Shocks / suspension lift

[Jonathan Cordaro]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forum and new to Jeeps. I just finished an Overlander build on a 1999 Ford Expedition and thought it would be fun to make a rock crawler so I picked up a 1998 Jeep Wrangler that's pretty much stock. One thing I never messed with on my truck was a lift kit just because of how difficult it is to find one for an Expedition that's the main last thing I have to map out for my Wrangler so I thought I'd get some advice on what kits to get or opinions on if it's a bad idea to make a custom kit by just buying individual parts for a custom kit which is what I'm leaning towards at the moment. The idea is a 4" suspension lift with a 1"-2" body lift then changing out the fenders so I can fit beadlocked 35s and have maximum articulation.

For my truck, I have Bilstein 5100s and I love them but I was doing some research and from what I've read Bilsteins are better for heavy trucks than the lighter Wranglers so I wanted to double-check that. I also came across Rancho's which seems decent so I thought I'd get an opinion on that or if anyone has recommendations for better shocks. Which plays a part in if I'd do a kit or a custom lift kit.

If y'all recommend getting an actual kit for the lift I'd appreciate any suggestions and if y'all recommend going for a custom kit by just getting individual parts suggestions that would be appreciated.

I'm sure I'll have many questions over the course of this build for the nuances of Jeeps but for now, that's all I appreciate any help or feedback from the community.

 

[JustDandee]

Welcome to the forum… lift is frequent discussion here but let me point to some light reading as I only run 33’s.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-is-the-perfect-lift-height-to-run-35”-tires.10254/

 

[JMT]

@Jonathan Cordaro

Custom rather than kit.
4"+1.25" is solid for 35's.
Off the shelf Rancho or BlackMax shocks for budget $. Outboarding and tunable shocks for $$$$.
Changing the fenders won't be necessary and won't add any functionally significant clearance. HiLines are different and MetalCloak's are not HiLines.

 

[BC Moto]

I have a what I think is a 4in lift and no body lift but I also run flat fenders and I clear 35s

 

[Jonathan Cordaro]

@Jonathan Cordaro

Custom rather than kit.
4"+1.25" is solid for 35's.
Off the shelf Rancho or BlackMax shocks for budget $. Outboarding and tunable shocks for $$$$.
Changing the fenders won't be necessary and won't add any functionally significant clearance. HiLines are different and MetalCloak's are not HiLines.

Any suggestions for control arms for the custom lift kit?

 

[The4bangertj]

Any suggestions for control arms for the custom lift kit?

Savvy’s aluminum double adjustable control arms. Double adjustable and uses genuine Johnny joints.

 

[JMT]

Any suggestions for control arms for the custom lift kit?

What he ^^^^ said

 

[xXDavidCXx]

This is the thread the OP should reference.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/so-you-want-to-run-35-tires-on-your-tj.2428/

 

[Jonathan Cordaro]

This is the thread the OP should reference.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/so-you-want-to-run-35-tires-on-your-tj.2428/

Ya I saw that one which was super helpful I just wanted some more advice on specific kits or parts to make a custom lift kit.

 

[chudlet]

You can also look at Rokman and Core for double adjustable, Johny Joint control arms.