Lift questions...Al's "A" arms related.

[DAGtunes]

I'm located in So Cal, and am thinking of taking my `05 Liberty Renegade up to Big Bear and getting the Frankenlift Premium II 2.5" lift installed by All J's.

Is there any info on whether that lift requires also getting the Al's A arms installed, in order to function properly? I don't want to risk blowing out the UBJ's, but the info page for Al's A arms seems to say that "some lifts" need them more than others? Does anybody know if the Frankenlift Premium II is one of those lifts?

I'm trying to keep the costs on all this reasonable. I know there are cheaper lift options (like the Daystar...), but the Frankenlift seems to be generally well-reviewed, and they're somewhat local...and I need to replace my OEM spings/shocks anyway.

Any insight appreciated!

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

It's not REQUIRED, but ti's certainly a good idea. Your current balljoints can now be up to 5 and a half years old...so, rather than spending a big pile of money later on OEM replacements, you can spend the same pile of money, and have the JBA arms installed.

Basically, if you can afford it, do it. No reason not to, just MAKE SURE you get some extended front bumpstops (JBA sells them) and grease them every oil change or therebouts

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I agree, you don't need them for the lift to work, but I'd consider getting them soon...

 

[max pain]

Btw i wrote guys at boulderbars while ordering my lift kit, they say that extended bumpstops are a myth, no one needs them...

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Btw i wrote guys at boulderbars while ordering my lift kit, they say that extended bumpstops are a myth, no one needs them...

alright broski...will break it down for you.

When you change the geometry of the stock suspension, ANY time you change it, you change the wheel/control arm position where the suspension is fully compressed.

If you do that, you run the risk of damaging components if you don't lengthen or shorten bumpstops, depending on where you are.

The frankenlift has an OTT spacer (essentially) which moves the compression point down in relation to the wheel's current position, which is where you get a lot of your lift. The bumpstops will NEED to be extended.

So, your $1200 lift, ain't ThunderbirdJunkie's ride home. Do what ya want. Spend the $40-50 extra to protect your investment or don't, whichever floats your boat

 

[DAGtunes]

Thanks all for the replies.

I am a total novice at all this stuff, so what I got from the info available on Al's UCA'a is that they somehow help to keep the CV joints aligned at the proper angles for lifted vehicles to prevent strain on those components, and also have 3/8" more spacing for the springs when the tire travels up and down?

It seemed that with SOME lifts (it doesn't specify...) the stock UCA's can hit the springs, causing wear and a noise of some sort? Is that catastophic on the first contact? Or is it an "over-time" thing?

This vehicle is my daily driver, and the primary off-road usage is on Forest Service rutted/dirt roads with occasional river crossings, etc. I have done a little more adventurous trail riding, and would like to do more - within reason. I doubt that my daily driver KJ could ever keep up with more purpose built rigs, like a few friends of mine have. (Jeep Rubicon TJ's, Izuzu Troopers, Land Rovers, etc...)

I just want to put a safe and sturdy lift on it, and not end up paying more down the road because of an oversight.

Perhaps I might just do the OME strut/spring/shock lift, and the JBA UCA's instead of the full "Frankenlift" to save a little bit of $$.

What is the general opinion of the Frankenlift here?

 

[DAGtunes]

Also, why does AllJ charge so much more for the installation of the JBA UCA's? Don't they already have everything disassembled to do the lift? Or is it a totally different operation?

See here: http://www.boulderbars.com/frankenlift.htm

How difficult would it be to install the JBA UCA's after having the lift done? (After I save up for them... ) I imagine that would also affect the alignment?

Frankenlift II Premium + Install + JBA UCA's + Install = Roughly $2K plus! More than I really want to spend...but I will, if it's a proven, safe, and sturdy lift. (Hell...it'll be on credit anyway... )

Even the OME lift option is pricey, if I also did the JBA UCA's...and supposedly not as much of a lift. (only 1" to 2")

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

TBH, if it were ThunderbirdJunkie, and he realizes not everybody IS ThunderbirdJunkie, so the point is kind of moot, he would buy the lift and arms and install them himself.

No, the installation of the arms is separate from the install of the lift, with the exception of A nut. One nut has to come out, and that's the extent of the labor that's "already" being done.

If you possess any mechanical knowledge whatsoever, it would probably behoove you to order the stuff and have it shipped to your house. Don't know if there are any near you, but there are TONS of LOST guys in California who would probably be more than happy to throw a good ol' Ohio-style lift party in your honor.

Just remember that the Jeep MUST be aligned any time ANY changes are made to the suspension.
Basically, after the lift install, after a few weeks and it's had an opportunity to settle, and after installation of balljoints/control arms/whathaveyou

 

[tjkj2002]

Btw i wrote guys at boulderbars while ordering my lift kit, they say that extended bumpstops are a myth, no one needs them...

