Want to make a lift kit recommendation?
 

Hi there! I've got a Rugged Brown 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. So far, I've installed front and rear Rampage bumpers, a K&N FIPK kit and Borla cat-back exhaust, as well as some upgraded wheels and Duratrac tires. Here she is:
Attachment 576963

My next project is a lift kit, and that brings me to this forum. I'm looking for a recommendation for a 2 - 2.5" lift. Here's some more information that may help:

• The Jeep sees 75% pavement. When I do go offroad, I'm strictly a weekender.
• While I DO want something functional and more than just appearance, I'm not crawling rocks in Moab. Mostly looking for a quality product and ground clearance.
• The bumpers (and soon, a winch) add a good amount of weight over stock, so I'm thinking a "budget boost" lift won't do much to help support the additional weight (?). I need more of a suspension upgrade?
• I'm hoping for a relatively easy install and low maintenance.

So, any recommendations for products? And, do you think I can install it myself? (I'm fairly handy with tools. I refinished my basement, built a large wood deck on my home, etc, but I've no real experience with automotive work and no special automotive tools).

Thanks, everyone!

Seeing how you're going to adding a bit more weight, I was going to suggest a budget boost.. But I'd rather suggest a coil system and upgraded shocks.. But I mean as for particular brand.. I can't point out any. Just focus on coils that will give a hard boost, yet retain all the factory components.. yet lifting above 2.5 may present issues where more hardware will be needed.
So I feel you knew what you wanted.. and some knowledge with tools is handy.. but it's nothing like reworking wood etc.. Besides plenty of videos out there with how to's I don't think one technically screw something like this up.. but it would best afterward taking it checked for alignment.
I'm partial to the soft/hard combination lift.. making is mixing and matching components. Including new coils, coil spacers with upgraded shocks.. comfort ride I believe it's referred to..

I think my total was around $250 with the rebate

Robot Check

Adjustable shocks are the way to go and I'm happy with the height

I recommend the two threads stuck right to the top of this modified area. Get a handle on what all of the various components actually do, and at what lift heights people start replacing them, so you can make a more informed decision. (Rather than pulling out the plastic because some nameless/faceless person on the internet who knows nothing about you or your actual needs says to buy it.)

Then I would recommend going up to the writeups area. Stuck to the top is an index. If you scroll down (the links may still be broken?) you will find a section full of lift installs by other members. Pics, steps, gottcha's, all kinds of good stuff. The brand doesn't matter, they all get installed using the same basic steps.

This way, after you have the lift on and feel that the steering is too flighty, you will know why, and you will have an idea of which components to consider buying to fix it. Or when you notice that the axles aren't centered underneath your jeep anymore, you will know why, and which components. Or when you see that your swaybars are angled down, or...

Lol, enough of that. Just a friendly suggestion to do some homework before blindly slapping a kit on.

And remember that it doesn't have to be a full kit for now. You can always start with a minimal coil lift and add components as you get the money. (To give you an idea, Rock Krawler and Metal Cloak both have lift packages, with pics, where you can see this type of setup. Basic lift with minimal components for a lower price, then a more expensive version that adds a few more, then a top dollar version with a bunch of added components.)

Why do yo ufeel you need a 2.5" lift?

I have a 2013 JKU with 33" duratracs and i use it mostly on road back and forth to work. I ended up installing a 2.5 inch AEV lift with correction brackets and I love it. Rides and handles awesome.

Ditto. People assume that just because they don't go off road much, that they don't need to spend a lot of money on a lift, if they want to get one. Exactly the opposite. Lifting decreases on-road performance and handling characteristics, so it's worth every penny to get a full suspension lift with all the necessary bits to correct things to near, or better than, factory specs and ride quality. I purchased the AEV 2.5" Dualsport XT lift and it was worth every penny I spent. I also use the rig off road quite a bit and the ground clearance has proven to be a life-saver. Where longer and lower Jeeps hang up, I float right over, and that's without having lockers.

That said, the stock Wrangler Sport suspension rides like poo. Almost anything is better.

Do yourself a favor, get a GOOD lift, progressive rate springs, a decent set of shocks, make it ride correctly. On-road is really where the money is spent in a good, full-featured lift--everything else is just ground clearance and stiff shocks.

This is really helpful stuff, guys. Thanks!

Just recently installed a 2.5" metal cloak lift on my 2013 JKU sport and 35" duratracs(more like 34"s). Came with coils, OME shocks, front adjustable track bar, adjustable front upper control arms, rear track bar bracket, front brake lines, rear brake line drop brackets, front sway bar quick disconnects, rear sway bar links and I paid extra for the exhaust spacer. It is an excellent kit in my opinion. I gained about 4" in the front and 3" in the back. I don't have any heavy add ons yet just a front bumper. It feels better than stock on road now that my tire pressure is dialed in and flexes better than I expected. I don't expect much sagging from anything I do put on as the coils seem like they will handle a good bit of weight. I had the benefit of having a shop on base with most of the tools i needed and having air tools was a huge plus. Not sure I would want to have tackled this with Jack stands and basic hand tools in the driveway. Total time about 8 hours cause i didn't know the shop very well. They have decent directions and plenty of videos on their site and YouTube. Afterwards I took the Jeep to get an alignment and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...26854863aa.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...6999fb791b.jpg

I will throw in my 2 cents on the subject since I am happy with my results. I put on Teraflex 2.5 coil lift with Bilstien shocks. I use and recommend the Rancho control arm drop brackets-help further smooth out the ride on road. But brackets to cost some clearance but no issue for some people, major problem for others. Northridege4x4 has a deal too, offering a bolt upgrade with lift purchase.