Ok so I 've got some new stuff, I need a 2-2.5 inch lift to set it off, as shown in other threads. So... I've read alot and the re-read alot and it seems like in this range a budget boost is ok and I don't need significant mods. I called the local 4 wheel parts store and got a salesman who was telling me that shock extensions really were not cool, and he wanted me to get into a more expensive set of mods, and his reasoning was sound according to what I also have read, but many people are out there and fine with budget boosts. I do drive offroad but I don't really do serious rock climbing or whatnot ... in the future I would like front sway bar disconnects etc but from what I gather lots of people have budget boosts with shock extensions, or even with no shock extensions. So yes, I want the bb for the looks. I'd immediately bounce for an AEV 2.5 dualsport but I don't have the cash justifiable for this what with kids. I do the kind of riding that is like navigating dry stream beds, cutting across streams on my local land and sewer right of ways, north GA mountains, no beasley knob hardcore yet. Stock my jeep blows me away!

1. do shock extensions make the jeep "ride funny" as I was told by the salesman (4 door 2011 JKU sport, I like the stock ride)
2. do I need brake line extensions or relocation, how does this work, what can I do myself on this from a home diy perspecive
3. whats up with just getting 4 2" pucks and running with it if I just do trail riding and stuff like that for fun ... are there issues if you are not "flexing" your suspension

Again, I got really warned away from something like a TF bb with shock extensions, whats the real world experience. TF and AEV both make those kits so whats up, thousands must be fine out there. Say whatever, I am at least a few years from really having the skills and equipment to do hardcore offroading, I just like to adventure out there in the wilderness and have a good time.

 

I'm about to throw on my old teraflex bb with shock extensions. It rides the same as stock because it is stock. It's no aev kit but it works just fine and it's cheap. Most people don't even know what a shock is so what does it matter if you have an extender on it?

 

Looks like you already have a coil lift, why are you going back to the TF BB?

 

The black jeep is my old one, I sold it with a coil lift and bought a 12 rubicon. I still have the bb from my other jeep do I'm using that and throwing some 35's on my 12 in the next few days

 

I have a rc 2.5 bb with the shock extensions and run it this way for 28,000 miles and its been perfect.

 

I've had a rubicon express BB almost since day one on my jeep. It's also a 2011 JKU. Mine has the new longer shocks that came with the kit. All in all it was cheap, like 400 including shocks. Easy to install, took me and a buddy about an afternoon. Looks great compared to stock. Allowed me to get 33's on with no problems at all. Rides and handles fine although it does feel a bit sloppy cornering and turning if going to fast. I now have like 11000 miles on this kit and still no problems. I would prefer to upgrade though to a better setup in the future.

 

Like was stated earlier a bb with shock extenders is the same as the stock ride just your sitting higher. The issue with doing this is not with flexing but with topping out your shocks, i.e. if you drop a tire in a whole you now have to worry about damagaging the top of the shock and any vauling thats on the top sided of the shock. Most people that have baught a bb have replaced it with a real lift kit, that being said are the looks of your jeep that important to you to spend money on a bb when you could save it and put it towards a real lift kit.

The break line brackets are easy for diy project, my AEV brackets required me to remove the factory bolt, straighten the hard brake line a bit, bolt the new bracket on then bolt the factory bracket to the new drop bracket. New brake lines are a little more challanging because you will have to bleed the brake lines after you replace them which is a paine in the ass if you have to do it by yourself with out the right tools.

Just a suggestion for you, If your going for looks and don't have the money to spend on the lift right away you can put bigger tires on which will give you some lift. My JK came with the same size tires as the Rubicon and they fit without any lift at all. You may be able to pick up a set on here in the for sale section for a reasonablt price too. I don't know what your tires look like but that may be an option for you. Also money saved is money well spent later.

 

I ran a TF 2.5 BB for about a year, with out changing the shocks or installing shock extensions. Then I got a good deal on 4 TF 2.5 springs so I upgraded to them and sold off the BB. I still have not installed the shock extensions and my lift has been in for about 3 years or so.

If you like the way your jeep rides right now then run the BB, and if it comes with the shock extensions run them as well, but if not don't worry too much about it. But if you don like the way it rides then you have some thinking to do. New shocks, or coils, complete lift the list goes on and on.

But IMO for light wheeling, and looks go with the BB (with/without shock/shock extenders) and enjoy your jeep.

 

Ok so taking some of this in, what about the Rough Country 2.5" 2.2 performance shock and coil kit any comments? New coils and shocks. Shocks are reviewed as ok a bit rough??

 

Do it. If it is the lift you want. You can always change shocks if you feel it is to rough, but it is a jeep afterall.