Finally have the money saved up for the lift and tires on my '12 JKU 4dr Rubi. I'm going to run 35x12.5x17's. Will be my DD but will occasionally do some mild wheeling when I can go north or south a few hours (living in the Hampton Roads VA area with few options). I'm looking at 2.5" coil kits but want to go with something that gives me the factory ride and that I can reuse parts (upgrade) when I go to a 3" short arm or maybe a long arm kit (more serious wheeling in a couple of years when the Army moves me again). I've read as much as possible about Terra Flex vs RK vs Rubicon Express vs OME and all sound solid. Haven't seen much on Rubicon Express which is what the local shop I've talked to recommended with some Bilstein's. Hoping one of you guys that have been Jeeping a while could help me decide. Please give me specifics why you recommend one over the other.

Thanks in advance.

 

RK all the way. (with Bilsteins) (You'll get the same comments for all the rest of the brands I'm sure) I have a 3.5" RK lift, rides better than stock. Completely upgradable when you decide to go higher, lifetime warranty and bulletproof components. When you get more serious, their Max Travel kits are hard to beat for a COMPLETE kit overall. I also like that the rear gets moved back 1" on the control arm kits although you may have to cut the pinch seam going with 35s and no control arms initially anyway. If you're going springs only, at least get front LCAs too so you have some caster adjustment.

Thank you for your service.

 

Thanks for the input brother. Was initially looking very hard at RK. Saw some posts about leaning once installed and local shop said was not a great ride on the road. No issues for you with either of these?

Will do on the LCAs.

Thanks!

 

I just ordered a 2.5 rubicon express, there isn't much about them online but the people that do have them have given great reviews. For the money it was a rather complete kit so I was happy. I will let you know after the ibstall

 

No sir, none at all. I do all of my own work/installs not only because I prefer to, but even if I had the cash to have it done for me I still wouldn't. There are a lot of hacks out there (as you can see on many posts where folks complain of shoddy work or results) and I think many brands for many parts get some bad press simply from poor installs or lack of understanding component functionality. That's not to defend RK and imply their product is defect free or to say those folks don't have a valid issue or all others doing work are hacks, but one must take into account the lack of true mechanical aptitude that exists at many shops/home garages these days that certainly results in a percentage of the products taking the blame for poor results.

 

X2. Great product and they stand behind it with an awesome warranty.

 

I have run Rock Krawler on all of my JKs and much prefer the firmer, sportier ride that their coils paired with Bilstein (or your choice of shock) bring to the Jeep.

My recommendation would be a Rock Krawler 2.5 Flex System with 5100s. You aren't buying anything that can't be reused with that kit and it is an affordable choice to get you comfortably over those 35s.

You can always add the upper front control arms and rear uppers and lowers with the rear track bar to create a 2.5 X-Factor.

I would look at adding the rear brake lines to this system right out of the gate if you're going to wheel it at all.

That being said, the biggest disservice that anyone can give their customers is false information in order to sell against a competing product.

Marcus

 

You can run a TeraFlex 2.5" kit and add the 3-4" Bilsteins for extra flex if you wanted to.

 

Chalk up another vote for RK. And this man ^^^ sold me my kit. I run the 2.5" stock mod (same kit w/o lower control arms) and have zero complaints. And I'm running 37's under my rig. Trimmed the rear pinch seams, chopped the factory flares, and trimmed the rear of the Rubi rails and it's been great. Is the ride soft and cushy like granny's Caddy? No, of course not. But it's by no means uncomfortable on the road. Been on several road trips in my JKU and although it certainly doesn't ride like my new Grand Cherokee, it's still a pretty quality ride. I don't notice any difference over stock as far as ride quality to be honest.

For the money, quality, and warranty, IMHO, RK can't be beat!

 

I've got the RK 2.5" Flex on my 'Rubi Unlimited with Bilstein 5100's and previously on my '07 Sahara. Absolutely love it. Rides nice, handles great and flexes like mad. I got 3.5" of lift in the front and 3" in the back, and that's with a steel bumper and winch.