That is false like stated,my Lift came with extended front and rear bumbstops from a company that has been making lifts for a longer time and has alot more R&D $$$$$.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

When I bought our Frankenlift from All J Products, Heather told me the same thing.

Infact, here is the original email I received from Heather regarding the extended front bump stops.

Hi Ryan,
Just saw this email... yes we have the front bump stops. They do not come in the kit since it is not required to change them out. If you do want me to add them to your order, I can. Let me know soon as your order is on the dock right now. They are $30 for the pair.

Thanks!


Heather Thomas
All J Products, LLC
4x4 Jeep Specialists
Boulderbars.com
AllJProducts.com
909-866-4800


-----Original Message-----
From: Vegetable [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 2:04 AM
To: All J Products - Jeep Shop
Subject: System crash!

Good day from hot and sunny British Columbia, Canada!

I have an additional question regarding the Standard Frankenlift I
I understand that it comes with extended rear bump stops, but does it need front extended bump stops as well?
If so, I guess they would be included with the lift kit, correct?
There was someone on KJ Country who mentioned that I would need to purchase them separately.
If that's the case, do you supply those as well?
And if not, can you suggest a supplier?

Thanks again, and I look forward to your reply

Ryan Heibloem


I will add, that I did install the extended Teraflex bump stops to our KJ.
I have also made use of them, as the Zerk fitting in the upper ball joint has clearly left it's impression in the bump stop!

 

[tjkj2002]

Originally Posted by DAGtunes
Also, why does AllJ charge so much more for the installation of the JBA UCA's?

Because extra time is needed to R&I them,may not take alot of time but they have to pay the person installing them for his time.

 

[paullgj]

Summary for best kit?

OK, I'm interested in this thread as I have an unlifted 2007 JK which I want to turn into moderate off-road machine. Also, I want the kit which will give the fewest problems. Frankenlift Premium, JBA control arms, rear brake line relocater, and a set of new longer front bumpstops. Who sells the front bumpstops? Anything else needed? Any other recommended kits in the 2.5-3.0" range. Don't want to go higher.

Will be staying with the stock steel rims, maybe going to 245/75-16 or 255/70-16 tires. Vehicle will be used on steep, sharp limestone rocky roads in the Sierra Madre Oriental of northern Mexico, not Jeep trails, but pretty nasty requiring low range and 1st gear crawl.

Thanks for posting the original question as I've been closely following this thread.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

OK, I'm interested in this thread as I have an unlifted 2007 JK which I want to turn into moderate off-road machine. Also, I want the kit which will give the fewest problems. Frankenlift Premium, JBA control arms, rear brake line relocater, and a set of new longer front bumpstops. Who sells the front bumpstops? Anything else needed? Any other recommended kits in the 2.5-3.0" range. Don't want to go higher.

Will be staying with the stock steel rims, maybe going to 245/75-16 or 255/70-16 tires. Vehicle will be used on steep, sharp limestone rocky roads in the Sierra Madre Oriental of northern Mexico, not Jeep trails, but pretty nasty requiring low range and 1st gear crawl.

Thanks for posting the original question as I've been closely following this thread.

All J Products sell the bump stops.

 

[max pain]

When I bought our Frankenlift from All J Products, Heather told me the same thing.

That's what i'm talking about.
I was surprised to hear that.

I was sure i needed them and still ordered them.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

That's what i'm talking about.
I was surprised to hear that.

I was sure i needed them and still ordered them.

Like I mentioned, I did fit them as per the recommendations by all the folks here, and am glad I did!

 

[tommudd]

Fun to sit back and just read for a chamge after years of preaching

 

[yellocoyote]

Fun to sit back and just read for a chamge after years of preaching

Some things haven't gone the way of deaf ears...

Welcome back, BTW.

 

[DAGtunes]

That's what i'm talking about.
I was surprised to hear that.

I was sure i needed them and still ordered them.

She told me the same thing today when I talked to her. I mentioned that some folks here suggested they were neccessary...

I'm having my lift installed this Saturday. nana.gif

Haven't decided on the JBA UCA's yet though...I'm only going 2.5" lift...but I might do it anyway...just on the fence. Economy being what it is and all...

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

honestly...if you can afford it without eating ramen for the next 3 months, do it now.

Otherwise, wait until you need upper balljoints. You WILL probably get some contact from the UCA hitting the spring if you don't, FYI, but it *shouldn't* REALLY hurt anything

 

[tommudd]

For whats its worth I ran mine lifted for over 70,000 miles on the stock upper arms before I got "a deal" on some JBA's both of my stock ones were good and ones now on another members 05!
So you can run a while before changing them out if needed