Lift Suggestions and feed back please

[6894kevin]

I'm finally actively saving funds for my lift and need suggestions and comments from those that have the actual experience.

This is what I am thinking== OME Med kit with front 30mm spacers to get it level and a 1 inch body lift from Duiser Off-road.

I don't have a heavy front or rear bumper but might add a badlands 12k winch to my TJM 17 bumper. I don't think that's enough weight to justify the heavy springs. I was thinking the body lift would allow me to run 315/35's and hopefully keep the flairs (I like the flairs) and make body rub minimal. I know the body lift isn't really necessary but i figured it might help reduce rubbing. Any input is helpful.

Also any places that are less of a hit on the wallet i can order from, I keep looking on the classified section but a total kit just seems easier.

 

[Teddy]

IF I were you, I would go with heavy springs up front for a bumper and winch and forgo the spacer, then throw the mediums out back. It should sit pretty level.
Also, I would forget about the body lift. Is there a particular reason you want 35s? If you aren't planning to wheel it hard, I would just put some 285's on it. Even if you do want to wheel it (I assume it would be nothing too crazy, since you want to keep your flairs), you can run almost all the trails around here with 285s on.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but there are a lot of sacrifices you start making once you get a tall lift and 35+ inch tires. Drive an 80 on 35s first, if you haven't. You're welcome to drive mine at a meeting or something one day.

 

[BMThiker]

You may want to read this thread before purchasing from Duiser Off Road: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/duiser.823328/
See if Trollhole has any used springs laying around that you buy before plunking down big money. With the parts swap around the corner, I'd bet someone has something that would work for you.

 

[6894kevin]

Exactly why I asked! @Teddy

ok so heavy springs up front and loose the spacers. The winch won't be for a whIle so will it look or drive funny if I go heavy with no winch?

The reason I want to do 315/35'S is because I have 285 on now and wanted to use the extra room from the lift.

I like the flairs and manly want to keep them because it looks better that 16 or so holes where thay used to be.

Can you go into further details about the sacrifice of 35?

 

[6894kevin]

@BMThinker

I need shocks and everything so I figured a kit would be easier than piecing things together.

 

[Teddy]

Exactly why I asked! @Teddy

ok so heavy springs up front and loose the spacers. The winch won't be for a whIle so will it look or drive funny if I go heavy with no winch?

The reason I want to do 315/35'S is because I have 285 on now and wanted to use the extra room from the lift.

I like the flairs and manly want to keep them because it looks better that 16 or so holes where thay used to be.

Can you go into further details about the sacrifice of 35?

For starters, you're going to lose a lot of power, especially in the mountains, you will also have problems with your power steering offroad. I added an aftermarket power steering cooler and still boil my fluid on occasion. This has resulted in blowing up the power steering pump in the middle of the woods. Also, much more expensive to replace. Also, get more wandering on the highway.

Even with a 5 inch lift and no flairs, I still hit the inner fenders sometimes. Also, more wear and tear on your front end.

Like I said, not trying to steer you away, just need to be aware of what you're doing. Building these trucks is a slippery slope. If I were only planning to ride fire roads and the like, I would stick with 35s...that being said, I really want 37s.

 

[6894kevin]

It's not my daily driver and I think I could honestly live with most of those issues with the exception of the power steering failure. Did u upgrade the entire system or just add the cooler to the factory PS?

 

[Teddy]

I ripped all the factory paper clip cooler stuff out and replaced it with a finned aluminum cooler that holds twice as much fluid. I also replaced all the low pressure lines with all soft lines to eliminate bends in hopes of better flow. I have seen the same thing happen to other people. Keep in mind, this only happens when I'm in the rocks and mud off road.

As far as your ride with heavy springs up front, It will definitely ride like a truck and not a fat marshmallow. I don't think it will ride nose high though. I have Ironman heavies front and rear and with a 12000 pound Warn and ARB, I sit about 1.5-2 inches lower in the front. I like it that way though. Rides level when loaded up.

 

[jynx]

My 80 has heavies up front, mediums out back. Out front I have an ARB and a 12k winch, front still sits about an inch to an inch and a half low. I clear 35s no problems. Only time it hits is when I flex it hard and the rears will rub the inner fenders but I don't have a rear sway bar. Like Teddy said, heavies up front, mediums out back, slap on dem 315s and go.

 

[Teddy]

Matt, you still have your flares in right?

 

[Teddy]

Something else too, I know ride is all personal opinion, but after having ridden in and driven trucks with Ironman, Slee, and OME, I think the Ironman kit with foam cell shocks had the smoothest ride.

 

[jynx]

I do still have all 4 flares on my white 80. It is a pig along with the ARB/12k combo up front, I am running White Knuckle sliders and an IPOR rear with no swingouts. I'd say I am tipping the scale at between 6k and 7k lbs. Of course I am also running the 3FE so I got some extra weight up front that some of you 1FZ guys probably don't have to worry about.

I can't say much about the differences between the lifts, but I will say that I have only heard good things about the Ironman setup. Lots of folks seem to be sliding towards the Ironman stuff. Also, springs are all going to do effectively the same thing, where you make or break the ride is the shocks. If you want it to ride good, don't skimp on the shocks. I was looking at the Ironman 2" setup for the Deuce, but ended up just ordering a set of 30mm spacers for all 4 corners and I will throw on a set of new shocks once I get ready.

As far as the tire size. 35s/315s will fit with the 2"-2.5" lift with no problems. I have gotten into some things I probably shouldn't have and have managed to keep my flares. Of course the biggest thing with your flares is to make sure you don't push the tires out too far. Pushing them out will make them more likely to get into the flares if you cross it up. Other than that your driving will be the greatest threat to your flares and their ability to stay attached to your rig.

I would say that the most important thing about this whole discussion is that you post pictures of the before, during and after pictures.

 

[greenseaman]

I had the 850/860 ome setup (heavy up front/meds rear) and it rode really well. It rode level but I didn't have a winch or aftermarket bumper.

I got a great deal on my setup so keep checking out MUD classifieds or the parts swap and you might get lucky. Plus you can probably get a little money out of your stock springs, not much... I sold mine to a guy for $50 that was going to put them on a land rover(not sure if they fit or not)

 

[6894kevin]

Thanks I appreciate the help and it looks like Ironman kits are around the same price but can they be ordered with heavy springs up front?

 

[Teddy]

The extra constant load are the heavies. Give Marshall a call. He's an Ironman dealer and can talk with you about it.

 

[6894kevin]

Any suggestions on Shocks if I buy it in stages instead of a full kit?

 

[Trollhole]

Just contact me. I'll hook you up with a screaming deal on Ironman.

Have 2 4" lifts coming in this week for customers.

 

[NCFJ]

I picked up an Ironman 2" lift from Marshall, I like it, rides smooth. Have not had it off road yet. Get the castor correction bushings.

With 33" KM2 and FJC steelies

 

[6894kevin]

did you do the heavy springs up front?

 

[Teddy]

Here is the best pic I have right now, but this is my truck with heavies front and rear (Ironman), loaded with tools and camping gear in the back, ARB and Warn M12000 up front. It's a taller lift, but spring rates are the same.