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Upgrades for a 2.5" spring lift.

Northshoremb

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Hello last year I put a Quadratec 2.5" spring kit on our 2023 Rubicon with 37" and no issues at all but now wanting to get a hair more height and upgrade some components.
We do 98% on road and nothing wild offroad but would like the extra articulation with the extra 1" clearance.
So seeing as I put this kit on with Longer shocks (I know they are cheap shocks) longer swaybar Links and springs what's best route to get 1" more lift, Terraflex spacer? I know going higher means front adjustable track bar but would I need even longer shocks or brackets or shocks are good for few more inches? Don't want to spend $2000+ just to increase another 1" but i have no problem getting good Adjustable track bar and Control arms if needed.
Didn't know if you can just get adjustable track bar and maybe better shocks with same springs but with spring blocks or would need all new springs again going from 2.5" kit to a 3.5"

Jeep Gladiator Upgrades for a 2.5" spring lift. Screenshot_20250517_190902_Firefox
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Zachanadandy

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The shocks will still work fine. They may limit droop a little by the stock shocks have such a short stroke that you're still in better shape than stock.
 
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Northshoremb

Northshoremb

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The shocks will still work fine. They may limit droop a little by the stock shocks have such a short stroke that you're still in better shape than stock.
Would it make any sense to add the shock bracket that kits use for when people go from stock to 2.5" with stock shocks to gain back that extension. Not like we do anything hardwire anyways.
Does the brand of Trackbar matter and going to 3.5" would the same Swaybar extensions suffice?
 

Zachanadandy

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Personally I wouldn't mess with the stock shocks (unless its a Mojave). I set of metalcloak rocksport red shocks (if you like softer ride) or bilstein 5100s (if you prefer firmer) is both cheap and much better than the stock shocks. Better dampening and much more suspension travel for ~$400 is a no brainer for me. The sway bar end links will be fine. At 3.5" your front axle will be pretty far off center so I'd suggest a track bar.
 
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Northshoremb

Northshoremb

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Personally I wouldn't mess with the stock shocks (unless its a Mojave). I set of metalcloak rocksport red shocks (if you like softer ride) or bilstein 5100s (if you prefer firmer) is both cheap and much better than the stock shocks. Better dampening and much more suspension travel for ~$400 is a no brainer for me. The sway bar end links will be fine. At 3.5" your front axle will be pretty far off center so I'd suggest a track bar.
At 3.5" do I need a track bar relocation bracket or is it just smarter idea to get one if putting an adjustable track bar?
 

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Zachanadandy

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At 3.5" do I need a track bar relocation bracket or is it just smarter idea to get one if putting an adjustable track bar?
You don't want to relocate the front track bar because it needs to stay parallel to the drag link. On my mojave I have a front track bar relocation bracket because I flipped the drag link on top of the knuckle but that's not necessary.
 
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Northshoremb

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Ok so guess my plans changed from going to 3.5" or 4.5" kit after some of these ideas. What I'm thinking is add a Terraflex 1" puck to my already 2.5" extended springs, upgrade Shocks to better ones, adjustable track bar to get vehicle centered again, 1.5" Driveshaft Carrier bearing spacer. Should I or is it a waste to change control arms upper and lower and is it needed for a rear track bar? Again 98% on road driving but want whatever it should have to have a smoother safer ride on road when you hit a bump at 70-90km/hr
 
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Pismo61

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Call MetalCloak,they will set you up.The higher you go the more you will need to dial it in right.Also your wallet will be empty.2 inches or less you can go the budget route.
 

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At 3.5" do I need a track bar relocation bracket or is it just smarter idea to get one if putting an adjustable track bar?
Yes above 2.0 you need front track bar , 2.5 rear track bar. I like adjustable track bars that are good for 0" to 6" lift then there is no doubt you can either shorten or lengthen . It will need to be longer.
 
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Northshoremb

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Yes above 2.0 you need front track bar , 2.5 rear track bar. I like adjustable track bars that are good for 0" to 6" lift then there is no doubt you can either shorten or lengthen . It will need to be longer.
Ok so both front and rear track bar, Lower control arms, a good steering Stabilizer and a 1.5" spacer for driveshaft bearing
 

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Zachanadandy

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Ok so both front and rear track bar, Lower control arms, a good steering Stabilizer and a 1.5" spacer for driveshaft bearing
In the rear I'd go with a raised rear trackbar mount instead of an adjustable. Being that there's no rear steering to worry about getting the trackbar flatter offers much more bang for the buck. Roll center will be better so the truck will corner better. The axle will move less side to side over bumps with a flatter track bar. And it's cheaper than an adjustable trackbar. All an adjustable does is allow you to center the axle and provides none of the other benefits. The bar will still be at a steep angle compared to stock so it will lean more in corners and it will move side to side more over bumps. Being that the front trackbar mounts to the opposite frame rail the head toss hitting big dips like driveways at an angle can get pretty violent with both track bars at a steep angle.
 
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Northshoremb

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In the rear I'd go with a raised rear trackbar mount instead of an adjustable. Being that there's no rear steering to worry about getting the trackbar flatter offers much more bang for the buck. Roll center will be better so the truck will corner better. The axle will move less side to side over bumps with a flatter track bar. And it's cheaper than an adjustable trackbar. All an adjustable does is allow you to center the axle and provides none of the other benefits. The bar will still be at a steep angle compared to stock so it will lean more in corners and it will move side to side more over bumps. Being that the front trackbar mounts to the opposite frame rail the head toss hitting big dips like driveways at an angle can get pretty violent with both track bars at a steep angle.
Ahh see this is the knowledge I like to hear. So on that note with an adjustable track bar on the front would you even pair it up with a bracket to flatten it as well?
 

Zachanadandy

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Ahh see this is the knowledge I like to hear. So on that note with an adjustable track bar on the front would you even pair it up with a bracket to flatten it as well?
The track bar has to be parallel to the drag link or you get terrible bump steer. The only way to run a raised track bar up front is to also flip the drag link. The flatter steering provides benfits as well but there is a lot of added cost when you keep going down the rabbit hole.
 

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Ok so both front and rear track bar, Lower control arms, a good steering Stabilizer and a 1.5" spacer for driveshaft bearing
The spacer for the driveshaft carrier bearing isn't a bad thing . Especially if ypur going to 4.5 it will help flatten the angle and alleviate the strain .
 
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Northshoremb

Northshoremb

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The spacer for the driveshaft carrier bearing isn't a bad thing . Especially if ypur going to 4.5 it will help flatten the angle and alleviate the strain .
I keep readingrywhere you need a new shaft if going 4" plus but is that true?
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