Am I getting ripped off? 2.5" leveling job

[GladiatorVlad]

Was hoping to get some thoughts on this as I am only moderately knowledgeable in this.

Got a 2.5" leveling kit on my 2022 Gladiator, only 13k miles pretty much all city/highway to this point.

I told them that I experience a shake similar to the death wobble as well at times.

In order to do the level, they said they would need to replace the drag link as well for the wobble. They could not get alignment with the new drag installed and said I need to buy and install an adjustable Trak bar.

So this went from a small level job to an over $3200 replacement job for parts "along the way". This is a shop I've never been to before also.

Does this sound possible? Wanting to give benefit of the doubt.

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[WILDHOBO]

Whether you lift with springs or leveling pucks, 2.5” is a significant change. You changed the geometry of everything. The axle pulled towards the driver side, the drag link pulled the same way and changed your steering angle. You changed your driveshaft pinion angles. You changed the caster in front (rotation of an axle). You even decreased your wheelbase a little by not adding at least longer lower control arms.

To answer your question, whether you got ripped off, not exactly. But I’m worried about any shop that quotes a 2.5” lift without recommending steering upgrades and at least fixed length longer front lower control arms.

 

[GladiatorVlad]

Thanks. It was only a leveling kit for the front if that makes a difference. The upgraded shocks, struts and I belive the control arms were part of the kit. Rear struts were in the kit as well.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks. It was only a leveling kit for the front if that makes a difference. The upgraded shocks, struts and I belive the control arms were part of the kit. Rear struts were in the kit as well.

No struts on these. Springs and shocks. A list of what’s currently installed would be helpful. But even only the front, 2.5” is plenty to need steering upgrades, meaning drag link, tie rod, and track bar. All should be adjustable.

 

[WILDHOBO]

No struts on these. Springs and shocks. A list of what’s currently installed would be helpful. But even only the front, 2.5” is plenty to need steering upgrades, meaning drag link, tie rod, and track bar. All should be adjustable.

For perspective, its totally reasonable, if you’re paying someone to do it, to spend close to 10k for springs, basic shocks, control arms, steering upgrades, track bars, and labor.

 

[GladiatorVlad]

Appreciate it!

I think the fact all these came up as we went along instead of knowing upfront is where the real doubt set in.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Appreciate it!

I think the fact all these came up as we went along instead of knowing upfront is where the real doubt set in.

I completely agree. The shop should have told you that those things need to be addressed, instead of telling you during an alignment they couldn’t do.

 

[RCKLNDR]

If you need a draglink at 13k with only a 2.5” lift, it’s a warranty issue not an upgrade issue. At that lift height, the adjustable front Trackbar and longer front LCAs are a good upgrade. No reason to change the tierod unless your playing hard in the rocks.

 

[GladiatorVlad]

Thanks appreciate the feedback. I thought about checking on the warranty, but I was already getting it done and wouldn't be putting a stock item back in.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Was hoping to get some thoughts on this as I am only moderately knowledgeable in this.

Got a 2.5" leveling kit on my 2022 Gladiator, only 13k miles pretty much all city/highway to this point.

I told them that I experience a shake similar to the death wobble as well at times.

In order to do the level, they said they would need to replace the drag link as well for the wobble. They could not get alignment with the new drag installed and said I need to buy and install an adjustable Trak bar.

So this went from a small level job to an over $3200 replacement job for parts "along the way". This is a shop I've never been to before also.

Does this sound possible? Wanting to give benefit of the doubt.

Get in your Gladiator and drive it out of that ripoff garage. A 2”-2.5” should not effect anything but add hight. But I would leave it stock and add taller tires to get actual ground clearance lift.

 

[bleda2002]

Seems expensive to me, but I do all my own work and I piece together all my own stuff to get exactly what I want. For a 2.5 inch level (which will probably actually have you squat a bit as thats a big level) though, you really just need the front pucks, a track bar for centering and some drop brackets or the mopar lift LCA's to adjust caster. Labor should only be 4ish hours maybe 5, so i'd be looking to see whats all really coming with it.

Track Bar - $200 (pick your brand, i like metal cloak)
Front pucks - $150 (teraflex would be my choice on this)
LCA's - $150ish (Mopar lift LCA's, adjustable is more like 300-400)

Anything beyond that is optional for a level assuming you arent going to do any truely punishing offroading.

 

[GladiatorVlad]

This is the leveling kit used.
https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...&utm_content=&utm_term=||m||fit_first_64840-a

 

[Viper501]

I have no experience with Rough Country but they do have a reputation. I did the 2 inch AEV w/ geo brackets for the caster. Drive is perfect. I’m struggling to understand the shop telling you that you need all this stuff. Seems very sketchy to me.

 

[BFgoodrich10]

I just got new drag link and track bar. With everything installed it was $1700. So $3200 seems a bit steep to me.

 

[Jeepdoggydog]

I had the 2 inch Mopar lift installed at my local Jeep Dealer, and including the alignment it was $3200.
Lift: $2095
labor: $880
Alignment: $200
Something sounds off on the price for the parts and work performed on your Jeep to me.

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