Are you thinking of driving your jeep on any serious off-roads? I bet you have already planned to lift your jeep. But what benefits will you get by raising its body? It gives the vehicle more power to handle tough terrains. You will get improved ground clearance and suspension travel. But does lifting a jeep cause problems? It depends on how much you have raised your vehicle and its size. Also, considering the road condition where you want to drive the car is essential. Lifting too much of a jeep may cause severe damage to different parts over time.
However, if you don’t exceed the maximum height or stay in a safer zone, it will not cause any issues to your jeep. But learn the correct way to raise the vehicle using essential components. Here we will go for an in-depth discussion about it. Let’s dive in without further ado!
Are Lift Kits Bad for Jeeps?
Lifting the jeep beyond limitation without changing the stock control arms will reduce the lifespan of the wheelbase. The drive line may generate unwanted vibration while driving the car. It mainly happens due to incorrect pinion angles. A higher lift means bigger issues with adjustable control arms.
Why Should I Lift My Jeep?
Car owners raise their jeep height for mainly two primary reasons. An elevated height of a jeep increases the overall appearance. It looks pretty cool.
Or, they may want to use their vehicle on off-roads or tougher terrains. This will improve the jeep’s performance significantly. However, choosing the right suspension lift is crucial.
After all, a suspension lift allows improved extra ground clearance. It is also highly compatible with larger wheels. You can also ensure reasonable safety for its operation angles.
The center of gravity of a vehicle will increase for using a reliable lift kit. This allows the car to roll over more smoothly. But you may need to set up wheel-to-wheel nerf bars or anti-roll bars.
Does Lifting A Jeep Cause Problems: Things To Consider Before Lifting Your Jeep
Lifting a jeep without any proper plan may cause serious issues for the vehicle. Here are a few important aspects you should never overlook for raising the height of your car.
Where You Want To Drive?
Will you drive the jeep on a smooth road or off-road? If you want to use the car for both, note this point. Some tools and components are necessary to elevate your jeep height,
How Much You Are Ready To Pay?
You can spend $100 or more than $1000. The choice is yours. Buying quality parts and all necessary parts will increase the total cost.
Research, Research, and Research!
Several methods are available to lift a jeep. But, you can determine the best option through research depending on your vehicle type and where you will drive it.
Don’t Mind Investing On Larger Wheels!
Larger tires are safer and a better choice for off-road driving. They often eliminate the need to use a lift kit. But, you may need to use a fender trimming based on your vehicle.
Choose Quality Components For Reliability!
Hundreds of brands are available in the market. Not all parts and accessories are made equally. Installing better quality and compatible parts and accessories will provide long-lasting service.
Before and After Does Lifting A Jeep Wrangler Make it Better
Lifting the vehicle is unnecessary if you want to drive your jeep on normal high-way roads. Besides causing extra money, improper elevation may cause issues for the car.
However, lifting jeeps is handy if you want to use them on off-roads. But choosing the right approach and using the correct parts and accessories is crucial.
It will increase the jeep’s capability to tackle harsher terrains like a pro. However, choosing larger, more aggressive wheels will improve the performance to clear obstacles from roads.
What Are The Benefits Of Lifting A Jeep?
Lifting a jeep provides some benefits for the vehicle.
- An elevated jeep has a better look if you do it appropriately.
- It creates additional space to install larger wheels
- Driving on off-roads will be simple due to additional ground clearance.
- Due to the improved traction, you will see minimal bog-down issues on harsher terrains.
- Unlike typical jeeps, it adds a solid and strong appearance to the vehicle.
- As an off-roader, a raised jeep car allows you to have better control over it.
- It also ensures the minimal chance of getting damaged sensitive components.
Reasons Not To Put a Lift Kit In Your Jeep
No doubt, installing lift kits have significant advantages, especially for off-road riding. However, there are disadvantages to using lift kits in jeeps.
- The performance of your jeep will not always be the same as before after installing lift kits.
- The maintenance cost may increase significantly after installing lift kits.
