Short version:
Are there springs that I can use without the need for shocks or driveshaft in a '12 2door? sway bar links are okay.

Long version:
I am in CO and after peering down a few cliffs on off camber trails I feel the want to go LCG. After looking at 2.5 kits that may need arms and shafts etc, and then looking at 35's with no lift, I think I'd like to stay in the middle of those 2 camps. As of now I'm planning on 35's, gussets, flats, and would like to know what springs I can buy without the need for tons of extras. It just seems to me that a 1" difference will cost me over 1000 to do right.
TF performance leveling kit?
JKS 2" springs?
both come with end links and I don't think you need to do anything else, is that right? and I heading in a smart direction? I wouldn't even mind having to buy shocks too, especially if its not right away, but I don't need to replace my rubi shocks for 1/2" travel.

Thanks for any input

 

You can go with a spring lift with shock extensions

Teraflex makes a kit like this.

http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-2-5-lift-kit.html

JK 2.5" Lift Kit w/ Adapters - No Shocks (2 dr)
SKU: 1352002

 

I think the 2.5 might be too much for the stock driveshaft on a '12 from what I've heard


Edit: But if this is the smart way to go, feel free to strong arm me. I'm just making sure this isn't going to cost 10x more than the performance leveling kit or similar

 

You can add exhaust spacers that should fix the drive shaft rubbing on the cross pipe which should be your only problem with a 12

 

I have a 2013 jku and searched for weeks about lifts that would not make it to where I would need new drive shafts, control arms, trac bars and all that. I came to the conclusion that the opinions are split down the middle on this topic. After talking with several people and doing a lot of research I am going with the teraflex 2.5 coil lift with shocks. It comes with rear trac bar bracket. Only thing you HAVE to get that's not included is the exhaust spacers. You will see a ton of diff opinions just like I did but that's what I decided to go with. Granted mine will be a daily highway driver and its a 4 door but you get my point..

 

yes there are a few kits out there that you can still bolt the stock shocks up to or add extensions. try and stay under 2.5 inches of lift. to get 35s under there and really wheel it i would add a 1" body lift to avoid triming & bashing n such. this will keep your geometry within stock tollerances. you will also want to sleeve and gusset the front axle.

 

thanks so much everyone so far. this is helpful.

now in all practicality, (and I do value your opinions I'm just trying to get the whole picture) I know what the hardware differences are, but what would be the main performace differences between bolting on the simple jks 2" lift and exhaust spacers, vs the TF 2.5?
I ask because it seems that would reduce the need for track bars, CA's, and damage to the Rzeppa


EDIT: I guess what I'm saying is, if 2.5 is the limit, or cutoff, or brink, or whatever you want to call it. Why not just go 2" and be safer?

 

If you want to do a LCG build then get some 19/60 Coils from a Rubicon or Sahara with the tow package (tons in the for sale section). That'll give you an extra 1" due to stiffness (spring rate) compared to your stock 2dr coils which are probably 14/53 or something like that.

You said you're doing flat fenders too, so that's all you need to run 35s and do a LCG build. You don't need to lift that Jeep at all. I've seen 35s on a few JKs sitting at stock height and it looks good with the flat fenders.

You don't need to spend $1000 on a 2" lift when you can get an extra 1" of lift and run flat and keep the LCG build. Just an idea though. You wont have to change shocks or brake lines either, along you can get shock extensions and brake line extensions anyways, along with longer end links for the sway bars just to get you more drop. The drop is determined by the shock travel as that's the limiting factory on vehicles.

 

thats where my mind is at, and I found some 18/59's on craigs for cheap, but doing more research I found that the spring rate is higher and the spring is really the same height, which leads me to buying aftermarket springs. Plus I'd probably still have rake. but YES i want LCG, and I'm thinking staying BELOW the 2.5 will save much hassle. so you agree that I should stick with one of the 2 spring packages I listed in the first post, TF performance leveling kit or JKS 2" springs?





Leaning toward : http://www.northridge4x4.com/shop/jk...door-jspec1950

 

If your ok with the way your Jeep currently rides you might want to just look at a puck lift. I ran the Terraflex 1.5" Leveling (2" Front and 1" Rear) kit for a year and it worked well.

Rob