I'm looking at purchasing a lift in the 2.5-3 inch area. I see a Teraflex lift with 5100 Bilstein shocks listed in the vendor area that looks nice however i noticed that it comes with a rear track bar drop bracket but nothing for the front track bar. Is an adjustable track bar necessary with this amount of lift?

My second question is based on the rock krawler stock mod system. This kit comes with an adjustable front track bar but no bumpstops. Are extended bumpstops necessary? Most kits seem to come with them.

Thanks in advance.

 

You should get/have extended bunp stops with that size lift. As for the trac bar, more than likely you will want one to recenter your front axle.

 

So neither of these kits is actually complete then? Doesn't make any sense at all that they would sell them this way.

 

The amount of bump stop required for that lift height is determined by the tire size and fender combination. This is the reason that Rock Krawler does not include bump stops with the kits. If you are planning on running this lift with 33's and stock flares then bump stops are really not required. However if you are planning on running 35's with stock flares then bump stops are required because the tires will rub the flare.

It is also very difficult for any manufacturer to produce a complete kit at those price points. Something that you will definitely want are adjustable front lower control arms. I would go with the 2.5" Flex kit at a minimum. This kit comes with an adjustable front track bar, adjustable front lower control arms, and rear track bar bracket. This is the best kit to build off of IMO.

PM us if you are interested in a quote.

 

Well i understand the price would go up but what good is a kit that requires additional parts to work correctly? I guess the bumpstop thing makes sense but no trackbar on the Teraflex kit? I don't get it.

 

"Complete" is a relative term. One person's complete lift kit is another person's starter set. Lots of kits are real basic to keep the price down. Other kits include almost everything but the kitchen sink. In the end, you buy the stuff you want and run it.

Bump stops should also be selected based on the length of the shock. Its better if the bump stop limits suspension compression rather than the shock. (My opinion - not shared by all.)

Many folks consider a track bar an expensive way to correct less than 1/2" of axle offset. The Jeep gets down the road/trail either way.

 

They don't require additional parts. Many people run those kits as-is. Additional parts may be wanted, depending on your usage/needs/personal opinion, but you don't have to have them.

If you can deal with low caster, then don't worry about adding components to correct it. If you deal with the axles being offset, then don't worry about adding components. Those kits are about getting into a lift for a low cost, and adding on later when you get around to it. If you need all the bells and whistles now, then be prepared to fork over the extra money.

 

I would suggest the RK kit. The front trackbar will help center the front axle while keeping steering angles in the same plane (trackbar and drag link parallel and in the same plane), and the rear trackbar bracket will raise the roll center and center you axle with the factory trackbar. The teraflex kit uses a drop bracket, which effectively lowers roll center (reads: more tippy in corners, rear squat).

RK doesnt include bumpstops in that kit because bupstops are not lift dependent. They are set based off tire size, and shock length. Generally speaking, you want to choose the tire size you intend to run, then choose the appropriate bump stops to keep them from hitting fenders and sheet metal, then, choose the shock with the longest collapsed length possible to fit with those bump stops.

 

It depends upon which TeraFlex kit your looking at as to which trackbar bracket you get. Most of our kits come with a rear lower bracket, while a few have the frame side drop bracket. With a 2.5" kit you do not need to do anything with the front. Get into the 3" range and we would suggest adding a front trackbar to the build.

 

I've been running the 2.5 coil lift with bilstein shocks for a year using the OEM front track bar. I haven't noticed any problems on the road with my axle being shifted slightly. So complete is all a matter of opinion, some will say the kit is not complete b/c it doesn't have geometery correcting lower control arms. When you buy a lift you have to make comprimises unless you have an unlimited budget. Teraflex offers kits for those who are unwilling to make any comprimises and want correct geomerty and perfectly centered axles, but they cost a bit more. So you decide what you need.

The facts are myself and many people have run the teraflex 2.5 inch lift with the OEM front track bar without any problems. I let a friend of mine who just bought a 10th rubi test drive my JK and he said it rides better than stock... he spent too much time on the forums as well and got freaked out that the kit must suck b/c it doesn't have adjustable control arms and front track bar, but once he got off the net and out into the real world he discovered the kit was great.

Edit: if you want a kit with no compromises this is the one I would get:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16170_1009.htm