twaldron

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> "Tracie" <brainart@upstate.edu> wrote in message
> news:1188329400.579476.322830@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
>
>>On Aug 28, 11:26 am, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Tracie wrote:
>
>
> If you really want to save your pennies, I would suggest dropping the spacer
> lift for now, since your Jeep will fit 31" tires without *any* lift at all.
> At the very least, take a look at it with the new tires before your decide
> you "need" the spacer lift.

The one thing about these spacer lifts for the TJs is that they're
inexpensive and can be Ebay'd when she upgrades. The pucks don't really
wear out, but the shocks will, eventually. But considering her financial
concerns, I think she's doing the right thing.

tw

Tracie

On Aug 28, 6:22 pm, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
> Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> > "Tracie" <brain...@upstate.edu> wrote in message
> >news:1188329400.579476.322830@g4g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >>On Aug 28, 11:26 am, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Tracie wrote:
>
> > If you really want to save your pennies, I would suggest dropping the spacer
> > lift for now, since your Jeep will fit 31" tires without *any* lift at all.
> > At the very least, take a look at it with the new tires before your decide
> > you "need" the spacer lift.
>
> The one thing about these spacer lifts for the TJs is that they're
> inexpensive and can be Ebay'd when she upgrades. The pucks don't really
> wear out, but the shocks will, eventually. But considering her financial
> concerns, I think she's doing the right thing.
>
> tw

I think I am doing the right thing for now too. : D

As for when the time comes that I can afford a properly installed lift
with all of the issues addressed that need to be, I can definitely
sell this spacer lift on E-Bay and recoup almost half of what it cost
me brand new. A decent spacer lift on E-Bay with shocks runs about
$200 to $225. Even if I sell it a couple of years from now, I could
still get around $75 for it. So, for now it's the spacer lift.

Who knows? Maybe after I get the spacer lift installed (which will
give me about 3.5" of lift including my 31s) I may not want to go any
higher. And even if I do want to go a little higher, I could always
get a 1" or 2" body lift put on and buy 32s when my 31s wear out.
That would give me an additional 1.5" or 2.5" of lift. This would
still be cheaper than having to re-gear the jeep, buy and install a
good 4.5 lift kit, etc., etc. By doing the body lift with 32s, I
would only need to spend money on the body lift, new rims, and new
tires. And I would still have a grand total of 5" or 6" of lift.
Which I think will be plenty of lift for me, considering I am not into
extreme off-roading.

As for the tire carrier....I didn't realize that Rubi had a tire size
close to my 31s. I guess I will not worry about a spare tire carrier
then at this point in time. Thanks for that info Matt.

One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
longer shocks? Are they safe?

Tracie

On Aug 28, 6:22 pm, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
> Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> > "Tracie" <brain...@upstate.edu> wrote in message
> >news:1188329400.579476.322830@g4g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >>On Aug 28, 11:26 am, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Tracie wrote:
>
> > If you really want to save your pennies, I would suggest dropping the spacer
> > lift for now, since your Jeep will fit 31" tires without *any* lift at all.
> > At the very least, take a look at it with the new tires before your decide
> > you "need" the spacer lift.
>
> The one thing about these spacer lifts for the TJs is that they're
> inexpensive and can be Ebay'd when she upgrades. The pucks don't really
> wear out, but the shocks will, eventually. But considering her financial
> concerns, I think she's doing the right thing.
>
> tw

I think I am doing the right thing for now too. : D

As for when the time comes that I can afford a properly installed lift
with all of the issues addressed that need to be, I can definitely
sell this spacer lift on E-Bay and recoup almost half of what it cost
me brand new. A decent spacer lift on E-Bay with shocks runs about
$200 to $225. Even if I sell it a couple of years from now, I could
still get around $75 for it. So, for now it's the spacer lift.

Who knows? Maybe after I get the spacer lift installed (which will
give me about 3.5" of lift including my 31s) I may not want to go any
higher. And even if I do want to go a little higher, I could always
get a 1" or 2" body lift put on and buy 32s when my 31s wear out.
That would give me an additional 1.5" or 2.5" of lift. This would
still be cheaper than having to re-gear the jeep, buy and install a
good 4.5 lift kit, etc., etc. By doing the body lift with 32s, I
would only need to spend money on the body lift, new rims, and new
tires. And I would still have a grand total of 5" or 6" of lift.
Which I think will be plenty of lift for me, considering I am not into
extreme off-roading.

As for the tire carrier....I didn't realize that Rubi had a tire size
close to my 31s. I guess I will not worry about a spare tire carrier
then at this point in time. Thanks for that info Matt.

One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
longer shocks? Are they safe?

