1999 jeep tj 3.5 rubicon express lift

1977chevy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Location
Rock Hill
Hey guys! been here for quiet some time! Still very new to the jeep scene. short story. We bought this jeep from a member here about 4 years ago lifted kept it maybe 5 months and sold it. Well, the wife decided that she wanted another jeep, so we bought it back! We've put a hard top on it, new bds shocks and stabilizer, and 4 new 33 bfg at's. All of which have improved the ride quality. This thing still feels a little sloppy on the road. Everything is tight and in good working order in the front end. Bushings are good etc. I just remember driving a friends jeep a few years ago. I believe he had a long arm kit on it and man it drove like a dream! Im scared to run over about 50mph in ours. I know that the long arm kits are probably the way to go. And I realize that I have a "starter" lift. I'm not looking for anymore height. The jeep isn't going to be seeing any Heavy off roading or crawling, just hunting trips. Mainly going to be on road. I'm just looking to improve the ride/handling of it some, more so for the wife! My question is, is there anything that I can replace/add that will help me out? or do I just junk the lift and buy a new one? Also, if anyone has any parts that will assist in my project that would be greatly appreciated!!
 
Last edited:
What's the full rundown on the suspension right now? Just some BDS shocks and 3.5 RE coils? Stock track bars, stock uppers and lowers, etc?
 
Yes. far as I can tell everything else is stock with the exception of the front track bar. After reading a lot last night, I believe I'm in need of adjustable control arms. my rear pinion angle seems to no be exactly right, probably where some of the vibration is coming from. I still need to crawl under it this afternoon and check for play in the rear sway bar which is stock on a riser I believe. Kinda hard to do working night shift.
 
Is there a t case skid drop spacer?
 
Sway bar won't cause a vibration.
 
I think the driveshaft angle is causing the vibration, but the sensitivity I'm feeling I think may be coming from the control arms being too short is kind of where I'm going with it right now. I know its a jeep, and it isn't going to drive like my truck or suburban, I get that. but my buddys jeep drove a whole lot better than this one we have. he had a long arm 6 in lift
 
The adjustable control arms will help the situation, finding a good alignment shop that is willing to deal with adjusting them is the hard part. If you decide to go to a long arm you can buy the re kit without springs or shocks, reuse what you've already bought, and get the ride your looking for.
 
I went from a YJ to a TJ and thought, "man this is nice" but then that went away when I put 4.5" springs on it with a short arm RE lift. You have to deal with body roll and just the general feeling of instability. When I added the weight of the hardtop it got worse. Mine had lockers front and rear and it would surprise you sometimes at highway speeds. I could lift the front left tire nearly a foot off the pavement on tight left turns. The TJ I have now has 2" OME springs with 1.25 body lift and it's not as bad. I am also running 33s.

Adjustable short arms are not going to eliminate what you describe (sloppy). I had the RE short arms and the only thing they helped with was adjusting pinion angle for the SYE. If you don't have an SYE then you don't need adjustable arms especially since you are only lifted 3.5". If you feel like you have to buy control arms then get the long arms. You'll have to go with an SYE and driveshaft if you go with the long arms so consider that in the expense. You are looking at about $2000.
 
Back
Top