Lift kit? - man , I’m overwhelmed

[cfowler55]

So we do moderate to difficult trails around Colorado. Stock Mojave has handled everything I’ve throwon at it , but we have drug more than I would like. About due for tires anyway , so thinking 35x11.50 Falkans. Decided a 2 to 2 1/2” lift would be a good idea. Problem is , the choices are almost mind boggling. I would like to retain as close to the original ride quality as possible. No welding if possible. Anywhere from $2-5k for the complete kit. Any ideas from the brain trust here?
Thanks , Charlie F

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[Stan H]

I will follow thread and get back at ya tomorrow.

 

[MNWillys]

So we do moderate to difficult trails around Colorado. Stock Mojave has handled everything I’ve throwon at it , but we have drug more than I would like. About due for tires anyway , so thinking 35x11.50 Falkans. Decided a 2 to 2 1/2” lift would be a good idea. Problem is , the choices are almost mind boggling. I would like to retain as close to the original ride quality as possible. No welding if possible. Anywhere from $2-5k for the complete kit. Any ideas from the brain trust here?
Thanks , Charlie F

I’m looking to do the same, yet in a Willys. All the looking is ridiculous. I’m leaning to an Evo lift. Their Overland option is closest to what I need. It’s built to allow for overlanding and added weight to your rig.

 

[KevinM60]

So we do moderate to difficult trails around Colorado. Stock Mojave has handled everything I’ve throwon at it , but we have drug more than I would like. About due for tires anyway , so thinking 35x11.50 Falkans. Decided a 2 to 2 1/2” lift would be a good idea. Problem is , the choices are almost mind boggling. I would like to retain as close to the original ride quality as possible. No welding if possible. Anywhere from $2-5k for the complete kit. Any ideas from the brain trust here?
Thanks , Charlie F

I went with the AEV 2” spacer lift so I could keep the Mojave suspension. I also added Falken wildpeak RT01 in 35x11.5 so I could use my stock wheels. The two changes together did make the ride slightly more rigid but I like it because it doesn’t float around as much as it used to. It also eliminated the leftward drift I had.

 

[Camaroboi13]

In no particular order
Clayton
Evo
Metalcloak
Teraflex
Get the most complete lift you can afford. One that includes control arms, front and rear track bars, shocks, springs, sway bar end links. If you’re having someone install it keep some extra funds in mind for that. For 2.5” you shouldn’t have to worry about driveshafts, but a rear carrier bearing spacer wouldn’t hurt.

 

[Jeep Creep]

I believe that a 35x11.5 tire will fit a stock Mojave with no modifications.
also don’t forget about the spare.
I have a Mojave as well and will see and find out this winter when I purchase new tires

 

[Stan H]

So we do moderate to difficult trails around Colorado. Stock Mojave has handled everything I’ve throwon at it , but we have drug more than I would like. About due for tires anyway , so thinking 35x11.50 Falkans. Decided a 2 to 2 1/2” lift would be a good idea. Problem is , the choices are almost mind boggling. I would like to retain as close to the original ride quality as possible. No welding if possible. Anywhere from $2-5k for the complete kit. Any ideas from the brain trust here?
Thanks , Charlie F

I think if you determined to lift look at the Mopar 2" and as stated 35x11.50x17 would suite you well, the Mopar lift is backed by Mopar so there's that also.

 

[SRFRAT67]

I believe that a 35x11.5 tire will fit a stock Mojave with no modifications.

Yes it will, here is a picture of mine before the lift -35x12.5R17

I think if you determined to lift look at the Mopar 2"

I will second the MOPAR lift, I didn't need all the bells and whistles some of the other lifts had as they were overkill for my use case IMO. My off road antics are primarily beach driving. I am very happy with the MOPAR lift and surprisingly got almost 3.5 inches out of the lift which I read is a common occurrence. out of the referenced lifts above you won't go wrong. I would spec the lift based on your use case

After the MOPAR lift

 

[Scottz]

I took my 23 Willys diesel to The Edge 4x4 in Englewood and they put on the Clayton 2.5 Ride Right. I netted about 3.5" out of it.

