Hello everyone! this is actually my very first post on here. I bought my very first jeep about 6 months ago and im ready to build it up. I know a lot of you are reading that title and thinking "great another noob asking about a lift". im not going to ask what the best lift is I know there are 1000s of post about it. im just looking for some feedback from some people a lot more experienced than I am about what my plans are and if what im going to do will work well together. I have a 2008 Sahara unlimited, all stock right now. it is a daily driver but i do a lot of hunting and fishing. last year we drove thru Moab on our way back from vacation and im pretty sure once the jeep is all beefed up, that will become a regular vacation spot for my wife and I haha. im looking at going with the following:

TeraFlex 1.25" Body Lift
TeraFlex 2.5" Lift Kit
BILSTEIN Rear & Front 5100 Series Gas Shocks
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 315-70R17
Black Rock Series 997 Type 8 Wheel with 5x5 Bolt Pattern in 17x9 w/ 4.50" Backspacing

I will eventually add a front & back bumper w/ tire carrier and a winch. but that will be a while down the road.
any impute will be greatly appreciated.

 

You should be fine with that setup.

2.5" + 1.25" BL is plenty for 35's. If you think you might want to chop the fenders or go to flats, skip the BL.

Some of us feel that 5100's are a bit stiff for JK's. Others like them. Do some reading so you know what to expect.

Very popular tire choice. 17x9 is a good rim size/width. 5x5 is the correct pattern. 4.5" is a good backspace for that tire size.

Which version of the 2.5" lift? Coils or spacers? Does it include caster correction? If not, do some reading. You may end up with brackets or arms before you get around to the bumpers.

 

I think that with 35"s and 2.5" lift, especially if you drop the BL idea, the belly clearance of the Unlimited isn't much.
Once you add the weight of steel bumpers etc', plus other gear, the coils sag, so it'll be less than 2.5".
Therefor, for the Unlimited, I'd prefer 3"~4".

I'd add skid plates (especially if you stay with the 2.5" lift).

I'd also add some recovery gear to the list, at least the basic stuff.

 

The kit comes with Front and Rear Coil Springs, Front and Rear Bump Stops, Rear Sway Bar Links, Rear Track Bar Bracket, Rear Brake Line Brackets. they have a 3'' kit that comes with the lower arms, but it cost a lot more. if I ended up going that route I could drop the BL. I considered new fenders, I like my color matched ones that are on it. but I guess it doesn't really matter, I plasti dipped them anyways to try and protect them a little better haha. I anticipated some sag once I get the bumpers and all put on. im going to go as light as possible If I can. definitely going to go with at least a 9000# winch w/ synthetic line. its a duel top. so I guess I could cut some weight by leaving the hard top at home when I go out wheeling.

 

No need for the body lift. The coil lift is more than enough for those tires (and you'll net more than 2.5" of lift - probably a little over 3"). Also, lift height has virtually nothing to do with clearance for tires, that's what the bump stops are for. Teraflex makes a complete kit for a good price. You are smart to not get hung up on a higher end lift that just adds complexity.

Duratracs are great tires. Their only weakness is mud, but doesn't sound like you'll be going anywhere muddy.

 

I ran a similar setup on my previous jeep. If you want to keep your jeep light - 5100's might be a little stiff, but it's all personal preference. I ran ome LT and was very happy. The BL won't do anything but allow you to run less bumpstop. I'd just trim the fenders if you feel like more articulation ( depending on shock length)

I did have to run LCA drop brackets and eventually lower TF arms. It was too flighty without and needed to correct castor.

 

Yeah, good point. Add some correction brackets to bring the caster back and it will be a much better ride.

Btw, just noticed the OPs screen name. That's a good one!

 

you really dont need to lift it . if you go 33s . i love my set up stock with the rancho 9000 adj shocks and 33s gets the job done with ease . If your bent on 35s yeh but for most hunting areas being logging trails you dont need 35s or the lift. put that cash into a new bow or guns

 

Love that bumper rack. How do you open the tailgate if there's a cooler back there or something

 

course having a cooler on there chances are you wont need to go any further till empty ( It attaches to your 2" trailer hitch receiver not your bumper)
I leave mine on all the time , you never know when your gonna need it. It dosent get in the way. it offsets up so you dont hit shit on a trail or anything
unless you drop off ledges i dont play on big rocks i cant afford the damages ..