Another body lift thread

[roverhi]

So I have been contemplating a body lift for my 97 TJ. I have a 4 inch suspension lift already, but when I air down, I lose lift from it and I think the best and cheapest thing to do is to put on a 1 or 1.25 body lift with 1 inch motor mount lift as well. Who knows? maybe there is a tummy tuck or gas tank tuck down the road - there's always another item on the list!
My mechanic is recommending the daystar kit (KJ04508BK) that replaces everything and is poly. He is also recommending a very expensive brown dog MML (SU2572-1). Together, the quote was about 1500 installed which I thought was too high.
So, long story short, I have done a lotof research here and on other forums and almost everyone says get aluminum lifts and keep the OEM mounts. He's not too keen on it and does not work with savvy at all, which is what I would prefer after researching it. He will quote me the Rough Country mml and Teraflex body lift. These are all aluminum, so probly just fine, and the prices are comparable to savvy.
My questions are - Are these two products considered fine in place of savvy, or should I find a different shop that will put on savvy kits? Am I correct with my deduction that aluminum is superior to not only the daystar and brown dog poly or rubber, or even the BMB Delrin kit Blaine offers?

Thanks for any and all opinions - I don't want to mess this up and get any new vibes or more roll!

Body lift will do nothing for ground clearance but will allow for more tire clearance with larger tires under the fenders and/or future tummy tuck. Body lift is easy to do unless you have a rust belt jeep with the usual issues of broken/rusted in place fasteners.

Motor mount lift can turn into a nightmare if engine shifts slightly and you can't reinstall the bolts without shifting it back. Dealing with the engine block bracket to clear the Air Conditioning pump is also another hang up that someone without mechanical experience will find daunting. Heard loosening the bracket bolts may allow removal of the mount bolt and would make it way easier to do the MML. Pulling the bracket completely creates a challenge getting it back on.

Using the stock engine mounts with a JKS lift block is the way I went for smooth vibration free engine performance. If you want to change to a one piece mount, the MOR mount is supposedly the best. https://mountainoffroad.com/collect...f-motor-mount-kit-for-1-lift-97-06-yj-tj-lj-1

 

[rasband]

Body lift will do nothing for ground clearance

One easy spot to get hung up is on the sliders - I don't mind the 1". Also with the rear frame tuck I hit back there a little less and fixed the butt crack issue. All that to say, it does a little something.

 

[kmbarreiros]

I was able to get the Daystar kit off eBay for a little cheaper $115. It was in sale.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DAYSTAR-KJ...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

The install is incredibly easy. Only requires basic tools. Hardest part was getting the spacers in the front to slide and lock in.

I have only driven my Jeep a couple of times and did not notice any difference in the drive quality or a harsh ride as others state.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I was able to get the Daystar kit off eBay for a little cheaper $115. It was in sale.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DAYSTAR-KJ...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

It was on sale because the 1" Polyurethane blocks will compress down to 5/8"" over time. You only got charged for a 5/8" BL so you won't get pissed off later on.

 

[gatertamer]

I didn't read all the threads and if im late to the game I'm sorry but I'm only a backyard mechanic and I did the one inch mml and 1 1/4 bl in about half a day and if you do them together you don't have to move the fan shroud.... it's way easier than you think

 

[TheBoogieman]

I didn't read all the threads and if im late to the game I'm sorry but I'm only a backyard mechanic and I did the one inch mml and 1 1/4 bl in about half a day and if you do them together you don't have to move the fan shroud.... it's way easier than you think

Doing a BL has nothing to do with a MML. Good BL kits come with fan shroud relocation brackets, FWIW.

 

[jjvw]

Doing a BL has nothing to do with a MML. Good BL kits come with fan shroud relocation brackets, FWIW.

Savvy and JKS must not be good body lift kits then.

 

[gatertamer]

The point is you don't need the brackets

 

[TheBoogieman]

The point is you don't need the brackets

Install one and see what the fan blades say to the shroud about it.

