cykawtik

So I have narrowed it down to an IRO 3" lift with either MX-6 or Bilsteins. Any good shops in the Lower Mainland that do a good install? Don't want to pay an arm and a leg but don't think this is something I can handle on my own

Mr White

iTrader: (1)

Lower mainland?? You have no "LOCATION" so how are we to give you a constructive reply to your question

04WJGuy

Which IRO lift are you looking at putting in? Most on a ZJ/WJ are fairly straight forward if you have the basic tools and don't mind a few hours under the jeep, unless your installing the kit that requires welding.

cykawtik

Ah haha, I am in Metro Vancouver and this is the lift I am considering:

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch..._Code=IR-W_3LK

04WJGuy

Good basic kit, missing a few parts though. Most important is an A-arm spacer. It's a must have when going oveer 2.5", it will keep the balljoint on top of the pumpkin from breaking when your flexed. Would also consider some front spring holders.
It's a straight forward install, would take about 8-10 hours to do yourself if you've never done one before.

cykawtik

According to IRO an A-Arm spacer is needed at more than 4" of lift. Mine wouldn't be wheeled hardcore, would I still need one.

04WJGuy

The following is my personal opinion only. :)

Stand on the bumper and bounce the front and rear 3-4 times and then measure all 4 wheels center of hub to bottom of fender lip and average them out. This is you C-F measurement.

A stock WJ has appro. a 18.5" C-F. Depending on what coils you have from factory it may have started to sag a little or a lot. The 3" coils your going to be putting in are based on 3" above "stock" hieght so you may actually be lifting it 3+" from where it sits now.
My 04 had the 830lb coils and had dropped 1.25" so when I put my 4.5" lift in the Jeep actually sat closer to 6" higher when it was done. My g/f's 04 had the 1100lb coils and had only dropped about .25".

That said think of the way your suspension sits right now. The upper and lower control arms are almost horizontal to the ground and the rear a-arm is at a nice gentle slope.
Now your going to lift it 3+", the control arms and axles are going to pull in closer to the center of the Jeep and the a-arm is going to pivot down with it losing some of it's articulation. The spacer is designed to keep you from losing that movement by putting more slope to accomodate the axle moving forward and keeps the joint close to stock performance.

For anything over 2.5" this is what I would reccomend.
1. Adj. front disconnects
2. Extended rear links
3. Adj. track bar
4. A-Arm spacer
5. HD rear swaybar
6. HD front swaybar
7. Extended bumpstops
8. Front coil holders
9. Extended shocks
10. Rims with 4.5" of backspacing or spacers Assuming you will be running bigger tires.
11. HD steering stabilizer

If there's anything here that you want to discuss or if I've confused you let me know.

04WJGuy

I run the MX-6's and love them but a lot of people use the blisteins. Both have good reviews.

cykawtik

Does all of this have to be done at the same time?

cykawtik

The jeep is primarily going to be a daily driver, no hardcore wheeling will be done. Maybe an occasional trip down a logging road.