Howdy y'all,

I'm new to the world of JK's and have a question about lifts and when to change out drive shafts. First a little history of my experience. I've owned two other jeeps: a 1990 YJ and a 1979 CJ-7. Sorry y'all but hands down greatest jeeps are the CJ series IMO. I plan to get another 7 or an 8 but I had to compromise about a year ago when the wife and I had been trying to have kids for about six years but no dice. I sold my 7 so we could try IVF. (Luckily I was active duty Marine Corps at the time and we got a discounted rate in Raleigh cause our insurance didn't cover any of it!) Long story short it worked and I now have two beautiful twin girls that are about to be 8 months old: hence the wife wanting me to get a JK for their safety. I like it a lot it's just a little to high tech for me is all. To fancy a Jeep. Now about the jeep and my question:

It's a 2008 JKUS automatic (so the wife can have fun wheelin too)
Previous owner installed a TF 2.5" BB with Rancho shocks and an air raid intake. Performance wise, that's it.

The question y'all have been waiting for...
I am going to run the RK 5.5" X factor mid arm lift and 37" tires to start. (Planning on 40's later) in all my research I can only find things about changing the front drive shaft after 3". I should replace both for a 5.5" right? Your help would be appreciated! Thanks guys/gals.

Josh

 

Actually after going out and getting under the jeep, it looks like the TF 1.5" leveling kit and the Rancho shocks...

 

Yep have to do the rear as well at that height. Make sure the lift has or you buy longer brake lines and not brackets at that height.

 

^^ What blue said...you'll need new driveshafts front and rear.

 

Yes! With that much lift I can almost guarantee drive shafts will need replacing as well as break lines.

 

Welcome to The forum. At that height you're going to need more than just drive shafts And with the tires you're talking about you may have to beef up your axles as well.good luck on your build.

 

Thanks guys, that is what I figured. I'm still pretty undecided on the lift. I don't know that I will ever need 40's, but I want them. I'm thinking that the RK 3.5" X Factor mid arm with flatties to run my 37's.

 

Here's the thing. Can you get away with running factorys? Yes. But they will burn up over time or break on the trail.

The front will need replaced first as it will make contact with the autopan.

 

This is the setup I run and it has been great. Im still running stock ds shafts for the past two years. Ive just torn the large boot on the rear which is no big deal. I have a manual trans but since you have an auto i think you will need a front ds sooner then later.