Flex vs Lift 95 YJ

hunkajunk · Sep 16, 2007

My last trip out wheelin made it painfully clear the my poor old stock 95 YJ with a 2.5l and a hard top needs help. If I'm going to wheel it I've got to build it better.

Seems like a good place to start is with suspension. I've been reading tons about lifts. I know a SOA would probably give the most flex, but I don't got the skills or the $$$. I also like the stock ride. So I'm focusing on a SUA lift.

I'd like to end up with between 3 to 4.5" of lift. The thing that has me stumped is that the higher the lift spring the worse it flexes. From what I read having tons of flex isn't the most important thing. How ever I really need more flex then I have now. (understatement of the century). I'm going to try out removing the rear track bar and disconnecting the front sway bars. I'd like quick discos but I don't want to have to buy new ones after I lift.

All other things on the jeep being stock for now. Would I get better overall performance from a good 2.5" lift kit and some 1"-1.5" greasable lift shackles for 3.5"-4" of lift (possibly boomerangs), or a 4" kit with 0 lift greasable shackles? I'm leaning towards the RE standard or OME kits.

This is my DD. Cash is a problem as well. Most of our $$ go to our 2 year old.

Is there a way I can do this in stages so I can get a little more performance now while I save my pennies? How much trouble would it cause if I put on some longer travel shocks and lift shackles on the stock springs?

Sorry if this is a bit of a noob question. I'm learning.

Pat · Sep 16, 2007

Get the Rubicon Express 4" standard kit. I don't remember if it comes with shackles or not but you want those too. If they aren't in the kit it's well worth the extra $80 or so. The kit comes with a drop bracket for the front track bar which IMO is stupid, just get rid of front and rear track bars. Don't try to save money by piecing it together, I tried this and it was a mistake. The kit is way cheaper than the sum of the parts.

wcjp · Sep 16, 2007

I'm not a fan of shackle lifts. They could induce steering problems to the frontend. The YJ will not flex like a TJ. That being said, what size tire is your goal? I'm going to guess 33's. It won't take much lift to qualify for a SYE. For some reason not all Jeeps are created equal with vibes and SYE needs. One way to reach the 4" goal would be either 4" springs or 2.5-3" springs with 1" body lift and TJ flares and extended bumpstops. Never use aluminum shims for the rear axle. Use only steel. The aluminum will deform quickly.

I strongly urge you to revisit using Rubicon Express springs on a YJ. I've had both the 2.5" and 4.5" SUA Extreme Duty springs. Both sagged horribly. The 2.5" XD took less than a year to sag. The 4.5" sagged within 2months. I could rub 31's on the trail with the RE 4.5" XD. If you put on the 1" BL, you could also install 1" Motor Mount Lifts (mml). This would help with vibes. However, I've heard the 4cyl doesn't like mml. The mml may transmit engine vibes. The 6cyl doesn't have this problem.

Might cruise Craigslist for used parts. Also, ask your local offroad shop for used parts. Maybe post a Wanted to Buy (wtb) request for used parts within their store.

Pat · Sep 16, 2007

wcjp said:
I'm not a fan of shackle lifts. They could induce steering problems to the frontend. The YJ will not flex like a TJ. That being said, what size tire is your goal? I'm going to guess 33's. It won't take much lift to qualify for a SYE. For some reason not all Jeeps are created equal with vibes and SYE needs. One way to reach the 4" goal would be either 4" springs or 2.5-3" springs with 1" body lift and TJ flares and extended bumpstops. Never use aluminum shims for the rear axle. Use only steel. The aluminum will deform quickly.

I strongly urge you to revisit using Rubicon Express springs on a YJ. I've had both the 2.5" and 4.5" SUA Extreme Duty springs. Both sagged horribly. The 2.5" XD took less than a year to sag. The 4.5" sagged within 2months. I could rub 31's on the trail with the RE 4.5" XD. If you put on the 1" BL, you could also install 1" Motor Mount Lifts (mml). This would help with vibes. However, I've heard the 4cyl doesn't like mml. The mml may transmit engine vibes. The 6cyl doesn't have this problem.

Might cruise Craigslist for used parts. Also, ask your local offroad shop for used parts. Maybe post a Wanted to Buy (wtb) request for used parts within their store.

Geeze how much do you weigh? I've been abusing my RE springs for years with no problem. T-case drops and motor mount lifts will probably break your fan shroud. I've never "deformed" any shims either, they are nice and snug between the springs and perches. And yes always do SYE and CV shaft with ANY YJ lift.

Cascade_Crawler · Sep 16, 2007

like it was mentioned above ditch the trac bar and sway bar front and rear. Personally Ive heard a lot of good things about rubicon express springs. Do yourself a favor and do the SYE right away, forget MML and T case drops.

JOOP · Sep 16, 2007

The 4" Skyjacker lift flexes pretty nice and nice soft ride.

wcjp · Sep 17, 2007

Pat said:
Geeze how much do you weigh? I've been abusing my RE springs for years with no problem. T-case drops and motor mount lifts will probably break your fan shroud. I've never "deformed" any shims either, they are nice and snug between the springs and perches. And yes always do SYE and CV shaft with ANY YJ lift.

I used to weigh 2100pds on the front/rear axle with some armor and 33's. I now weigh 2190 front/4590 rear. I added my daughter, rear seat, more tools, more parts, full weld in cage, armor and 35's.

Back when I had problems with RE I was considerably lighter with 31's. I'm now SOA with Alcan springs. This is not the cheapest option. The Alcans have worked great for 4 or 5 years. I originally did the bl and mml in anticipation of going with a flat skid. That never happened. I think it does help with vibes. Never did any type of skidplate drop.

Also, my 4deg aluminum shims were heavily deformed after three weeks of very light city driving only. I put less than 100miles while living with vibes. Once the steel 6deg shims were installed the aluminum shims were a throw away item.