need a small lift

[The Godfather]

After months of holding back I've given in. I want a lift kit. I don't know much about them so I'm open to ideas. I don't want to go too high, I drive pretty fast and the old lady's short. I noticed the James Duff 2.5 gave it about the lift I'd like. How much do these cost and how hard are they to put in?

 

[JJW]

There is a 2.5" Duff lift install step by step on the main page. I am also going to take the plunge if I can decide on how high to go. I was on the Duff web page earlier and got this total price. $608.65 That is for the system 9 lift kit, dual shock hoop kit, steering stabilizer kit, front & rear bar bushings, axle pivot bushing. It seems to be a complete setup. I was thinking of the Superlift 5.5 lift,but that needs shocks,brake lines,possable drive shaft work and I'm just not sure, Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide to do.

 

[The Godfather]

If I installed any 2.5 in. lift, would I be able to keep my bilstiens? I just got them a couple months ago and don't want to get rid of them for the price I paid. Also for the brake lines, mine are shot so I've got to get new ones anyway. I was wondering if there was any longer stainless steel lines?

 

[Maniak]

I paid just under $500 for my 2.5" lift from James Duff.. This is the lift kit only.. no brake lines.. no front hoops for dual shocks... The lift took around 14 hours to put in.. If your radius arm brackets are still rivoted on you can add a few hours to that time. I tried to do the lift the way James Duff instructions said and I don't know what they were smoking when the wrote it. They have you trying to manipulate the front suspension with new/longer springs on. I wrote down the order I did the install and I'm in the process of writing an article on it. The article off the main page here is accurate if you do it the way James Duff says to do it (it has some good pointers in it). I would recomend new brake lines.. as the stock ones on my 92 explorer were tight even when the wheel were on the ground (flat ground). I got my new lines and my new rs9000 shocks from Cepek for somewhere in the neighborhood of $450. You will need a grinder and you WILL need to use it to remove the axle pivot brackets. You will also need it (most likely) to remove the center bolt on the rear springs. The bolt used in the center of the spring has the last few threads damaged to keep the bolt on. That is actually the last thing they say to do when putting the spring together.. (damage the threads)... A few tools that will make your life easier.. a Vice.. with a big cheater bar to compress the spring together when your adding the add-a-leaf. A lot of 1/2 drive extensions so you can put the 1 1/8" socket on the big bolt at the bottom of the coil spring.. (that way you can get to it from the top). If your rear springs are old and sagging you may want to get a set of Warrior products 8.5" long shackles.. That will give you an extra 1/2" of lift in the rear over the Jamed Duff 7.5" shackels..

If you have any specific questions about the install of the lift.. fell free to email me direct...

Mark

------------------
Mark
mark@legendz.com
http://mark.legendz.com
Off-Road and Motorcycle Information, Pictures and Movies

 

[Maniak]

Here is cut from a message I wrote a while ago... If you can find out how long your current shocks are you can see if they are still usable..

*****snip*****
Here are the legths you want for a 2.5" James duff lift.

Front shocks: 12.625" compressed 19.75" fully extended

Rear Shocks: 16" compressed 26.75" fully extended

*****snip*****

------------------
Mark
mark@legendz.com
http://mark.legendz.com
Off-Road and Motorcycle Information, Pictures and Movies