I'm ready for new tires and I've been researching lift kits for quite a while now, and I think I'm more confused now than before I started. I can't decide on any combination of ways to put a kit together. Money is the big key to start with; I'm not ready for the ultimate set ups like Carli, Thuren, and Kore, just yet (so those are out). But, I don't want to just "puck" lift it either (body or spacers). I want to run 37's on factory wheels with the minimum lift and with no rubbing issues. I've heard 3" will clear, 4" or 4.5" is enough, and of course 6" clears with no problems at all (except that you start having drive line angle problems after 4"). So, how about a kit? I've read a whole lot of pros and cons on just about every brand.

I've looked at all the brands and Skyjacker has a kit with rear leafs available. Fabtech looks like decent stuff but don't want the shocks, and they have only short blocks for the rear. I've heard the Superlift springs settle too much, but they do use the Bilstiens I want. Rancho has a 4" kit but haven't heard anyone using it yet. I'd be willing to piece together items from different companies as long as I got the best parts from each and without buying any "extra" parts (double purchases like shocks or blocks).

But after all that, here's what I know I want:
1. New coils (rated for factory or a little softer ride).
2. Bilstien 5100's (just 4, no twins in front).
3. Adjustable track bar (or will drop brackets be strong enough and center the axel?) ...don't really know enough about this.
4. Rear blocks, mini packs, or new leafs? I just know I want the rear lifted the same as the front to keep the factory rake (which I like). And a softer ride in back would be nice even if it sacrificed a little tow rating.
5. No drive line vibrations or issues. Will I need to drop the Tcase or use shims on 4.5" or less?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

 

Personally, you can get a Carli Starter System w/ adjustable trac bar for roughly $1,600 and down the road add on (better shock, towers, etc...). Beable to run 35" or 37" tires w/ the stock wheels (depending on the tire you will have slight rubbing on the upper control arm at full lock, no biggie). Not that much more than an off the shelf lift kit.

If sold on a lift. Then I heard Revtek is a great riding lift for off the shelf system.

 

I only thought you could run the Carli starter with 35's unless you had the fiberglass fenders. If I could safely get the 37's under it with just the control arm rub, I'd like the Carli and the price is comparable to the kits; and just as long as there are no clearance problems off road with full compression etc.

 

I'm not totally sure on this but I believe that if you run 37's on one of the 3" performance lifts you will have fender contact under full compression in the back because the tire is not centered. Fiberglass fenders or full leaf packs are required to remedy that.

 

As long as just the back is an issue and not the front with the 3". Since I plan on keeping the stock rake (if I go 3" front, I'll go 3" back), that should give the clearance needed right?

 

I have Carli's full leaf's in the rear and my 37'' Toyo stuffs perfectly

 

37's will work fine if you have the Carli front control arms.It is the only way w/out using a Sawzall.Even Glass fenders will require trimming if you off road w stock arms and a 3" lift on 37's
http://www.thecarlisuspension.com/do...ntrolarms.html
Bob

 

This is what I thought would happen . I'm usually the "pay a little more, get it right the first time" kind; so I know I'd really prefer to have the Carli starter system, but now I'd have to add an adjustable trac bar and four new arms to get the 37's to fit, and that doesn't lift the rear yet. I know full leafs would be the ticket, but could I just go with blocks now and then do the leafs later? How much are we talking for the starter kit with an adj. t-bar, and 4 new arms?

 

If prices are the same as they were when I bought all my suspension stuff from Carli and Thuren you are looking at a price just south of $3k for the starter kit, control arms, and track bar.