Lift Kit Question

[ROLDS]

Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong area but want some advice from the SC group.

I bought an '95 FZJ80 about two weeks ago and have been working on it to bring it up to trail speed.

One thing I would like to do but looks expensive is doing a 4" lift kit.

I have looked at Slee and $2489 seems alot for this kit. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this on your own and what is really needed?

Slee says you need the following:
Consist of:
2 x SOF4FM Front Coil Springs
2 x SOF4RM Rear Coil Springs
2 x N73L Shocks
2 x N74L Shocks
1 x SD24 Steering Damper
1 x Slee Front Caster Plate Kit
1 x Double Cardan drive shaft.
1 x Front Sway-bar Drop Kit
1 x Rear Sway-bar Drop it
1 x Front 2" Bump Stop Drop Blocks
1 x Rear 2" Bump Stop Drop Blocks
1 x Set Stainless Steel Extended Brake Lines
1 x Front Panhard Rod
1 x Rear Panhard Rod
1 x Set Adjustable Rear Upper Control Arms.
2 x Breather Extensions
1 x Emergency Brake Cable drop bracket

I appreciate the advice.

Rob

 

[89s rule]

What do you plan on doing with your 80 and are you sure you need a 4" kit? 4" is where it starts really adding up. Stay with a 2.5-3" and you can make out for 1/3 of that. Not counting re-gearing to get tires to fit, starting to think about axle strength, etc.

 

[mooker82]

What size tires do you want to run? The 4" isnt necessary for 285's or 305's (some would say you can fit a 315 on a standard OME lift). How much weight are you going to have (winch? tire carrier bumper? etc..). I have OME heavy front springs and med rear. I have 285's now but am going to upgrade to 315s as soon as I have a buyer for my 285's.

 

[ROLDS]

What size tires do you want to run? The 4" isnt necessary for 285's or 305's (some would say you can fit a 315 on a standard OME lift). How much weight are you going to have (winch? tire carrier bumper? etc..). I have OME heavy front springs and med rear. I have 285's now but am going to upgrade to 315s as soon as I have a buyer for my 285's.

I currently have 285's and was looking at 35's. I do plan on getting a Slee short bus bumper and winch. I also plan on adding Bumper and tire carrier. Lastly I will add rock sliders.

I appreciate your advice. Maybe I will stay with 285's and not do the lift kit... thoughts?

 

[Capt. Jim]

(some would say you can fit a 315 on a standard OME lift).

My wife's 80 is running 315's on the standard OME lift. No rubbing.

 

[boombapslappy]

Lastly I will add rock sliders.

I'd do those first. There's a lot of places you can go without a lift. You can get strapped out of the mud or over a rock but if you bust a rocker...you've busted a rocker. (.02)

 

[landtank]

I've done a bunch of 4" lifts using Slee's springs and that kit has a lot of fat on it. Depending on your skill level you can shed about 500 or 600.00 from it. As an example I've never needed those upper adjustable rear control arms, they're like 350.00. Go with DIY panhard joints, they use the stock rubber which in my opinion is superior and they are half what the complete bars are. DC shaft, source a Tacoma rear and have it re-tubed. That will save you @150.00 and the end result is superior to his new shaft.

But if you want a bolt on, one stop purchase that's the only one out there.

 

[informationjunky]

I'd do those first. There's a lot of places you can go without a lift. You can get strapped out of the mud or over a rock but if you bust a rocker...you've busted a rocker. (.02)

I second the sliders

 

[mooker82]

I currently have 285's and was looking at 35's. I do plan on getting a Slee short bus bumper and winch. I also plan on adding Bumper and tire carrier. Lastly I will add rock sliders.

I appreciate your advice. Maybe I will stay with 285's and not do the lift kit... thoughts?

