After a year, I need a lift (~2.5") and 35s. I want the best and most durable lift I can get that also performs well on the road without being too stiff/harsh.

My thoughts are below. Please give me feedback, even if to disagree:

Rock Krawler 2.5 Max Travel- Solid but needs lube or can be squeaky. Good offroad and good pavement ride.
AEV 2.5- Good on road but not very durable offroad.
Teraflex- Rough ride on road but durable
Synergy- Good overall...just not enough feedback on this and 3" is the lowest. May have potential.
Clayton- Good overall, not enough feedback, 3.5 is the lowest
MetalCloak- sounds fantastic, but 3.5 is the lowest though 2.5 will be out in a year.
Old Man Emu- sounds good and decent ride everywhere but I hear their shocks are now made by Monroa and fade/go downhill soon.

My issue with 3"+ is any potential driveline complications. I am going nut trying to figure this out and going back and forth. Any thoughts you guys have? I do moderate wheeling in Colorado and Moab...nothing extreme but stuff like Kane Creek, Fins N Things, Seven Mile Rim, etc.

At least, help me narrow this down...please. I'd like to sleep and not wake up thinking about lift kits. Thanks in advance!

 

I have a TF lift, but I don't find it too stiff. I think once you pick one and see the results, you're going to be happy. Try not to overthink it too much...you're about to mod your Jeep man!!

 

Very few quality lifts are going to give you 2.5" of lift unless you have a real heavy rig, so I would be looking at 3"+ on the ones you mention with the teraflex coils sagging over time. The ome no load coils should give you less then 3" of lift but the hd coils are rated higher and will give you 3"+. You could always use them with other shocks like the bilstein 5100's.

From the list you give I would put synergy up top with currie, metal cloak, then rock Krawler. I don't know why they don't give up on joint design and just run johnny joints. Any of these kits will do you fine and give you years of service.

 

Thanks, I already feel better getting this information. Not sure if I mentioned it but I have a 2-door 2012 Auto Rubicon. I'll come back to this thread and start shortening the list. My JKR is stock but as I add a bumber and winch, it will probably sag a bit. I'll look at the 3.5" options as well, and just watch out for the potential issues, after I note them down. I think there may be some interference with the trans skid plate and the evap or something in the rear. Just am so new to all this, and I want to do it right the first time. All this costs a pretty penny too.

 

I have to chime in, but not much help. Went to 4 Wheel Parts to be told I have a "Frankenstein" ride. LOL, I won't be going to them any time soon.

Anyway I was looking into the 2" Progressive JKS springs. Have you looked at these at all?

JKS Manufacturing JSPEC™ 2" Standard Suspension for 07-13 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

 

Whatever you decide on, make sure you post some Jeep porn!!

 

Same goes for the 3.5" lifts expect 4"+ on them until you get some weight. 2.5" is plenty of lift to run 35" tires, flat fenders will also give you more clearance and actually allow you to increase your articulation. after you get more then 2.5" on the newer jeeps you will have issues with the exhaust and will need the spacer, new y pipe or an after market driveshaft. Keeping the lift as small as you can will keep things more in line and require fewer components to correct the steering geometry.

 

JKS coils are linear.

 

I just put the teraflex 2.5 spring kit in with Monster track bar and AEV drop brackets. rides like a dream 2013JKUR

 

I just need a little more something to max the travel of these shock. Without using them as a bump stop anymore than I already have on the street.