Cheapest Lift for 98 ZJ

[THK Matt]

My sister has a 98 ZJ and we are putting some 38.5s on it....

what's the CHEAPEST way to lift it 6"?

no no modding the body what so ever.

I was thinking swapping in some stock coil springs from another vehicle... that were already 6in longer.
but I'm not sure what vehicle would have that? HD E350? help would be awesome.



85HOrunner

[Rockcrawlintoy]

you cant just slap some new springs in there and call it a day. you are goin to need to get some longer links for it and prolly some steering junk as well. its goin to be a lil $$$

[Elven]

Wow not sure on stock lengths for springs but I have a friend with 6.5" lift on a XJ and it clears 36's with some trimming to prevent rubbing but since you don't want to trim...pictures on Rusty's site with 5.5 on a ZJ and they are running 35's.....Is it a DD?  If not I would just build my own arms...(maybe make a jig of some sort) and try and pick up some of the biggest springs you can find for them I think claytons has a 7" lift spring for ZJ's then run spacers to get added height?  I just don't think you are going to swing it with tires that big without trimming a bit....

[Rockcrawlintoy]

i agree.

[THK Matt]

Itsa pavement pounder with minimal offroad...

I am going to have to convinve her to have to frim the fenders and stuff to get more clearance.

We can sleave and extend the stock arms to get more length to match the lift coils and to also strengthen the stock arms... should work fine.

I know the steering has to be messed with... thats no big deal either.

I just like to find some junkyard coils to lift it.
running coils in combo with spacers is probably the best bet.

like E350 Coils with some 3in spacers.
I am just seeing if anyone has done it this way.
I am sure some have.


and what's claytons?

[Steve97TJ]

Have you ever crawled under a ZJ before? You cant sleeve the stock arms there flimsy as all get out. You also cant put a tire that big on a ZJ without some serious work. Most people dont go over 35s with them, ive only seen one with 39s and it had all kinds of work done to it. There a unibody rig so they dont have a frame which is a big factor of bigger tires and axles. The rear has either a dana 35 or a dana 44a in it which both are weak as crap and i dont think they make gears for the dana44a. The front axle is a dana 30 which 38s would KILL the balljoints on it. And 6" lift on a short arm is going to ride HORRIBLE. Plus you'd have mad driveline vibrations.

If your just trying to make it look a little better and keep it on the cheap, run 33s anything bigger and your in way over your head IMHO.

[94MtnYote]

 makes sense to go with 33's on the cheap if it's a mall crawler.

[THK Matt]

yeah I told her ex boyfriend it wouldn't work.. but I figured I'd give it a shot.


but he is being a total piece, so who knows now.

[BuiltRoktToy]

i have a 98 zj with a six inch long arm kit. my jeep flexes very nice and i have trimmed as much as i could and had to re weld the rear unibody to fit 35s. even if i put major bump stops on it there is no way that 38s would fit. and plus it would look gay. i would reccomend like a 4 inch short arm kit and run 33s. the stock axles suck and if she aint going to wheel it then it is really not worth you wasting your time

[THK Matt]

i have a 98 zj with a six inch long arm kit. my jeep flexes very nice and i have trimmed as much as i could and had to re weld the rear unibody to fit 35s. even if i put major bump stops on it there is no way that 38s would fit. and plus it would look gay. i would reccomend like a 4 inch short arm kit and run 33s. the stock axles suck and if she aint going to wheel it then it is really not worth you wasting your time

I tried telling her and her boyfriend the same thing.
no one listens lol

I have a brand new set of 33s stacked in the garage..... but no she wants bigger. haha.

we'll see what she can stuff on the 99 Expedition she is getting.