Lifts and things in South Africa

jeepfanatixs · Apr 21, 2005

Please help....
I recently bought a '98 ZJ 4.ol as a "support vehicle" for the CJ2a that I have owned for the last 20 years. Due to the fact that this ZJ with its stock 225x75x16's looks like a station wagan, I decided to lift it some...
As I live in South Africa I do not have access to all the nice goodies you guys have so freely available in the good ol US of A! so I started searching the net.... Really enjoy this forum and website!!!!
My research told me that I should look at a maximum of 4.5"
the best I could find here was a 3" lift from procomp.(which I bought)
After removing my stock springs, I stood them up next to the new procomps... The only difference is the thickness of the material used!
Surely this cannot be right?
I understand that the ride hight will be 3" higher, but surely the suspension travel will be less.. as ther spring will onlyextend to about his same free hight? but it will travel up less???
Then on the weekend I had a broken sideshaft! This happened while turning around in the driveway!
Will these stock sideshafts handle the bigger 31' tyres on procomp 3.5" offset wheels?
all advice and banter including calling me stupid will elp!
Maurice

Clean RC · Apr 22, 2005

Welcome Maurice...
What part of South Africa are you from? I spent 4 weeks there in and around the red dunes of the kalahari near Ahskam, and Uppington. The pro comp lift springs should be taller than the stock ones. You will have a lot less up travel, but possibly a better ride. Maybe try to get your hands on some Rubicon Express ZJ springs. As for your side shaft, try to find some from a TJ... They will have a u-joint in the center of the two shafts -vs- a CV joint much like your ZJ. The stock side shafts should be able to handle 31's with no problem as a daily driver and moderate wheeling. I hope this helps...and enjoy....

Scott.

jeepfanatixs · Apr 23, 2005

Tank you...

Thanks Scott for your reply to my quries regarding the Procomp springs and sideshafts.
I am from Gauteng (previously Johannesburg) in South Africa.
I trust you enjoyed your stay here... Let me know if you ever decide to travel this way again so we could meet up?
Some more questions regarding the Procomp kit...
These springs were only very slightly taller than the stock springs... 1cm = about 1/4".
If you agree that the up-travel will be a lot less than stock and the down travel only slightly more than stock, then surely the total suspension travel after the procomp lift will be less than when the vehicle is on its stock springs. Surely this will hamper or deminish the ability offroad? (other than having some extra ground clearance under the belly?)
Maurice

GoingOffRoading · Apr 25, 2005

Pro-Comp sucks... they rarely make nice things... and I am speaking on this from first hand experiance. Although you might be but-raped for shipping, I would return those procomp springs and order some Rubicon Express (www.rubiconexpress.com) front 3.5" Zj springs. When they get to you, put these springs in the front and then take the stock front springs and put them in back... BANG! 3" lift.

You can keep stock control arms for now but I'm a big fan of beef so I would swap these guys out at some point.

jeepfanatixs · Apr 25, 2005

Thank you!

Avatar / GoingOffRoading...
Your ZJ looks fantastic!
Thanks for calling a spade a spade! Thats what I thought! procomp sucks!
What I did after returning the procomp springs, was to fit 1.5" spacers front and back with 3.5" offset wheels and 265 x 75 x 15" tyres(about31")
I had also purchased the MX 6 Shocks from procomp, but because I had already fitted these (havent yet taken it off the jackstands) they would not except these for a refund! (procomp SUCKS)
Also adjustable lower control arms for both the front and back.
I would argue that this lift should make my ZJ more capable that a ZJ with the procomp springs and 31" tyres?
Your advice on the RE front springs and using the original fronts in the back is invaluable... THANK YOU!
Now can you tell me if I will need longer driveshafts to the front and back axles with this 3" lift?
Thanking you in anticipation
Maurice

screendoor41 · Apr 26, 2005

No driveshafts needed.

jeepfanatixs · Apr 29, 2005

Thanks for the reply... Now I NEED a 4.5" lift!
As per usual, these things never stop!
I looked at some of your photos... your Grand has great articulation... what did you do with the front steering linkages?

screendoor41 · Apr 29, 2005

PMed you

Lifts and things in South Africa

jeepfanatixs

Clean RC

jeepfanatixs

GoingOffRoading

jeepfanatixs

screendoor41

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