I have read almost all the topics so far. I have a 02 tj x 4.0 and i cant decide which kit (or combo of kits) to get. Some background on my intentions, i usually off road every weekend and it is also my daily driver. i have 31s that I am running now and i will probably run for a while then get 32s or 33s. I dont want to say that i am doing this build cheap just on a mild budget, with results. I am not new to lifts and off roading, just new to jeeps. So far I am thinking a 3in lift with an inch body. is a sye and cv needed with a 3in or a 3.5. also i have no intentions on using the TC drop. I really just want the most for my money.  

if yer sticking to the 33's and expect a good ride the OME/jks ultimate kits is all ya need.

you'll get away with out a sye. and cv shaft with a 3", use a motor mount lift along with the body. it helps the drive shaft angle. a sye and cv shaft wil help the life of the t-case bushings and prevent any binding.

I like my Rancho 2.5" and won't hesitate to get another.

it's kinda your call, be sure ya have a complete kit.  

Lifting the motor an inch is not equivalent to lowering the tc an inch. Motor mount lifts do affect the drive shaft angle but not as much as lowering the tc.

The primary purpose of the mml is for fan to shroud clearance for a body lift and secondarily for drive shaft angle.

Every TJ seems to be unique as far as drive line vibes. Then, couple that with driver tollerance and you get a lot of greay area for a rule. Some think stock TJs have drive line vibes.

I think between 2" and 3" you will get vibes, but they can be fixed with mml or tc drop.

Over 3" and to do things right you have to go with an SYE.

The difference between lowering your tc and using a flat skid and a SYE is at least 5" of additional ground clearance.

That's the double advantage to a body lift, tire clearance and ground clearance. The body lift allows you to run a flat skid.

So, the SYE is much more valuable than most think.

OME springs are the best. They ride nice and they don't break down like most of the other springs.

Shocks are also very important. "Lift kits" give you $5 shocks that aren't worth a dollar. Nice shocks make a huge difference. Plan on spending at least $300 for a set of nice shocks. OME, which are tuned to work with the OME spring rates, Bilstein 5100 or 5150, Rancho RS9000, or Walker Evans.  

exactly...  

awesome thanks guys. now where do i get it all at. i can find OME but the OME/jks i cant find it.  

sorry, its a OME kit put together with JKS adjustable track bars and a body lift.... the rear adjustable isn't absolutely nessesary, the kits come with a extention bracket for the rear.

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/TJ_LJ_OME_Kits.htm


hmmm, I guess I should find some other sources before I end as a PR for DPG...LOL  

also. right now im running topless and doorless but as soon as the weather changes i will be putting the doors back on and soft top. i do plan on a front winch and rear tire carrier. Light, Med, or HD coils?  

DPGoffroad has it all  

go medium/ hard top kit, unless ya want a stiffer ride or run with alot of weight in/on it.

alot of the HD kits ya find on e-bay have the rough ride complaint as the reason they pulled em off  

I'm running heavy OME springs. I have bumpers, winch, and hard top. I'm happy with my heavy front springs, but I may switch my rear to medium. Even with 300 pounds of gear, I think medium load for the rear. I am running OME medium (long) shocks, and like them.

If you want the best prices for OME, Rocky-Road.com.
Most everybody sells the JKS stuff for the same discounted price. JKS will not sell directly for less than retail.

So, if you want to put your own kit together you could save $100 by ordering the OME stuff from Rocky-Road.  

I'm happy with the ride, I just think the rear ride height is a 1/2" too high. If you use a 3/4" spacer in front the rear sits about 1/2" higher. Ok, but not level. That's with a hard top. For a soft top, go medium for sure in the rear.

My bumper and winch weigh about 200 pounds. That sank my front springs an inch.  

the install we did on fastjeepwrangler's  we added a 3/4" spacer up front in addition to the factory 3/4" on the rubicon. as far as I could tell inside the shop it was pretty level with the soft top, he did get springs for the hard top app.
plan ahead a little and get a 1.5" spacer if ya feel stacking isn't right...


 

I'm pretty sure the hard top version is the heavy load spring??  

IDK...

that could be.  

ive been told that all of the springs whether they are soft, med, or heavy are all the same spring rate. the difference is the soft are shorter than the med and the med are shorter than the heavy, just by a lil bit tho. the reason they ride different is the spring needs to be at that certain hight when its on the jeep for a good ride. so if you have soft springs with a jeep that has all kind of weight like an arb bull bar its going to ride crappy because of how the spring is handling that weight/height difference.... just what i have been told.