So I am not new to the JK community, however I am hoping to get some advice from some of the more seasoned members.

My first JK 2dr (Leased) 2008 - Sahara, Rescue Green with a 2.5 BB Lift and 33" Baja Claws (turned it in)

My second JK 2dr (Leased) 2010 - Mountain Edition Sport - Mango Tango with a zone 4.5" lift and 35" Goodyear MTs (turning it in next week)

Now onto my third JK which I just ordered: A 2012 JKU Rubicon with 6spd manual, should be here in 4 weeks. I am confused on which direction to go with the lift kit, I have been looking at the AEV 4.5", the RK 5.5 mid arm, and the TF 4" with 8 arms. I currently have a set of 37" Coopers sitting in the garage mounted on some ATX artillery wheels. However when this set is done I am hoping to go up to 38.5 on some sort of beadlocks. As far as the axle goes i have the pound in sleeves and gussets. My question is, which lift would work best and is 38.5 overkill on the front dana 44 (even sleeved and gusseted)?

I know everyone has their favorite kits however I just havent found anything that sways me from one to the other.

Thanks for any input!

 

I run a TF lift quality stuff. I ran RK on my TJ quality parts the advantage is the arms and trackbar are solid instead of hollow. AEV not much hands on with them but they wouldn't have my vote because I would much rather have a control arm then a bracket. If your thinking of spending that much you might also look at long arms to get some of the geometry back. Most people will tell you to shy away from 38.5s 1 because it's an odd size 2 because it'll put alot of stress on your axles. I would recommend running chromoly axle shafts at the least and just take it easy on the skinny pedal. With that said I will be swapping my lift out to a RK just because I need slightly taller.

 

Chromoly or RCV Shafts?

 

I haven't personally ran either but Wayoflife has ran plenty of different shafts and he doesn't recommend RCV over a quality Chromoly. I would trust him with my purchase plus it'll save you a few hundred dollars.

 

Yeah Chromoly's aren't that bad price wise...the RCVs are...I like saving money...maybe one day I can upgrade from raman noodles on that budget

 

Just make sure it's a quality shaft that uses US made Joints.

 

Ordered skids and sleeves and gussets today...first plan is to beef up that axle and skid plate the sh** out of the bottom.

 

Sounds like fun.

 

Draining bank account...but at the end of the day, might as well spend the money to do the things you want to and to get to the less traveled lands

 

Might wanna check out Northridge4x4 on the forum before making anymore huge purchases he is known to cut forum members a good deal.