Hello, I just picked up my 2010 Unlimited Sport a week ago. I have been combing the site for about 2 months knowing I was getting it. Anyhow, I am looking at lifting 2.5"-3", flat fenders or cut the stockers and running 37's on stock wheels(plastic coated) w/spacers and of course regearing to 5:13's. It is my DD and offroading will be mostly trail riding, unless I can find something good here in Northern IL

I am looking at the Full Traction 3" economy plus and the RK stock mod. Opinions? or other thoughts? What about the RC 3.25" w/ the 2.2 shocks? Or Rustys 3.25" Basic?

I am looking at 37/12.5/17 Nitto Trails or Goodyear MT/R's ... which would be best for road manners and wear?

Opinions and thoughts ..... Thanks, Dave

 

Good choice on the gears. You may want to talk to some of the more experienced off roaders to see if your lift is a little low for 37's. You are going with the flat fenders but still you may want some extra room. You did say you will be primarily on trails but if you ever decide to venture onto the rocks, you may want a little more height.

Functionality aside, 37's on a 3 inch lift with flat fender looks awesome.

 

I love the trail grapplers. Handle great on road and off road. They are heavy, but the ride well. As for the lift, I'm a fan of Rock Krawler personally. Especially if you're going to go to 37s I say do the lift right the first time and go with a 3.5" lift

 

Thanks for the info ... at what point (height of lift) do you start to worry about LCA's and the front driveshaft? Will I get away with the stock front shaft with a 3.5"-4" lift for DD for awhile? Just trying to plan it right and do it once.....

 

3.5" is pushing it as long as you keep don't disconnect your sway bar. I've had a 3.5" Skyjacker on my Jeep for about a year with stock LCAs and drive shafts. It's not a good idea as I know my pinion is off and if I do anything moderately serious off road there's a really good chance I'll shred my front DS boot. I'm replacing it all (lift, CAs, DSs) in November to correct everything I did wrong.

I wish I had done more research and done it right the first time. Get at least a new front drive shaft and adjustable LCAs if you go over 3".

 

From my experience anything over 3.5 and it opens a new can of worms. On the front you will need LCA to balance out castor and then that brings on new driveshafts. For the rear need control arms to adjust your pinion angle. Makes me wish I would have gone into business in the Jeep aftermarket.

 

3.5 You should probably do the DS over like it was said before it is right on that edge of needing or not needing but always safe than sorry, also look at the Clayton 3.5" lift those are some beefy arms for a lift.

 

I will offer the other side of this arguement. I am running the Ft lift you mention plus an adj front and rear trackbar and tf front lcas. I have flat fenders and a trimmed pinch seam. I run the nitto trail graps, 37". I also have the stock drive shafts. I am very happy with my set up and have wheeled half a dozem times. Are the lcas nevessary, no, but i think they help the handling. Will the ds fail? Eventually, but i have over 18k miles with no issues. I know everybody loves rk and it seems to be great stuff. I would put my slightly modified ft lift against any standard short arm coil lift out there. This is the first lift ive had that rode like stock and did not sag under bumper/winch weight. Just my $0.02.

 

Heres a little picture of that set up in flex

 

mattgt5 ... Thank you for the great info, exactly what I want to know. How well are the Nitto trails holding up for wear?

Thanks for the info ......