Been reading a lot on here, but still confused over what EXACTLY is needed for a 2.5-3" lift. Lift is going on a 2008 4dr Sahara Unlimited. Car will be 95% highway / daily driving, with only an occasional curb jump or beach run. Customer wants this car to feel as close to stock ride / handling as possible. Thought of the RC 3.5" kit, but then read some bad quality reviews about the track bar setup and unadjustable control arms.

Can you guys help me with a FULL parts list, or point me to a kit that is complete? Also need to know the right tires to go on the stock rims to fit with the lift, and if I need spacers to clear.

Looking to keep parts tab (including tires) to around 2k.

Thanks!

 

call dave at Northridge and ask him for a teraflex budget 2.5" lift and some wheel spacers. Tires are up to you but you will be able to fit 35s or 315.

 

x2 on the TF budget boost (based on price limit and limited off road). Add the shocks to the BB since he is not running a Rubi with the better shocks. You can put 35's on the stock wheels, but will need 1.5" spacers to aviod rub. If you are putting a 35" spare on too, you will need to at least put a spacer on the spare mount as well.
In order to keep a stock feel to the ride you will also need adjustable front lower control arms (adjust caster) and a front trackbar (center front wheels).

TF BB w/shocks - $500
5 35" BFG tires - $1200
4 Spidertrax spacers - $200
Front lower control arms (low end / fixed length) - $150
front trackbar - $150
Spare carrier spacer - $100

Total cost for 35's, budget boost and stock ride/feel - $2300

 

If you look at my information, I have the RC 3.25 kit. This and the tires and wheels was just over the 2K limit you have set. That included shipping. You can go with a less expensive tire/rim combo to get the price back into your range.
I do not wheel mine and do not plan on it in the next few years. The kit I used was complete, went in easily, about 5 hours and has kept the ride manageable. The only things I would and will add in the near future is the adjustable front track bar to re-center the diff in the frame. Not a big deal just the extra I am looking for.
The 35 inch tires would have been painful with a manual and 3:73's so I am glad I have the 4:10's.
Hope this helps.
Mandor

 

This is the direction I was thinking of going...Any idea on the control arms and which ones? Is this needed and will it really change the ride feel if they are not adjustable?

 

I am running the TF adjustable control arms and they work great. I would recommend adjustable so you can dial in the right caster setting. In my opinion, this is the best way to get a better than factory ride with a lift. The TF adjustables are about $300 but well worth it. If you have fixed arms that are too short (caster too low), you will have a flighty ride (very unstable on the highway) and if they are too long (caster too high), you will have driveline vibrations.

 

If your customer is looking for stock or better than stock ride look at the Old Man Emu kits. The springs and shocks can't be beat. Mine actually rides better than Stock. It rides smooth and takes bumps and potholes like they aren't even there. The quality of the kits are some of the best out there.

 

Get some front lower adjustable control arms, that way you can adjust your caster for your alignment. Fixed arms on a JK are a waste of money as no 2 JK's are alike when it comes to setting the alignment. Give me a call if you need anything else.

 

Ebay Rough Country 4" X-Series lift: $850 shipped.
Ebay dropped pitman arm: $65 shipped.
National wheel and Tire 5 M/T Classic II: $75x5 + $65 shipping: $440
Sears 35x12.50x18 General Grabber AT2: $130x5: $650

Total: $1940