Tracie

On Aug 28, 6:22 pm, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
> Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> > "Tracie" <brain...@upstate.edu> wrote in message
> >news:1188329400.579476.322830@g4g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >>On Aug 28, 11:26 am, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Tracie wrote:
>
> > If you really want to save your pennies, I would suggest dropping the spacer
> > lift for now, since your Jeep will fit 31" tires without *any* lift at all.
> > At the very least, take a look at it with the new tires before your decide
> > you "need" the spacer lift.
>
> The one thing about these spacer lifts for the TJs is that they're
> inexpensive and can be Ebay'd when she upgrades. The pucks don't really
> wear out, but the shocks will, eventually. But considering her financial
> concerns, I think she's doing the right thing.
>
> tw

I think I am doing the right thing for now too. : D

As for when the time comes that I can afford a properly installed lift
with all of the issues addressed that need to be, I can definitely
sell this spacer lift on E-Bay and recoup almost half of what it cost
me brand new. A decent spacer lift on E-Bay with shocks runs about
$200 to $225. Even if I sell it a couple of years from now, I could
still get around $75 for it. So, for now it's the spacer lift.

Who knows? Maybe after I get the spacer lift installed (which will
give me about 3.5" of lift including my 31s) I may not want to go any
higher. And even if I do want to go a little higher, I could always
get a 1" or 2" body lift put on and buy 32s when my 31s wear out.
That would give me an additional 1.5" or 2.5" of lift. This would
still be cheaper than having to re-gear the jeep, buy and install a
good 4.5 lift kit, etc., etc. By doing the body lift with 32s, I
would only need to spend money on the body lift, new rims, and new
tires. And I would still have a grand total of 5" or 6" of lift.
Which I think will be plenty of lift for me, considering I am not into
extreme off-roading.

As for the tire carrier....I didn't realize that Rubi had a tire size
close to my 31s. I guess I will not worry about a spare tire carrier
then at this point in time. Thanks for that info Matt.

One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
longer shocks? Are they safe?

Tracie

On Aug 28, 6:22 pm, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
> Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> > "Tracie" <brain...@upstate.edu> wrote in message
> >news:1188329400.579476.322830@g4g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >>On Aug 28, 11:26 am, twaldron <d...@hairsproutingbunions.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Tracie wrote:
>
> > If you really want to save your pennies, I would suggest dropping the spacer
> > lift for now, since your Jeep will fit 31" tires without *any* lift at all.
> > At the very least, take a look at it with the new tires before your decide
> > you "need" the spacer lift.
>
> The one thing about these spacer lifts for the TJs is that they're
> inexpensive and can be Ebay'd when she upgrades. The pucks don't really
> wear out, but the shocks will, eventually. But considering her financial
> concerns, I think she's doing the right thing.
>
> tw

I think I am doing the right thing for now too. : D

As for when the time comes that I can afford a properly installed lift
with all of the issues addressed that need to be, I can definitely
sell this spacer lift on E-Bay and recoup almost half of what it cost
me brand new. A decent spacer lift on E-Bay with shocks runs about
$200 to $225. Even if I sell it a couple of years from now, I could
still get around $75 for it. So, for now it's the spacer lift.

Who knows? Maybe after I get the spacer lift installed (which will
give me about 3.5" of lift including my 31s) I may not want to go any
higher. And even if I do want to go a little higher, I could always
get a 1" or 2" body lift put on and buy 32s when my 31s wear out.
That would give me an additional 1.5" or 2.5" of lift. This would
still be cheaper than having to re-gear the jeep, buy and install a
good 4.5 lift kit, etc., etc. By doing the body lift with 32s, I
would only need to spend money on the body lift, new rims, and new
tires. And I would still have a grand total of 5" or 6" of lift.
Which I think will be plenty of lift for me, considering I am not into
extreme off-roading.

As for the tire carrier....I didn't realize that Rubi had a tire size
close to my 31s. I guess I will not worry about a spare tire carrier
then at this point in time. Thanks for that info Matt.

One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
longer shocks? Are they safe?

twaldron

Tracie wrote:
> One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
> lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
> longer shocks? Are they safe?

Since you're not doing any serious offroading, I'll say this. I'm not
sure, specifically, what brackets you're talking about, but if you don't
go past full extension and compression on the shock with your lift using
these brackets, I'd say it's OK. You want your bumpstops to stop the
articulation, not the limits of the shock absorber length, as this would
tear the shock apart.

Here's how I pick shock length. Take all 3 measurements from each shock
position after your lift is installed.

First of all there's the "static" measurement. When your Jeep is sitting
idle on flat ground, measure the distance between upper and lower shock
mounts. This is your static measurement.

