A Guide to Lifting Your Classic Jeep
In case you haven’t heard, classic Jeeps are starting to make a comeback. In recent years, classic Jeeps have been increasing in value, with many classic models finding their way to Mecum Auctions and other notable car auctions around the globe. From the Willys Overland MB from WWII to the classic 80s 4x4, the Jeep represents a timeless piece of American history. Collectors and auto enthusiasts are celebrating all things Jeep.
If you’ve recently purchased a classic Jeep or you’re thinking of buying one, you might be looking to lift your vintage vehicle. Jeeps have always been synonymous with off-roading. In fact, the first wartime Jeeps were made to venture through all kinds of harsh territory. Yet, lifting a classic Jeep isn’t quite the same as lifting a 2018 Wrangler. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about installing Jeep lift kits on a classic model, so you can take your prized possession off-road where it belongs.
Deciding Whether to Lift Your Classic Jeep
Before we dive into the dos and don’ts of lifting your classic Jeep, let’s talk about whether lifting your classic Jeep is right for you. Choosing whether to lift a vehicle all comes down to how you plan to use it.
Lifting your Jeep enhances your ability to take your vehicle off-road, which is what many of these models were designed for in the first place. Navigating off-road terrain will be much easier once you lift the suspension of the vehicle and make room for thicker, wider off-road tires.
Adding a lift kit can also help you level the stance of your classic Jeep. The geometry of the kit will correct front to rear factory rake, so your vehicle is the same height on all sides.
If yours needs change or you decide to return the vehicle to its original condition, you can always remove the Jeep lift kit. Installing and uninstalling Jeep lift kits doesn’t require a lot of expertise like today’s Jeep, so you can easily modify your Jeep yourself. Lifting the Jeep may even increase the value of your vintage vehicle, depending on the buyer.
Researching the Original Model
Before you choose a lift kit for your classic Jeep, it’s important to research the specifications of the original model. Information about your classic Jeep may be hard to find, so it may be best to have a user manual on hand before adding aftermarket Jeep parts to your custom build.
Your classic Jeep may also need to be repaired before modifications can be made. If certain parts of your Jeep are rusted or in need of a tune-up, you’ll need to repair or replace these elements before you begin installing the lift kit. There are dozens of online retailers that specialize in vintage Jeep parts, so finding new elements for your classic Jeep shouldn’t be too difficult. You can quickly search for parts by model or year. Depending on the model of your vehicle, you may be able to upgrade your Jeep by adding new parts and features.
Refurbishing your classic Jeep is about making the vehicle as safe and easy to drive as possible. You don’t want to spend the time and money lifting a Jeep if it’s in desperate need of repairs. Many classic Jeep models were designed for long-term wear and tear, so they should hold up well over time.
We always recommend test driving your classic Jeep before adding a lift kit, to make sure it’s still in good condition. If you hear any strange noises or the vehicle doesn’t perform as well as you’d hope, you can bring it to your local mechanic or one that specializes in repair vintage vehicles.
Even if your classic Jeep isn’t as functional as you might’ve hoped, you can still add a lift kit for aesthetics, but use caution before heading out on the trail.
Choosing the Right Size Lift
Once you’ve inspected and tested your classic Jeep, it’s time to start shopping for a lift kit. These kits typically range from 1.5 to 4 inches in lift height. Choosing the right height for your classic Jeep depends on a variety of factors, including the make and condition of your vehicle, where you plan on driving it, and what kind of off-road tires you’d like to install on your vehicle.
Buying and installing a lift kit gives you space for larger tires, including 31-, 33- or 35-inch tires. Typically, the larger the tire, the better it will perform in the great outdoors. They come with reinforced sidewalls for more stability on the trail, deep tread patterns for moving through various off-road environments, and more traction for more control on the road and off.
But you don’t need massive off-road tires to enjoy the outdoors. If you plan on cruising through open trails and exploring dirt roads, 31- or 33-inch tires should get the job done. However, if you plan on crawling over boulders and massive rock formations, it’s usually a good idea to upgrade to 35-inch tires.
Adding bigger tires will require a bigger lift kit, as well as more aftermarket Jeep parts. This will also raise the center of gravity of your vehicle, which will require additional modifications. If you’re looking to keep things simple, it’s best to go with a smaller lift kit, such as 1.5 or 2.5 inches. Choosing a smaller lift kit also makes it easier to restore your vehicle to stock if necessary, considering the modifications required would be minimal.
All-Inclusive Lift Kits
It’s also best to find Jeep lift kits that comes with everything you need to lift your vehicle, including aftermarket Jeep parts that improve performance and handling, such as new shocks, control arms, springs, and steering stabilizers. All-inclusive lift kits will make your life much easier when it comes to installing the kit and driving your lifted Jeep around town.
