Yeah, we plan on wheeling it, but maybe not as hard as the older Jeep.

Why the drag link flip? I realize it brings the connection for the drag link upwards at the steering knuckle, but is the only reason for this to use the factory pitman?

 

In the words of my teenager....OMG! What a great write-up. The JK world thanks you.

 

It will raise the roll center of the jeep and make it more stable both on road and off while reducing axle shift during articulation and reduce bump steer.

 

I didn't realize staying with the stock pitman had an affect on roll center as well. Awesome, thanks!

 

roll center its due to the height of the track bar but when you raise the track bar you need to raise the drag link to keep the two links parallel. Everything is connected.

 

You said you already have a front axle side bracket. RC recently started running one and it looks to pretty stout. Previously they used a frame drop bracket which you do not want. So the good news you are all set as far as front roll center. To better geometry and take stress off the steering box thats where the drag link flip comes in. Source a factory pitman arm and a flipped DL. You will have to drill or ream the knuckle if using most flipped DL's. brands AEV, EVO are both RHD stock but come as a kit (you already have a track bar bracket) Synergy is nice because you can run either flipped or under the knuckle. Or SteerSmarts has 2 drag links that dont require drilling, the Yeti 26 (soon to replace AEV's RHD) and HD. The 26 looks similar to a stock RHD but stronger, does retain the pitman end joint. The HD is a complete drag link. Con is the price which is up there for a drag link $400. Cheapest option source a crown stock RHD dl, i think they run about $70 maybe less.
One last thing, do you run a rear axle side bracket?

 

What's interesting about the folks that did this lift, is they RAISED the front axle-side trackbar mount, but LOWERED the draglink connection with a drop pitman. It drives funky.

I got a factory pitman from a buddy, and the Synergy draglink has already showed up. It does have a front axle-side bracket by RC I'm guessing, but I'm changing it out with the Synergy to match it up. I plan to re-taper the knuckle arm. No biggie.

There was no rear axle side bracket which made the thing roll like a boat amplifying the crappy driving even more. I put the Synergy on for now. Sooo much better already!

 

Bam so you are all set !!!!

 

I went with a rubicon express 2.5 in lift and am running 305/70/17s ridge grapplers which are the same height as your 285/75/17s and the only place I rub is on the front air dam which could be easily trimmed. I'm going to remove it and install a skid plate so I haven't bothered. I'm running stock rims with 1.5 spacers.

 

Tire size is generic since they vary so much from manufacturer to manufacture. The coil swap really should not be needed with flat fenders and I would not even bother with them. Wheel back spacing will be more important then the coils.