Well this may not be a first, or it might be.

I put a 2.5 in lift on my JKU 10 months ago. Right after I put it on, I was not happy with it at all. I have had near 9 months to contemplate my next move, as the rig is in storage until I return home from a stint in South-West Asia. The ride was rougher than I had expected. The caster angle is thrown off, which compounds with the 1/2 inch shift of the front axle, to deliver a horrible driving experience.

So I have decided to return my wagon back to stock. I kept the old harware, right? Nope, junked it at the Autoshop where I did the work. So where should I go to get the stock components. I'm going to do the work myself, I'm tech savy but I am inexperienced in the intracacies of JEEP.

Should I go to the local autoparts store and special order the springs, shocks should be an easier buy. But which should I go with? Monroe, Mopar, some other company?

Or should I find somebody who is rather content with their lift, and willing to sell me the exact parts that I need, and they don't?

In case the latter is what you think. I will be in the Seattle-Tacoma area in December. PM me if you are in the area and want to deal.

 

I was running a 1.75" BB for a while, but kept swapping back and forth between it and stock. Ended up stock with a 1/2" spacer up front and I'm loving the ride.

For springs, I'd look to find some in the local Craigslist or here on the forum. I just saw some for sale yesterday.

I am running auto-parts store shocks -- Monroe Reflex Monotubes. Got them cuz there were dirt cheap and I'm not made of money! I like them. I prefer a soft ride, and these do well. I wouldn't call them soft, but they certainly don't annoy me in stiffness. Only complaint was that the rear shocks were about 1" shorter than my stock Sahara hardtop/tow-package shocks.

Not sure what else you may need... but I'd imagine you can find everything here on the forum or on Craigslist.

 

Jeff,

You can always trade your parts with another Jeeper looking to lift his. You can make a party out of it on the driveway. I am sure you will find plenty of takers on this.

As for your ride, here is my recommendation based on my similar experience assuming you really wanted the lift to begin with... go out and purchase adjustable lower control arms and adjustable track bar $400 - $500. I have a TF 2.5" coil lift that was flighty and I didn't like the feeling and certainly didn't want my wife driving it. I noticed an immediate difference by just installing the adjustable control arms adding the track bar made it that much better. I went with Rock Krawler on the adjustable track bar and lower control arms ($430, w/free shipping) but I am sure you will get many product recommendations.

I did this and my ride is very close to factory. Not sure if this will help the 'rough' ride... since I am not certain if 'rough' means flighty, all over the road or if you are referring to the stiffness or bounciness of the springs.

Let me know.

 

Yup!

Jeep JK Wrangler Factory Suspension Coils and Shocks

2012 2013 Jeep Rubicon, Jeep Wrangler parts

 

Jeffparcel: I have a brand new(only 1k miles) set of shocks from a 2013 JKSU. They are yours for the cost of shipping if you want them. Get home safe.

 

I just put a 2" leveling kit on mine... I have 4 stock shocks and 2 front coils off my 2012 JKU Sahara (were on my jeep for 4 months, 2400miles). Yours if you pay for shipping. Thanks for your service.

 

What lift? What parts where instaled, springs -shocks - trackbar - how complet was the lift??

 

It was a 2.5in Rough Country coil spring. Rear trac bar relocation bracket, and rear sway bar disconneted from Sky jacker.

It feels like its going to run away on me. No play in the steering but real jerky.

I installed it at the JBLM autoshop, all bolts were torqued to spec, all springs seated properly. Trac bars was installed on the ground, and it was aligned right after the package was installed.

 

I say something is wrong with your Jeep / lift install / tires. If you don't feel like investigating, then of course returing to stock is one way of dealing with it. I'd look at craigslist for dirt cheap used stock parts. Lots of people are putting lifts on, so this stuff should be everywhere.

 

I've got my original shocks and coils off my Sahara JKU. I've already got them boxed up and can send it all to you for $50 ( shipping already included). PM me if you'd like them.