What's the matter, little camper? You want a taller stance, but don't have a ton of coin to drop on a fancy new suspension system? Or maybe you're happy with the plush ride of your factory springs and only want to grab tires that are a size or two larger? Or maybe you just get dizzy at the thought of all those steering and driveline changes you'd need to make with a really tall lift?
Any way you slice it, if you've got a Jeep, the aftermarket has you covered with an affordable budget boost for your suspension. What we're talking about is just a little lift that in most cases retains the factory springs and as much of the factory steering, braking, and driveline components as possible. Most Jeeps can swallow a 3/4-2-inch suspension boost without needing many, if any, modifications to the brake lines, steering components, or driveshaft angles. Here is just a smattering of some budget boosts available for your Jeep. If you like what you see, but don't own the Jeep model listed, check the company's offerings. Chances are that there is a system for your Jeep as well. And just in case you're wondering, we'll include sidebars for each of the really popular Jeep models so you know what your suspension boost should come with, what additional modifications you may need to make, and what size tires you'll be able to fit.
AEV TJK 2- uh, 3.5, er...
We asked AEV to send us a photo of its 2-inch TJ polyurethane coil spring spacers that sell for $33 a pair, but instead we received this image of the company's full-mambo Nth Degree JK suspension system. Uh, not exactly budget, guys. However, the TJ spacers are a real bargain.
Contact: AEV, 406/251-2100, aev-conversions.com
BDS Suspension
1.75-inch XJ
With a 2-inch polyurethane front coil spacer, four dropped bumpstop brackets, a rear add-a-leaf, longer rear spring centerpins, new rear axle U-bolts, and four twin-tube shocks, the BDS 1.75-inch lift for '84-'01 XJs not only gives you the clearance to run 30x9.50 tires, but will probably add a little load carrying capacity to the rear-all for $327.74. Don't forget to measure your U-bolts in the rear before ordering, because the Dana 35 and Chrysler 81/4 use different part numbers.
Contact: BDS Suspension, 800/637-3303, bds-suspension.com
Performance Accessories
1.75-inch JK
Squeeze 33s under your JK for under $30? Yep! Performance Accessories offers these snazzy little 1.75-inch polyurethane spacers for the front of JK Wranglers for a mere $27, so if you need just a little fender clearance for hardly any pesos, check 'em out.
Contact: Performance Accessories, 928/636-7080, p-a-g.net
Poly Performance
2-inch JK
The new Synergy Starter kit from Poly Performance features superb progressive-rate 2-inch lift front and rear coils, front and rear shock relocation brackets to use stock shocks (or upgrade to Poly Performance Synergy shocks without relocation brackets), rear sway bar links, brake line relocation brackets, bumpstop spacers, and all necessary hardware to run up to 35s on your JK Wrangler. As a cool tech tip, Poly Performance retains the stock rear sway bar links and moves them to the front.
Contact: Poly Performance, 805/783-2060, polyperformance.com
Pro Comp 2.5-inch JK
Pro Comp Suspension just announced the availability of its 2.5-inch suspension systems for the Jeep Wrangler JKs. These systems feature front and rear coil springs, a heavy-duty rear track bar brace, and high-quality hardware to improve the vehicle's ride and handling over all road surfaces. These systems are available with either MX6 adjustable monotube shocks or ES9000 shock absorbers to deliver factory ride quality. The 2.5-inch lift allows the use of 35x12.50 tires on wheels up to 9 inches wide with up to 4.75 inches of backspacing.
Contact: Pro Comp, 800/776-0767, procompusa.com
Rough Country Premium 2.5-inch JK
At a mind-numbing $349.95, Rough Country's Premium 2.5-inch JK lift includes a pair of all-steel front and rear coil spring spacers, front and rear brake line brackets, rear track bar bracket and sway bar links, and Rough Country's premium 2.2 shocks featuring a 41.4mm piston, monotube body, and integrated jounce bumper. The system allows the JK to cleanly swallow 33s or run 35s with minor rubbing.
Contact: Rough Country, 800/915-1999, roughcountry.com
Rubicon Express 2-inch XJ
Rubicon Express has versions of its XJ Cherokee budget boost with either rear lift blocks or add-a-leafs. The RE6160 system for $259.95 includes front polyurethane spacers, rear add-a-leafs, new rear spring centerpins, four new shocks, and an extended rear brake line that will allow up to 30x9.50 tires without rubbing.
Contact: Rubicon Express, 877/493-8697, rubiconexpress.com
Rugged Ridge 2-inch TJ
For $336.99, you can fit 32x11.50 tires on your TJ with Rugged Ridge's 2-inch ORV poly spacer lift kit. The lift includes front and rear polyurethane lift spacers, dropped bumpstop extensions, longer shocks, and hardware required for installation.
Contact: Rugged Ridge, 770/614-6101, omix-ada.com
Trail Master 5-inch JK
Yeah, we admit this Trail Master suspension including replacement 5-inch-lift coils is beyond the realm of just a suspension boost. At that lift height, you'll have to do steering, track bar, and driveline corrections. However, at $583.99 for new coils, shocks, dropped bumpstop brackets, sway bar end links, and track bar brackets, if that price was a dinosaur, it would be an Insaneasuaras-Rex.
Contact: Trail Master Suspension, 928/636-7080, p-a-g.net
Trail Master 5-inch JK
Yeah, we admit this Trail Master suspension including replacement 5-inch-lift coils is beyond the realm of just a suspension boost. At that lift height, you'll have to do steering, track bar, and driveline corrections. However, at $583.99 for new coils, shocks, dropped bumpstop brackets, sway bar end links, and track bar brackets, if that price was a dinosaur, it would be an Insaneasuaras-Rex.
Contact: Trail Master Suspension, 928/636-7080, p-a-g.net