2.5" vs 3" lift
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento,ca
2.5" vs 3" lift
i have a 13 jku going to run 35x12.5x17. dont do rock climbing yet but light trails for now. any advice on which lift would be better.... i want a smooth ride but be able to go off road with comfort. and if i put 16" wheel on with 35" tires will it be the same height as the 17" on 35"s with the lift kit.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 159
Likes: 1
From: Bisbee, AZ
There are a couple of STICKYS at the top of the Modified Tech forum https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-lifts-288269/ and https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...bie-has-18617/
You will likely be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information and knowledge in those two threads alone
good luck w/the build and welcome to the forum
You will likely be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information and knowledge in those two threads alone
good luck w/the build and welcome to the forum
Last edited by BlikitSchmikit; Feb 14, 2014 at 09:42 AM. Reason: adding links to stickys
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 13
From: Albany New York
i have a 13 jku going to run 35x12.5x17. dont do rock climbing yet but light trails for now. any advice on which lift would be better.... i want a smooth ride but be able to go off road with comfort. and if i put 16" wheel on with 35" tires will it be the same height as the 17" on 35"s with the lift kit.
RK
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: East Bridgewater, MA
i have a 13 jku going to run 35x12.5x17. dont do rock climbing yet but light trails for now. any advice on which lift would be better.... i want a smooth ride but be able to go off road with comfort. and if i put 16" wheel on with 35" tires will it be the same height as the 17" on 35"s with the lift kit.
I ran a 2.5" on mine with 35's for almost 2 years with no issues. It looks great with that setup. I now have a 3.5" RK lift but kept the 35's. While it looks OK, 37's would look better as it would fill out the wheel wells a bit more. Depending on what lift you go with, keeping a "smooth" ride might be difficult. Getting a more complete lift or one that allows for some adjustments to caster will help (I prefer adjustable control arms over drop brackets).
As for 16's vs 17's...the height will be the same. The 16" tire will just have a little more sidewall protection over a 17". You lose sidewall when moving up in wheel size.
Edit*** also, just noticed you are in Tacoma....take a ride to Northridge and go see some builds in person. It is not a long ride from Tacoma.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Many 2.5" lifts will give you more than 2.5". My RK Max Travel lift netted me about 3.25" in the front, 2.75" in the rear even with heavier bumpers, winch, etc. on my JKU. Certainly adequate for my 35s.
