Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and lift my baby while I service the knuckles....question...I'm stock right now on 31's. I want a nice 3" lift with maybe 32/33's. I looked at the skyjacker lift system for about $800 or so. My brother has an 87 YJ with a 3" from skyjacker and likes it. This is my daily. She is beautiful inside and out, and with a nice little stance she will be perfect for my daily commute to the firehouse and some minor offroad fun. What do you think? Skyjacker? something else? I promise to post pictures of before and after. I will be purchasing at the end of the week! Thanks in advance.

JP

 

If it's an 83, search for RUF and 63" chevy spring swap.
It'll ride a heck of alot better than the skycrapper junk.

 

Its an 85

 

3" should be enough, skyjacker's a good company http://www.wabfab.org/Front-Lift-Kit...-products.html check wabfabs prices???? pics please

 

still, do what he said. it'll work with your truck, but requires welding. you may just wanna look into some other brands of lifts, make sure they come with extended shocks too, and all springs are better than blocks or something

 

i would stay as far away from blocks in the back as possible. Lift springs and welding are by far the best move.

 

peow said the ideal setup. RUF's flex well, and chevy 63s flex well and ride like a caddy. cheapest way to go.

 

something you don't really need but if you go a 3" lift, consider converting to High Steer.
It replaced the stock push pull steering that the 79-85's came stock with and uses an IFS steering box. It makes for a much better driving experience, plus the advantage of placing the tie rod above the axle out of harms way.
Probably one of the best things to do to an SA toyota

 

Chevy 63's and RUF work great and are cheap

 

Why does every one say that blocks in the rear are so bad. When I drive down the highway and I am behind a $50 thousand dollar 1 ton mall crawler pickup with the huge chrome rims and monster truck tires, (you guys know what I'm talking about) that's what they are usually lifted with. Granted they usually don't go off road but I am just curious as to why they are frowned upon.

 

They dont help you at all. They are known to crack and break, they give you lots of axle wrap, and make it easier to bend springs.
I think a small block would be okay just to level things out, but I would never go bigger than 3-4 inches

 

The axlewrap is generally fixed in the chebbies with an anti-wrap bar..
Anyways, like said, the blocks don't increase flex, they don't make your truck perform better (what a lift is supposed to do), and theyre usually crappy.

If you throw a big ol 7" block like the moron chevy guys, and try to wheel it, you'll prolly end up breaking your rig. Most of those trucks see the hardest action at mall speed bumps.

 

Does the skyjacker 3" system use blocks in the back..?, any other ideas?

 

Why don't you look up the skycrapper kit for yourself and find out?

You will be disappointed. It will ride like a dump truck...and steer like one.

:wabbit2:

 

I do think if you are into going off of the pavment (which i think blocks even hurt the ride in on road situations) you will be pissed you spent your money on blocks. I strongly say go with something better a real suspension upgrade!! I just went from coils to blocks when i traded trucks n ouch what a waste!!

 

I already looked it up. There are springs in the rear of the system and blocks in the kit. I double checked but I was right. I planned on going with springs so thats good. The wabfab kit looks awesome and has the knuckle service kit also. Would the rear 3" kit level her out well I guess? I like the way she steers now, but if you say the 3" lift will butcher that than maybe I should reconsider. I will take before pictures this weekend and repost when I get everything done. I think those are the two good options. I am still open to any suggestions. I will probably decide on what to do friday. Thanks a million guys.

 

Once you lift it your OEM push pull steering will suck arse.

Skyscraper leaf springs are stiffer than all get out.

Look at my projects Weasel and Barney for lifting properly.

:wabbit2:

 

will do, thanks for the help. pm me if you can offer any additional specifics or suggestions for what kits/ combos you have for what im looking for. I will look at your builds. Appriciated.

JP

 

Well it doesn't seem like there is anything in my budget that is going to work very well. The chevy springs sound cool but I just don't want to go that route. If I stretch it I only have 1200 and I have to include a knuckle service kit (probably marlin) with that. The best thing is to probably stick with the 31s on the stock suspension. I would even go with a little 2" lift if something was out there that was reputable, but it sounds like my budget is too thin. Thanks anyway for the help. I will still post pictures tomorrow sometime. It is an awesome little truck.

JP

 

What about an OME 2" system, my brother told me about it. Sounds like it and 32s might be a practical setup for me....thoughts?