- You may need to install more powerful parts or accessories for adding larger wheels.
- Passengers of your jeep may feel uncomfortable getting into the vehicle due to too much-elevated height. It may make them scary too.
- The wheels may look too small or too large depending on the size compared to your jeep size.
- You may get a death wobble and feel like falling from the vehicle due to the rapid rotation of the steering wheel.
Lift Kit Do’s And Don’ts For Your Jeep
You can’t just randomly install a lift kit. A particular procedure needs to be followed. Here are things you should do and should not do for your jeep.
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Install the Lift Kit Professionally
Professionally Installing a lift kit will ensure a perfect alignment with the suspension system. Plus, expert technicians can quickly since they have the right tools and equipment.
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Use Several Jack Stands
If you want to lift the jeep height on your own, make sure to use several jack stands to handle the weight. Avoid doing it on the driveway. Choose a secure place. Take enough time to install.
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Don’t Use Incompatible Suspensions Lift Parts
A suspension lift consists of several suspension components. Avoid attaching incompatible parts together. It is better to purchase a complete set of suspension lift kits.
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Consider Your Driving Experience
Larger wheels are heavier. They will consume more fuel. Plus, additional pressure while driving off-roads will eat up the lubricant quickly. This may increase overall maintenance costs.
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Don’t Forget To Monitor the Jeep’s Condition
Regardless of how good your lift kit is, regular inspection is crucial. After all, they are vulnerable to damage due to off-road conditions.
Lift Kit Axle Problems and How to Fix Them
Besides knowing “does lifting a jeep cause problems,” it is crucial to have a decent idea regarding the problems you may see for the lift kit axle.
Different types of issues may pop up in the lift kit axle after installing a lift kit. One of the most common problems is an overheated CV. You can solve the problem by reducing the axle angle.
Another problem is Axle binding. This issue mainly occurs for using an old axle. Installing the latest axle will solve the problem. But make sure it is compatible with the lift kit and spins smoothly.
Extreme torque loads are also problematic for your jeep. You can fix this trouble by using a larger lift kit that can take the heavy load of larger wheels.
Easiest Way to Lift a Jeep Wrangler: Steering Issue after Mopar Lift
You can improve your jeep wrangler’s stability and articulation by lifting its height. Passing rocking obstacles and steep climbs will be easygoing.
However, choosing the correct method to lift a jeep wrangler is crucial. A body lift kit is the best option if you only want to raise your vehicle to make it attractive.
But go for a short or long-arm lift kit when you want your jeep to perform reliably well on off-roads. Though installing is costly and time-consuming, you will get long-lasting service.
Types of Lift Kits for Jeep’s
Besides knowing “Does lifting a jeep cause problems,” it is vital to understand different lift kits clearly. You can use various components to lift your jeep. But selecting compatible and well-constructed parts are crucial. Here are the most widely used lift kits for jeeps.
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Body Lift
A body lift kit is a perfect choice if you are only about the look of your vehicle. It will elevate the height of your car by a few inches. But tires and the suspension will remain in the same condition.
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Coil Spring Spacers
Coil Spring Spacers are ideal for a fixed amount of guaranteed lift. They require you to modify the suspension minimally. It is also good for looks and installing larger tires.
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Coil Lifts
If you want to increase your jeep 2 to 3.5 inches, coil lifts come in handy. You will have better control of off-road conditions. They are incredibly affordable too.
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Short Arm Lift Kit
If you regularly drive your jeep off-road, this option is perfect. It can increase the jeep height up to 2-6 inches. A complete suspension setup makes your driving smooth.
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Long Arm Lift Kit
Do you want to use your jeep for professional purposes on off-roads? This lift kit can be the best choice. It can show unbelievable crawling ability. But, it is costly and tiresome to install.
Body Lift Kit vs. Suspension Lift Kit vs. Leveling Kit Vs. Lift Kit
- Body Lift Kit: Body lift kits mainly lift the body of vehicles, whereas suspension lift kit raises the suspension. A decent quality suspension lift kit allows you to lift the jeep a maximum of 12 inches.
