So for various reason, I'm pretty sold on Rock Krawler (mainly the progressive springs bc I despise the washboard roads)... but what I can't decide between is the 2.5 Max Travel and the 3.5 Flex System. I've just been running a spacer lift and I think it's time to grow up. I've been looking into these 2 lifts, and it seems like people are running 35s with either. I really don't want to get into replacing driveshafts, but from what I've gathered, that's not necessary on either one. I was leaning towards the 3.5 since I live in Arizona and tend to get high-centered on rocks more than anything... then I talked to someone that seemed pretty adamant that 3.5 inches of lift will look silly with 35s and flat fenders and that 2.5 inch kits put much less stress on your drive train and are better in that they keep your center of gravity lower. But I've been reading a lot and it seems that people seem to put spacers in after their 2.5" kits to gain an extra inch or so.. so why not just go with the 3.5 right off the bat? Am I wrong in thinking that? I'm sure it's a balancing equation... but for rocky AZ and UT trails.. wouldn't the 3.5 be better at keeping your center off the rocks, especially with the longer wheelbase of the 4-door? Arrrgg...

Some specs on my set-up:

2008 JKU
Auto
33" KM2s for now .. which will soon be 35" MTR/Ks
Bushwacker flats
Steel bumpers front and rear
Winch with steel line up front


Anyway, I was hoping for some input to see what you all think. Both kits are about the same price, so that's not a factor... and both seem to flex really well from what I've seen in pictures/videos. I guess I'm just not sure what's more important... staying off the rocks or added stress to the drive-train...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

OOo, also... will anything else be needed with regard to steering with the 3.5" lift?

Thanks!

 

Looks to me like the RK 3.5 comes with adjustable lower arms for the front & rear, and front adjustable track bar, etc...so I'd think it was pretty complete, you can set your caster, and wouldn't be too much to screw up anything. If its a good flexing kit, though, since you're running an auto trans, a front driveshaft will prob be in your future anyway, because the fatter factory ones tend to catch the corner of the trans pan, ripping the boot. Once that happens, it's soon to be gone, slinging grease, etc... That's one benefit of a manual, the driveshaft doesn't catch them. All I hafta worry about is it dropping down enough to hit my exhaust crossover, and burn the boot off...LOL.

 

If you go with a RK 3.5 lift and flat fenders the 35s will look small. They just about look too small on mine and I have the stock flares. I like it for now but will be moving to 37s eventually. As far as the steering goes, I would recommend a drag link flip.
If your not ever going to go bigger than 35s, I would get the 2.5in lift.
Here's mine.

 

Hmmm... yeah that might be a bit much with the flat fenders...


But I do seem to get high-centered on the big rocks.. and wouldn't more lift help with that?

 

I personally have a 2.5 inch tf coil lift and I am one of those people who is going to add a spacer to my lift. This is mostly because I want to regain some of the height I lost with steel bumpers, but also because I grew tired of the ride height and I want it just a tad bit higher. I didnt go with the 3.5 inch kit because I did not want to mess with my steering geometry much, and the 2.5 inch kit kept costs down as well. If I could do it again, i would do a 3.5 inch kit the first time around.

As far as running a 3.5" with 35's, it looks goofy on a 2 door because you get around 5" of lift, but on the unlimited youll be around 3.5 and it wont look bad at all. Plus I think 4 doors can pull off the bigger lift, smaller tire look pretty well. I think you should go for the 3.5" kit and invest in a drag link flip and start saving for a front drive shaft. The rear will be fine.

 

The height of the lift will not make any difference on ground clearance or getting high centered on rocks. Tire height will help in that department.

 

The height of the lift will help your cross over angles or improve the amount of ground clearance under the center of your vehicle, but overall ground clearance is typically rated under the diffs, which is based on tire size..

RK

 

Right, I totally understand that the lift height won't help with get the axles/diffs off the ground... but I'm thinking about the vehicle center. I've high-centered on a lot of things that guys with bigger lifts walk right up... which is annoying. But with regard to center of gravity, is lower better for steep climbs? Or is lower only better in situations where you're forced to drive with one side of the Jeep higher than the other?