Thread: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ?

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  1. #1 "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    So I have had a Claytons L A set up for the last 3 seasons. To save some coin I used my original RE 3.5" springs with an ACOS in front and a 2" spacer in the rear. This "theoretical" 5.5" lift worked great on & off road originally, but sagged a bit over the next couple years. This was especially noticed when loaded with gear.

    The rear would bottom out and push the floor pan up. The front axle (wag d44) was even able to hit the oil pan once. I added bump stop height to solve the interferences but the issue was clearly lack of lift height.

    Fast forward to yesterday, just got done installing some new IRO 4.5" springs (on top of the spacers). Now this net 6.5" lift seams really tall. Maybe I was just used to my old lift. With only 33's there is ample clearance to fenders.

    Finally to my question: What is the ideal lift height to run the claytons kit? 4.5" is too little, 5.5" seems about right, 7" too high?

    I am willing to cut the coils on the new spings to tune the height a bit, but this will tend to stiffen the ride. Maybe the answer is to upgrade to 35's.
    -Ted Z
    '97 Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ stuff
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  2. #2 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner JohnBoulderCO's Avatar
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    35's would fill in those fender wells
    WJ, 4.7, Clayton's Front, Double Triangulated Rear, 231HD, HP44, 8.8, ARBs, TR Bumpers, Hydro Assist, 35's, Cage
    Lambo Doors - tweaked unibody
    http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8532
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  3. #3 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member egg's Avatar
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    5.5" with 35s get my vote

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    4.5" front custom 3-link, dual triangulated 4 link, 35s, custom front bumper. upcoming: custom belly skid, rear bumper, rocker cutout/boatsides, half doors
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  4. #4 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
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    I like these guys' thinking! 35's and the 5.5" springs!!!
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  5. #5 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
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    My ZJ begs to differ that 4.5" is too little. Although I do have 1" pucks in the back to compensate for added weight.

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  6. #6 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
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    The 4.5" springs are stiffer than the 3.5" which I believe is why it works well for Dave but didn't add up for you Ted. I really liked my ZJ. I had. 7" RK springs but they only net 6" of lift with bumpers, gear, etc. I think you would like 5.5ish inches. I would go 35's either way though.


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  7. #7 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    Thanks guys! I've been looking for some deals on 35's on CL. We'll see if that happens before GSW this year.
    -Ted Z
    '97 Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ stuff
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  8. #8 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Cody's Avatar
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    I would agree that 4.5-5.5 inches is about right for 35's. Maybe 5-6 for 37's.
    Resident hater of tall lifts, dana 44's, 4.0's, stingers, exo cages, and ZJ tow rigs....and the word "overlanding"
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  9. #9 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Ted_Z's Avatar
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    I image the springs will settle a half an inch once I get the Jeep out of the garage and cycle the suspension a bit.

    In front rather that cutting the coils, I can remove the adjustment ring on the ACOS to get the minimum spacer height. On the rear I'll see how the ride height sits after I load some gear and add a full tank of gas.

    Should be at about 5.5" when all said and done.
    -Ted Z
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  10. #10 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    My avatar isn't animated Lifetime Supporter SirFuego's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cody View Post
    I would agree that 4.5-5.5 inches is about right for 35's. Maybe 5-6 for 37's.
    Yep. I ran 4.5" springs with a 1" puck in the front. The 4.5" springs in rear sat at about 5.5" of lift with the trimming I have. Was happy with the fitment of 35s. About 5-6" of bumpstops in the front are your friend with that setup.
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  11. #11 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member Grand Slam West Planner Cody's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SirFuego View Post
    Yep. I ran 4.5" springs with a 1" puck in the front. The 4.5" springs in rear sat at about 5.5" of lift with the trimming I have. Was happy with the fitment of 35s. About 5-6" of bumpstops in the front are your friend with that setup.
    bumpstops? I kid, I did have bumpstops about 1 inch from the control arm. I ran 9 down and 2 up though.
    Resident hater of tall lifts, dana 44's, 4.0's, stingers, exo cages, and ZJ tow rigs....and the word "overlanding"
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  12. #12 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
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    Besides Rusty's who else makes a 5.5" coil spring?
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  13. #13 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
    Senior Member egg's Avatar
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    Pick a company that has 4.5" springs, the spring rate you want. Then use spacers to get the height you want. amount of spacers needed will vary depending on armor, cargo, and other accessories anyways
    4.5" front custom 3-link, dual triangulated 4 link, 35s, custom front bumper. upcoming: custom belly skid, rear bumper, rocker cutout/boatsides, half doors
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  14. #14 Re: "Ideal" lift height for Clayton LA on ZJ? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by egg View Post
    Pick a company that has 4.5" springs, the spring rate you want. Then use spacers to get the height you want. amount of spacers needed will vary depending on armor, cargo, and other accessories anyways
    Hey, just saw that you have pretty much the same specs that i would like to have in my jeep, are you satisfied with the 4.5 lift and 35? or do you think it could perform a little better if it was higher (5.5)?
    What gears are you running with those 35?
    and what's your current MPG's?

    Thanks for any input that you can offer
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