I am having a hard time deciding what brand, and size of lift to get. I have used the search function for days, and have read what other people are doing for their needs, but need some help choosing whats right for my needs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 2009 wrangler unlimited X, automatic with 3.73 gears. I use this as a daily driver and since January when I bought it, I have put over 31,000 miles on it. Because of this, I originaly told myself that I didnt want any bigger tires than 33". I currently have 33" tires, and a 2" budget lift. I knew that if I went to 35" tires, I would want to regear, and figured it would be foolish to do this while it was under warranty, and brand new.

Now that I find myself almost out of warranty, and needing new tires in the next 5 to 10 thousand miles. I have decided to put a new lift on over the winter, and new 35" tires in the spring.

I have heard a lot of people say that once you go to a certain size lift you need new control arms, and a list of other goodies. Is it 3" and above that this is neccessary, or anything over 3"? I have been thinking of either going with the ome 2 1/2" lift with shocks, or the 3" teraflex with shocks. I also plan to add a
1" body lift. I just dont know what would be better, or which one will require more add ons down the road.

As I mentioned this is a daily driver. I drive 58 miles to work round trip every day, and at least another 50 to 100 miles for work a couplke days a week.
I do a lot of highway driving, and also tow a 14' trailer with my 4 wheelers a couple times a month.

As far as off road. I am lucky to get out every few months, and our rides consist of packed dirt trails, sometimes muddy, a little bit of hills, and occasionaly some downed trees or rocks to climb over. I am not building any sort of extreme trail rig, but I would like it to work well on the trails, but especially have good manners on the road.

Sorry I got so long winded, but I am trying to give you the whole picture.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

If you have and auto and go 3" you will need a front drive shaft. If you go 3" imo you will need at least front lower control arms and rear uppers so you can adjust castor.

 

you could do your 1" body lift, leave your lift alone and run 35's

get the 35's before you do your gears.

 

But wouldnt I get a better ride, and more travel out of a 2 1/2" suspension lift? Or is the difference too small to make a difference?

 

All that searching and you haven't found the FAQ's yet?

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/modified-tech-faq-answers-questions-every-newbie-has-18617/

You have lots of options, but start with: What is your budget?

To get you on 35's inexpensively?
-Buy/borrow a sawzall and chop you flares. Plenty of write-ups on this.
-Add more bumpstop and do a little trimming, maybe crank in the steer stops a bit.
-Body lift.

If you want a coil lift, read the "what components do I need for X amount of lift" sections in the faq's. Start with a basic 'incomplete' kit and add as you go, or pay up front and do it right. But do a little research so you know what you are getting. (ie, the OME kits give in the 3-4" lift range, so know what other components you'll want. The TF 3" will put you well over 4". Etc...)

Actually, just start with this one...
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67139

 

TeraFlex!!!

 

Either this suggestion or a sawzall is the cheapest way.

But to answer your question, you will absolutely get more travel out of a coil lift.

But more travel is really only important off road. As to whether or not you get a "better ride" that's a VERY subjective question. Do you want a firmer or softer ride? Everyone has a different way of describing the way their lifted Jeep rides. I have two suggestions for choosing a coil lift, if you go that way:

#1. Find someone that has a coil lift from a manufacturer that you are considering. Ride in their Jeep as a passenger. See what you think.

#2. Buy from one of the higher end manufacturers. Clayton, Currie, Old Man Emu, or TF. Clayton and Currie are more oriented towards hard-core offroaders, so their offerings may or may not be well suited to you...but their quality is still excellent.

Given the number of miles that you drive and the limited off-roading that you do, I would spend my dollars to keep your Jeep drive-able when you're on-road...but from reading your post, it sounds like you already understand that. What that means in terms of turning wrenches is this: you'll want to keep your axles centered, avoid your tires rubbing inside the wheel wells, and keep your caster equal to or greater than the stock setting.

To do that, I'd suggest the following:

-one set of front control arms. Most people do lowers, I did uppers. Either should work.

-two adjustable track bars. If you're shy on funds, you could get a front adjustable and a rear bracket.

-Extended bump stops front and rear. That'll keep those 35's from rubbing inside your fenders.

-Extending your brake lines - brackets will probably work. You can fab them up yourself if you're handy. Lots of write-ups on those. It's unlikely that you'll have enough flex to need longer brake lines.

-If you increase the amount of suspension lift you have, expect to need a new front drive shaft. Your rear shaft should be fine if you stay around 3 or 3.5 inches of actual lift.

Dave at Northridge seems to be good at walking people through what they do and don't need...maybe give him a call? A lot of people that do a lot of on-road miles seem to be very happy with OME lifts, and Dave carries those.

My lift needs are a little different than yours, but when I got in touch with Stan at the Canadian branch of Northridge, he sold me exactly what I needed, and nothing that I didn't need. There was no pressure for an "up-sale" at all.