I know it's been asked a million times ....

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Tnsser
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Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:47 pm
Location: Tennessee

I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Tnsser »

Which lift kit for 3 to 4 inches? I'm looking for something that still rides good on the road but will work on some light trails. I'm looking at different kits and there are so many extra options for the BJ kits I don't know what all I need. This is my first Jeep build and my first lift attempt. I know all about lowering and air ride but nothing about what a good lift is. Is there a good place to do research or a thread with good info? I'm wanting to stay under 1800 bucks if possible. Thanks in advance.
1984 Jeep J10 258 AMC 4 speed (New project)
1991 Chevrolet S10 283 swapped and slammed
1991 Mazda Miata Turbo. Total rebuild with 230 hp
1979 Honda CB750 Cafe
2006 Ducati Monster S2R
1964 International Scout 80. All original
1984 Chevrolet C10 built 350 slammed
Knoxville Tennessee
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Stuka
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Stuka »

What size tires are you wanting to run? Also, your signature does have the year of your J10. Suspension changed through the years, so good to know.

I have only run kits from Rusty’s (don’t use them) and Hell Creek (good, and they offer a FSJN discount. I would stay away from rough country as it’s a budget kit with a budget ride. Skyjacker makes a great riding kit.

Many here have BJ’s kit and like it. If you have 40 year old brake lines, I would replace them with new ones that are slightly longer (complete kits should include these)

The one thing I would say is don’t cheap out on the shocks. Get the best ones you can afford. For the rear, you may need to run the shocks upside down because of the axle side mounts. Nitrogen shocks are ok with this.

But as you stated, this has been asked a lot. Just do a search and plenty of threads should come up.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Tnsser
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:47 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Tnsser »

Thanks. I am looking at the BJ kits and there are so many different options on what to buy. Is the basic kit with longer brake lines going to get me on the road with the ability to upgrade later? I'm going to order this one and hope it's enough to get me on the road
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1984 Jeep J10 258 AMC 4 speed (New project)
1991 Chevrolet S10 283 swapped and slammed
1991 Mazda Miata Turbo. Total rebuild with 230 hp
1979 Honda CB750 Cafe
2006 Ducati Monster S2R
1964 International Scout 80. All original
1984 Chevrolet C10 built 350 slammed
Knoxville Tennessee
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Stuka
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Stuka »

That one doesn’t come with brake lines from the looks of it. Stock lines may be long enough for driving on the street. That varies by year. I ran a 4” on my 81 J10 with stock lines on the street and it was ok. But I had to go longer before I could flex it out. But I know the skyjacker gives a bit more than 4”, where some 4” kits give more like 3”.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
Tnsser
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:47 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Tnsser »

I'm going to buy longer lines. Besides that is this a good option to start with?
1984 Jeep J10 258 AMC 4 speed (New project)
1991 Chevrolet S10 283 swapped and slammed
1991 Mazda Miata Turbo. Total rebuild with 230 hp
1979 Honda CB750 Cafe
2006 Ducati Monster S2R
1964 International Scout 80. All original
1984 Chevrolet C10 built 350 slammed
Knoxville Tennessee
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backroadin'
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Location: Vermont

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by backroadin' »

It's got what you need, so it should be good. Comes with shocks and a drop pitman arm and new u-bolts..... that's a pretty good start. :)

There's so many different ideas on what a "good" lift setup is since not everyone is after the same thing from their rides. For mild wheeling, I think you're on the right track with this one. Personally, anything more than mild wheeling with an all leaf spring rig is pretty uncomfortable since they're stiff by nature, and to get them to flex better gets expensive. JMO.
'73 Wagoneer 4.0 stroker/t176/d300, offy dualport w/ quadrajet

rocklaurence
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by rocklaurence »

This is an affordable option with good performance: https://rocklaurencevintageautoparts.co ... iver-hitch You may need to lengthen your front drive shaft and will need to purchase shocks

AccrateDelivery
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by AccrateDelivery »

E-Z Ride by ToughCountry NOT RoughCountry. Smoooooooth.

Topic author
Tnsser
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Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:47 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Tnsser »

AccrateDelivery wrote: Thu Jan 06, 2022 12:21 pm E-Z Ride by ToughCountry NOT RoughCountry. Smoooooooth.
Didn't see anything for a J10. Is there something compatible or do I need to just contact them?
1984 Jeep J10 258 AMC 4 speed (New project)
1991 Chevrolet S10 283 swapped and slammed
1991 Mazda Miata Turbo. Total rebuild with 230 hp
1979 Honda CB750 Cafe
2006 Ducati Monster S2R
1964 International Scout 80. All original
1984 Chevrolet C10 built 350 slammed
Knoxville Tennessee

rocklaurence
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by rocklaurence »

The front suspension works on either Wagons or trucks. The rear springs have different capacities between wagons and trucks.

ArchitectJS
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Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by ArchitectJS »

i went with the Rough Country 3". i couldnt justify the price of the BJs 2.5" lift for a pris-Jeep. RC rides just fine.
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift

Topic author
Tnsser
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:47 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by Tnsser »

ArchitectJS wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:54 pm i went with the Rough Country 3". i couldnt justify the price of the BJs 2.5" lift for a pris-Jeep. RC rides just fine.
Did you need anything besides the kit? Pitman arm etc?
1984 Jeep J10 258 AMC 4 speed (New project)
1991 Chevrolet S10 283 swapped and slammed
1991 Mazda Miata Turbo. Total rebuild with 230 hp
1979 Honda CB750 Cafe
2006 Ducati Monster S2R
1964 International Scout 80. All original
1984 Chevrolet C10 built 350 slammed
Knoxville Tennessee

ArchitectJS
Posts: 293
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by ArchitectJS »

Tnsser wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 12:39 am
ArchitectJS wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:54 pm i went with the Rough Country 3". i couldnt justify the price of the BJs 2.5" lift for a pris-Jeep. RC rides just fine.
Did you need anything besides the kit? Pitman arm etc?
I ordered the pitman arm. I've been driving around without it. I think that may be optional. Another thread, I think Stuka talks about it.

extended break lines
a new steering stablilzer. Youre gonna have stuff apart. you may as well do it.
sway bar links
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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tgreese
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Location: Medford MA USA

Re: I know it's been asked a million times ....

Post by tgreese »

Tnsser wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 12:39 am
ArchitectJS wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:54 pm i went with the Rough Country 3". i couldnt justify the price of the BJs 2.5" lift for a pris-Jeep. RC rides just fine.
Did you need anything besides the kit? Pitman arm etc?
Lift will change your alignment. Sufficient caster is important to tracking, and it will change. Suggest you either measure it yourself or take the truck to a shop after the install and get the printout from the machine. All they can do without parts and upcharges is set the toe and center the steering. You can buy caster shims to install yourself and correct the resulting caster. Camber is also welded into the axle, and should not change. Unlikely you will need to correct that unless the axle housing is bent.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
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