How To Determine Jeep JK Lift Height? (Read This First)
The amount of lift you give a vehicle can determine how much you’ll enjoy the vehicle’s performance. It also gives it a good look and is excellent for the car’s components.
In this article, we’ll look at how to measure lift and how significant it is for vehicles.
Determining the Jeep JK lift involves measuring the spring while the vehicle is on level ground. The spring typically measures 9 3/8″ from top to bottom. Anything above 9 3/8″ is the JK’s lift. For example, if one measures the front spring and has 14 3/8″, there is a 5″ lift.
How To Measure Lift Height On Jeep JK?
To measure the lift height on Jeep JK, top every fluid, and get the vehicle on ground level. Next, put the Jeep in two-wheel drive mode, then shake up the Jeep’s front end.
This process ensures that every suspension mechanism is in its natural resting point.
Measure the curb heights for both the anterior axle and tail axle. Next, the JK’s jounce bumper cap to the interior spring seat’s uppermost lip on the matching axle is measured.
The process is done for either axel. Finally, the obtained results are compared against the stock lengths for that JK being measured.
A simple way to know would be to read the specifications of a Jeep lift kit if you bought it. However, it’s not always that you buy a new Jeep.
The lift kit might already be on a second-hand Jeep, and you’d like to know the measurement.
Knowledge of the lift height helps decision-making regarding wheel sizes, tire sizes, and other buying decisions.
What’s The Best Lift Height For Jeep?
The ideal lift for many Jeep vehicles is about three inches. It is the optimal lift for those who enjoy off-road riding.
The highest lift for Jeep Wranglers is six inches but varies among Wrangler models. Visually, one-inch lifts are suitable for Jeep vehicles.
Below, I will discuss some Jeep models and their ideal lifts. These lifts will help make the best use of your Jeep in whatever way you use it.
#1. Jeep Wrangler YJ
This Jeep was manufactured between 1987 to 1995. They are excellent off-roaders and perform well for regular driving.
A one-inch body lift is aesthetically pleasing. It also provides adequate space required to add your tire’s size.
A three-inch lift for your Jeep Wrangler YJ will optimize road travel and off-road adventures.
The additional allowance is enough for off-road tracks even though you aren’t well-prepared for dangerous paths.
If you go beyond this lift, you might require regearing your Jeep. It’s also possible that it’ll reduce general performance.
There are varying choices for owners who do not fancy driving on roads for a particular period. You can lift to between 4.5 to 6 inches for regular off-road users.
However, lifts of this kind are typically costlier, so put this in mind.
#2. Jeep Wrangler LJ
This Jeep was produced between 2004 and 2006. As usual, a one-inch lift will look good on the car.
However, if you want a balanced performance on roads and off-roads, you can have a three-inch suspension lift. So you can give between 4 to 6 inches of lift for off-road purposes.
4.5-inch suspension lift, though, seems to be a perfect fit. Six inches will ensure that your Jeep doesn’t get any damage from off-road use.
#3. Jeep Wrangler TJ
This Jeep was produced between 1997 and 2006. The Wrangler TJ is comparable to the Wrangler YJ regarding body lift choices.
A one-inch lift is great for looks if you don’t go on off-road escapades. It also facilitates bigger tires for your Jeep.
Those who are frequent off-roaders and on-roaders can give their Jeeps between 3 to 3.5-inch lift. This choice is optimal for both terrains.
If you want the best off-road performance, you can take it to whatever inches you want.
#4. Jeep Wrangler JK
This Wrangler is the first four-door body-style Jeep. Its production ran between 2006 and 2018. It has good performance for both off-road and on-road driving.
A 3 – 4 inches lift will give you the best of both worlds.
For off-road purposes, you can get a 5 to 6-inch lift. It will give you the best performance on off-road trails. However, the Wrangler JK is longer than other models.
That’s why it requires a larger lift than they do.
#5. Jeep Wrangler JL
This model has been in production since 2018. A traditional one-inch lift is visually good.
A 3 to 4-inch suspension lift will provide the right height needed for off-road and regular driving.
A higher ground allowance of a 5 to 6-inch suspension lift will be perfect for off-road use.
How Do I Know How Much Suspension Lift I Have?
You can find out how much suspension lift you have by measuring your vehicle’s shocks. After measuring, you compare the result to the stock shock’s measurement.
You have to take out any load in the car to have a precise measurement.
If there are no stock shocks around, you can find out the stock shock length by going online. There might be information about stocks on a blog or forum discussion.
You can search online by including the vehicle’s model, make, and year.
Information might also be available in the vehicle’s manual. In addition, you can contact the manufacturers and request the information you need.
Once you’ve found out the stock shock’s measurement, you can measure your shocks. Does Jeep Wrangler Require Premium Gas?
Knowing the stock shock’s measurement will allow you to subtract the size of the shock from the stock shock. It will help determine how much suspension lift has been added.
Stock shocks are usually 3 inches. So if you measure your shocks and get 7 inches, it means the suspension lift is 4 inches.
There are some issues arising from this method of measuring shocks to determine suspension lift. First, the length of shocks might differ.
It can be different from how much the previous owner lifted the vehicle. One thing with shocks is that they tend to sag over time.
A sagged shock will have you thinking you have a 4-inch suspension lift installed when it’s a 5-inch lift. Older shocks have a high possibility of sagging.
The vehicle’s weight can also sag shocks. That’s why it’s necessary to unload the car before measuring the shocks and removing additional tires.
To avoid this issue, you can take out the shocks from your car and measure them. This way, their full length is measured.
If it’s too difficult removing the shocks, ensure that the car is on an even surface. Don’t forget to take out every extra weight from the car.
Furthermore, you can determine how much lift a suspension lift kit provides before installing it. First, you have to measure the distance between the center of your wheel and the fender.
You should not measure this from the ground to the fender but from the middle of the wheel.
That will give a precise measurement. After installing the Jeep lift kit, measure the length between the wheel’s center and fender again.
Let’s assume in the first measurement you had 8 inches, and the second is 11 inches. It means the lift kit lifted the vehicle by 3 inches. Can A Jeep Wrangler Tow A Pontoon Boat?
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Conclusion
You can measure the lift of a JK by measuring its shocks and comparing it with the stock shock’s length.
The best lift for a Jeep is usually around 3 inches. However, Jeeps used for off-roads can have between 4 and 6 inches of lift.
Lifts are important for vehicle performance. Manufacturers and dealers should encourage them more.
