I am new to the Jeep world and I want to mod mine up. I am new to working on jeeps but I have built a few Mustangs in my day so I have the mechanical know how, just not Jeep experience. I have a 2012 Sport Unlimited, 6 speed with 3:73’s. I am thinking about running the following set up…. 2.5” RC series 2 spacer kit, 2” exhaust spacers, RC 1.5” wheel spacers, and 315/70R17’s, and a mid length front bumper. It is my DD and I only do light off road stuff like trail riding, no rock crawling or anything extremet.So here are some of my questions. Will my stock D30 hold up or do I have to beef it up? Do you think the quality of the RC parts is good for what I want to do, or should I go with another brand? What other parts or mod do you think I need or should do?

 

You may want to consider longer sway bar links up front. If your running the stock rims, you will need wheel spacers to avoid rubbing at full lock out with those tires. The optimal back spacing would be between 4.50" to 4" and HIGHLY recommend going with spidertax 1.5" spacers. I believe the stock rims are 6.25". My suggestion would be a 2.5" budget boost. I've heard pro's on cons about RC (but that's every product). Your going to need shock extensions (if staying with stock shocks) and brake relocate bracket for the rear (make one for $1 at lowes).. In all honesty, look into a complete kit for the budget boost and you will be fine (minus front links I believe)...

 

That tire size could also start to play havoc on the d30 ball joints. Once they go (and they will) I might suggest Dynatrac Pro Steer ball joints as a replacement. They are not cheap, but you'll never have to worry about them again. For "light" wheeling, your d30 ends will be fine. Many suggest the end C's will bend and cause camber to be real bad, but I think it's more in the lower ball joints.

 

X2 on above statement.. The stock ball joints are equivalent to garbage. My 35's have taken a toll on mine and will get replaced pretty soon. You can also look into moog ball joints for a cheaper route but have heard nothing but great reviews on them throughout the forum. Doing gussets is a decent idea but only uppers are needed..

 

Yeah, gussets are a good idea for the Dana's... Once the ball joints go, the force is put more on the end C's (then you're screwed)

 

Unless your gonna do some decent wheeling I.e rock climbing and deep mud, the stock 30 will hold up fine. I wheel pretty hard with 35's on stock ball joints, no sleeves/gussets.. Mind you it's probably not the smartest thing to do, but trying to prove a point.. If you can swing it, do the mods that have been suggested in the thread.