Best automotive replacement chassis products according to redditors

No, but neither do the other kits.

If you want a full on lift kit, they cost a considerable amount more.
Front springs: http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-RE1310-Coil-Spring/dp/B006GJKBGC
Shocks: http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-SK010645RXT-Twintube-Shock/dp/B006GJJUYG
Rear springs: http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-RE1462-Leaf-Spring/dp/B006GJKG1W
OR rear shackles: http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Cherokee-Suspension-Leveling-Shackles/dp/B00X8JPJCE
Rear SYE Driveshaft: http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-5076-1-Drive-4-6-inch/dp/B00B2AEV4S
SYE: http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Heavy-Duty-Slip-Eliminator/dp/B007I5B6PS
Extended front brake lines: http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-Extended-Stainless-4-6-inch/dp/B00B2AF5LQ
Extended rear line: http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-Extended-Stainless-4-6-inch/dp/B00B2AF61ArefRID
Front Trackbar: http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-Front-Adjustable-1-5-4-5-inch/dp/B00B2AF0MU
Leafspring shims: http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Products-800062-2-5-Degree/dp/B004NOTHSK
And of course, the long arm kit you pick.

That list comes to 2k, and has everything you need.

a full pre-assembled long arm kit will cost you about 2k(see here: https://www.claytonoffroad.com/search-shop?field_product_vehicle_tid[]=12&field_product_categories_tid[]=66). Kits usually dont include everything you need, either... Buying parts you need separately will save you cash, and you can opt for a more expensive, or less expensive part. Be prepared to turn a wrench... the more turns you put in, the more cash you save(in most situations).

What you're asking is "I want a lift, but don't know what to ask about". The above is ALL the shit you need to get 4.5" out of your jeep without being a huge cheapass and doing it wrong. It's expensive to lift a jeep, and people seem to think that doing things like using blocks, pucks and a transfercase drop is the right way. Sure, you may only spend $100 to get 2.5 inches, but you'll see extreme vibration, issues with steering and tracking, pinion oiling, etc.

Save your cash and do it right the first time.

This is a problem with some Subarus as well if you use WRX suspension on a forester/outback I believe. Basically you just need some spacers.

Something like this but that's for up to 2012 i think?

Budget Boost suspension lift spacers (I have them on my Jeep).

Took me a few mins to find loads of spring and strut spacers to add a bit of height for larger tires.

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https://www.amazon.com/Tema4x4-Complete-Hyundai-SANTA-2000-2013/dp/B07L26N1JG/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Tema4x4+santa+fe&qid=1562263449&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Heres everything I bought for my lift, the swaybar end links are of course optional, so are the bumpstops: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019HXJFBA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K5FP2SE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2AF0MU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2AFKP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH1OCO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C57XJY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Daystar, Toyota 4Runner 2.5" Lift Kit, fits 2003 to 2009 2/4WD, all transmissions, all cabs KT09115BK, Made in America, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GH1PDW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IcAwDb7N087JK

Maybe instead of the spring spacer (which requires a spring compressor and unbolting the strut top hat), maybe consider some of these. Looks like they go on top of the strut between the strut top hat and the frame. Means you don’t have to take the strut apart and that’s a major deal.

So use these and some wheel spacers. Get some cheap tires online. I put some 27x8.5 rock crawlers in a set of alloy 14” rims.

Front strut spacers 40mm for Nissan AD/AD EXPERT, BLUEBIRD SYLPHY, CUBE, DUALIS, JUKE, GRAND LIVINA, LAFESTA, LEAF, MARCH, MICRA, NOTE, QASHQAI, ROGUE, SERENA, TIIDA, VERSA, WINGROAD, X-TRAIL Lift Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYCJN44/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_f0kpDbSXJ61ZS

These are the front spacers I'm going with.

I know most people here don't like AAL but I'm trying to save whatever I can, this isn't my daily. If I experience sag in the back I'm going to be adding the Rough Country Shackle Relocators. Another option is the rancho 1.5" leaf springs.

