This is a continuation from my previous thread.

I purchased a rugged ridge XHD winch bumper and plan to acquire a winch soon but I would like to "do it right the first time". I have a 2010 2dr rubicon that is basically stock. My concern is the front end looking silly with the added weight and drooping to much. I would really like to thank everyone who posted their thoughts about this problem on my thread from yesterday.

As a solution, my fellow jeep owners have have come up with
A. Just deal with the nose diving front end. Its really not too bad.
B. Replace the front springs with the 4drs
C. Add a lift kit with HD springs.

Personally I would like to put on 35" tires and plan to go no higher. I occasionally go offroading due to my lack of free time. Also I don't plan to have the 2500.00 for new wheels and tires for at least another year and will be using the stock mud tire from the factory that came with my JK.

Choice C sounds like an inevitable solution to me to solve the nose diving front end on my JK.

Being that we are in a recession and obama has put a pay freeze on my pay (thanks for nothing obama) I am on a budget.

I am considering

A. Teraflex budget boost lift kit (400.00)
B. A short arm (1000.00) kit from Teraflex (least cost effective)
C. OME 2" lift kit (400.00 to 900.00)

What would you do to keep your JK performing great and still not spend a lot of cash?

I would just like to thank everyone again for their thoughts. This forum is really an excellent place for advice, pics, and overall information.

 

I know this isn't on your list but I have the same bumper with a winch in the mail right now and I have the rutsys lift kit. I have their 3.25" lift springs in the fornt and their 2" lift springs in the rear and I think it levels it out perfectly! Plus the kit has all the springs, shocks, quick disconnects, and front and rear adjustable trac bars for only $550. I think it is the most complete kit for the money and the springs are really nice and heavy duty/stiff and everything except the quick disconnects and shocks is powdercoated
Plus, I just noticed, rustys was just featured in an episode of extreme 4x4 where they put a 3.25" advanced lift in their project jk unlimited and they went and toured the compnay if you're interested in seeing what rustys is all about

 

The two things about the budget boost lift is you will rub at a full stuff without a body lift and you will not get rid of the rake unless you add an addition 3/4" to 1" spacer.

 

I have a 09 Unlimited Sahara with 32's, an LOD midwith front bumper wtih winch and steel cable. I installed the Teraflex Performance coil leveling kit with 1/2 spacers in the front. I essentialy eliminated the rake and raised the Jeep 1.5". I added OME shocks and she rides better than factory. I also installed JKS Quicker Disconnects. It's no roock crawler, but with this setup and aired down tires you'd be surprised of what it can do off-road.

 

+1 on this. I have the Rusty's 3.25. I added some components to it like rear links and fabricated some brake drop brackets. I have the OR-FAB front winch bumper and a Superwinch on order and coming in the next week or so. If the front drops slightly I'll add a Teraflex spacer. By the way, Teraflex makes great stuff as well and the Rep on here rocks. Good luck!

 

Wait until all of the weight is on and actually see how far your front end drops before deciding. (this will save you from having to rip the front end apart a second time to add another set of spacers.

As you lift higher, you will want to add more components, so the price climbs accordingly. With your budget, a 3+" lift would not be the best choice.

Budget (spacer) lifts are not the best choice for heavy weight. You get the height, but at the expense of squashed stock coils.

If you are willing to chop you flares, you can run 35's with no lift. So don't think that you need to go big now. Just add something to handle the extra weight.

My opinion, the TF 1.5" coil leveling kit would be a good option, or the medium OME coils. (the heavy OME's will put you up at 3+" with the bimper/winch, and you will want to add components)