Background:
I have a 2 door RUBI with auto tranny. 33" tires/properly backspaced rims will be as big as I go for a multitude of reasons/driving preferences. I will eventually put a winch on the front, preferably with no aftermarket bumper. I'm looking at modifying stock bumper and placing winch upside/inside of stock bumper as seen on this site. I will use her for hunting in woods/mud or trail riding and very low mileage daily driver. We do not have the rocky terrain or elevation changes that you guys out west have so MAX articulation is not needed, but I don't want to ruin her offroading ability either.

I do want a little more lift/clearance once I wear out the stock rubi rubber. I prefer not to change out shocks, control arms, shift geometry of the suspension or drivetrain any more than possible. I have read about the driveshaft boot issue with lifted 2dr's once you get about 3". I am thinking an 1" 1/2- 2" maximium lift. THe problem is that most lifts "kits" I read about raise the 2dr Jk's significantly more than listed in the specs. I think the products below "sound" like they are exactly what I would need. I like the description of the ACOS system, but I know nothing about them except what I see in a catalog. Without any experience with either, I wanted to get the forum's opinion on going this route. Any experience with the products? pros and cons? Major drawbacks to these type products?


ACOS adj spacers
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16156_002.htm
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16156_003.htm


Readylift Adjustable kit
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16041_0001.htm

Any help is appreciated.

 

A leveling kit like the one by teraflex will fit your needs just right.

 

Looking at the ACOS, it says it is for coil over kits unless I am reading it wrong, which is a completely different kind of lift system. Would not work for you.

A levelling kit would work for you. Could be either pucks, or the TeraFlex Performance levelling kit. I think the latter would work better for you with the weight of the winch. Stock springs tend to sag with the extra weight.

 

any puck type 2" budget boost will give you exactly what it states. the variation in lift height from advertised is when you get into spring lifts. rates vary and individual jeep weight varies, so the end result varies as well.

I had a 2" spacer budget boost, and ran 33x12.5's no problem on the stock rims using spidertracks spacers. I had no issues with need for control arms, or driveshafts, but i did use adjustable trackbars as on my particular Jeep the axle shift from lifting was noticable (to me) shocks you can get extenders for if you choose (I opted for new shocks)

IMO any 2" spacer type budget boost would give you exactly what you are looking for, and they are reasonably cheap.

 

Another vote for the Teraflex Leveling Kit. It is a 1.5" lift (2" in the front and 1" in the rear) and will be perfect for what you're planning on doing. Plus, it is a lot less expensive than many other kits, and super easy to install. I've got one on my 2007 Rubicon and haven't had any problems with it.

 

I run ACOS Pro's on my JKU. I ran the regular ACOS on my TJ before changing over to full coilovers. I sold my old ACOS off the TJ for $100.

The ACOS Pro's have the nitrogen bumpstops built in and are fully adjustable up to more than 6" of lift in the JK. However, these spacers are weld in - so be sure they are what you want. I can cut them off with my plasma when I go to coilovers, so they are still re-sellable.

Given the choice, they are the best alternative because they can level your rig regardless of what you run up front. Heavy bumper? Winch with cable? Steel tube fenders? These spacers can be adjusted to level your vehicle with any/all of them.

I run 4.5" of lift with these spacers. They work excellently. The only drawback is cost. If you can afford to, run them!

 

I appreciate all the opinions and suggestions. One of the things I like about Jeeps are the many different options that allow you to personalize your ride and get to what you want.

As to the terraflex spacers, my issue is the lack of adjustment when I transition to a winch, or some other aftermarket item that has weight issues. I also like the idea of lifting my ride to what I "think" I like and then evaluating driveshaft angles, rubbing, etc and raising or lowering the height of the lift to compensate for min wear and drivability issues. I know the simple spacers are a good option for most, and are much cheaper. The cost (within reason) is not the major factor for me in such a minimal lift situation.

I like the idea of a one time install and then simple adjustment after that type item. However, I don't want poor quality or shifting suspension heights over time. I didn't know if experience has proven that they slip/shift down with wear/tear. Hard to adjust or install? Stock suspension binding or rubbing at flex?

Anyway, I am reading this and other lift threads and have not decided yet. I really appreciate the opinions. I have read dozens if not hundreds of lift threads since I got back in the jeep world two months ago. I appreciate the experiences and lessons learned especially to the guys/gals with experience with the products listed.



Again.... I'm all ears if someone has negatives or positives about the ACOS system or one of the other brands that I haven't listed yet.