Long time lurker first time poster!


I have 2015 JKU Freedom Edition and I have installed Teraflex leveling kit myself last year.

Time has come to install a proper lift on my JKU and I am seeking your help.


I did lot of research and reading and I have general knowledge but I would appreciate community insight in my thought process.


So first of all, I always wanted 2.5" and 33's. Now I have acquired really nice set of AEV Savegre wheels with 35's on them and I feel it would be waste to take that rubber off.

However, I know that proper way to run 35's would be to regear so I'm thinking, okay, I will give it a try for this summer and see how it goes and if I don't like it, I will swap them for 33's.

Maybe when I get feeling for 35's I won't be going down to 33's and I will choose to regear.. who knows! Because of that, I would like my lift to work with either option if that makes sense.


I don't wheel too much, maybe 2-3 times per year (I live in flat Chicago so not many places to offroad) but I would like my Jeep to be somewhat capable when I get off-road.

Having a nice ride on paved road would be a great plus!


So with this longer than I wanted intro, I seek your help with decision.


First of all, I know I don't want to go more than 3". Now here is a thing that I don't get.. I read these forums and general consensus is, if you go more than 2.5" you need all these extra stuff.

Then I read about people putting 2.5" lift, gaining more than that but not buying all these "extra stuff". Bit confusing but I kinda get it.


My budget is around 2k for lift. I want to replace everything that needs to be replaced and have a piece of mind. I have kid that I want to put in my Jeep so safety is priority.


I would also prefer American Made product but seems like everything is in back order because of Covid?

Only thing that I know I can get is Terraflex.


I was looking into this:

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jku-...ar?sku=1256224


Seems very complete and I don't think I need to add anything here?


Another option I was looking at is Metalcloak with their RockSport Long Travel Shocks

https://metalcloak.com/jk-wrangler-2...lift-kits.html


Had been looking into Rock Krawler and JKS but local supplier said they are on 5-6 weeks backorder.

I am not sure if Metalcloak has this in stock either, their website doesn't say anything.

Teraflex stuff I can get from local supplier in couple of days.


I'm also open to other suggestions and comments.

Anything you would add or change?


Thanks in advance!

Alex

 

Welcome,, good to read your post now that you ceased being the "lurker". On Lifts.. consider AEV 2.5" Dual Sport.. I run it and the JKU actually rides better than stock with 35's on 17x9s with 4.5" backspace.. The only addition was Rancho Geometry Correction brackets. AEV should be listed with multiple online catalogue sellers & you can research on AEV Jeep website too-you have AEV Wheels already. The others you named are well thought of by many members on JKF.

 

Thank you Jay! Appreciate your reply.

Actually, that lift was initially my first option! I really liked it and read all good stuff about it.
Did you reuse your stock control arms?
Any other addition to it besides those geo correction brackets?

Unfortunately, I can't find it in stock anywhere. :(

 

A lot of Teraflex stuff is made in china so if you are looking at US made then there is that. I would not use AEV. Their stuff is outdated and there is better out there. Metal Cloak is a top lift and what I would recommend. The extra corrosion protection will be good for Chicago and the way they throw salt around. I am originally from Champaign. Synergy and Rock Jock are worth looking at as well. I would avoid Rock Kralwer.


If you are stock most lifts will give you more height than advertised. I no winch, armor, steel bumpers then I would look into the OME no load 2" coils or Synergy as they have some 1.5" and 2" coils. At minimum I would get an adjustable front track bar, rear raised track bar bracket, extended sway bar links, adjustable bump stops, and some sort of caster correction. Either some adjustable control arms or some control arm relocation brackets.
Good luck.

 

Are you open to flat flares or chopping the stock flares? What is the backspacing on those rims? Which tires? (thinking that some are known to run smaller or more true to size than others. And along those lines, some mfg's coils are known to give more measured lift height than stated. Both could be a factor in your decision of 33 vs 35)

I have been running Metalcloak for years, so they get my vote. And lots of positive reviews get posted for that aev 2.5" lift as well. TF and RK, reviews are more hit or miss.

 

Well darn, I typed reply and it disappeared.

I'm definitely open to Metalclocak.
Their GameChanger lift is a bit out of my budget but they have 3 different options, Dual Rate, True Dual Rate and Overland Touring that do fit in the budget.
I am honestly not sure I completely understand difference between 3 of them.

Jeep is still pretty much stock when it comes to weight except for Teraflex HD tire carrier.
I don't think I will ever add winch and I might add steel bumpers down the road.
Approximate Backspacing on wheels is: 5.2".
I would prefer to keep my fender flares and not cutting them.

Right now wheels have bfg mud terain km2 but I would probably move to bfg ko2.

 

The Metal Cloak Dual Rate 2.5 Inch Lift looks like a very good economy starting point. It will get you up enough for your tires, and should perform pretty well for your needs as is. Then you can start upgrading other stock components until you have gotten your Jeep suspension where you are happy with it.
If the wife and I were younger I would be all over this kit as a starting point.

Bob R

 

Ideally with 35's you want a 4.5" back spaced wheel to keep the tires from rubbing but the BFG's run pretty small are are more like a 33.5" actual size tire so I would think you will be fine. If you moved up to a true 35x12.5" tire you may have some rubbing issues. The differences in the Metal Cloak kits is the components in them. You should spend some time learning what your suspension is before upgrading it. Lots of moving parts there and kits do vary alot with the components they offer.

https://metalcloak.com/jk-wrangler-2...lift-kits.html this is the kit to start with, it will give you everything you need. If you feel you want a full set of arms in the future you can always add them to your jeep. You may want to order the 2 door kit that has springs that are 3/4" shorter than the JKU coils to keep you closer to 2.5" of actual height since your jeep is light. The rocksport shocks work well with their kits for a very nice on road ride.

 

Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate it!

After researching a bit more, I came around JKS lift:
https://jksmfg.com/collections/wrang...gler-jk-4-door

Seems like a pretty good option, especially with Fox shocks.
I would probably have to add geo correction brackets to this one as well.
Any thoughts about this lift and what else I could do to improve it?

Thanks!

 

Fox tends to use a higher pressure charge in their shocks and on a light vehicle they will ride a bit rough. Nothing specical about that kit, it uses camb bolts to correct caster which you don't want to use, so you will add some caster correction like you mentioned.