TxJeepers

STart with EVO Protek Skid System but then stop there with EVO. Take a look at Teraflex LCG Prerunner suspension teamed with some Fox reservoir shocks. That'll give a fast ride with great flex. Talk to the guys at Northridge 4x4. They have a store in CO now.

jeepmedic308

I did a rd trip from texas to moab and colorado last year. I have a 14 rubicon with 4" pro comp stage 1 lift, 35s, aftermarket bumpers and basic 9500 lb winch from smitty. I did kanes creek, hells revenge with the hells gate option, finsnthings, white rim and a couple of others. In colorado we did a ton of trails including black bear pass, poughkeepsie gulch. The jeep did awesome. Are there waaayyyy better lifts out there, better winches and bigger tires? Of course, but what i had was/is plenty for doing what i want to do. Thats what it all comes down to.

jeeper52

Thanks man for the comment. I hear what you are saying. The majority of jeeps i have seen run a pretty basic lift such as procomp,aev,ect. I just want to start with something that i can add on to. I just dont want to buy a lift and it ride like crap and then tear it down and try another one, i just cant afford to do it more than once. Maybe i should buy a long arm kit from rubicon express,or teraflex, and do the coil over coversion at a later date if i want? Vs trying to do it all at once? I know in the past with the utv's we were always getting into trails that were more difficult and rough that we expected so jeeping probably wont be any different. I just want it built right and tough so i wont have to worry about major breakdowns on the trail since i will be driving it from home to moab and back.

jeeper52

Hey Dirtman i had a question for you on this kit. I saw on another forum where a guy was trying to decide between the rk and genright lift kits. It quickly became an argument about the control arm spacing at the rear axle and frame mounts rather than what lift to go with. A few guys on there said that due to there being to little space between the upper and lower arms that would cause lcog issues and traction problems and that kit was later on deemed as junk by another writer. Its obviously not a junk kit but i wanted to get your take on this since it seems like you kind of built your suspension the same way.

Invest2m4

They're talking about the frame side separation. That is a factor in anti squat (when you accelerate, you want the rear to squat a little, but not too much, but some). However, there is more to that equation, which includes axle side separation, and upper and lower control arm length. Sure, the Genright appears tight on the frame side, but that doesn't mean it is absolutely wrong. Shorten the uppers or lengthen the lowers and you can reduce anti squat. In addition, genright was after a high horsepower, high speed JK. You need more anti squat running that kind of power.

Every use case is different. You build it to what you want to do. That's why you're better off building your own.

Most of these bolt on kits are a total compromise. If you want it right, do it yourself. If you don't want to do it yourself, stick with something simple until you need and understand what you want.

TheDirtman

Investment nailed it. Some people build on anti squat and instant center and ignore everything else. There are lots of things to consider in the overall performance of the suspension with the limitations the JK offers.
Actually my set up is very close to what Genright came out with in terms of frame spacing. Look up the Terramoto build genright did I am sure they have some videos of it and it runs that double triangulated set up and it is a bad ass rig.

jeeper52

Thank you guys for the info. I wouldn't mind building my own setup if i had the appropriate equipment to do so and i dont exactly know how to weld. Of course i have tools but i dont have a lift either. That being said, i think i could learn to weld fairly quickly but i am not any engineer so how would i know how to make my own lift? Would i buy the control arms and brackets or would you have to make your own? I am mechanical minded but im not sure i could completely create my own system.

Invest2m4

Most of the off the shelf lifts you're taking about require cutting, grinding, welding.

Yeah, you can learn to run a bead fairly quickly. Until you have to weld in all positions and watch your vertical welds run like a river into crap. Then wonder if you had fusion in all of your welds or if they cold lapped and aren't worth a crap. Did you undercut? Can you tell of the weld has too much or too little voltage or wire feed? Is it hot rolled steel and you need to grind the mill scale off first? Should you bevel the joint? Pre heat? I'm not saying don't learn to weld, but if you can't easily pass an AWS test, don't do structural welds.

jeeper52

ok with that being said what should i do?

JCDriller

Your speaking the truth! I'm a self taught hobby welder, but recently needed some axle work done. I needed LCA welded on and decide to take it to Rebel Offroad as I knew enough to know I didn't trust myself in something so structural. They did a great job. Good advice!