Me- new to Jeeps and this is my first one. It was either the Rubicon or a FJ Cruiser. I got the Rubi. Its a 2012 2-door Auto with 4.10 gearing. Tires are 32" KM2s.
This is not my only vehicle so I do drive it to work and stuff but not every day. I bought it to explore trails (Utah, Colorado) and 4x4 roads. I do need to keep it somewhat smooth on the road since we will be taking trips in it. What I mean is I don't want a super-loud setup with extremely aggressive tires that drive us batty with a loud hum or lug-slap after a few hours. Still, I don't want a fragile A/T tire- something in the middle is what I'll target.

Lift thoughts:

I do not want to start out with a tall long-arm system. I was looking at something around 2.5" so I can keep the cost low and progress in time. I was looking at AEV, Rock Krawler, Teraflex, another vendor (no 2.5"), and AEV (not as durable off-road as the others). I also did look at Rubicon Express, OME, and Rough Country and then discounted those three as well.

So now I am down to RK and TF. I will probably either use my stock shocks if that is possible or get some Fox monotubes. I basically need enough lift to clear 35" tires if I choose to use 35s and keep a good ride on-road while having a reliable and durable system for off-road.

 

Both are great lifts

 

Just wondering why you droped Rough Country off your list?

 

Don't know to many people who run the RK but I did look at that one and decided to go with thed RE superflex 3.5 wich I hae no complaints on. My buddy runs the TF 3.5 with 35 and he has never complained of any issues with the lift. And boy has he abused that thing. Just an opinion but if it were me I would look at a 3.5 inch at the very least because I have wheeled with one friend and have heard before that its a bit harder to clear 35s on a 2.5 because it tends to rub. Good luck and don't rush your choice, take your time and you'll be happier with your decision.

 

In talking to some local installers and off-road guys, Rough Country seems to not (apparently) ride very well. They seem to ride pretty stiff and after a year or so, many customers report heavy sagging. So I started to research several forums and found corroborating reports. This obviously does not happen to EVERYONE who buys them but since I have no personal experience with them, that was enough to drop them off my shortlist. Money is not a factor in this, though I am certainly not wealthy. I just want the best-riding and most durable/reliable suspension the first time. I will save money in the long run because if it rides terribly or keeps breaking, I will have to toss it and re-buy.

There is another one but not in 2.5 and I think because they are banned, I am not supposed to mention them. If going over 3", I'd probably get Clayton.

 

Good point made. I am taking my time if I need to change my mind and go with 3.5 and just wait to collect more cash saving, I can do that. I know very little about Jeeps and lifts so I am here to learn from you all and use that to get the best and have the most fun out there. I will take a little time to look into all this some more.

 

I hemed and hawed at the time of doing mine. I flat out after alot of research and farting around went with a RK 2.5 Max travel. It comes with Bilsteins (Which I use in every rig I have) and after I finished , lowered the jacks and torqued everything went for a ride. The Jeep was transformed. The ride for a 2 door feels like a stock 4-door in terns of ride quality. I daily Drive my Jeep, and wheel it and with this lift , 35's and 5:13 gears and could not be any happier (Well 800 Horse would be nice LOL)

Off road the amount of flex is pretty wicked. Cresting big rock I was not expecting the front and rear axles to make the letter X. I was not ecpecting to drop em that far and kinda giggled when I saw it. NOW the RK kit comes with all extended brake lines, however being yours is a '12 I do not know about this whole exhaust clearance deal no matter what lift you use???

2 years later on he lift and still am in love. Build quality of componentry is great, Directions are perfect , and RK stands behind their products 100%. Not affiliated with RK, however I share this as my only PERSONAL experience is with RK. Pics are in my Signature

 

BTW I also am running fenders so my 35's (Could have 37's truthfully) do not rub in my fenderwells at all. I have about 1-1.5" clearence between the tires and wheel arch at full compression against the bumpstops. So I kinda cheated some extra clearence for 35's. I also went 2.5 because of not wanting to deal with DS angle issues , caster issues , and being (Ok not beating around the bush here) Short and stout LOL and a daily driver it just made sense.

 

ToolMan, did you have to or do you have to re-grease bolts/joint and re-tighten things often or after wheeling? Thanks for all the help, guys.

 

I used military aircraft assembly moly on all my joints. A little extreme yes i still grease up my bushings. Never had a sqeek tho. Anti seize on all joints will net the same results. I did my buddies 08 and he has not greased up yet.