If I were you I would get 2" blocks for the rear and that will level it out while still being able to use the factory shocks. If you go higher then you will likely need taller rear shocks.
Also, once you raise the rear the front will dip a little. The geometry changes. something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/2004-2017-Suspension-Leveling-Assembly-Extended/dp/B07JGXDD7K/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=f150+2%22+rear+blocks&qid=1572969357&sr=8-4

Double check to see if that first set includes both the add-a-leafs and spacers.

This is pretty solid if you want a step up from a budget boost though it's more like $300 shipped. Rough country suspensions are a bit stiff, but I run the Series II setup with these shocks and coils and I like it a lot. I don't have a ton of experience with their add-a-leafs though.

There's also some budget boosts with shocks but I have no idea about fitment or quality.

I recently did exactly that (3 inch lift, 31s). If you're looking for ideas or reference, here is "Jade". (Mall parking lot of course. Havent taken her out since I did it)

I did it relatively cheap as far as lifts/tires/rims go. List goes as follows:

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT31X10.5R15 - $175 x 4 = $700

Pro Comp Steel Wheels 15x8"/5x4.5" $55 x 4 = $220

3 in Rough Country lift $293

Hubcentric Wheel Spacers $27.50 x4 = $110

They installed my lift at Mavis for $390 labor. It was a pretty fair deal.

All in all ~$1700.


I'm about to get a pair of Smittybilt bumpers this week.

Warning. Your fenders will rub. I'm cutting and putting flares on because I need them anyway for legal reasons.

Curious - was this the new or old track bar?

http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-Front-Adjustable-1-5-4-5-inch/dp/B00B2AF0MU

Part number 7572.

Was eyeing it up, since its cheap and also rebuildable with moog tre's.

I have seen a few rare reviews of them breaking, but usually only with hard offroading. Either way a track bar is NOT something you want to fail.

May just spend more on a double sheer or something like that.

Look for Budget Boost kits similar to this: Amazon Link

Yep. I used the term "Kit" loosely as it is just patch metal. But its very cheap, and I welded it without any prior knowledge using my friend's welder and his tips as I went.

https://www.amazon.com/mgsakftv-Repair-Shackle-1986-1995-Wrangler/dp/B07KG5FVLY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1T6FKBHC1REFR&keywords=jeep+yj+patch&qid=1571370290&sprefix=yj+patch+%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-3

ReadyLift 1 1/5" rear - 2 " front https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYLT3QD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

You might try something like this in the rear https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Toyota/Prius/Firestone/F4179.html


There also is a lift kit available, gotta order it from Russia though https://www.amazon.com/Tema4x4-Complete-Toyota-AVENSIS-COROLLA/dp/B07DH2VTWQ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_263_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FCKQP8SR1MX26QXGVNRQ look up Tema4x4, there's an article on Prius Chat about it too. It's what the group that ran the Gambler 500 in a Prius used. Not all that much of a lift but it would probably do wonders against the scraping.

My understanding is that with coil spring suspension you have two options regarding truck lift.

The first is coil spacers up front with extended leaf spring shackles (or spacers) swapped out in the back.

The second option is to completely swap out your front knuckles with extended versions. You'd need new coil springs to match the geometry from the knuckle swap, as well as appropriately sized shocks.

I believe a front end alignment afterwards is pretty mandatory with either option, and I know that some Rangers need additional, non-OEM, hardware on the upper ball joint arm to adjust the camber that a coil spacer affects.

As far as the shocks go, you probably want new shocks to compensate for any amount of lift you put on the vehicle (maybe you could get an inch or two of extension out of the original ones?), but I'm sure someone with more experience could chime in about that.

I've thought about coil spacers for my own 2WD '03, although I've heard mostly negative things about how it affects the ride quality.

Thanks for the input. What about just a Shock extender?

You install these under the coil springs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCZTQGZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Sv8vCbSSKD689

Hey OP Make that fit snug! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J2BKY0I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got it from Amazon but I still needed a couple rubber washers to fully snug it up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J2BKY0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_qaQUibQQlSpoN

So you have a 3 inch lift and added shackles what kind which ones?

