Let's talk lift kits

I did a quick search and didn't find a thread solely dedicated to talking lifts (there probably is one I just missed it). I recently purchased a JKU and am overwhelmed by the options for lift kits. Short arm vs long arm, different heights, varying quality, adjustable components, highway vs off road capabilities, then types of shocks, etc...

It's very easy to get lost in the weeds for someone new to this. I was hoping to hear a little about everyone's lift kits and shocks, experiences and advice.

 

new jeep - a concern WARRANTY, that leaves 1 option -

MOPAR accessories, installed by a friendly jeep dealer, Quality is #1, safety #1, compatibility #1.

does that help?

 

Teraflex 3 inch shock/spring lift on 35 X 12.5 tires. Have had a lot of fun on the beach sand and Uwharrie NC trails. All stock control arms and axles. I do have control arms, adj track bars, and hockey pucks ready to lift another inch in the future, but the 3 inch is fun.

 

I’ve had the dealer honor the warranty several times on a heavily modified jk.

The original post had good questions.

The first question when looking for a lift would be what is the intended use. Is it mostly highway or maybe weekend warrior off-road or maybe you’re building a crawler. When you can answer that question it will narrow the search.

 

modifications do not apply, modification example ie the supercharger caused the engine failure, anyway if your correct bringing an attorney in on this would add time and cost as well as hassle. ALL for what? a different decal?

 

RC jeep reminded me -
my often asked question "what is the intended use" and if going 'all out" the warranty would be damned anyway.

Dealers have a judgement call some businesses are reasonable in our favor others are draconian.
I think of a jeep customer, daily driver weekend hunter etc.

What are trying to accomplish - a forest trail to the fishing hole, some beach dunes, snow capable, just a mall crawler or an all out mud hole rock climbing unstoppable dedicated off road competition vehicle.

 

It's my daily driver but I also plan to use it as a weekend warrior. I should have clarified, the jk is new to me but it is an 07. I've heard great things about terraflex, JSPEC, and Rubicon Express. For my purposes I'm thinking fox 2.0 would be good for the shocks but I am very open to suggestions.

 

2007 thats a different story - full speed ahead.

You do what type of off roading? Daily driver so KISS 2 -3 inches but I am conservative resident curmudgeon.

 

For the DD and occasional off-road excursion stick with a 2.5-3.5" lift. The better more complete lift kits come with shocks, springs, adjustable TB+CA, TB brackets, bump stops, etc that are designed to work together. Geometry brackets should be considered with nonadjustable CA. All the manufacturers you listed have good lift kits and don't forget MC. For more bang for the buck check out the spring+shock kits from Rancho

 

Admittedly...i drive a Mall Crawler with aspirations of becoming a serious off road Jeep. . But do hit up the lite off road trail when I can.
I don't have any one manufacture lift installed. A basic 2 inch puck lift with an additional 3/4 inch. But I have Bilstein shocks. AEV control arm relocation brackets. But just replaced stock arms with Skyjacker adjustable arms. TeraFlex HD Monster Track bars front and rear. Along with Currie tie rod and drag link. Along with polyurethane sway bar bushings. And really like how my JK rides at highway speeds and on the soft trails I hit up.

Just based on my lift and JK. I don't see one answer. Depends on what your looking for. And your intentions with your Jeep..Just my 3 cents....

 

I'm in Colorado so conditions vary widely. There are some trails with a bit of crawling that is love to do but I absolutely wont have the clearance without a lift. That's kinda what I was thinking maybe up to 3 1/2 so I can comfortably use 35s

 

Could I get away with not adding geometry brackets with anything under 3 inches? Or is it worth a little extra to get adjustable CA+TB? I'll take a look at Rancho, most bang for the buck is definitely what I'm looking for.

 

I'm not really mechanic but I know how to turn a wrench. How hard is it to install one of these on your own? My brother has a little work shop in his garage with jacks to put the jeep on so I'll have access to tools and equipment I'll need.

 

Generally yes but how the jeep responds after the lift will dictate the next step. For example if the handling feels squirrelly then correction is preferred.

 

Large floor jacks and 6k jack stands for safety. Impact wrench or large breaker bars will ease bolt/nut removal.

 

My brother has a Tacoma that hes done a lot of work on so I know hes got some big jacks. I'll need to get a breaker bar but have the rest. Thanks for the help!

 

Local HF has some decent 1/2" breaker bars that won't break the budget if there is one.