Do I need a different front drive shaft when I lift 2.5"

[MacNobody]

I have a Sport S and will be lifting it 2.5" to comfortably fit 35s in the next few months.

I have seen some lift kits discuss an option to replace the front driveshaft. What makes this a necessary or recommended step in lifting the JT?

I am asking because I truly don't know and I want to make sure I get what I need and don't end up halfway through something that is done incorrectly waiting for what I should have just learned about and ordered the first time.

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[whysoserious]

Why are you lifting? Rock crawling or mall crawling? The answer makes a difference.

 

[MacNobody]

Ah yeah, good callout, I should have mentioned how I intend to use the truck.

Rock crawling, mostly in the Ozarks

 

[whysoserious]

So, the need for a different front DS relates to the droop capability of the lift. For example, Metal Cloak is known for lots of downward flex (downward dog for you yoga folk). So, some lift companies will recommend replacing the front DS because the stock unit will contact part of the transfer case during max droop. This pic shows what I'm talking about...

Unsure if a particular 2.5" lift you're considering will result in this. However, if it does, you'll potentially chew through that rubber boot in no time during max flex. That being said, Teraflex offers a replacement front Rezeppa joint which is significantly cheaper than a new driveshaft.

JL/JT: Factory Replacement CV Joint Kit – High-Angle Rzeppa

Or, go with a number of aftermarket DS that solve the same problem.

 

[Rusty PW]

General rule of thumb. No driveshaft changed until you get to the 4" lift territory. And depending on your front shock length.

 

[MacNobody]

So, the need for a different front DS relates to the droop capability of the lift. For example, Metal Cloak is known for lots of downward flex (downward dog for you yoga folk). So, some lift companies will recommend replacing the front DS because the stock unit will contact part of the transfer case during max droop. This pic shows what I'm talking about...

Unsure if a particular 2.5" lift you're considering will result in this. However, if it does, you'll potentially chew through that rubber boot in no time during max flex. That being said, Teraflex offers a replacement front Rezeppa joint which is significantly cheaper than a new driveshaft.

JL/JT: Factory Replacement CV Joint Kit – High-Angle Rzeppa

Or, go with a number of aftermarket DS that solve the same problem.

Thank you, Metalcloak is the brand I am looking at, I had their list on my JL and loved the ride on road and the way it performed off-road.

I'm probably going the same route this time but their order form gives the option of ordering it or not, I wanted to be informed.

Thanks!

 

[MacNobody]

General rule of thumb. No driveshaft changed until you get to the 4" lift territory. And depending on your front shock length.

Thank you, good to know there's a school of thought against it.

 

[ChecksOut]

So, the need for a different front DS relates to the droop capability of the lift. For example, Metal Cloak is known for lots of downward flex (downward dog for you yoga folk). So, some lift companies will recommend replacing the front DS because the stock unit will contact part of the transfer case during max droop. This pic shows what I'm talking about...

Unsure if a particular 2.5" lift you're considering will result in this. However, if it does, you'll potentially chew through that rubber boot in no time during max flex. That being said, Teraflex offers a replacement front Rezeppa joint which is significantly cheaper than a new driveshaft.

JL/JT: Factory Replacement CV Joint Kit – High-Angle Rzeppa

Or, go with a number of aftermarket DS that solve the same problem.

I didn't know this existed. It's going on my Jeep wish list

 

[AustyPosty]

Its completely dependent on shock droop, nothing else. I believe in the 28"-30" of droop requires a front DS.

 

[cmb396]

Thank you, good to know there's a school of thought against it.

Any shock longer than 28" with large enough lift will give you fits with stock front ds. We are running a MC 3.5 with a 1" TF spacer on the front of my sons JTR, but very light wheeling, never full droop, and max ext length on fronts is 28, and no issues with stock DS in his.

 

[RCKLNDR]

It depends on the extended shock length. Same goes for the rear with brake lines. Most 2.5” lifts out of the box have modest travel and not a concern (I.e. going from 8” travel to 10”).

I found that I could run 12” Fox shocks with only 2” bumpstops but that puts you in front DS and rear brakeline upgrade territory.

 

[efitzger]

It’s not lift so much as axle droop and shock length that will create bind.
No way to know unless you install kit, and droop axle on each side then check where your driveshaft ends up. My metalcloak GC 3.5 with rocksport shocks binds 100% so I installed an Adam’s 1350 .

 

[Gizmo]

From what I understand shock extended length of less than 28.5 “ will not have DS issues no matter how much lift you have

 

[Socket-Jockey]

I know this is an older thread, but I didn't see a conclusion to the OPs initial quest for a lift and question about the front driveshaft.

I can confirm that the MetalCloak 2.5GC lift with the RockSport shocks flexes a LOT. In the MC2.5GC lift instructions, they HIGHLY recommend replacing the front drive shaft with a replacement, such as one they provide, or similar. As you all know, the front driveshaft has a fairly large diameter. The replacement MC driveshaft is less than half that diameter, providing clearance for the Transmission skid plate crossover bar when the suspension is flexed. The Suspension flexes soo much that the MC driveshaft actually make contact with the crossover exhaust, possibly necessitating the exhaust extensions. It wasn't a hard contact, but enough to take some paint off the driveshaft. IMHO, if you go with the MC2.5GC, which is a great lift with a great price point, plan on replacing the front drive shaft with with MC offers, or something similar.
'25 Gladiator Rubicon with 35" tires on the MC 2.5GC Rocksport

 

[MacNobody]

I know this is an older thread, but I didn't see a conclusion to the OPs initial quest for a lift and question about the front driveshaft.

I can confirm that the MetalCloak 2.5GC lift with the RockSport shocks flexes a LOT. In the MC2.5GC lift instructions, they HIGHLY recommend replacing the front drive shaft with a replacement, such as one they provide, or similar. As you all know, the front driveshaft has a fairly large diameter. The replacement MC driveshaft is less than half that diameter, providing clearance for the Transmission skid plate crossover bar when the suspension is flexed. The Suspension flexes soo much that the MC driveshaft actually make contact with the crossover exhaust, possibly necessitating the exhaust extensions. It wasn't a hard contact, but enough to take some paint off the driveshaft. IMHO, if you go with the MC2.5GC, which is a great lift with a great price point, plan on replacing the front drive shaft with with MC offers, or something similar.
'25 Gladiator Rubicon with 35" tires on the MC 2.5GC Rocksport

I replaced it with the recommended shaft and I'm very happy with it.

I have flexed this 2.5" GC lift all over the Ozarks and in Colorado.

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