Starting point

[Cujovicious]

I bought a 99 wrangler sahara soft top last year and i'm just now getting around to beefing it up. I'm starting with a 4in. suspension lift but I need to know some things before I start.

1. What is the best brand to go with? I see several brands with prices ranging from 400-1500. What's the difference? I'm going to be using it mostly for driving to work and around town so I want it to have a smooth ride. Is there anything else I can buy to make it have a smoother ride? And what about the gas mileage? Will it cause any premature wear on anything other components on my jeep????????? Thanks, Cujo

[TJx2]

I would start with a basic 3" kit from a vendor like Rusty' offroad, Rubicon Express, et et if you are new to off-road and the Jeep world... especially if you want to keep it affordable, do-it-yourself, and good street manners.

With a 3", you can still use your stock control arms (you still can with a 4", but long arms are recommended), you can get away with a t-case drop most of the time (with a 4" you really need a SYE which ios more money and requires cracking into the t-case) and you typically do not need to futz with lengthening brakelines. Plus with the addition of a 1" body lift you can run 33" tires with little worry... which is about the max you will want to run anyways if your Jeep has an "un-beefed" Dana 35 rear end.

As an example, here's mine. '99 TJ, 3" lift (teraflex coils and the rest is Rustys.. I saw closer to 3.5") and a 1" body lift, 33"x12.5" TSL radials. I still have pretty decent on-road ride, and the lift components only ran me about $450 all told with disconnects

[Blupupher]

With a 4" lift, the more expensive, usualy the more complete. A $400 4" lift? I have not seen one that cheap. But the more expensive ones will have shocks, springs, front and rear trackbars, quick disconnects, and some even long arm kits. As far as mileage, the lift won't hurt it, but the bigger tires will. The only way to get it back (or at least better) is to regear.
If your wanting a smooth ride, go with an OME 2.5" lift (Shocks and springs), and add a 1" body lift. Gets you almost the same height (maybe the same), but has a GREAT ride. Cost, around $700 plus instalation.

[Cujovicious]

Ok i'm hearing that the combo of a suspension and body lift is the best way to go so I think i'm going to do that. As far as re-gearing and installation....How much does that usually run? There aren't any reputable dealers in the area and I want to get an idea on how much I should pay. thanks for the previous replies

[Blupupher]

An average is about $500 per axle for ring and pinion and instalation. A little more in some places, a little less in others. Not a real cheap thing to do, but the only true way to get performance back.

[Penguinizi]

in regards to the body lift, dont go more than 2 inches, prob want to stay at 1. the 3 inch kits can be a pain in the a$$. i have one on my jeep currently and i play hell w/ my shifters when its cold. and the more body lift you have the more unstable it is(i.e. my body mounts are leaning to the front a slight bit... gotta get this kit off and replace with a 1inch polyurithane kit)

[Joker®]

A 2" body lift is the max I would go. Your rig will start acting top-heavy and more prone to rollover if you go higher. Plus you'll have that unsightly gap between the tub and the frame.

I'd suggest a cheap shackle lift, but alas, you have one of those newer round eye models :tooth: