I recently purchases a 2012 2 Door JK Sport and want to start building it up. Problem is, I don't know what I am doing. This is and will continue to be my every day driver, but I am looking to build it up for trails vice Rock climbing or mud. I have always liked the look of 35x12.50 and 3.5" suspension lift, but is this realistic? Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. - Dan

 

Congrats on the jeep. There are a lot of other things that need looked at like; brand of lift and how much you will actually net, some form of geometry and steering correction if the kit does not come equipped with those things, driveshaft angle, there r a number of things to look at. Don't let it scare you, but listen to the opinions offered here. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here who have built their rigs. Also if your like the look of the 3.5 lift that's okay, but you can run 35s with 2.5. Read dirtmans sticky my thoughts on lifts, there's a ton of information there to soak up.

 

Start by reading this:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-lifts-288269/

You will learn a lot and then be better prepared on where to start or at least the direction to go.

 

3.5" is overkill to run 35's. 2.5 inch lift, flat fenders, and you'll need aftermarket wheel to run those 35's. Make sure you get the right back spacing on those wheels. I have a 2" lift with Rancho RS9000XL shocks with 33's, and I have zero issues off road. I also have a 2 door.

 

X2. A little self-education is the best starting point. Get some information on the problems caused by lifting, and which components are used to correct those problems, including the variations of components that correct the same issue. That way you can start narrowing a list of lifts yourself without resorting to the usual "how about this one? No? Then how about this one? No? Then how about this one? ..."

If you go down to JK Show & Tell, you will find some huge picture threads covering just about any lift/tire size combo you could want. The search engine is sucky, so use this in google or yahoo or whatever, followed by what you want to search on.

site:www.jk-forum.com ( site:www.jk-forum.com 3.5" 35's )

Many people, and the link, will point you at shorter lifts. They are cheaper, with fewer associated problems that may need to be corrected. Personally, I like taller lifts. But I am willing to fix the added problems. So my suggestion on this subject is that: If you want a taller lift, get a taller lift. But edumacate yourself on the issues and be willing to do it right. Don't go cheap, then redo/replace/fix over and over.

 

My recommendation is to start wheeling it stock, find your weak points as you go and build up targeting those areas. Your stock Jeep is also silly capable.