Reviewer's Notebook

TeraFlex 4"" Suspension Lift - S4T System

Feb. 15, 1999 By ORC STAFF

Introducing Tera Manufacturing's new TeraFlex 4" system. TeraFlex has come through once again and delivered a kit with superior on-road ride, and the performance you demand on the trail. Based upon their trail proven 3" system, this 4" system will give you clearance for 35" tires and RTI scores of better than 1000.

This kit uses coils with a higher than stock spring rate, perfect for taking all the necessities with you on the trail. TeraFlex lives up to their reputation once again with a kit that delivers a wonderful on-road ride. We found the springs to ride only slightly firmer than the wonderful stock ride of the TJ.

Like their 3" system, this kit replaces all four lower control arms with the Flexarms that make their kits flex so well. The arms use an o-ring seal to keep the elements out and have a zerk fitting so they can be serviced with ease. As with all of their Flexarms, they are adjustable to help you eliminate driveline vibration. TeraFlex recommends using this kit in combination with a 231SS slip yoke eliminator kit, so that a longer driveshaft may be used.

The new generation swaybar disconnects included are as impressive as the kit itself. They include a peg that you mount on your frame, so that when the swaybar is disconnected it can be attached up and out of the way. They have eliminated the need for straps or bungie cords under the fender to keep the swaybar up and out of the way on the trail.

We'll admit ramp scores do not always reflect a vehicle's true ability on the trail, nor are they a good tool for deciding the overall effectiveness of a kit, but they are useful for checking improvement of modifications, and for a loose comparison with other vehicles. The Colonel's Truck Center (formerly Accessories Plus) in Santa Clara, CA, was kind enough to let us ramp the TJ before and after the lift installation.

Our stock TJ ramped 678. After installation of the 4" TeraFlex lift and 35" tires the TJ ramped 1108. A score anyone would be proud of. We found shock length to be the limiting factor on the ramp. (scores mentioned are 20 degree ramp scores)

Fully compressed, little room was left for the 35" meats. They did touch the plastic fender in both the front and rear, but did not rub the body. On the trail the tires did not chew on the fenders as we thought they might. Even in the worst predicaments we found ourselves twisted up in we did not ever hear the tires chewing on the fenders.

We wanted to give the kit a thorough workout, and we could think of no place better than the Mini Rubicon at Hollister Hills SVRA. This is the same mini-con competitors 'attempt' to make it across in the yearly Top Truck Competition. Our TJ, equipped with NOTHING more than the TeraFlex 4" system and 35" tires crawled right through. Even though it had only an open front axle and factory limited slip in the rear, the rocks were no match for the suspension.