Lift/Axle Plans - So far so good?

MattTheMudder

New Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Location
Cary
Hey, just got back this Saturday from Charlotte where I went over some lift plans at the Carolina Rock Shop. Should be getting a call with a quote for the whole deal any day now, so I'd just thought I'd start off by posting what I've got on my list and getting some reactions.

Front HPD30
Ford 8.8
CV Driveshaft
SYE
Rock Shop's own mounting brackets for the 8.8
1" BL and MML
Extended Steel Braided brake lines
Vanco Big Brake Kit
Clayton Long Arm Kit
Springs (Not sure, had them price for RE 4.5"s but I dont know if I should go lower or with a different brand?)
Shocks (recommended Bilsteins)
Trackbar
SwayLoc
Wheels (something, dunno yet probably alloys)
Mickey Thompson MTZ's (35's)
Speedo Gears (can do that myself, just thought I'd throw it on the list so I dont forget)
Custom exhaust system
Muffler
4.56 gears
ARB lockers front and rear

Am I missing anything? I've been going over lift/axle plans for a couple years now, but I dont want to forget anything. They said they install this same stuff all the time, with the exception of the SwayLoc. I'm going with that over an AntiRock or disconnects because this Jeep's still my DD. I'll have a York onboard, so I could run the air-activated SwayLoc, but I figure the manually operated one will be less likely to break. As far as springs, what does everyone recommend? And I brought up using Brown Dog BL/MML, but the shop doesnt have any experience with them and recommended JKS. Any opinions?

edit - Thought I'd throw in that I've have a '99 TJ with a 3 speed auto. Used to coming from Jeep sites, so I dont always remember to put what I own
 
Looks to be a pretty solid list to me, but im sure there are a few more nickle and dine things you may want to budget for, they tend to always pop up

For the wheels, i wouldn't reccomend alloys to anyone who is going to wheel rocks, with the exception of some beadlock wheels. It is too easy to trash the beads, i have learned first hand. Also, some like the trailreadys provide more than enough protection for the outer rim, but in my case, i trashed the inside of the wheels, running stock jeep alloys, where no beadlock would help.

Also, it depends on your preferences, but i might consider 4.88 gears, i know Projek_TJ had them with 33s, 35s, and now 36s, and they worked fairly well with each tire size as far as i could tell..... although the difference from 4.56 wouldnt be very much,

also, he runs 3.5 RE springs with a 1" BL and has more than enough room for some 36" IROKS with some trimming, so you might wanna consider dropping to 3.5 inch springs since it sounds like you're iffy about the 4.5 inchers and 35s, but i think RE is as good a brand as any to go with for lift coils
 
awspence said:
Also, it depends on your preferences, but i might consider 4.88 gears, i know Projek_TJ had them with 33s, 35s, and now 36s, and they worked fairly well with each tire size as far as i could tell..... although the difference from 4.56 wouldnt be very much,
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I was thinking the same thing, until I read that he's got the 3 speed auto. I think 4.88s would end up being too deep for a DD. That was an edit and you may have responded before you replied.
also, he runs 3.5 RE springs with a 1" BL and has more than enough room for some 36" IROKS with some trimming, so you might wanna consider dropping to 3.5 inch springs since it sounds like you're iffy about the 4.5 inchers and 35s, but i think RE is as good a brand as any to go with for lift coils
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I agree with this whole heartedly.

All in all, it sounds like a good choice on all of the mods. I hope your wallet can handle it. I know I couldn't do everything I wanted all at once.
 
I was thinking the same thing, until I read that he's got the 3 speed auto. I think 4.88s would end up being too deep for a DD. That was an edit and you may have responded before you replied.
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that is true, i didnt think about his tranny, with that extra reduction and in a DD, 4.56 would probably be a better choice
 
I'm planning a stroker in the future, so I'll have a little extra power down low in the power band. Enough that I probably wont suffer with the 4.56s. Also, it does sound better to go with RE's 3.5" springs, especially since RE tends to understate their actual lift. Also, I plan on running the Staun Internal Beadlocks. Should I still run alloy or steel? I've heard the arguments on a different forum, but some fresh opinions couldnt hurt. Any little things I'm missing or does it sound like I'm set? Should get a call about that quote, so I'll post an update once I get the details.
 
Matt,
If you are going to Run Stauns then you either need to get a reinforced steel wheel or an alloy one. Either will work fine and pricing will be about the same.

I am just about done with the quote, should have it to you later today.

Thanks
Andy
 
Well since you're not afraid to spend some money why not go ahead and buy some Alloy shafts and CTM's?

Also, why the MTZ's? just curious, and I believe they tend to run pretty small.

Umm.... dont know what your intentions are for the rig but might want to add in some armor (rocker protection, gas tank, diff's, t-case,...)

Have Andy build you a cage also... and as for wheels go ahead and get beadlocks...

Also, JKS makes some very nice products...
 
winch, cage...
 
uncc civilengineer said:
Well since you're not afraid to spend some money why not go ahead and buy some Alloy shafts and CTM's?
Also, why the MTZ's? just curious, and I believe they tend to run pretty small.
Umm.... dont know what your intentions are for the rig but might want to add in some armor (rocker protection, gas tank, diff's, t-case,...)
Have Andy build you a cage also... and as for wheels go ahead and get beadlocks...
Also, JKS makes some very nice products...
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I've got big plans and armor is definitely in there. Since I'm still in college, I'm just gathering the parts needed to complete the axles/lift to get it on the road. Upgrades and other things will come later. Cage at the rockshop is definitely in the future.

As for tires, I'm looking mainly at either the MTZs or Dick Cepek's mud countrys, but I'd consider whatever comes highly recommended. Any experience with Dick Cepek?
 
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