I have a 2011 jku with 37s, 3" zone lift, 1 3/4 coil spacer and 2 inch body lift. I have stock control arms and stock driveshafts. Im at the point im ready to start doing some light wheeling and yes its my daily driver so I cant best her up but so much or wife will kill me lol. It drives pretty good om the road with only a slight vibration most likely due to the tires. My question is I have nevet disconnected the sway bar links yet and was wondering if that would be the time for my driveshaft to fail. Will flexing be the cause of damage to my driveshaft? I know peoplenl say with this much lift I should have aftermarket but so far so good. I would just rather replace the front now if disconnecting with stocks shaft will break thanks for any info

 

Which transmission? Flexing will take the front driveshaft down into the crossmember skid plate, and if you have an automatic, over into the corner of the tranny pan. Disconnecting means the axle can droop further, which gives more of a chance for contact. But, how long are your shocks? Do they fully extend before contact is made?

The other area of concern is the joints at both ends of the shafts. With added height, they are operating at steeper angles. Disconnect and let the axle droop further, and the angles increase. This will eventually cause the rubber boots to tear and grease will spit out. Loose enough grease, the joint dries out, starts making noise, and finally seizes.

Will it happen today, tomorrow, or next year? No clue. Make a habit of crawling underneath and looking.

 

Its an auto with 3.73 gears. So if I did replace the front shaft with aftermarket shaft would I be safe disconnecting and not have to worry about tearing anything up. The shock lengths im not sure about. They are whatever is designed with the 3 inch kit

 

Technically speaking many people get away with that much lift and stock driveshafts for quite some time. It's mostly depending on the level of stress that you put on the drive train that will be the determining factor. Go easy on the stupid pedal (gas) and be gentle and use finesse and you'll be fine

 

No idea, depends on the variables. Is the front axle centered, or shifted to the drivers side a bit? Shocks for a 3" lift, but you have closer to 5" of suspension lift, right? At a guess, they will max out before a thinner aftermarket shaft will contact the corner of the tranny. I would also guess that it will contact the skid.

BUT ... those are guesses. Flex it with the links connected and crawl underneath and look. How close is the stock driveshaft to both areas? Do some guess-timating from there.

 

Should be ok if you are cautious and don't beat on the stupid pedal

 

I've got 4" of lift and 37s. Although I have 5.38 gears which I think reduces stress on the drivline.

That said.

5 years of stomping my "stupid pedal" drivline's are still doing fine.

You should be fine.

I've been waiting for mine to go bad so I can upgrade.

 

I had to replace my front drive shaft after 1 trip with my disco's disconnected. Totally destroyed, I wasn't to easy on it. I just replaced it with a coast and ran disconnected with no issues on the same trail.

I have a 4 inch lift with 35's and flat fenders. In my opinion if its an affordable mod do it. Takes the worries out of it.

 

Zones are 15 ish collapsed and 25 extended i believe.. Its on there site if you want to check.