Ok I have read up alot on this forum, I just signed up today. Here's the thing. I have a 97 Tj 4.0 auto. Bone Stock. I want to run 33's. I was looking at the ome Trailblazer kit, but just tonight I noticed it said it included coil spacers in the kit. for the past two weeks i thought the kit included 4" coils all the way around, not a combo of coil and spacers. so I was bummed. I live no where close to extreme offroad areas. it is a street jeep with weekend ventures on 60 acres of family property , nothing major. I am on a low budget, times are tough right now and in the future, a better lift will be possible, but for the past two days I've been thinking of just getting the 3" coil spacers, with extended pro comp shocks for like 220.00... seems from what i read that i could clear my 33's with that, and not have to buy anything else except disconnects. I live in flat michigan. so my wheeling is basically hill climbs and two tracks, and of course snow. will this kit give me what i need for right now? until I can scratch up enough for a true coil lift. thanks for your help, please comment and give me some direction. thanks  

Sorry, also wanted to ask, I want a locker for the rear, is the lock rite a good choice for what I'm gonna be dealing with. I work seasonal doing asphalt repair and seal coating, so I don't work through fall/winter months. in the spring I can spring for springs.....sorry that was lame no puns intended. but a quick fix to clear 33's... I also own a GMC Z71 crew cab, and the wifey has a trailblazer. so this jeep is finally one I can own as all others were primary single vehichles, and with a child we all know wranglers are not the best family vehichle. so if i'm not mistaken my stock 97 TJ has 3.07 gearing. all the lockers i've read about are for 3.54 and up. so any help there would be appreciated. the jeep is probably 60 % onroad, 40% offroad, again, blazing fields, rutted up farmers land (which i have permission, he lives across the road from my folks and owns 450 some acres. And If anyone has any knowledge of state offroad trails within 50 miles of port huron michigan, I'd love to find. thanks guys/gals, in advance  

to be honest if your tight on money right now and going through "hard times" i would wait it out and lift it when your can afford to do it properly. my first jeep i lifted i did it cheap and went with a $600 lift and it was terrible and it rode like crap and i wished i had never done it in the first place. honestly hold off till you have some more cash, you'll be happier than if you throw a couple hundred $$ in the garbage basically.  

the ome kit is 2.5" coils, shocks, track bar bracket and a t-case drop....
which is all ya need to fit 33's under your tj.
the best combo is the above with an additional 1" of bodylift and a 1" motor mount lift. then the ground clearance robbing t-case drop is not usually needed.

you do not need a 4" lift. as we pointed out a 3-6" suspension lift needs much more than just the lift to make it right. like a sye and cv shaft that adds an additional 600 bucks just in parts to the cost of a 4" lift.

ya need at least 3.73 gears to work with your 3spd automatic, 4.10 is better, 4.56 is the correct gear. gears that are to tall like 3.07-3.55 will bake and burn up the auto from riding the stall convertor all the time while turning 33's

if your on a real budget and are dead set on a cheap lift, look at the $300.oo rc2.5" lift and add a 1" bb on top of the front springs, a rear track bar relocation extension, and 2" bumpstops. that will also make all the room needed for 33's.  

First, there is nothing wrong with a 1 or 2 inch spring spacer. An aluminum or steel spacer works great. The polly spacers might compress a little, but they're fine.

Too long of springs is actually a problem. There is a happy relationship between length and diameter in spring design. If the spring exceeds the proper length/diameter ratio, it will curve like a "c" or "s" instead of compress.

Designing a spring for proper tuning and then building spring pockets that control ride height is the correct  clean piece of paper approach.

Lift kit mfgs don't do a lot of spring tuning design. They just stiffen them and make them longer. Because their only concern is "lift".

And guess what? They ride like they were not designed.

A couple months ago, Dustin was where you are. If you have the time read the thread here on JP called "Suspension and Recomendation". There is a lot in there, including Dustin's story.

So, here is the recommendation. If you don't have a couple grand, don't do anything. Enjoy your very capable stock TJ.

Larger tires need a gear change, else you won't be happy. Between just tires, wheels and gears, that's over 2 grand. And you have not even started on the suspension.

Most of the things that people do to their TJ's suspension doesn't make them more capable off-road. It's just for getting a big tire look. And that look is at the expense of something you enjoy driving.

First, get a winch. Second, get some 30x9.50 all-terrains or mud-terrains. Third, get some sort of front and rear locker.

