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My thoughts on lifts

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Old 02-18-2016, 01:54 AM
  #601  
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Originally Posted by Number8
I'm considering this. I have the AEV 2.5 and lost quite a bit of height when I did full steel bumpers, winch, and tire carrier. Some rubbing now. I want to throw on a small spacer kit or leveling kit to see if restores me to the original stance and compensates for the new weight.
Which bumpers? Do you know how much total weight you added front and back?
Old 02-18-2016, 05:15 AM
  #602  
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Originally Posted by Number8
I'm considering this. I have the AEV 2.5 and lost quite a bit of height when I did full steel bumpers, winch, and tire carrier. Some rubbing now. I want to throw on a small spacer kit or leveling kit to see if restores me to the original stance and compensates for the new weight.
You should go back to the beginning of this thread and read what all the compenents of a suspension do. If you are bumpstopped properly for your tire size and fender choice you should not be rubbing regardless of any lift height or sag you have experienced. What size bumpstops came with your lift? What size tires are you running? Are you running stock flares or flat? That will determine the bumpstop height which will keep your tires from rubbing assuming the rubbing you are experiencing is the tire hitting the fenders or wheel wells. If your tires are rubbing your front control arms or frame when you turn then it is not a lift height or bumpstop issue but a matter of running the proper backspaced wheels. To answer your question it is not uncommon to have the springs sag as you add weight it is what it is. If you would like a higher ride height simply add spacers of your choice (1/2", 1", 2" spacers etc...)
Old 02-20-2016, 06:45 PM
  #603  
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AEV bumpers front and rear with tire carrier and a zeon 10 winch. I'm 200+ lbs up front and another 180 in back. Sat nicely with the plastic bumpers but now I'm drooping forward. Considering a 3/4" spacer in the front or teraflex leveling kit with 1.5" front and 3/4" rear just to set it back to where I was before the weight. Agree with the bump stop comment.... stock fenders and 315/70/17... No rubbing except for the surprise lug-on-plastic blurp from the back last time I flexed. Been wheeling several times without issue, but pulled up on a snow bank last week and thought I was about to rip the rear fender off when I backed down.

Last edited by Number8; 02-20-2016 at 06:57 PM.
Old 02-23-2016, 03:13 AM
  #604  
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Default To lift or not

