Answering your Jeep Wrangler lift questions

Looking to fit a bigger set of tires on your Wrangler, or just want to be tall enough to make it over the next rock, or stream?  There are plenty of questions to ask when picking out your first lift kit – Will it void my warranty?  Will my Jeep drive differently?  A lift kit is probably the most efficient, bolt-on solution to turn your Jeep into an off-road machine, but it’s not something you want to jump into without research. This article goes over the Jeep Wrangler lift questions I came up with when I began researching the best Jeep Wrangler lift kits.

Answering your Jeep Wrangler lift questions

Jeep Wrangler lift questions:

Q – What is a lift kit and why would I need one?

A – In short, it basically does what the name says: lifts up your Jeep. Unlike a sportscar, you expect from your Wrangler to be able to overcome obstacles without giving up on steep hills or on top of boulders. The best way to ensure you’re not left hanging four wheels into the air is to get the Jeep higher and fit bigger wheels – and that is exactly what a lift kit allows you to do. When the chassis is lifted higher from the ground a bigger clearance is achieved, and consequently bigger wheels have now enough space to fit in.

Q – Will a lift kit void manufacturer warranty?

A – This is one of the most common Jeep Wrangler lift questions that I get.  I hear stories all the time of owners who want to lift their Jeeps, but back out at the last moment because some friend warned about warranty issues after installation.
The simple answer is that your warranty cannot be voided. The only parts not covered by the warranty will be the ones you replace (springs, shocks, and other lift components). For Chrysler to deny you warranty on any other part, they would have to prove that one of your replacement parts was to blame for the failure. In other words, if they denied you coverage on your transmission, they’d have to prove that your lift was the cause of the transmission failure.

This isn’t just something that we’ve “hear on the internet”… this is specifically outlined in US Federal law under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This law was enacted to keep manufacturers from denying claims based on bogus claimes (i.e. you modified your vehicle, so it’s not covered). You can read more about this Federal law here. While you’ll be in the right with any warranty claim, it may make your life easier to call and ask a dealer’s policy on modifications before you purchase your Jeep. If you can make your life easier by buying from the right dealer then I say why not.

Q – Will my Wrangler handle differently?

A – Another common Jeep Wrangler lift question – after installing a lift kit, your Wrangler will have a slightly higher center of gravity, but overall the handling will be very similar to stock. Every lift kit manufacturer is different, and it’s possible that the springs and shocks included in your new kit can be stiffer or softer than stock.  In my experience, most people installing a lift are replacing worn out factory equipment, and the net result is a Jeep that handles and rides better after installing the lift kit.

Q – What is a lift kit made of?

A – A standard liftkit will contain replacement suspension components that are longer / taller than stock. Your Jeep Wrangler will benefit from new coils, shocks, lower and upper control arms, bumpstop extensions as well as extended brake lines and elongated sway bar links to accommodate the increase in height without any trouble. Keep in mind that not all kits are created equal, and some will have more or less components. Generally speaking, the bigger the lift (4 inches and up), the more components are necessary to gain that height.
Lift kit components are designed to work on specific Jeep models – don’t just get a kit for any Wrangler, but instead get one designed for your specific year.

Q – Will I be able to fit bigger tires?

A – Yes! One of the main reasons Wrangler owners choose to apply a lift kit on their Jeeps is due to the possibility of fitting 33” and bigger tires. Obviously, bigger tires mean better traction and fewer chances to find yourself stuck in a swamp or in heightened snow.

Q – Is alignment required after my Jeep gets lifted?

A – Since lifting your vehicle means replacing most of the original suspension and consequently changing its geometry, wheel alignment is necessary after applying a lift kit. Alignment ensures uniform wear on the tires and also corrects any steering issues; you don’t want your Wrangler to go straight forward into a tree when you’ve swerved your steering wheel half a turn to the left. I use the lifetime alignment from Firestone – it costs a bit upfront (something like $100), but you can come back as much as you want. I usually get my alignment checked every year with my safety inspection, or when I make a change to my Jeep.

Q – What are the costs of a lift kit?

A – Entry-level lift kits are a rather inexpensive way to get better off-road performance on your Wrangler. However, as you lift it higher, kits will begin to increase in price. If you’ve got enough confidence and mechanical knowledge, you may install the lift kit yourself. Otherwise, you may need to add the cost of professional fitting at a specialized service unit.

Q – What lift kit should I choose for my Wrangler?

A – As mentioned above, it is all about how high you want to get. Usually, a standard lift kit provides 2-3 extra inches of clearance and allows you to fit 33” tires on your Wrangler. It will also provide extra articulation on both front and rear suspension. However, if you want to try more extreme off-roading (rock crawling or mud bogs), then you will need to choose a four inch or higher lift kit. Top of the line Rock Krawler lift kits allow Wranglers to be lifted by up to 7 inches, while also converting front and rear suspension to independent 3 link and independent 4 link systems respectively.  Before you purchase a lift kit, make sure to read our Jeep JK lift kit reviews, Jeep TJ lift kit reviews, or Jeep YJ lift kit reviews – depending on the model Jeep you own.  Also, ask your Jeep Wrangler lift questions to the manufacturer or vendor before you purchase.

Q – Are there any other reasons to get a lift kit?

A – Apart from the obvious performance benefits, your Wrangler will look cooler and meaner. A lifted Jeep imposes a certain personality that a stock can’t achieve, no matter how well maintained it is. There is something about big cars that make people tick and admire; and it is certain that you own Wrangler will feel the same way.
Secondly, there are chances for someone else to have a Wrangler like yours, but adding a lift kit will make your car unique, or at least less likely possible to meet someone with the exact same specs.

Q – Is there any warranty provided?

A – As lift kits are created to endure rough, off-road conditions, most packages come along with lifetime “Abuse Proof” warranty. In other words, you are ensured that no matter how much you escalate and articulate, your lift kit won’t fail out of the blue, not even after years of usage. Be sure to check the warranty before you buy your kit though.

If you still have any Jeep Wrangler lift questions please leave them in the comments section below.  I love answering Jeep questions!