Bodylift,cut and weld your skid mounts 1" shorter or get one meant for a body lift. I used a rokmen skid i think

Reinstall tank and enjoy.

I recommend getting new carriage bolts with a square section that is longer. The factory ones don't engage the crossmember all the way and can strip easily. I used stainless steel nuts and bolts when reinstalling mine. My local hardware store had what I needed.
 
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GregBelleville said:
Thanks, this seems to be the armor I'm most in need of judging by the looks of my undercarriage.
Click to expand...

If you can find an 03-06 gas tank skid they fully enclose the tank. You could cut and weld the mounting flanges to get the 1” clearance. Then swap it in. Make sure your gas tank is pretty empty!
 
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