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lornix · 10-27-2008, 11:25 PM

Well as posted earlier, my son and I were looking for a lift for his ZJ. He settled on the BDS 3" kit as it was in his budget range, a decent quality base lift, and the BDS guarantee is exceptional.

So this weekend, myself and my 2 sons took on the task of installing the lift. Overall I would have to say that this was one of the simplest installs I have ever done. The ZJ is a pleasure to work on compared to the XJ! It seems on the XJ I have to fight for every scrap of success whereas the ZJ gave up it's old parts almost willingly!

There were of course the usual stubborn bolts requiring a torch-heating festival, but hey, that's time a guy can lay down rest while heating up the bolt

There was one that we cut right off as a replacement came with the kit.

Because he was going up to a 32x11.5" tires from his stock 28" tires, there was a butt-load of cutting and trimming that needed to be done. Once the lift and tires were in, he could not really drive it as the rubbing was insane!

SO, Day 1 and 2 were spent installing, and day 3 was the fender trimming day. He wanted to retain as much of the stock lines as possible, so I had my work cut out for me to get enough fender away as possible and not butcher his lines and trim. Overall it turned out very well.

We had to cut the seams in the fender well, so they needed to be welded when we were done. The Lincoln earned it's keep and the new welds are way stronger than the factory welds ever could be.

So without further blah blah blah. here are the pictures ...

The sacrificial virgin ...

The stock suspension ready to come out ...

And old suspension gutted ...

Had to drop the axle almost to the ground to get the new springs in ...

Drilling for the new trac-bar bracket ...

And installed ...

Moving on to the rears ... same as above minus the steering ...

More to come ...

lornix · 10-27-2008, 11:26 PM

Sexy beast ...

We also did some trimming on his front valance as it was a tire-rubbing victim waiting to be preyed on. Basically we cut it off at the first molding line and left some of the slatted section in the front for looks. Improved his approach angle considerably.

Over all a good build

Kyle · 10-27-2008, 11:33 PM

How do you recommend the suspension? Likes/dislikes?

lornix · 10-28-2008, 12:10 AM

Kyle, I'll have to get back to you on that one. Right off the bat it felt very stable and very tough. The original plush ride is done of course, but it feels pretty good. I think once it settles in it will have a decent ride and be very durable.

We did extra welding on the rear track bar bracket to make it stronger. The supplied bolts were adequate, but why not be proactive?

It also needs to go in for a proper alignment. The toe is off a bit and the CA cams could stand to be inspected as we just eyeballed the centering and castor of the axle. We got it pretty good, and I took it up to about 45 mph with no death wobble. I tried to induce it too. It wants to start doing it, but the new stabalizer is keeping it in check. That business will go away with a proper alignment me thinks. I asked my son to stay off the freeway until that is done.

We have yet to take it out and flex it out. We took a lot of metal out to clearance the tires. I think too he will want some quick disconnects for the sway bar links.

So I'll post more on it as we put it through it's paces.

For anybody wondering, the rims are 15x8 Rock Crawlers with 3.75" Backspacing and they clear nicely. He may even have gotten away with 4" backspacing. He has about 3/4" overhang past the fender wells.

I'll post up with our opinions as we go.

Kyle · 10-28-2008, 12:13 AM

Well keep us updated, looks like an excellent start though.

**muddeprived** · 10-28-2008, 01:26 AM

It seems you may need slightly longer arms in the rear because the tire is awfully close to the front portion of the rear fender. There's alot of space behind the tire. Looks like you lost an inch or two of wheelbase cuz of the control arms. That's what they do when you lift jeeps on stock arms.

lornix · 10-28-2008, 11:11 AM

Right you are. The rear axle moved forward a bit so we clearanced the inside of the wheelwell. He should be okay for the short term, but phase 2 will be to replace all the control arms with adjustables.

lornix · 10-28-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddeprived

It seems you may need slightly longer arms in the rear because the tire is awfully close to the front portion of the rear fender. ...

If I remember I will take a few pics of the actual trimming we did. That sideview picture was taken in the morning before we trimmed. We only had to weld the seams in the front fenders as the rears were clearanced without touching any body seams.

I think he will still rub when he stuffs the rears, but until he has the coin to buy new control arms it'll have to do

I am almost positive that once he wheels it he will be less attached to the body lines and agree to trim out the fender wells more. The problem is the damn body trim pieces. We will have to cut them to size and bond them back together so they can be reinstalled with the end-caps intact.

He loves the body trim

nick_n_ii · 10-28-2008, 06:26 PM

That thing is looking good..

Belto · 10-28-2008, 07:40 PM

that look real good, glad to see a supportive father working with his son...

**TripleXJ** · 10-28-2008, 07:47 PM

Nice lookin Grand, around here ya don't see many lifted Grands but I know of a few. I wanna see the Durango infront of the XJ, a buddy of mine has one and wants to lift it but not to sure of how it will look, he only wants like 3" and 32's

**WJCraig** · 10-28-2008, 08:43 PM

So, when are we taking that bad boy out to play???

lornix · 10-29-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belto

that look real good, glad to see a supportive father working with his son...

Thanks man ... better to see them wheeling with Dad then hanging on the streets getting into mischief

lornix · 10-29-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleXJ

Nice lookin Grand, around here ya don't see many lifted Grands but I know of a few. I wanna see the Durango infront of the XJ, a buddy of mine has one and wants to lift it but not to sure of how it will look, he only wants like 3" and 32's

I'll dig up some pics and post 'em. We did that one in the driveway too ... hell, we do everything in the driveway

It has a 2" TS lift and 3" body lift and sits on 33" Procomps.

lornix · 10-29-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJCraig

So, when are we taking that bad boy out to play???

Possibly this coming weekend. I think the boys want to go try it out at Hale Creek. I am 50/50 if I am gonna join them as I REALLY want to start tearing into the XJ.

But I guess on his maiden voyage I should go with him in case there are any problems or sibling rock-throwing incidents

I'll let ya know what the plan is