Choosing the Right Suspension Setup for Your Jeep
If you own a Jeep, there’s a good chance that you’ve given some thought to installing custom suspension on it at one time or another. There’s just something about the look of a lifted Jeep that makes it appear imposing and aggressive as if it’s ready to tear off the roadway and attack the nearest incline with reckless abandon. But suspension upgrades and Jeep lift kits in Illinois aren’t just about appearances, as they also provide functional improvements to the average Jeep that can make it far more off-road capable. Even if your Jeep is more pavement princess than free-wheeling rock climber, the advantages of lifting your ride and installing performance suspension are worth consideration.
Given the popularity of the Jeep and its decades-long production run, there’s no shortage of suspension amendments and lift products on the market today. In fact, the average Jeep owner has so many options, including lift kits, leveling kits, and coil spring lifts, that it can be a little overwhelming to determine which is best for your Jeep model and style of driving. However, there are fortunately a few tips that you can use to help make the right decision. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the suspension setup for your Jeep.
Where Do You Drive?
Where you like to drive your Jeep is a primary consideration when deciding what type of suspension setup you need. For example, if your Jeep is purely an off-road machine used for climbing hills and bogging through mud, you will want to add larger tires with aggressive tread, and you’ll need additional travel in your suspension. Therefore, you may need a coil spring lift or an arm lift setup. However, if you don’t take your Jeep off the pavement often and just want to create that aggressive off-road styling that Jeep owners love, you can probably get by with a much less expensive and less invasive body lift or leveling kit. It’s important to decide whether you are strictly lifting for looks or whether you want to improve off-road performance, as those factors will dictate your range of options.
What’s Your Budget?
Budget is always a factor when performing vehicle upgrades of any kind, and installing a suspension kit on your Jeep is no different. Suspension amendments can vary widely in their cost, largely because some involve more specialized equipment and extensive labor to install. Therefore, before you begin exploring your options, it’s a good idea to decide how much you want to spend. A basic leveling kit installation will probably cost you less than $300. However, a long-arm lift could run into the thousands of dollars to complete. Your budget will dictate your options, in part, so you need to figure out how much you want to invest in your Jeep’s suspension upgrades.
Who’s Doing the Work?
Many Jeep owners fancy themselves as amateur mechanics, and there are many suspension amendments that aren’t beyond the scope of the average Jeep owner. It’s important to consider whether you plan to perform the installations yourself or whether you’ll need to pay, as your choice could impact the range of options you can consider. For example, if you want to do the work yourself and save labor costs, you can probably get away with putting in your own body lift or leveling kit. However, a more substantial project like a coil lift or arm lift requires special equipment and skill, and it may beyond the reach of anyone who’s not professionally trained. If you have your heart set on doing the work yourself, be reasonable and realistic about the scope of your abilities. However, if you’re paying a pro to do the install, all the lift and suspension options are available.
Jeep owners have a diversity of choices when considering Jeep suspension lift kits in Illinois. Make sure that you consider these factors when deciding which style is right for your budget, driving habits, and skill set. To learn more about choosing the right suspension setup for your Jeep, contact BD Motorsports at (217) 752-6225.