New upgrades

Hello everyone, it is finally time for me to start working on my JKU. What I have planned is:

35ish" tires (all terrain) not sure what brand yet

2.5" lift with a fender trim
Or
3.5" lift
Probably Rubicon Express Sport or Standard, mono tube shocks.

Front Inner axle seals (I have a leak)
Front Outer axle seals

I am looking at a polyurethane bushing kit with the possibility of a 1" body lift in that while I am doing the lift and seals.

I am looking at cleaning up pieces I am taking off and painting them. I'm not sure what kind of paint to use for this if anyone has any suggestions.

While I am doing this, is there anything else I should be thinking about doing?

Look forward to hearing back from people with any suggestions. Thank you all

 

Don't hear too many jk owners going for the body lift. Quality 2.5/3.5 suspension lift should be sufficient. The 3.5 lift usually requires exhaust spacers. Rattle can or spray depends upon what your painting and whether its for rust prevention or appearance.

 

I may be getting my hands on a sand blaster cabinet and powder coat booth in the next month so I will probably just end up powder coating them. I'm going for rust prevention mostly since the parts are under the Jeep and exposed to everything. If I don't get the Powder coat booth what would be the best method?

 

Go big. Trust me, I have a 3 inch lift with 35's, and its NOT ENOUGH. LOL.

 

Do you do a lot of crawling where you are articulated all the way out? What type of lift do you have (Brand and style) like Sport, progressive?

 

No, not a lot of rockcrawling, or extreme articulating at all. I've done Uwharrie, Brown Mountain (mostly mild-medium trails) in NC, there are youtube videos of both of those trails to give you an idea. I mostly like driving on the beach (sand) and snow & sleet.

I have a Teraflex 2.5 inch coilspring and shock lift w/ 1.75 inch coil spacers(which netted me about a 3.25 or so lift), lower adjustable control arms for the front, and both adjustable front and rear trackbars.

The 35's will get your axles off the ground enough for light/moderate trails. So a good 3-3.5 inch lift with 35's should allow you to navigate some decent trails without hitting your axles or underbody. Ultimately, that 4 inch lift with 37's is where its at, and I think a Jeep looks best with that combo.

 

We've painted a few things while they were off the Jeep, IMO your success will be in how well you prep the areas.
Things like axles we use a rattle can. Things like fender wells we use rattle can bedliner.



As far as lift height, IMO keep it as low as possible. (for multiple reasons)
Mainly because your factory axles only have 6 degrees between pinion and caster. The higher you go the more you have to compromise on one of those.
The other reason is just keep the center low so it handles better on and off road.
The wife's Jeep runs 37s on 3" of lift, with flat fenders we can stuff it perfectly at full flex.

3" lift with 37s




As far as a body lift, I have no problem with a small one.
My Jeep runs 4" of lift with a 1.25" BL. We added the BL years ago because our rear door would rub the rear bumper when we were loaded heavy (overlanding).


4" lift, 1.25" BL, 40" tires




Good luck on yours!