I'm really close to adding a 2.5" lift to my 2013 2-door Rubi, but I'm concerned with the amount of lift I'll actually get from these kits.

Just about every thread I've read says that I'll get around 3 or more inches if I keep the factory bumpers and no winch. And just about every thread points out that if you increase your suspension over 3 inches, your drive shaft life will be cut short.

I'll eventually want bumpers, but maybe a year or two after the lift. But if my drive shaft is going to suffer and have its life expectancy reduced, I really don't want the lift until I get the heavier bumpers.

So does every 2.5" full suspension lift raise 2-doors over 3 inches? I'm wanting Rock Krawlers 2.5" Max Travel system, and my second option would be AEV and/or Terraflex.

Any advise would be appreciated!!!

 

I have the 2.5" MT and was told by 3 different shops and RK support that I would need the front DS. I have a '12 Sport and got 4" in front, 2" rear.

Don't base your lift on whether you will need the DS or not though. I LOVE my RK lift and wouldn't consider anything else. If you pull the DS off un-damaged, you can sell it. I listed mine for $130 on CL and it was gone in a week. If you deduct that from the cost of the DS (about $400 +/-), it's not that bad.

I think Teraflex runs about an inch shorter than the RK 2.5".

 

I believe Teraflex stated on their 2.5" coil lift you gain @ 3.1" in front.

 

Run it until it breaks, crawl home, and then install a new one.

I have the Max Travel 2.5" kit combined with the Teraflex exhaust spacers, and I still run the stock DS. The spacers help prevent contact with the DS, so all I need to worry about is CV joint failure caused by the more severe DS angle. If it ever does blow out, I'll simply replace it then...

 

You can always purchase the AEV drop brackets to correct the DS pinion angle. I did with my TF 2.5 coil lift. I'm about to switch to 3.5 and I'm still not worried about changing my DS. AEV says with the drop bracket you are good up to 4.5 inches.

 

Don't believe the AEV hype. Their drop bracket doesn't completely eliminate the increased DS angle. The joints on the stock DS are simply not meant for any increased angle, at all, so any lift over ~3" may eventually blow the joint.

 

So about how long would I expect the driveshaft to last? I drive 500 miles a week, and this is my only vehicle. Hmm...this all depends on how much the lift raises the jeep.

Should I go ahead and buy a DS with the kit or go ahead and get an aftermarket bumper?

If I get the bumper, how much would it have to weigh to bring the front end down far enough to save the driveshaft? Again, it all depends on how much lift the lift gives me up front..........geeze, this seems more complicated than it should be.

And will I have problems with both driveshafts or just the front?

 

If you disconnect your front sway bar,the front drive shaft boot will make contact with skid,causing you to buy a new drive shaft,while your rear is fine up to a 4" lift on a 4 door just check the boots for leaks.Drive shaft angle will only change in the rear requiring lower/upper control arms to correct pinion angle,this is not needed for the front since you will be screwing with you caster angles too

 

So just don't disconnect the front sway bar for a while, no prob.
I've been doing a ton of online searching trying to figure approximately how much lift I'll get and about how long the front DS will last. I'm getting answers all over the place, it from the DS point if view, it sounds like if I don't wheel it very hard, it'll last longer than if I wheel it - that makes sense.
I'm still wanting the Rock Krawler 2.5 Max Travel kit with Bilsteins. Other than my concern about the driveshaft, I'm reading that I'll need some exhaust spacers as well, right?

 

I have wheeled my jeep hard for the last 2 months and some 15 trips out. I have a Rubi and no issues with the DS hitting anywhere. I was just under my jeep installing the AEV drop brackets( which corrects the pinion angle back to stock angles) at full droop, still have an inch before the DS hits the exhaust.