I am in badly need of advice and direction. I purchased a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys JK. This is my daily driver and I also expect to do some off-roading with it. I live in Florida so no rock climbing for me. I do not know that much about off-roading but do know just enough to get in serious trouble. Therefore I intend to join the Orlando Jeep Club to help me learn what I should and should not do with my Jeep. I have already installed a LOD midwidth bumper and a Warn 8000S winch. My front springs were 14’s and I replaced them with 17’s. The LOD bumper weighs 38 lbs, and the bull bar weighs 12 lbs and the skid plate weighs 11 lbs and Warn winch weighs 55 lbs. The stock bumper weighed 34 lbs. so therefore the total weight added to the front end was about 80 lbs. I still have about one inch rake which was the same as stock. I want to keep this jeep as light as possible. I do intend to install a M.O.R.E oil pan and transmission skid plate and a differential plate. Also will be installing a LOD rear bumper that weighs 120 lbs. With the weight of the bumper minus the weight of the stock bumper I will be adding about 90 lbs to the rear. I want to install the lightest tires and wheels I can find. I have been looking at the Mastercraft Courser MXT in either LT315/70R17 or 35-1250R17 or Goodyear Duratrac LT315/17R17. I am leaning on the Procomp 7069 wheels. I also plan on installing flat fender flares. I have read the various posts on suspensions and lifts until I am blue in the face. I read and re-read TheDirtman’s sticky : My thoughts on lifts so many times I can’t count. Now here comes my problem area…..lifts. I would prefer not to have a lift if I don’t need it but also I am not that interested in wheel spacers. Is a lift necessary for installation of taller shocks? TheDirtman said that all I would need would be a 2 “ lift and that’s the direction I would like to go if I have to. I really like the idea of keeping my jeep as close to the center of gravity as I can. I need this vehicle to be as close to a stock jeep when I am on the highway but still want to be able to keep up with the big boys off road and not quite sure on how to get there. Oh one more thing, I have a difficult time trying to understand this whole suspension thing. I think I would have an easier time trying to understand the ins and outs of nuclear physics. I think I could get by without a lift but not sure what the benefits would be to add a lift unless it would be for better approach angle maybe?
Old 03-04-2016, 04:46 AM
  #605  
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Having to do an upgrade real soon on my 09 JK. My jeep has a 2.5" BB with (13/55) stock springs and they're about ready to commit suicide after adding a front bumper and winch Lol looking to stay at or close to 2.5". Im considering a few possibilities but my budget plays a big role here. Looking at Rubicon Express 2.5" Standard Coil Lift with Monotubes, Teraflex 2.5" Coil Lift w/ Shocks, OME (light or heavy duty?), AEV 2.5" or RK 2.5" Stock MOd. My Jeep is basically a weekend warrior but sees alot of highway driving so road manners is a top concern. My offroading includes backroads, service trails, and light wheeling. I don't ever plan to do anything on the rocks. Hope someone can shed some light on my choices. I've researched til I've fried my brain and still can't choose
Old 03-04-2016, 07:47 AM
  #606  
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Originally Posted by jeeper1260
I am in badly need of advice and direction. I purchased a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys JK. This is my daily driver and I also expect to do some off-roading with it. I live in Florida so no rock climbing for me. I do not know that much about off-roading but do know just enough to get in serious trouble. Therefore I intend to join the Orlando Jeep Club to help me learn what I should and should not do with my Jeep. I have already installed a LOD midwidth bumper and a Warn 8000S winch. My front springs were 14’s and I replaced them with 17’s. The LOD bumper weighs 38 lbs, and the bull bar weighs 12 lbs and the skid plate weighs 11 lbs and Warn winch weighs 55 lbs. The stock bumper weighed 34 lbs. so therefore the total weight added to the front end was about 80 lbs. I still have about one inch rake which was the same as stock. I want to keep this jeep as light as possible. I do intend to install a M.O.R.E oil pan and transmission skid plate and a differential plate. Also will be installing a LOD rear bumper that weighs 120 lbs. With the weight of the bumper minus the weight of the stock bumper I will be adding about 90 lbs to the rear. I want to install the lightest tires and wheels I can find. I have been looking at the Mastercraft Courser MXT in either LT315/70R17 or 35-1250R17 or Goodyear Duratrac LT315/17R17. I am leaning on the Procomp 7069 wheels. I also plan on installing flat fender flares. I have read the various posts on suspensions and lifts until I am blue in the face. I read and re-read TheDirtman’s sticky : My thoughts on lifts so many times I can’t count. Now here comes my problem area…..lifts. I would prefer not to have a lift if I don’t need it but also I am not that interested in wheel spacers. Is a lift necessary for installation of taller shocks? TheDirtman said that all I would need would be a 2 “ lift and that’s the direction I would like to go if I have to. I really like the idea of keeping my jeep as close to the center of gravity as I can. I need this vehicle to be as close to a stock jeep when I am on the highway but still want to be able to keep up with the big boys off road and not quite sure on how to get there. Oh one more thing, I have a difficult time trying to understand this whole suspension thing. I think I would have an easier time trying to understand the ins and outs of nuclear physics. I think I could get by without a lift but not sure what the benefits would be to add a lift unless it would be for better approach angle maybe?

Personally for what you describe you are going to be doing with the jeep and are concerned with drivability I think I would look into a smaller tire as the on road performance is going to degrade pretty bad (you don't mention gear ratio but I see most coming off the lot with 3.21 gears) Off road with that gearing is going to cause you to put more stress on the drivetrain and you will have to speed up to get over many obstacles which makes it easier to break stuff. That being said if you are running flat fenders 2" of lift should be enough lift and allow you to run a longer travel shock if you wish. I am also not sure you really need to armor up so much under the jeep if you are not in the rocks. This will just add weight and further bog down the jeep on road and off. Lighter vehicles tend to do better off road.
Old 03-04-2016, 03:18 PM
  #607  
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Hey guys, sorry in advance for any aggravation I cause you,

I have the same question many others have but I want to ask mine in particular to my current setup in search of great helpful advice for my next install...

