I’m new to off-roading; a real greenhorn (sorry in advance if my thinking or terminology is off).  I got my first Jeep (‘03 Sahara w/ 4.0 L, auto trans, In-line 6, 39K miles) this July.  Love off-roading in the many mountainous trails in/around NE Tenn. Would like to lift but am a bit blown away right now with all the things to consider…

I expect to be going on off-roading day trips (~3-5 hrs of decently difficult mountainous trails every third or fourth weekend).  What repercussions would I need to consider when lifting 3 inches?  (driveline angles, axle gearing adjustments, overall handling and smoothness of ride, etc.)  Also, what size tires at this height lift would be the biggest I should go to while keeping the stock 15” x 9.50” wheels?  At what tire size should I expect rubbing fenders/wheel wells without modifying axles, getting new wheels, adding spacers, etc.?  How would a 3” lift coupled with the largest recommended tire affect the life of my transmission? Also, would I need to consider making any adjustments to the transmission and axle gearing?   Hopefully I’m worrying about way too much stuff at only a 3” of lift…but you never know.

I’ve heard that pretty aggressive off-roading with body lifts leads to the body shifting around on the frame.  Should I avoid body lifts because of this?

Can you give me any personal experience feedback or opinions on different combinations of budget boosts, body lifts and lift kits?  If the downside of body lifts and budget boosts are not too bad, I might consider either or both with a shorter lift kit (expense is my main consideration in this line of thinking)

I’m also seeing options such as brake line extensions, transfer case shifter linkage relocation brackets, anti-sway bar disconnects, etc. – more options I need to consider, huh…

unless you have a specific need for the 3" lift ... why not go with 31" tires on your stock rims and setup?  doesn't sound like you want to go 'hardcore'.  add a 1.5" spacer lift so you can disconnect your swaybar without harming your fenders.  pop a selectable locker in the back.  not personal experience, but from what i've heard ... this will get you where you want to go much better than the bigger lift and tires.

for bigger tires, i kinda like the look and possibilities of a TJ with little or no lift, but a decent hack job on the fenders.  tuck the t-case and gas tank up for extra clearance.  you might not look like one of the 'big dogs' ... but you will gain offroad ability and a much lower center of gravity.  

havn't done anything close to that yet, so i'm just speaking out of my A$$.

Pete

welcome to jp forum.i have a 99 with a auto and i6 so i can give you a few pointers.get an aux tranny cooler,will extend the life alot when pushing bigger tires.

i just got done doing some wheeling tonight in the snow on some trails and i never liked the junk buget boosts before,tonight i really confirmed why i dont.my friends 97 shot the coil out of placement while going over some logs.all they are is for mall crawlers, looks.since you are going to do some good wheeling get a real suspension lift.go with the old man emu 2 1/2 kit with hd springs.then you wont have to change the driveline angles at all.and put a jks 1.25 body lift on and you will clear 33's real easy.

as for gearing,you will need 4.10's to get you back to stock performance considering you have the auto,thats what they reccomend.with all the mod's you will buy it will come with all the proper stuff to get it going.

just look around to find the best deals on the lift,tires,etc.the gearing is going to cost around 1200 dollars.its not going to be cheap to get to where you want to be,but it will pay off in the end.i would ditch the stock rims and get somthing a little better,with better backspacing so its not so close to you steering and suspension parts.

the best advice is do it right,not a cheap way to get on the trails.less wear and tear on your rig and will preform alot better.good luck

at 3 not alot changes. i have body lifted a vehichle and will never do it again. but on wranglers (ive never owned one but they are in my family and friends driveways) a 1 inch body lift seems to help clearance and make a little room under those things. i recommend suspension lifts. if your on a budget you might look into a shackle kit to gain a couple inches and then a 1 inch body lift and you could be riding three inches taller for 300 to 400 dollars and just a couple hours work. with the auto tranny defiantly(i cant spell to save my life) install a tranny cooler. as for tires with 3 inches you can clear 33's easily. and for gears heres a neat trick

take your tire dia (33) multiply by 0.13 the number u get will be a ballpark number and a good place to start

33x0.13=4.29 so 4.10s will be close to stock

and as long as you regear and put a tranny cooler on the tranny it wont give you any problems.

hey if your on a budget u cant use shackles because this is an 03 tj not an old yj w/ leafs. You probally meant coil spacers  

thanks i forgot those are coils. i play with big jeeps with leafs  

wut do u mean big?  

fsj's wagoneers and j trucks