The OFFICIAL 6inch vs 3inch lift debate

Jas12682 · 07-02-2009, 05:00 PM

First off, i want to first declare that i love all lifted fjs, i think the three inch lift looks sick and love to see them wheel. I run the RC 6 inch lift. My reason; after watching fjs with the three inch lift go through the battered ruins of the rubicon gate keaper and first part of the rubicon trail. There was alot of rock stacking, and scraping of skid plates and rock sliders with the 3 inchers. I then watched an FJ with a 6 inch lift and 35s go through with much less scraping and no rock stacking. Its my opinion but would take a 6 inch lift over a 3 inch lift out on the trails anytime. And yes i know the center of gravity is higher with the 6 inch lift, but most guys run wheel spacers to compensate.

I hope i didnt offend anybody, like i said, i love all lifted fjs, im just tired of guys telling newbies that 6 inch lifts arent neccasary, because i dissagree.

**cruiserlarry** · 07-02-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Jas12682 previously said:

First off, i want to first declare that i love all lifted fjs, i think the three inch lift looks sick and love to see them wheel. I run the RC 6 inch lift. My reason; after watching fjs with the three inch lift go through the battered ruins of the rubicon gate keaper and first part of the rubicon trail. There was alot of rock stacking, and scraping of skid plates and rock sliders with the 3 inchers. I then watched an FJ with a 6 inch lift and 35s go through with much less scraping and no rock stacking. Its my opinion but would take a 6 inch lift over a 3 inch lift out on the trails anytime. And yes i know the center of gravity is higher with the 6 inch lift, but most guys run wheel spacers to compensate.

I hope i didnt offend anybody, like i said, i love all lifted fjs, im just tired of guys telling newbies that 6 inch lifts arent neccasary, because i dissagree.

Well, you disagree. That's fine. But the reality is that you don't gain 3" of clearance with a 3" taller lift, because the system drops down the running gear. Your axles are about an inch taller (using 35" tires) than with a 3" kit using 33" tires. You should have an improved angle of assent and angle of departure, which helps with rock crawling. But using the stock IFS and rear axle set up, you are not getting much more usable clearance considering the height difference. THe structural integrity is superior with a 3" kit, as is the reduced weight, reduced drag at speed, more usable power (assuming you run 35" tires without a gear change), less driveline stress, etc...so, IMO, the 6" kit has more drawbacks than advantages.

It really boils down to what will work best for you, and the wheeling you do. But I've seen plenty of folks (the official Trail Teams drivers, for example) tackle some amazing terrain without any need for a 6" lift...

Summary - You don't, IMO need it, but if you want it, get it

FJeddah · 07-02-2009, 05:45 PM

Enjoy your 6" lift! as long as you love it, just do it!

Quote:

cruiserlarry previously said:

Well, you disagree. That's fine. But the reality is that you don't gain 3" of clearance with a 3" taller lift, because the system drops down the running gear. Your axles are about an inch taller (using 35" tires) than with a 3" kit using 33" tires. You should have an improved angle of assent and angle of departure, which helps with rock crawling. But using the stock IFS and rear axle set up, you are not getting much more usable clearance considering the height difference. THe structural integrity is superior with a 3" kit, as is the reduced weight, reduced drag at speed, more usable power (assuming you run 35" tires without a gear change), less driveline stress, etc...so, IMO, the 6" kit has more drawbacks than advantages.

It really boils down to what will work best for you, and the wheeling you do. But I've seen plenty of folks (the official Trail Teams drivers, for example) tackle some amazing terrain without any need for a 6" lift...

Summary - You don't, IMO need it, but if you want it, get it

Thanks for the great info Larry

DoWork · 07-02-2009, 05:49 PM

how about a 3 inch lift with 35's. Plenty of people run this and have no problems. The lift is not what lifts your clearance....

daPitbull · 07-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Bottom line, it depends on the driver. The dude with the 6" lift could have been a better driver. Cruiserlarry is right though, there is nothing really gained with the 6" lift other than they look badd a$$.

Also, unless you swith out that big arse honkin' spacer that most 6" lifts use, than there is no comparison.

But again, totally depends on the driver....

**jeshua** · 07-02-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Jas12682 previously said:

First off, i want to first declare that i love all lifted fjs, i think the three inch lift looks sick and love to see them wheel. I run the RC 6 inch lift. My reason; after watching fjs with the three inch lift go through the battered ruins of the rubicon gate keaper and first part of the rubicon trail. There was alot of rock stacking, and scraping of skid plates and rock sliders with the 3 inchers. I then watched an FJ with a 6 inch lift and 35s go through with much less scraping and no rock stacking. Its my opinion but would take a 6 inch lift over a 3 inch lift out on the trails anytime. And yes i know the center of gravity is higher with the 6 inch lift, but most guys run wheel spacers to compensate.

I hope i didnt offend anybody, like i said, i love all lifted fjs, im just tired of guys telling newbies that 6 inch lifts arent neccasary, because i dissagree.

The ground clearance you gained wasn't from your 6" lift but from the 35" tires you were running. The only advantage a 6" lift will give you is a better approach angel, departure angle and break over angle. Ground clearance is reduced, structural integrator of the suspension components is weekend because of the added leverage of the drop down bracket and you are limited in what shocks you can run, the stuff that comes with the 6" lifts isn't that nice and you end up with a bad ride. If your lucky enough to have the one 6" lift that has good shock options, (icon and Radflo sell coilovers that work with the RC) but now your spending another 1,000+ on shocks to get your 6" lift to perform better.

You can fit 35" tires on a 3" lift a lot of guys have done it and more will in the future, so don't use that excuse.

And like Larry pointed out it is hard to compare when watching others drive through an obstacle especially when your comparison is between diffrent drivers (skill level/ability will make a big difference) and to a year latter when you did it.

If you like your 6" lift thats cool, but they are not necessary, or the best choice, they don't preform at the same level as a quality coilover like Icon.

**WILSON** · 07-02-2009, 05:59 PM

3" for performance
6" for looks

fj6high · 07-02-2009, 06:11 PM

Here we go again! I just like the look of a lifted fjc!!! If for no other reason than to gain underbody clearance and to run larger tires which give more axle height and better approach angles. I been to Coal Creek twice, once with 3" and then 6" and I crawled over everything. There is many pros and cons and if you can afford to go six or bigger and I mean regearing and fortify the suspension I say there is many things to gain with a larger lift.

Yeah call me a mall crawler if you like as this is my dailey driver

It's nice to see over the tops of other vehicles in heavy traffic to see what lanes are moving along and not getting stuck behind breakdowns or cars stopped to make a turn ahead of me. I can come out of large parking lots and easily spot my rig and no longer care if someone wants to open a door into my slider or tire. Now everyone parks away from me

It all boils down to what You want and your intended use, just call me a mall crawler grocery getter

every now and then I can throw it into four low lock everything in and say you want to follow me

Coldnapalm · 07-02-2009, 06:11 PM

now what about a 6 inch lift on 33s ? i hear all this about a 3 inch with 35s but i couldn't afford a re gear would there be much stress on the FJ with 33s and a 6?

vailfj · 07-02-2009, 06:20 PM

I run a 6" lift with 35s and wish I had a 3" with 34s. My rig looks sick, but I'd feel better with a 3" for turning, gas mileage, drag, expense, etc. I've driven a 3" lifted FJC and it just feels so much better when driving. It has much more of a stock feel, and you feel like you're in control more. If only they made a 4.5" lift....I think we'd all go for that...