 

[Alwaysthinking]

I do like Clayton but it will ride stiff unless you have some weight in the bed. Really cannot go wrong with any of the main brands.

The only one I'd add is rock krawler they do things slightly different in their rear. I have it matched with Clayton spings

 

[Andy29847]

I put a Mopar lift on my Wrangler and I am happy with it. The kit netted 2" on my Rubicon. The same kit on sport models can result in 3-3.5" of lift. I needed new shocks and I got that out of the Mopar lift. FWIW, I went with the Fox shocks. I do not like Bilsteins (left over feelings from my TJ experience). I bought my lift kit from Quadratech (sale prices).

The Mopar lift does not net any improvement in articulation. All you get is more body clearance. Having figured that out as I put my lift on, I would go with a spacer lift on my Gladiator. If I had a Mohave with the special shocks, the spacer lift would be a no brainer.

FWIW, I added an adjustable track bar to my Mopar lift. My OCD issue would not allow me to ride around with the front axle shifted to one side.

 

[Stan H]

I put a Mopar lift on my Wrangler and I am happy with it. The kit netted 2" on my Rubicon. The same kit on sport models can result in 3-3.5" of lift. I needed new shocks and I got that out of the Mopar lift. FWIW, I went with the Fox shocks. I do not like Bilsteins (left over feelings from my TJ experience). I bought my lift kit from Quadratech (sale prices).

The Mopar lift does not net any improvement in articulation. All you get is more body clearance. Having figured that out as I put my lift on, I would go with a spacer lift on my Gladiator. If I had a Mohave with the special shocks, the spacer lift would be a no brainer.

FWIW, I added an adjustable track bar to my Mopar lift. My OCD issue would not allow me to ride around with the front axle shifted to one side.

That kinda OCD is good

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I was overwhelmed at first as well, especially looking at Clayton or Metalcloak and seeing all the different options.

I just installed the AEV DualSport RT. I went with HD springs which netted me about 3inches of lift. Their standard spring is 2.5 inch. Easy install, everything bolts on, front geometry correction brackets to keep control arms in the proper position.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/jt-2-5-dualsport-rt-suspension/

Even with HD springs and unloaded it rides fine 90% of the time. Rough highways you feel it, but not horrible and again, I'm currently unloaded and oversprung for this current weight setup. Standard springs would be close to how the Rubi rides. Not as plush as your Mohave, but still plenty comfortable.

Only things I would add are extended brake lines and adjustable track bars. Technically neither are NEEDED, but the lift will shift your axles about 1/2"-3/4" to the drivers side, and at full flex your brake lines will be near their limits.

After installing I realized just how simple the front and rear solid axles in these are.

 

[JTGuy]

What I have is in my signature. I highly recommend it as many of my friends say it rides better than their 1/2 ton. It's not really a kit but every part was thought out before purchase.

 

[MPMB]

I’m looking to do the same, yet in a Willys. All the looking is ridiculous. I’m leaning to an Evo lift. Their Overland option is closest to what I need. It’s built to allow for overlanding and added weight to your rig.

You may not need an "Overland" kit, actually. Unless you're putting a canopy/alu-cab type setup and carry all your gear, all the time. I have an Icon 2.5" kit, but it's sprung a little too stiff; I need to carry about 200# in the bed to have ride comfortably. I have an OVS rack that's always on it, and it's not enough weight. Empty it rides like a 3/4-ton truck. If I was to try something with the shocks, I'd try slightly stiffer slow speed rebound and slightly lighter on compression.

For a short term solution, I tried HD spring rubbers in the rear before I got the suspension kit. It worked alright. But I'm pretty sure my OEM Fox shocks were giving up when I got my lift.

In no particular order
Clayton
Evo
Metalcloak
Teraflex

Not a bad list. I would definitely agree with everyone about trackbars. Despite my tires going to s**t after ~15k miles, putting a trackbar on the front significantly minimized the front vibration in the 50-55mph range. Swapping the tires front to rear got rid of the rest.

I would also recommend adjustable front lower control arms, in case you want to go higher later.

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