After reading all these forums all the time i feel like i wasted my money buying a new jeep. You cant lift it without replacing everything below the seat level. You cant put 35s on without replacing the axles or strengthening them. it seems like if you use these things for what theyre made for they will break.

Im starting to think i should have just found a used tj 4 cyl sport with a blown motor for 2k and done a 350 swap and dana 60s on 37s and build everything from the ground up with nothing electrical so that way nothing would be like these dainty new jeeps that have to be rebuilt.

am i wrong here or can i use my jeep for fun and not have to replace anything after i put my RK 2.5 lift and 35s on a '13 sport

 

It's not that bad. Most on here are doing seriously slow crawling. If you are not playing on rocks, or pushing your jeep to the max then you'll probably be ok with out a lot of what they are recommending, PROBABLY.
Lifting a jeep messes up the geometry, period. How much the steering/handling makes a difference for you, only you can answer that. Most complete lifts will address this and you prob won't even notice.
Once again, depending what your jeep is used for. Can you run 35s on a d30 and not have any problems on the road? Probably yes. But for $100 why not have C gussets (as least) for a little insurance just incase you see more than a small pot hole.
If you are worried about all this why not juts get a leveling kit with flat fenders and call it a day? You mentioned RK 2.5, the X factor should have everything you need already included. Maybe you need to add exhaust spacers ($40)

 

You can definitely have a good time with your jeep and not have to get that deep into it! Is your rig a 2 door or 4 door? And which 2.5" kit did you get?

RK

 

You can absolutely have fun without going too crazy. If you have 3.21 gears maybe you'll want to regear, but I have 3.73 and it's honestly fine. Sometimes on the highway it doesn't go into fifth so I use the slapstick and do it manually. Other than that, mine has been perfectly fine. I have a '13 with an AEV 2.5" with GY Duratrac 315/70/17. I've done some mild trails at Rausch Creek with no issues. You'll be happy you got the new Jeep when you're in the middle of the woods with air conditioning and satellite radio and you'll be even happier if you have a couple hour long trip to the trails like I do.

Good choice on the RK lift by the way. If I could do it over again I would go RK all the way without ever even riding in a Jeep equipped with their stuff solely because they're a great company. I've seen them stand behind their stuff countless times, they're on here providing support to not only their customers but the entire Jeep community, and they've done the right thing by my local Jeep shop when they became an RK dealer.

 

i have a '13 2 door, i will be installing the RK 2.5 stock mod this weekend. i got the kit from Northridge with the Bilsteins and the bumpstops and coil retainers. also i got the exhaust spacers, AEV CA relocation brackets, brake line extensions and rear sway bar links since they didnt come in the kit. after i sell my stock wheels and tires i will be getting a new front driveshaft. i have 3.73 gears.
i just feel like this is so much money and work involved just to run 35s comfortably.

 

i want to get the RK full control arm kit but i just cant afford it at the moment hence why i went with the stock mod and aev brackets. i do wonna play offroad but more overland than anything.

what else besides the c gussets and control arms would i need to be comfortable?

 

It is a lot of money, but trust me in a month or two you'll forget about the sticker shock and every time you walk up to your badass jeep you'll be like 'Yeah, I made the right decision.' And if you don't these things hold their value so well you might be able to get out of it almost even if you got a good enough deal lol.

 

from your initial post i don't think a wrangler is the right vehicle for you. what you are referring to reading on these forums just comes with the territory.

there are a lot of jeep owners that get by with minimal upgrades and never break a thing. your driving habits and willingness to listen and learn will also keep you out of trouble.

but, anyone i talk to in real life about wranglers and modifying one, if you don't have discretionary income or not willing to make it your primary hobby/stress relief/what you look forward to, just don't do it.

 

Been reading the manual in the glove box for years. Still haven't found the section on 'NECESSARY MODS'. Oh it's the big paper thingy in the glove box...(google it kids)...if you didn't get one you were robbed.
If it isn't broken don't FIX it.
Who said if you buy a new vehicle it isn't good enough for you and NEEDS to be upgraded.
Please send check in the amount of $2182.00 for this advice

 

I have no idea what gargoyles just said - maybe I need to google it

OP - don't be discouraged. When I got my first JK, I did the same thing. Got at TF2.5 lift and then read about all the supporting mods I would have to be able to enjoy it. I was very overwhelmed. I lifted it, added drop brqckets since the handling sucked, and then just drove it like that for 4 years and did tons of wheeling with it. I slowly added things like a front driveline, gussetts, lower control arms, etc...You're on the right track - like others said, once you get to enjoy your lift and new tires, it will all be worth it.