Would this work...

https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Suspensions-Cherokee-Suspension-Adjustable/dp/B00IU34QH2?crid=QY1LY357HBDB&keywords=jeep+xj+shackles&qid=1537474159&sprefix=jeep+xj+shackl&sr=8-5&ref=mp_s_a_1_5

Supreme Suspensions - Cherokee Lift Kit 2" Front Suspension Lift + Adjustable 1.5" - 2" Rear Suspension Lift + Transfer Case Drop Kit Jeep Cherokee XJ Leveling Kit (Black) PRO https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IU34QH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_F2AfAbPGR2753
Comes with a transfer case drop if it's wobbling at high speeds after installing it but mine didn't need it. I got a shop to do it for me and it got pretty expensive for the shocks and everything, but I'm glad I didn't do it myself he was telling me all the crap that he had to work around and I wouldn't have been able to deal with it. Very worth it though

I actually have the zone 3" lift and I love it. But I have an 06 LJ, and a much longer rear drive shaft which means I didn't need a SYE. A regular TJ absolutely needs it and would require hundreds of dollars more upgrades. I wouldn't have gone 3" if I had a TJ since I didn't have the money to upgrade the driveshaft

I had the fat bobs coil spacers installed on my ZJ (which fits all TJ/XJ/ZJ) and it was good quality and fit great. I didn't get longer shocks and eventually flexed mine out and ruined it so I'd recommend getting 2" longer shocks. These are the ones I would choose because you ride quality is dictated directly by your shocks. And with the parts I listed you're under $500

Shop around but these should give you an idea. I would look for a name brand.

http://www.amazon.com/Wrangler-Budget-Boost-Spacers-97-06/dp/B006IVQJTQ

For the spacers you need to go steel and not aluminium.

https://www.motorsport-tech.com/specialss/truck/jeep_s

You can do both in an afternoon. You will need a torque wrench and a spring compressor. Other than that standard tools to take off a tire.

Hope that helps.

Really the only steering part that is a ZJ upgrade is Moog DS1312. Everything else (tie rod ends, adjusting sleeves, drag link, track bar) are all the same on the XJ & ZJ. It's weird that just one component is different, but like I said in an earlier post when you compare the two you will WTF at how significant the difference is. Going to the ZJ tie rod is a no-brainer even for people who just want to stay OEM.

In your original post it says you're at 2" of lift which is close to where I'm at also. The stock track bar is fine for that height. If/when you go to a taller lift it seems 3.5"-4" is the breaking point for getting rid of the OEM track bar and going to an adjustable. I'm planning on going either Old Man Emu or Rubicon Express later this year, and if I do I'm getting the Rubicon Express double shear track bar assembly along with the track bar brace. RE says it's for 4" and above, but from talking to several different shops the consensus is that you'll probably get more lift than advertised out of most kits because the springs need to settle.
RE1660 Track Bar - $143
RE1665 Track Bar Bracket - $70
RE1670 Track Bar Bracket Brace - $80

I've got some pics

Factory 265/60-18 w/Daystar 2.5"/1.5 spacer lift

Same lift above with 265/65-18 AT3s

5100s, OME 885/895 springs, Camburg style UCAs, 1.5" wheel spacers

Last pic is a total lift of over 5" with well over $1000 invested. I'll be jumping up to 275/65-18s once these tires wear down.

The Daystar spacer lift was less than $125 on Amazon and can be installed by anyone with simple tools and jacks. In fact, I've still got my Daystar spacer lift kit boxed up in my shop - I could sell it to you on a DEEP discount. The spacer lift served me VERY well for a few thousand miles until I upgraded.

My advice- get the spacer lift and drive the snot out of it. Its an extremely capable 4wd, if you understand how the ATRAC system works.

ETA: my MPG with the spacer lift was not affected- 19 city/24 highway/21 average. After adding the slightly larger tires, winch, winch mounting plate, all suspension mods, K&N filter, HCF delete, I'm still 15 city/22-24 highway/18 average.