Please help with lift recommendations
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Full disclosure- I run AEV's 2.5" lift. Did the install by myself. For a sub $1k kit, I'm overall happy with it.
Everyone including me seems to love how well AEV lifts handle on-road, so if it truly is a dd then take taht into account. Also, if you really want to get familiar with your rig and this is your first rodeo, one of the benefits of all those brackets and recycling of stock components is that the install may be a bit more newb friendly.
That said, IMHO, I'd stay away from their 3.5" lift. For the price, there are other kits out there, some already mentioned, that give you more bang for your buck. Even though I'm ok with the route that I went, I'm dissappointed that AEV cut a lot of corners with their 2.5" kit to supposedly get it under a grand. You're paying a lot of money for what many will argue is great marketing (read: hype).
Everyone including me seems to love how well AEV lifts handle on-road, so if it truly is a dd then take taht into account. Also, if you really want to get familiar with your rig and this is your first rodeo, one of the benefits of all those brackets and recycling of stock components is that the install may be a bit more newb friendly.
That said, IMHO, I'd stay away from their 3.5" lift. For the price, there are other kits out there, some already mentioned, that give you more bang for your buck. Even though I'm ok with the route that I went, I'm dissappointed that AEV cut a lot of corners with their 2.5" kit to supposedly get it under a grand. You're paying a lot of money for what many will argue is great marketing (read: hype).
The other part of my question was about the look with 31.5" tires on it - will it look okay for a couple month's till I can pick up the larger tires?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Thanks for the feedback. This is my first Jeep, but i'm pretty familiar with a wrench having rebuilt a few classics. That being said a friend of mine who has a body shop doing wreck rebuilds is going to do the install in his shop - i'll help of course but he's going to be the brains behind the operation!
The other part of my question was about the look with 31.5" tires on it - will it look okay for a couple month's till I can pick up the larger tires?
The other part of my question was about the look with 31.5" tires on it - will it look okay for a couple month's till I can pick up the larger tires?
That's a good friend to have!
As far as 31.5" tires on a 3.5, I wouldn't let it hold me back on getting the lift.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I agree call Dave at Northridge4x4. Also ask him about the OME LT kit he offers. It is a complete kit with springs, control arms, full adjustable track bars, sway bar links, bump stops, and braded brake lines. You get 3 inches out of it and it rides and drives great. There is also an install write up on project jk.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
So looking at the Rock Krawler option I see 2 that are nearly identical in price - of course one is a 3.5 and one a 2.5, but i'd go with the 2.5 if it's superior components for 1" less lift. Really I can't tell the difference between the 2 systems based on the parts list so feedback would be appreciated.
Also is this everything needed or will I have to replace the drive shafts and other things with a lift like this? Apart from Shocks obviously!
Here are the 2 systems:
Rock Crawler Mid Arm Flex 3.5: Parts Included
2 long travel linear front coil springs
Double adjustable front track bar made from 1.5” solid alloy steel
2 high clearance adjustable front lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Adjustable front sway bar disconnects
2 long travel linear rear coil springs
Precision welded rear track bar relocation bracket made from ¼” thick laser cut steel
2 high clearance adjustable rear lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Front and rear long travel stainless steel brake lines
Extended rear sway bar links
or
Rock Crawler Max Travel 2.5: Parts Included
2 long travel progressive rate front coil springs
Double adjustable front track bar made from 1.5” solid alloy steel
2 high clearance adjustable front lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Adjustable front sway bar disconnects
2 long travel linear rear coil springs
Precision welded rear track bar relocation bracket made from ¼” thick laser cut steel
2 high clearance adjustable rear lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Front and rear long travel stainless steel brake lines
Extended rear sway bar links
Also is this everything needed or will I have to replace the drive shafts and other things with a lift like this? Apart from Shocks obviously!
Here are the 2 systems:
Rock Crawler Mid Arm Flex 3.5: Parts Included
2 long travel linear front coil springs
Double adjustable front track bar made from 1.5” solid alloy steel
2 high clearance adjustable front lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Adjustable front sway bar disconnects
2 long travel linear rear coil springs
Precision welded rear track bar relocation bracket made from ¼” thick laser cut steel
2 high clearance adjustable rear lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Front and rear long travel stainless steel brake lines
Extended rear sway bar links
or
Rock Crawler Max Travel 2.5: Parts Included
2 long travel progressive rate front coil springs
Double adjustable front track bar made from 1.5” solid alloy steel
2 high clearance adjustable front lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Adjustable front sway bar disconnects
2 long travel linear rear coil springs
Precision welded rear track bar relocation bracket made from ¼” thick laser cut steel
2 high clearance adjustable rear lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Front and rear long travel stainless steel brake lines
Extended rear sway bar links
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 906
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
Those two kits look pretty much the same except for height.
I have heard good things about RK so you can't go wrong with either.
Not to add any more confunsion but I would also check out Full Traction's new 3 inch lift which looks super nice:
Full-Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler 3.0" Jeep JK Premium Plus 0% Maintenance SRS System
I have heard good things about RK so you can't go wrong with either.
Not to add any more confunsion but I would also check out Full Traction's new 3 inch lift which looks super nice:
Full-Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler 3.0" Jeep JK Premium Plus 0% Maintenance SRS System
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Mission Valley, San Diego
i have RK 2.5 max travel on my 2012 2 dr rubicon and it fits 35" with easy. I like the kit since there's only one bracket for the rear track bar and the kit even comes with extended braided brake lines where a lot of kits i believe come with drop extension. I wished the kit came with rear upper adjustable control arm to dial in the axle after switching to aftermarket drive shaft but not everyone will need one. One issue I have with the kit is that my front tires rub on full lock on the LCA. I hear that this can be easily fixed that's one extra thing that I got to mess with lol... the kit itself netted a lot more than 2.5 inches BTW
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
I saw the Rock Krawler Max Travel Pro 2.5" System, which I noticed is aluminum so i'm thinking - lighter and no rust! is that a better bang for the buck? This also comes with adjustable lower control arms. Overall this system looks like it would never need an upgrade for the life of my jeep, although it's probably more than i'm likely to use 90% of the time.
Overall how is this system on-road in addition to off-road?
Overall how is this system on-road in addition to off-road?
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Wittmann AZ and Idaho Falls Id
If you haven't bought yet. You should look real hard at Trail Master. I installed the 4.5 " on a 2012 that is my daily driver. The ride is great, off road is awsome, street is better than the stock. I also installed 35" km2. It is more than you want to spend but is worth it.