- Suspension Lift Kit: Suspension lift kits are a better choice for creating sufficient spaces to install larger tires. They are specially engineered to absorb many shocks from larger and heavier wheels.
- Leveling Kit: The primary purpose of using a level kit is to maintain a balance between the rear and back sides of the vehicle. You usually achieve this objective by raising the front section slightly higher.
- Using a leveling kit, you can raise the front section to 2 inches from the axles. Installing this type of hardware requires you only use torsion keys or spring spacers.
- Lift Kit: On the contrary, you can lift your jeep to a significantly higher position with a lift kit. However, it is time-consuming and requires a lot of power to install it in the intact suspension system.
Lifting a Jeep JK Wrangler: How to Choose a Jeep Lift Kit & Mods
We have already mentioned some crucial factors in choosing a jeep lift kit. But there are many more things to learn. One of the most important aspects is choosing the correct size lift.
If you want to install 33-inch tires, you can simply use a 1.5-inch lift for better performance. The same goes for 31-33-inch tires. However, 35-inch tires require a minimum of 2.5-inch lift kits.
It will be better if you can install 3-3.5-inch lift kits. Usually, the bigger the tire sizes, the Larger lifts you will need. Another essential point is considering a compatible lift kit type.
You have already learned what lift kits are available and which one to install based on your purpose. This will help you get the best from your investment.
Best JK Lift Kit for Jeep
JK Lift Kits are pretty versatile to use for different purposes. You can utilize these kits to enhance the appearance of your jeep’s appearance and improve your jeep’s off-road performance.
For example, Pro Comp Lift Kits are popular for installing bigger wheels and better ground clearance.
Skyjacker Lift Kits are another excellent option for 33-inch tires.
But if you need professional-quality lift kits, Fabtech can show top-notch performance. They are well-designed and have all the necessary items for a complete installation.
Rancho is another reliable pick if you prefer simple and straightforward springs and coil spring spacers for lift kits. They can make your riding experience on rugged trails comfortable.
Jeep Lift Kit Installation Guide
You have already got a clear answer to the question, “Does lifting a jeep cause problems?” Though you will learn most things from the instruction manual, here are the key things to remember to make the installation procedure more straightforward and hassle-free.
- Always use one or several floor jacks under the axle to raise the position of your jeep or truck.
- Before installing the lift kit, ensure you have all the necessary parts, accessories, and tools to ensure a successful installation.
- It is better to first remove the rear wheels and then the front wheels. You can achieve a balanced height.
- Ensure you don’t take off the wheels unless you completely remove everything from the ground.
- Replacing the steering stabilization system is necessary but make sure it is compatible with your jeep or truck.
Find the DIY tutorial of TeraFlex 4″ Lift Kit Installation for your Jeep Wrangler:
Important Parts to Remember When Lifting Your Vehicle
When it comes to lifting a vehicle, you can’t overlook some essential parts. One of the most crucial parts is pinion gears and stock rings. Replacing these gears is necessary to prevent slow movement and a complete loss of transmission performance.
Have you decided to lift your jeep more than six inches? If yes, you will need Driveshafts to make the vehicle dynamically balanced. You may need it even for less than six inches of lifting.
Longer brake lines might be necessary if you want to lift the jeep more than a few inches. They come in handy to add a new route or extend the current path.
Apart from that, you may need suitable track bar drop brackets, reservoir shocks, dropped Pitman’s arms, and many other accessories depending on your vehicle type and height level.
Bottom Lines
Are you still wondering about this question: Does lifting a jeep cause problems? Choosing the right size and type of lift kit and compatible tires for your vehicle is less likely to cause problems. But the performance may vary depending on your installation approach and the items you use.
Once you install the lift kit appropriately, its lifespan will be at least equal to a stock suspension. However, your driving habits and off-road conditions will significantly affect the durability and performance of the jeep. Make sure you regularly inspect different parts to avoid costly damage.
