Hey everyone,

I'm getting ready to order all of the components I'll need to give my stock 2012 JKU a little more meat and potatoes, but before I order I wanted to just check with you all on whether I'm missing anything technical. I've owned my jeep for about 2 months now, and through hours of research and numerous nights online of hunting for the right answer, I've given up! It seems there are thousands of answers, and I just wanted to check in and make sure I've got the most accurate info. Here's the deets on my jeep and what I'm looking at.

2012 JKU Sport - 3.21s, 6 speed manual

Looking at ordering:
Rock Krawler 2.5 Max Travel
V-Tec Raptor 17X9 5-127 -12MTB
BFG KM2 (LT305/65R17E2 121Q W)

I'm staying low on the tire size due to my gears. I understand that I can add on easily to the Max Travel if I want to go bigger and add 35s...at that point I'll look to re-gear. Any recommendations or thoughts on that would be welcomed if I'm out of touch.

My biggest concern is around what to do with the drive shaft/exhaust problem in the 12s. I plan on doing the lift myself with a couple of friends to help, but I want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. With that size lift and tires, will this become an issue short term/long term? Should a drive shaft from J.E. Reel or other be installed in an effort to "do it right the first time"? I also have read that the problem isn't as bad for manuals vs. autos?

I'm excited to get all of this done. First time owning a jeep, and I just want to make sure I'm not dorking anything up.

Thanks everyone!

 

it mainly depends on what type of wheeling u plan on doing... if it is moderate to mild or none i would not worry about a new driveshaft.... i have 3.25 lift and i did not replace my drive shaft and i do wheel mine as much as possible.... from what i have read driveshafts do not come into play until you go 4+ inches... your kit should come with an exhaust ext to fix the exhaust problem if not see if you can find one.... hopefully others will chime in to help out a fellow jeeper in need....

 

Good idea to do it yourself. I learned a ton putting mine on with the help of another forum member.

Tough call on the DS. I opted to just replace mine as I did not want to mess with the exhaust on my 2012 (but I went a little bigger than you).

FYI: Wayoflife just did a write up about the DS issue: Lifted 2012 JK's - Skip the Y-Pipe & Just Get a 1310 Front Driveshaft

I'd also consider adding some skid protection to your list if you plan to take it offroad. EVO makes a great kit for the '12s.

Good luck with your build!

 

Did you replace your drive shaft yourself? I feel confident I can get a lift on, but the drive shaft thing seems way more complicated. And I guess I should've stated this earlier, but this will mostly be a DD with an off road trip 1-2 times a month.

Thanks for the input!