These are the things that make a difference off-road. Especially in the terrain that you described.  

thanks for all the info guys, I do have to say though, that Even when I planned on lifting it next spring, I don't plan to go High Budget then either. See, the Jeep is used for very simple Off Road action. I would never spend 1-2000 on a lift, for my wheelin I just can't justify it, and also, it is just a toy really. I finally am at a point in life where my jeep is a 3rd vehichle, so i can actually keep it. but I don't live in the mountains, or the desert , or anywhere near trails like I'm sure you guys run. Not a rockcrawler, just simple two tracks, and Snow. If I didn't go with 33's, and went with 31's would that pro comp spacer kit, along with disconnects be a good choice? although you mention RS kit for 300? is that new coils? or spacers. because the procomp coil lift is like 220.00, but if i can get lifted coils for 300 i'd opt for that, and 2-3" on 31's should allow some pretty good articulation correct? the gears and lockers would be next, I didnt' know I should regear it for lockers, but You guys are my "Teachers" for lack of better term. So to run 31's with room to move, how would you set that up? thanks  

this is my wife's tj on a 2" budget boost and 31" tires. plenty of room there




 

thanks for the visual, I wouldn't mine a setup like that, then install lockers. Actually If i have to change my gearing first, or along with when i put lockers, that's gonna be a pretty penny too. How much is a decent ring and pinion in the gear size i would need? What did you go with for the lift on your wife's jeep? It looks like it has room for some decent axle movement. See, my original plan for 33's, and lift, I would want another 2 inches between the top of the 33 and the flare. but I just can't afford to do what I want. If that jeep is only bumped 2" on 31's, I wouldn't mind that setup, I think I'd want an extra inch though, maybe body lift 1"? Now fellas, with a 1 inch body lift, will i have to change anything with linkage on the trans or Tcase? what about with a 2" body lift? same question? Hell, I just bought this 97 TJ a couple weeks ago from a city slicker. It has close to bald passenger car type tires 225/75/15's. I was at walmart the other day, they have the Goodyear wrangler tires 235/75/15's for 55 bucks each. I was tempted to get em cuz they're so cheap, but then I thought, why, use that 250.00 towards 31's or the 33's. I ordered a carpet kit because mine was shot, and it came today, I am not impressed with it. I got it off ebay, from outland? I'll check later, but I want to send it back i think, it's totally not molded to fit right like the oem style. I have some errands to run but I have some more questions for you guys, I came across this forum with the topic of a guy wanting to lift with rough country, and read all the feedback on that, but I will check out the suspension forum when i get back. thanks again. Tom  

Rubicons come stock from the factory with 31's and a 3/4" steel spacer on the front. That's all you need for 31's.

Don't give up your nice riding oem springs for the sake of 31's. It's not needed. Shocks on the other hand would be very benificial. Some nice Bilstein 5100 or Old Man Emu shocks would make a big difference. Both on and off road.

A LockRite locker that you can install your self would also be a nice choice for the rear. $300. It's a little light duty, but with 31's it would work great.

Also with 31's, gearing should be 4.10, but you may be able to get by. Try it. If it's ok, then you saved $1000-$1200. That's what gears and installation costs. You would definitely need gears for 33's.

YOU DON'T WANT CHEAPO LIFT KIT SPRINGS AND SHOCKS. Ask Dustin. He ignored the advice the first time around.  

My TJ has no lift, stock 3.73 gears and it's on 31" tires.  It works fine, and since you are only doing light wheeling that would be plenty.  It is for me.  I plan on getting the 2.5" lift mud suggested and putting 33's with new gears and lockers.  It's expensive when you add it all up but I want to wheel more than light.  And these guys are walking me through it all.  