When you lift your classic Jeep and add larger tires, you’ll need additional aftermarket parts to make the most of your new ride. New control arms will reduce noise, vibrations, and harshness on the trail. New coil springs will improve handling and minimize settling for a consistent ride height. New sway bars will correct the sway bar operating angle. A new track bar will help stabilize the body and frame, in relation to the axle housing for a smoother, more enjoyable ride.
Choosing a Lift Kit Based on Year and Model
With this information in mind, you’ll need to start looking for a lift kit designed for your Jeep’s particular model and year. Comprehensive lift kit manufacturers tend to carry a wide range of lift kits, but, depending on how old or rare your classic Jeep may be, finding a specific kit isn’t always easy.
If you can’t find a lift kit that’s designed for the model and year of your vehicle, there could be other options out there from certain suspension manufacturers. This may require purchasing certain suspension components separately in order to come up with a lift kit.
Finding Off-Road Tires and Wheels
Once you’ve selected your lift kit, it’s time to find a set of tires and wheels that will fit with your new custom build. Again, you’ll need to choose tires that are appropriate for your vehicle’s particular model and year.
You’ll likely have to choose between all-terrain tires and off-road or mud-terrain tires. All-terrain tires will give you more traction and control on all kinds of surfaces, including pavement, ice, snow, and some mild off-road environments. These kinds of tires are a great choice if you plan on driving on-road and off. You can make your way through harsh winter weather, run errands, and explore the outdoors without running into trouble.
If you plan on spending more time off-road than on, you’ll be better off with mud-terrain tires. They typically come with reinforced sidewalls for more stability and support on the open trail, self-cleaning grooved tread patterns for more traction and control, and puncture resistance to protect your tires from extreme wear and tear. You’ll be able to power your classic Jeep through all kinds of unpredictable terrain.
Vintage Jeeps tend to have relatively narrow track widths. If you want to get through deep bogs, muddy terrain, and other harsh environments, you may want to use wider, negative offset wheels to widen the track width on lifted 4x4 vehicles, so there’s more contact between your tires and the ground.
It’s also important to note that lift kit manufacturers often provide approximate tire/wheel fitments, but these estimates tend to vary considerably from one model to another. If your tires are too large for your new custom build, you may encounter problems when turning, as the rubber of the tires collides with the fender.
You’ll also need to consider backspacing, the distance from the hub mounting surface to the inside lip of the wheel. More backspacing puts the tire in closer to the center of the truck, providing greater clearance between the outside edge of the tire and fender, but less clearance between the inside edge of the tire and your vehicle’s suspension. Less backspacing moves your wheels mount farther outward, providing a wider vehicle stance and more clearance from the suspension.
Backspacing greatly impacts tire-to-fender clearance when turning. Wheel width and backspacing influence whether the tires protrude past the fenders, and to what extent. Wheel offset and backspacing measurement points are not always consistent, so it’s important to fit-check your tire/wheel selection before purchasing your tires. Precise measurements are key to making sure your new tires and wheels fit on your lifted truck.
Keep these factors in mind when purchasing tires for your off-road Jeep.
Installing the Lift Kit
Most Jeep lift kits are relatively easy to install. You can usually do the job in a matter of hours, but, if you don’t feel comfortable installing the kit yourself, you can always bring your vehicle to your local mechanic so they can install the kit for you.
Follow the instructions in the lift kit user manual for a proper lift. Before you get started it’s important to inspect your vehicle, including the steering, driveline, and brake systems, while paying close attention to all components of your Jeep. You should also check the steering sector-to-frame and all suspension-to-frame attaching points for stress cracks.
You shouldn’t add any additional components to the lift kit, assuming you bought a kit that comes with everything you need to lift your classic Jeep. It’s also important to paint or undercoat all exposed metal surfaces and make sure that all mating surfaces are free of grease, grit, oil, and undercoating before getting started.
If you have any questions along the way, you can always reach out to the lift kit manufacturer for advice or troubleshooting.
Taking Your Classic Jeep Out on the Trail
Once the lift kit is installed, you’ll probably be anxious to get your Jeep out on the trail. We always recommend test driving your classic Jeep on the road before taking it off-road to make sure everything’s working properly. The first time you head out on the trail, it’s a good idea to bring along a friend who can help spot you as you drive through unfamiliar territory. Go slow and ease your classic Jeep into this new experience. Some classic Jeep models will hold up better on the trail than others, depending on well they’ve been maintained over the years.
Enjoy Your Lifted Jeep
After all’s said and done, you’ll have a beautiful lifted classic Jeep that’s ready to go off-road. You can cruise through all kinds of territory like no one’s business. Have fun exploring the great outdoors and give your classic Jeep a new life.