Secondly, compress the suspension on one side and "stuff" the wheel as
high as it will go, measure again for compression.

Thirdly, compress the other side of the axle and measure the same mount
for extension.

These 3 measurements give you the exact shock you will need. Give
yourself a little extra on the compression/extension measurements as a
rock will most certainly push the axle up higher than your floor jack,
but this gives you a pretty accurate picture. The guys who 'package'
these lifts together should have figured this out, but if you go adding
shock brackets and such, you will have to take your own measurements.

tw

twaldron

Tracie wrote:
> One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
> lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
> longer shocks? Are they safe?

Since you're not doing any serious offroading, I'll say this. I'm not
sure, specifically, what brackets you're talking about, but if you don't
go past full extension and compression on the shock with your lift using
these brackets, I'd say it's OK. You want your bumpstops to stop the
articulation, not the limits of the shock absorber length, as this would
tear the shock apart.

Here's how I pick shock length. Take all 3 measurements from each shock
position after your lift is installed.

First of all there's the "static" measurement. When your Jeep is sitting
idle on flat ground, measure the distance between upper and lower shock
mounts. This is your static measurement.

Secondly, compress the suspension on one side and "stuff" the wheel as
high as it will go, measure again for compression.

Thirdly, compress the other side of the axle and measure the same mount
for extension.

These 3 measurements give you the exact shock you will need. Give
yourself a little extra on the compression/extension measurements as a
rock will most certainly push the axle up higher than your floor jack,
but this gives you a pretty accurate picture. The guys who 'package'
these lifts together should have figured this out, but if you go adding
shock brackets and such, you will have to take your own measurements.

tw

twaldron

Tracie wrote:
> One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
> lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
> longer shocks? Are they safe?

Since you're not doing any serious offroading, I'll say this. I'm not
sure, specifically, what brackets you're talking about, but if you don't
go past full extension and compression on the shock with your lift using
these brackets, I'd say it's OK. You want your bumpstops to stop the
articulation, not the limits of the shock absorber length, as this would
tear the shock apart.

Here's how I pick shock length. Take all 3 measurements from each shock
position after your lift is installed.

First of all there's the "static" measurement. When your Jeep is sitting
idle on flat ground, measure the distance between upper and lower shock
mounts. This is your static measurement.

Secondly, compress the suspension on one side and "stuff" the wheel as
high as it will go, measure again for compression.

Thirdly, compress the other side of the axle and measure the same mount
for extension.

These 3 measurements give you the exact shock you will need. Give
yourself a little extra on the compression/extension measurements as a
rock will most certainly push the axle up higher than your floor jack,
but this gives you a pretty accurate picture. The guys who 'package'
these lifts together should have figured this out, but if you go adding
shock brackets and such, you will have to take your own measurements.

tw

twaldron

Tracie wrote:
> One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
> lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
> longer shocks? Are they safe?

Since you're not doing any serious offroading, I'll say this. I'm not
sure, specifically, what brackets you're talking about, but if you don't
go past full extension and compression on the shock with your lift using
these brackets, I'd say it's OK. You want your bumpstops to stop the
articulation, not the limits of the shock absorber length, as this would
tear the shock apart.

Here's how I pick shock length. Take all 3 measurements from each shock
position after your lift is installed.

First of all there's the "static" measurement. When your Jeep is sitting
idle on flat ground, measure the distance between upper and lower shock
mounts. This is your static measurement.

Secondly, compress the suspension on one side and "stuff" the wheel as
high as it will go, measure again for compression.

Thirdly, compress the other side of the axle and measure the same mount
for extension.

These 3 measurements give you the exact shock you will need. Give
yourself a little extra on the compression/extension measurements as a
rock will most certainly push the axle up higher than your floor jack,
but this gives you a pretty accurate picture. The guys who 'package'
these lifts together should have figured this out, but if you go adding
shock brackets and such, you will have to take your own measurements.

tw

Bill Spiliotopoulos

> One question.....does anyone have any input regarding the 2" spacer
> lifts that come with bar pin eliminators (shock extensions) instead of
> longer shocks? Are they safe?
>

Yes they are safe.
You can still use the stock shocks and save money (plus retain the stock
soft ride).
The most important is to get a budjet boost kit that has the bump-stop
extensions. 2" for the back and 1.5" for the front. And be sure that they
will be installed.

For bar pin eliminators you can make a simple check though to be sure that
they will function ok.
They must relocate the one end of the shock (compress the shock) for the
same length as that of the bump-stop extension spacer used in that axle. If
this is verified ok, then you have nothing to worry about.

Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'96 XJ,
'06 TJ.