 

[mrblaine]

10 hours of labor is ridiculous, just do it yourself.

How long do you figure it would take me and my helper to just remove the rear crossmember for a TNT long arm kit on a TJ Unlimited so it could be repaired?

It sounds scarier than it really is. If you can change a tire, you can install a BL/MML.

I've never been able to remove the front and rear body mount bolts with the factory lug wrench, is there a trick to it that I am missing?

Follow the instructions that come with the BMB kit and ask here on the forum if any questions come up. You can do it!

My instructions are intended for them that are mechanically inclined.

 

[mrblaine]

Doing a BL has nothing to do with a MML. Good BL kits come with fan shroud relocation brackets, FWIW.

My apologies for delivering a sub par body lift but I don't believe in adding the expense of relocation brackets when a few self tappers into the flanges are better, cheaper, and just as effective.

 

[mrblaine]

The point is you don't need the brackets

I would say that a statistical sample of one is an outlier. I've done countless body mount and motor mount installs and have yet not needed to move the fan shroud. But, the qualifier may be that we are also raising the trans with a raised belly skid, so be a tad cautious with absolutes.

 

[mrblaine]

So, you offer a way to relocate it?

Nope, I'm not selling to the uninformed, inexperienced, or unknowing. I want folks to pick what I do because they are educated and know exactly what they need and how to get it.

 

[gatertamer]

I did years ago (regrettably jks) but i still have relocation brackets and bump stops on a shelf

 

[TheBoogieman]

Nope, I'm not selling to the uninformed, inexperienced, or unknowing. I want folks to pick what I do because they are educated and know exactly what they need and how to get it.

Looks like you won't be running for governor of California anytime soon then.

 

[PNW_LJ]

How long do you figure it would take me and my helper to just remove the rear crossmember for a TNT long arm kit on a TJ Unlimited so it could be repaired?

I wouldn’t know, haven’t done that. How long does it usually take you?

 

[mrblaine]

Looks like you won't be running for governor of California anytime soon then.

Well, think about it just a smidgen. How many body lift kits do you know of other than the pair I have designed that relocate and extend the OEM grill snubbers because I understand what the factory was doing and why they did it? They are not constrained and are soft and squishy for a reason and it isn't because they weren't smart enough to do it another way.

 

[mrblaine]

I wouldn’t know, haven’t done that. How long does it usually take you?

I don't know on the usually part but I helped a buddy against my druthers and it took us over 4 hours. Point of that is I know what I'm doing, I have the tools I need and the ability to think through complex issues and it still took 4 times as long as it should have. After the repair it can be dropped in an hour but before the repair, not even close to possible. You nor anyone else knows how long it will take, only how long it should take and all it takes is one minor little issue to double or triple that amount of time.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Well, think about it just a smidgen. How many body lift kits do you know of other than the pair I have designed that relocate and extend the OEM grill snubbers because I understand what the factory was doing and why they did it? They are not constrained and are soft and squishy for a reason and it isn't because they weren't smart enough to do it another way.

Point well taken. You are always the best at educating me on the reality of a lot of things. I never doubt anything you say and actually listen.

 

[PNW_LJ]

I don't know on the usually part but I helped a buddy against my druthers and it took us over 4 hours. Point of that is I know what I'm doing, I have the tools I need and the ability to think through complex issues and it still took 4 times as long as it should have. After the repair it can be dropped in an hour but before the repair, not even close to possible. You nor anyone else knows how long it will take, only how long it should take and all it takes is one minor little issue to double or triple that amount of time.

If something unforeseen like that happens that’s totally acceptable, but a 10 hr labor quote for BL install sounds like the “go somewhere else” price.

But I don’t work on cars for a living so what do I know.


Out of curiosity, how long does it take to remove the front trackbar frame bracket? I though drilling mine out was bad, can’t imagine removing it.