Although a "newbie," I've spent many, many hours researching on this site and others about lift kits of different types/purposes/heights. Even after all this great education, here I am, soliciting some last minute advise before I push down the road of purchasing something in the near future.

Okay, here is the deal - living here in the Middle East, I've encountered a variety of terrain - desert, sabkha (look it up) and off-road trails into the mountains. I don't rock crawl, my trips are more expedition in nature (getting to the campsite!).

So, I haul a family of five, will be packing all of our gear in a (soon to arrive) Gobi Rack and have noticed that the Rubicon, while more than capable of handling 99 percent of what I throw at it (frankly, the vehicle makes the driver look good) the rear stock springs do tend to sag under the weight of all the gear we pack/load out.

Clearance isn't an issue (yet) and I am satisfied with the "puny" 32 inch stock wheels, however I do want better/stiffer front and rear springs - possibly a progressive rate spring - to deal with our extended camping loads, etc.

Okay - enough background. What would be the best, then, to give my Rubi stiffer springs with moderate lift (frankly, don't want to have to purchase a host of additional suspension items to accommodate for lift)

OME 2 inch, MD/HD springs and shocks (although, everything I've seen suggests OME gives you more lift than advertised!)

Is there something else?

And frankly, even with 2 inches, should I look at additional suspension items just to keep the JK tip top- plenty of opinions on this as well, but hey, why not ask again?

Appreciate the assist!

 

Well I use my Rubi the same way you seem to use yours and I'm happy with my 2.5" Teraflex lift. Although I might swap it out and install an OME kit with HD coils for better load handling. I also have Gobi rack and some additional armor and find that when loaded up the rear springs sag a bit. As far as not wanting to buy additional things with the lift...well...that's just the cost of doing business.

 

As you noted, most coils will give more lift than you are looking for. The OME HD's will put you over 3". The MD's will be closer, but will also sag. (I have lost about 3/4" on my rear MD's. Front HD's have sagged very little, if any...)

You might look at the new 1.5" leveling coils from Teraflex. I haven't seen any actual lift heights from them, but the info they put out says:

 

^^ some good thoughts above ^^

Personally I'd look at the OME 616 & 617 coils with standard OME shocks if you want to keep the height down. The ride is great & its a reliable setup. But remember most people's height gains are from Jeeps without 5 passengers and expedition/camping gear. You may even need the 618 & 619 coils with all that weight.

Take a look at this thread and you can see Nemo75's measurements on a 4door with bumpers and the 616/617 coils.

And if you haven't seen WOL's OME write-up take a look.

It wouldn't hurt to talk to David @Northridge 4x4 and David @Alpha Expedition for some ideas.

As for a visual - here's my Rubi a while ago. In this pic I'm running 619's in the front (to help with ARB bullbar) and 617's in the rear. I'm still on Rubi 32's here but you could go up to 33s.




btw Northern Wrangler -> sweet rig

 

I threw a Zone 2" BB and 33" Guard-dog MTG's on my Rubi.

plenty of lift to make it thru level 4 Black Diamond trails at Superlift ORV.

 

Haha, I luv that pic!