Hi Guys,
I agree with you air force, giles and mudb have alot of good info/advice/input, I've seen it in other topics. I just got home so haven't read through the suspension topics yet but will in a bit, The wifey has to be to bed early tonight so I have to hang out with her for a few, but I'll be back on in an hour or so. But here are my thoughts(giles/mudb) Okay, so I will lay out my plans , in no specific order,(that's what you guys are for ) ... I want at least a rear locker, I am mechanically inclined to do most this work myself, A buddy who worked for a jeep dealership will be assisting me on the tougher stuff, or stuff I don't have tools for. So at least a rear locker, I'd like a front too but can't afford one that can be unlocked so front has to wait. I want to lift it enough to clear the 33's, even if for now I only run 31's ( used on craigslist ) and save up for good 33's. I mentioned the 3" coil spacer kit with extended pro comp shocks, it's like 220.00 + shipping. but you've mentioned a coil lift for 300? correct? which one and why should i get(coil lift)? I want front disconnects, I'm not worried about dropping the t'case (even though it will lose clearance) but how much is a motor mount lift? and exactly what does it do for my drive line. I have a page I want you guys to view there are options on this page with prices but are the prices per coil, or would it be both fronts, and both rears, same with the shocks you'll see what i mean when you check this page.... http://www.rocky-road.com/tjome.html  this is where i originally wanted the trailblazer kit, UNTIL i found out it wasn't FULL 4" coils, that it is a combo kit. so how do i do it all? do I get spacers now? maybe 2" or the 3", then when ready for 33"s get a 2.5 or 3" coil lift to combined to make 5-6" is that possible? I'm not a fan of, but would do a body lift. But what will I have to change with a 1" kit, 2" kit, 3" kit? one last thing I wanted to mention, on ebay there is an ebay store seller, who tells me the lockrite locker they have for sale will work in my 3.07 gearing is he full of *** most of them Do say 3.54 or higher but some don't say that, and it is one of those that told me it's ok. I know this is alot but if you were to build your jeep ( a budget jeep ) in what order of parts, and of which company would you go with, like i said, even if I were to get the lift, but not have the money for 33"s off the bat,and ran31"s with it... thanks guys..  

shoot, I meant to ask this question, I haven't looked underneath yet but assume maybe it's a ujoint, but in my driveway or parking lot, backing up slowly, coming to a stop, like a second or two after I stop to switch it to Drive i get a clunk sound in the rear. any guesses?  

Rocky-Road.com sells OME springs and shocks. Their Trail Blazer kit use to include the OME springs and shocks, plus spacers to make it a full 4" lift.

They also just so happen to have the best prices on OME springs and shocks. Their web site has a couple of great explanations for why you should go with OME. Click here for more info. Make sure to click on the two links that go into further technical details about OME. One for springs and one for shocks.

Springs and shocks from OME will run you about $550. They are the best. No question. They will provide you with 2.5" of lift.

You will also need a rear track bar bracket. Rocky-Road has that also.

JKS mfg has the best disconnects. They are called Quicker Disconnects. $130. JKS also has a motor mount lift. They are 1" alumuinum spacers and retain the stock motor mounts. I ran the M.O.R.E bombproof mml for a month and didn't like the lack of isolation from engine vibes, so I changed to the JKS mml.

For a 1" body lift, I went with Currie. They use alumuinum spacers, not poly. Poly compresses over time.

This will get you enough to run 33's and no drivline vibes.

If you lift a TJ more than 2.5", the cost will go way up. There are a lot of things needed to lift a TJ more than 2.5". Don't even go there. If you're trying to stay on a budget and have something you like driving when your done, stick to this plan. No more than 2.5" of suspension lift.

The only other thing you might want is a transfer case shifter relocation bracket. The body lift and motor mount lift will work to align the shifter ok, but, even the stock linkage sucks.

I ran this way for several years and 33" tires. I also had an SYE, CV drive shaft and 4.56 gears, but that was for the future growth plans.

I still have all that same stuff, plus a lot more. Here with 34.5" tires...




 

Ok, I'm on the Rocky Road site, All I see is the Trailblazer 4" kit, 599.99, or the budget tj 3" kit with shocks(not shock extenders)295.00. But that page I linked you to, has the parts broken down and priced seperately, look at this particular page at the bottom where you select your parts. Are the prices for ONE spring, or prices for ONE Shock etc.. Aside from the trailblazer kit, it's the only page i see the actuall OME Coils, not spacer. here's the link again

http://www.rocky-road.com/tjome.html  

please check that and let me know how they are doing it, per shock per coil, or prices for front pair, shocks front pair, or all these prices for ONE spring, ONE shock thanks, and on THIS PARTICULAR page, what should I get. thanks again  

so what all are  you running with your 34's, and you lost me with a particular paragraph, here it is

JKS mfg has the best disconnects. They are called Quicker Disconnects. $130. JKS also has a motor mount lift. They are 1" alumuinum spacers and retain the stock motor mounts. I ran the M.O.R.E bombproof mml for a month and didn't like the lack of isolation from engine vibes, so I changed to the JKS mml.