midwesterner: Is your 2012 JKU auto or manual? Not sure that makes a difference, but curious.

 

Ok makes sense... from reading your initial post it was not clear and could cause some confusion, as the stock 2012 will not have this driveshaft/exhaust issue when 2.5" or lower.

 

It is an auto.

 

Thats why i selected that length for the front shock. I thought i might get by without messing with any changes to the exhaust or drive shaft since i was only extending the front 2.63 beyond stock. Im suprised that Jeep left such little clearance in this area. I mean its not like anyone would ever lift a Jeep:-)) what were they thinking????

 

Just add the spacers on the stock exhaust
You do not need a DS on a 12 with
2.5" lift


Sent from my iPhone

 

Teraflex makes an exhaust spacer kit for this issue. Have a 12 2 door with 2.5 coil lift. Installed the spacer at the same time as the lift. No rubbing at all. Kit is pretty cheap and will take 30 min to install.

 

The AFE Y pipe will give you the most clearance and fix the issue now and in the future. Spacers are a cheap fix move it out of the way but not as far as the Y pipe. The spacers introduce more seams in the exhaust up to you if that is an issue or not. The y pipe is a one for one swap.
A new DS may or may not fix the issue completely if you have a lot of flex it may not but you only have a 2.5 so maybe... I would get the Y pipe just my .02

 

Even with a new drive shaft there is still a good chance that you will hit the exhaust. I would do the exhaust (either the TF spacers, or AFE Y-pipe), and get the new driveshaft down the road.

 

Ironically that small amount is exactly how they plan on fixing the issue in the 2.5" lift kit that includes there aftermarket shocks. They will shorten them that small amount so spacers aren't needed...and yeah crazy who would want to lift a Jeep lol

 

agreed. i would get the new shaft as you'll need it anyway. your drive shaft will now be sitting at a steep enough angle that the cv boot at the output shaft will be in a constant state of pinch. this will ultimately result in it failing sooner than later. being that a new drive shaft will not have a slip shaft boot, even if you still hit the exhaust crossover, it won't be a big deal. if it's really a problem for you, the TF spacers are cheap and will remedy that too.