I would honestly think with that much weight and atleast 10 year old stock springs you will get a lot of sag. The Slee kit is nice but to me its a lot more money to get an extra 1" of lift compared to OME heavy.If I were spending the cash on the 4" I would just throw a few more $ in and get the 6". Frankies offroad is another option for a 3-4" lift. There are some threads in 80 tech about their lift. I am going to try the 315's with my lift and stock gearing and if its super slow and rubs a lot I will upgrade. The 80 is soon to stop being a daily driver and kind of a long trip/expedition truck. I dont think around Charleston or on the interstate the stock gearing will be bad. If I had to drive through all the hills is downtown Columbia or through the mountains I may have a very different opinion. If you are ever in Charleston shoot me a PM and you can drive mine to see if you like the lift.

 

[cruiser4life]

I bought an '95 FZJ80 about two weeks ago and have been working on it to bring it up to trail speed.

Rob

Pics man! Where are the pics??

Last chance before I blow your cover!

 

[jfz80]

i vote sliders first too

You could also look at OME's "j" kit. It provides about 4.5'' of lift over stock on an unweighted rig right after install and before the springs settle. Plus it has the sway drops and L shocks to allow you to use this extra spring. It should stay above 3'' with the acc. you mentioned. I ran this setup for a while and the 35's were fine. My roomate now sports my old J's up front w/ mediums in the back and 35's (flareless) and no rubbing issues to be concerned over. Actually his tires look a lil small I ended up w/ the J's in the rear and just buying 4'' front springs to level it out. This is more similar to some of MAFs level stance kits (2/3 and 3/4).

Also it is surely advised to get it all at once but if you not one of the rich getting richer then you can piece together over time. I still need to add my panhards and further address the castor issue, which then may entail a DC shaft. But ive been wheeling as it is for last 3 years.

here is a good side by side by side
red J's and 35s white Heavies and 33's gray 4/j and 37's

 

[jfz80]

medium rears and J fronts, tru 35'' tire. As it sits could use panhards and longer shocks (L/bilsteins).

 

[ROLDS]

Pics man! Where are the pics??

Last chance before I blow your cover!

LOL... you have to wait. Man, you wouldn't recognize my truck right now.

Also, I ordered a new front bumper, rear bumper, 4" lift kit from IRONPIG and rock sliders from Solid Rock.

We will see who is pimping come October.

By the way, I assume we are still going to the low country broil in Oct?

 

[ROLDS]

medium rears and J fronts, tru 35'' tire. As it sits could use panhards and longer shocks (L/bilsteins).

Where did you get your roof rack? How much? Very nice 80.

 

[jfz80]

aaaahhhhhh i see you have one of those budget things to work with; and you move swiftly

thats the 3/4 length ARB rack on concretejungle's rig. They no longer import the 3/4 length, this lucky bastid got the last one into the country. cant wait to see the finished product, sounds like a sweet build!!! IF you are still waiting on the IPOR order, you might as well toss a skidplate on there. its beefy.

what is IPOR's 4'' kit?? the OME J setup?

 

[cruiser4life]

Sounds awesome, bring on the Pimpin!! I bet my name is mud with the right now.

I have work to do on my 40s so my 80 won't change before you see it again except for maybe fixing the f'd up front passenger seat.

Listen to Jason, he'll definitely point you in the right direction with all things 80.

Plus, he loves showing that comparison picture above with his 80 on 37s towering over the others.

He makes a good point about the skid plate too. Make sure Lance or Cam put one of those in your order. You saw how much value that thing provided at Uwharrie, it will save you from costly repairs for sure.

As I was telling you I don't like anything on my roof, including the OEM roof rack, but if I were to put an after market roof rack on, it would be an INTI:

la cabra 4x4

I think there were some recent discussions about it no longer being brought into the States for sale but I am not sure...

 

[jfz80]

Plus, he loves showing that comparison picture above with his 80 on 37s towering over the others.

what are you talking 'bout andy??? i like this one too if the other is getting to much mileage.....

but in all honesty it makes little difference in abilities of the rigs.....or less than youd think. 35's and armor may just be ideal, but w/ 33 and lockers and appropriate armor they are amazing rigs.


Rolds...if you after a rack and dont mind making stuff check out the J-moose rack by WildYoats.