Ultimate Jeep JL Wrangler Lift Kit Comparison
Six stock Rubicon Wranglers. Six different lift kits. Six sets of 37-inch tires. Which setup comes out on top?
For most Jeep owners that look to modify their ride the most common question is usually, which of the lift kits is the best? Yes, the new JL Wrangler Rubicon is pretty capable right from Toledo. However, many folks want more capability. Some just want beefier looks. No matter what the reason, a lift kit is often the central piece on the journey towards making a Jeep your own. Let’s face it, most folks get more excited about lifting their rig than they do over say, a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The challenge is with getting an objective comparison in similar conditions. Ask the question on social media or at a Jeep meet and you will get a thousand different answers. Most of the answers will be from owners claiming that whatever setup they have is the best one. However, there are a lot of factors that go into deciding what is right for your specific situation. Thankfully, Brad Kowitz recently posted a video on his TrailRecon YouTube channel that compares several kits on identical Jeeps.
The Jeeps being used in the video are all brand new and bone stock Wrangler JL Unlimited Rubicons. After the kits are installed a set of identical 37-inch tires will be installed. In this video we are introduced to each kit in the comparison. We get the details of each setup, the cost, and the ease of install. Once the kits are on, Kowitz and his team take some lift and flex measurements. A future video will compare them all on and off-road and gift us a value and overall winner. Let’s take a closer look at the lift kits used.
1. Rock Krawler 3.5” X Factor “No Limits” Mid-Arm System
Priced at $3,876 this Rock Krawler was one of the more expensive kits in this test. However, for this price you get a very comprehensive kit. It includes coil springs, front and rear shocks, adjustable upper and lower front and rear control arms, front and rear adjustable track bars, sway bar links, spring correction pads, track bar relocation bracket, and bumps stops. The kitchen sink is extra. As Kowitz says: “This kit was designed for Rubicon owners who want maximum articulation from a mid-arm lift with excellent highway ride and improved off-road ability.” Install instructions are online only. And because this is such a comprehensive kit it would take the average home mechanic tow or three days to install. The front and rear ride height increase of this kit was actually lower than the 2.5” kits in the test. However, in the articulation tests it scored the best.
2. AEV 2.5” Dualsport RT Suspension
This kit comes in a $1,379 which makes it one of the more affordable options in this test. This is the expedition ready kit from AEV. AEV expects buyers of this kit to be loading up their rigs with a lot of gear and heading out on long journeys. Included at coil springs, Bilstein 5100 shocks, control arm geometry brackets, rear track bar tower extension, extended front and rear sway bar links, and front and rear bump stops. You also get a couple special items. A Procal snap for easy speedo calibration, and a jack base that works with the factory scissor jack. Instructions can be downloaded and were rated second best in this test. The front and rear ride height increase was on par or better than the 3.5” kits in this test. Articulation, however, was back of the pack.