I have waited too long to pull the trigger on my lift/wheels & tires... I drive my jeep to work most days (30 mile round trip highway) and I occasionally go OFF-Roading but nothing too crazy yet.

My Specs:
- 2014 JKU Sport (4-door)
- Smittybilt XRC Front & Rear 1st generation bumpers (w/tire carrier) (currently no winch yet but planning to add one in future)
- Smittybilt Rock Rails
- Stock gears
- Stock Wheels (17") & Tires (Goodyear Wranglers P255/75R17)
- Cut Fenders (stock) might go with Smittybilt XRC Flux Flares
My Goal:
- Rubicon Express 2.5"-3.5" coil lift
- 17"-18" Anthem wheels (offset?? backspacing ??)
- 35" Tires (I love the aggressive look)
- I want the tires to stick out wider than the stock does...
- I want to get a kit that allows a good ride to be achieved... I know it can get really expensive and you get what you pay for so I am willing to spend some money on it but just not too much... keep it under $2500 if possible
Any helpful advice/recommendations are greatly appreciated and you can please keep the negative/comical posts to yourself since they won't help me any
Thanks a lot guys and I look forward to hearing from you!


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Old 03-05-2016, 04:43 AM
  #608  
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Originally Posted by InvAdeReKiM
Hey guys, sorry in advance for any aggravation I cause you, I have the same question many others have but I want to ask mine in particular to my current setup in search of great helpful advice for my next install... I have waited too long to pull the trigger on my lift/wheels & tires... I drive my jeep to work most days (30 mile round trip highway) and I occasionally go OFF-Roading but nothing too crazy yet. My Specs: - 2014 JKU Sport (4-door) - Smittybilt XRC Front & Rear 1st generation bumpers (w/tire carrier) (currently no winch yet but planning to add one in future) - Smittybilt Rock Rails - Stock gears - Stock Wheels (17") & Tires (Goodyear Wranglers P255/75R17) - Cut Fenders (stock) might go with Smittybilt XRC Flux Flares My Goal: - Rubicon Express 2.5"-3.5" coil lift - 17"-18" Anthem wheels (offset?? backspacing ??) - 35" Tires (I love the aggressive look) - I want the tires to stick out wider than the stock does... - I want to get a kit that allows a good ride to be achieved... I know it can get really expensive and you get what you pay for so I am willing to spend some money on it but just not too much... keep it under $2500 if possible Any helpful advice/recommendations are greatly appreciated and you can please keep the negative/comical posts to yourself since they won't help me any Thanks a lot guys and I look forward to hearing from you! <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=639679"/>
First of all I don't think any post should ever be viewed as aggravation. We are all coming here to get info, learn, and share info on a common interest

I have similar setup to what you are looking at.... 2.5 AEV dual sport lift, 4.5 backspace Fuel wheels, and 315/70/17 duratracs. Drives really good on and off-road. I learned that staying at 2.5 will reduce potential future driveline issues.

Once thing that you will want to consider is gearing. When you put on the bigger tires, you will lose some performance.
Old 03-05-2016, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by WHT_JKUR
First of all I don't think any post should ever be viewed as aggravation. We are all coming here to get info, learn, and share info on a common interest I have similar setup to what you are looking at.... 2.5 AEV dual sport lift, 4.5 backspace Fuel wheels, and 315/70/17 duratracs. Drives really good on and off-road. I learned that staying at 2.5 will reduce potential future driveline issues. Once thing that you will want to consider is gearing. When you put on the bigger tires, you will lose some performance.
Thank you sir, how much did your setup run you excluding the wheels and tires? did you install yourself? can u post a pic of your rig?
Old 03-05-2016, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by InvAdeReKiM
Thank you sir, how much did your setup run you excluding the wheels and tires? did you install yourself? can u post a pic of your rig?

AEV kit (lift, shocks, etc) was about $1300 total when you include drop brackets and procal. Wheels and tires were about $2300 (for all 5), but I was able to get $600 for my stock wheels/tires that had 7k miles on them. So a total net of about $3000. I could have probably shaved about $400-500 off if I had done with cheaper wheels/tires, I did have someone do the install for me for about $700 (as I recall)

Got new Yukon gears and basic rebuild kits for about $575 from a forum vendor. I had some other work done on my axle, but labor for for the gears was probably about $600ish.
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