Rate your lift

Hi, I know there are tons of threads all about this. I did a search and picking through all 300 threads made my eyes bleed. So I was wondering if everyone would post about the particular lift (brand, not height) they have and why you choose that brand. List the pros and cons, what you would have done diffenetly and any other mods you would have done to help the lift preform better (pitman arms, shock type, shackles, shakle reverse and such). It would be nice to have a compiled list of the major lifts available with ratings for stiffness, ride quality, articulation, etc..

Though it should have no bearing on the following posts, I have a stock '73 CJ-5 that I am going to lift 2.5"-3" and am looking for something that wil ride nice due to this being a family vehicle.

 

Four wheel drive hardware 2.5 inch lift. I chose it for the completeness of the lift. Also I had heard that they ride well. It does ride very well compared to my stock springs. I might add an add a leaf to the front to get rid of the "rake". I also put new shackles on at the same time. No complaints at all.

High5

 

Skyjacker 4 inch lift. At the time, I didn't know others were avalable for 4 inch. It turned out, well, though, and it was simple enough wth an air wrench.

 

I have used Rough Country for years.
To be honest part of this is because they have been around forever, the other part is that they are somewhat of a local company.
The other lifts I have used have been a Superlift and now I have a Black Diamond for the ecj5. (note BD is now owned by Superlift)
The RC kits have always been complete and now that they are new owners the customer service is much better. Their newer kits flex well.
Superlift makes great products all around.
For shackles M.O.R.E. seems to be the best now that Con-Fer is gone.

 

have 2 Superlift Superride better ride than stock
have one Rancho rough rider

 

Skyjacker 4" lift on a '74. Wanted the 4" for clearance, and wanted a softer spring rate than I had on my last rig. Went together fine, kit was complete except for new brake lines.

I'm not unhappy with it, but found that the ride is a little too squishy around the corners and on off-camber trails. On-road ride is very smooth though.

 

Pro Comp 2.5". Just installed it and have only put a few miles on it, but I really like it so far. Rides rougher than stock, but then again the stock springs were so worn out they were dangerous.

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/SpringsShocks/yjconv/index.shtml

I am using Rubicon Express 4" lift 2.5" wide CJ springs. I converted to the 2.5" springs to give a better ride. I wanted to run 35" tires and that dictated the amount of lift I needed. In my case I had to rebuild the suspension anyway so the conversion was just as easy as going back to stock.

I am very happy with the way it works.

 

Black Diamond 3" here.

The ride is surprisingly good (may have something to do with the 33" BFG radial all-terrains?).
Install was very easy.

BADS I experienced:
Front U-bolts did not fit my Jeep-WAY too big.
No rear axle pinion angle correction-I immediately had driveline vibration due to severe driveshaft angle. I installed 4 degree wedges and that quieted the vibration quite a bit but not enough-6 or 8 degree wedges are next.

 

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Superlift 2.5 + .5 shackles on both the 2A and 5. No brand loyalty, just happened that way through aquisitions

33's on the 2A
32's on the 5

Personally I like the 32's alot

 

I just wanted to point out that all of these kits are a compromise between ride, lift and flexibility. Stiffer or lower means more roll stability, higher or flexier means less. For a "family" vehicle that's driven on the street a lot, I'd err on the side of less lift or less flex. Also, roll-over resistance on the street depends a lot on ride height, spring stiffness and tire height and width. So, place your bets and take your chances.

 

I had a 2.0" - 2.5" BDS lift out of Michigan on my YJ. Saved about $100 over the other manufactures. The lift was OK, I liked the military wrap they use on the springs. I busted a front spring off road after about a year or so. They replaced it, no questions asked as they have a life time guarantee. If you are the original purchaser of any BDS product and it breaks,we will give you a new part.Period. I don't know if any of the others have that kind of warranty, but BDS has a very good warranty IMO.
http://www.bds-suspension.com/index.php

 

4" Pro-comp...I heard a lot of complaints about the Pro-comp but the only probelm I had at first was that the front shackles would flip back so that they were resting against the frame...they were angled slighty back when first installed. After settling a bit they are now slightly forard and I haven't had any problems since. I feel the ride is fine and they appear to flex well for me. After a 300 mile drive I could still feel my legs! (although I couldn't stand up... ) If I had it do all over again I think I would still buy Pro-comp.

'76 CJ7 Levi 304/TH400/QT