Finally ready for my lift kit
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: austin, TX
Finally ready for my lift kit
I've got an 08 Rubi 4 door, with the auto tranny. I've been looking at the FT 4" LA kit, but just can't decide if the FT 4" Ultimate will be good enough. I've seen some posts that the JK arms are long enough as is. So i'm leaning toward the Ultimate kit. But with either kit, will I need a new driveshaft? front, rear or both?
thanks,
thanks,
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
The driveshaft issue, with a 4" kit, will depend on a couple of things. How hard you wheel it, and if it is an auto or manual tranny.
The auto has a crossmember brace that the factory front DS tend to hit when the Jeep is lifted too high (generally anything over 3") and is flexed. This puts added stress/pressure on the DS boot area, causing failure. The 4 door, which you have, has a longer rear DS than the 2dr, but, how hard you wheel it and flex it can, at some point down the road, cause failure. The DS failure on the JK's with stock DS normally comes from the transfer case side. In the axle side, the control arms help with the angle of the shaft end joint, and therefor alleviate issues at the axle.
So, in answer to your question. If you are going with a lift over 3", which the FT 4" is probably closer to 5" after install, then I would recommend planning on DS replacement. You can always wait until you need it, but I think most have either had failure, or replaced them before they did.
If you are trying to save a little coin right now, I would recommend changing the front DS first. That one is the same length, 2 or 4 door. It usually goes first.
The auto has a crossmember brace that the factory front DS tend to hit when the Jeep is lifted too high (generally anything over 3") and is flexed. This puts added stress/pressure on the DS boot area, causing failure. The 4 door, which you have, has a longer rear DS than the 2dr, but, how hard you wheel it and flex it can, at some point down the road, cause failure. The DS failure on the JK's with stock DS normally comes from the transfer case side. In the axle side, the control arms help with the angle of the shaft end joint, and therefor alleviate issues at the axle.
So, in answer to your question. If you are going with a lift over 3", which the FT 4" is probably closer to 5" after install, then I would recommend planning on DS replacement. You can always wait until you need it, but I think most have either had failure, or replaced them before they did.
If you are trying to save a little coin right now, I would recommend changing the front DS first. That one is the same length, 2 or 4 door. It usually goes first.
Last edited by wrnglrguy; Aug 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 0
From: O HI 4 Lo
I've got an 08 Rubi 4 door, with the auto tranny. I've been looking at the FT 4" LA kit, but just can't decide if the FT 4" Ultimate will be good enough. I've seen some posts that the JK arms are long enough as is. So i'm leaning toward the Ultimate kit. But with either kit, will I need a new driveshaft? front, rear or both?
thanks,
thanks,
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: austin, TX
Well, I went to 4wheel parts and ordered the 4" FT LA kit. But interesting, they sd the M force shocks for the kit show discontinued. So I had to put a deposit down, and wait on them to call FT on Tuesday to see what's up with the shocks. If they can't get them, does anyone have any good shock suggestions?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 0
From: O HI 4 Lo
Well, I went to 4wheel parts and ordered the 4" FT LA kit. But interesting, they sd the M force shocks for the kit show discontinued. So I had to put a deposit down, and wait on them to call FT on Tuesday to see what's up with the shocks. If they can't get them, does anyone have any good shock suggestions?
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JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Well, I went to 4wheel parts and ordered the 4" FT LA kit. But interesting, they sd the M force shocks for the kit show discontinued. So I had to put a deposit down, and wait on them to call FT on Tuesday to see what's up with the shocks. If they can't get them, does anyone have any good shock suggestions?
