jmcgowan

Why should the 4X4 guys have all the fun ? Since new people seem to constantly ask what can be done to lift a 2WD, why not an official 2 wheel drive lift options thread.
Here's what I've found, please post stuff up if I missed it.

FRONT:
Balljoint spacers 1.5"
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...shtml#2WDor4WD

Torsion bars 3"
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...s/1979-95.html
http://www.swayaway.com/TorsionBars.php

Lift spindles 3"
http://obsessedmotorsports.com/toyot...d_spindle.html
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90572

Long Travel
http://www.chaosfab.com/92100.html
http://www.duffcoenterprises.com/toy84-95_2wd.htm
http://jdfabrication.com/index.php?o...d=16&Itemid=35

BACK:
ZUK coilspring mod 2"
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ks-zuk-157035/

Shackle hangers 1-3"
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml

leaf springs 2"/3"
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...s/1979-95.html

Add a leaf 1.5"
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=of...fp=fjbi-UNCxiA

spring over axle 4"
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...SPRING+PERCHES

Blocks (if you have done a SOA) 1-3"
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=of...fp=KUXUGZnmYHg

BOTH:
Bodylift 0-3"
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/BodyLiftKit.shtml

STUFF YOU MAY NEED/WANT AFTER LIFTING:
shock hoops
http://allprooffroad.com/8489suspension/55

fiberglass fenders
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/BodyCo...ssFenders.html
http://www.hannemannfiberglass.com/c...457567&page=17

TIPS AND TRICKS
Many Jeeps use the same bolt pattern as 2wd yotas, buy their used rims on craigslist (max backspacing 3.5" I think)

tire size calculators
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.redrock4x4.com/tech/tire_calc.php

toylocost

Nice job on the list...

jmcgowan

Thanks, I'm still adding stuff as I think of it. I've compiled a bunch of info over many sleepless nights (stupid insomnia).

Hey moderators, is this worth a sticky ?

Tubbyfatty

wow nice work!

abecedarian

Nice list. May I suggest that you add some more description to your categories: you have torsion bars listed as a lift category, but they really shouldn't be used for lift, and you have body lifts listed under "both", for instance.
Also, maybe a note about body lifts and automatic transmissions: column shift automatics cannot use a body lift like floor shift automatics since the linkage for a column shift passes through the firewall and no one makes a steering shaft plate for a body lift kit with column shift. The only alternative for a column shift auto and body lift is to custom fab the steering shaft to the steering box and modify the bellcrank for the shift linkage.

Fabtech used to make a 3.5" kit for the 2wd trucks which consisted of a new upper control arm. It's not in production anymore but with enough queries, they may be persuaded to re-introduce it.
ProComp sells extended shackles which result in about a 1" lift in the rear and also offers AAL's.
Sway-Away sells larger diameter torsion bars. Not advised unless the vehicle is running high-speed / desert type trails or has a heavy front bumper. (They are part of the Fabtech kit, for what it's worth.)

jmcgowan

I was told by 4crawler I could bodylift my column shift automatic 1", but I have not tried it. I guess there is some clarification needed there, but I was just compiling info for people to use as they wish. Technically all a body lift does is provide clearance for larger tires, and most people feel they should be avoided. If you are just building a mall crawler go for it.

I listed torsion bars as a lift item because the aftermarket ones will allow some lift without being overloaded like the stock ones, and it seems most lifted 2wd's (around here) are used for high speed desert use (or for just looking like they are used for high speed desert antics).

This list is just a starting point, and I want people (like yourself) to add their .02 to the thread.

Since I got my 2WD and started looking into lifting it, I've come across lots of dead threads from people with one post asking how to lift their 2WD truck, hopefully this thread will come up, if they use the search button, and provide them some answers.


*************************************************
I installed my 1" body lift a few weeks back with no issues.
*************************************************

Robert m

iTrader: (2)

need to add this to the long travel list but its by no means a bolt on and go kit. http://jdfabrication.com/index.php?o...d=16&Itemid=35

yoterr

sweet list

yoder519

nice research!

jmcgowan

WOW +6" per side track width increase

Sweet site !

abecedarian

Been there with my 2wd pickup and a 1" body lift would affect the column shift linkage to the same extent going from Park to Neutral would. Meaning that 1" body lift would pull on the shift linkage enough to put the trans into neutral, or maybe reverse at best.
There's also the issue of the steering shaft to deal with.Torsion bars should not ever be used for lift. They should only be used to compensate for excess weight, like what you'd expect from a heavy bumper, winch, etc. mounted up front.

jmcgowan

I was just outside looking at this, and I don't see how this cannot be done. As soon as the shift linkage comes out of the firewall (under the hood) there is a junction that can be unscrewed, right now mine has about an inch of free thread behind the nut, and if yours does not something could easily be fabricated to extend the linkage 1". Something cheap and simple like this:

http://www.instockfasteners.com/MyFA...9/categoryid=3

For the steering, if it's needed you can put a spacer between the rag joint.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...eringExtension

I'm going to install a 1" body lift as soon as I can, but bear with me as I'm going to have to make it in my spare time at work, on a machine that isn't busy. When I do, I'll do a full write up.

jmcgowan

I made the 1" body lift spacers yesterday. Today I bought all the hardware based on this link:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/BodyLift.shtml



COST SO FAR:
billet aluminum 1" spacers $0.00
(made them myself at work )
Nuts, Bolts, and washers $13.75

Now I just need to find time to install, and borrow a hi-lift jack from someone.
Won't be this weekend because I'm going camping.
Maybe next friday if nothing comes up before then.

Ezrider_92356

does anyone know what the stock tire size is for an 2wd mine has been lifted for so long now i don't remember but i got pulled over the other night and according to the cop my spedo is at least 7mph off with 31by1.50r15's, right now my lift consist of an 3 inch body lift add a leafs in the back and cranked t-bars with 3/4inch home made spacers and low profile bump stops. soon im wanting to go to 3 inch lift spindles slide an 4wd rear in it for soa and drop 1-2 inches out of the body lift.

scuba

Should say the stock tire size on the info plate in the left door jamb..
then use a tire converter..

But yeah, With bigger tires your speedo will read lower then what you have, I think your stock size was 28's though.. Dont quote me on that..

Tubbyfatty

The lift doesnt throw off the speedo, the tires do.

I think the stock size was 225/75R15s (might be smaller for a 2wd) and those are like 27''s

jmcgowan

My 2wd came with 195/75R14's stock. Diameter is 25.5" check out the tire size calculator up top in my 1st post, it includes % your speedo will be off.

Ezrider_92356

using 195 75 r 14 as stock and 265 75 16 witch is pretty close to my 31 10.50 r 15 it says my speedo is off by 24% the cop must have been being nice to me, i got pulled over for 69 in an 60 according to my speedo i was going 55 most of the time but i had found myself doing 62 according to my speedo coming down an hill for an brief time, the cop was behind me the entire time. i always figured it was about 5mph not 15.

btw i know its the tires not the lift that affect the speed reading, i added the lift info because its an 2wd lift thread. also the sticker with the tire info in my door jam is missing

abecedarian

Well, it's been a few days.

How did the rag joint / coupler to the steering and the bell-crank to the trans linkage, and such work out?

jmcgowan

Sweet jeebus man, have some patience. I don't work on my truck after work during the week because it's 100+ degrees outside. Last weekend I went camping, hopefully this weekend I can try it, but friday is already booked because my wife is taking the truck to work so I can change her cars oil and tranny fluid. Maybe saturday/sunday I can mess with it.

I'll let you know even if I fail, so you can say "I told you so"