Questions for people running RockKrawler 3" Pro-X lift

[Harold0819]

My 2020 Gladiator Rubicon has the RockKrawler 3.0" Pro-X 'no limits' Stage 1 lift in it. I also have Synergy's heavy duty TieRod, Draglink, and Tracbar/Sector shaft brace on the front end. Running 37" Nittos on KMC Km544 wheels. Jeep rides and drives great. absolutely no complaints. I just ordered 5.13 gears, install kits and one piece RCV axle shafts from Marcus at River City Offroad. Going to install those and delete the FAD. I know there are mixed opinions but I'd rather not have it...gives me 80s flashbacks...LOL. Not concerned about the small loss in mileage, rather have the peace of mind of no failure.
My main question is what are others doing to correct/minimize the rake. I really don't mind it but I also have a steel bumper, winch plates, a winch , and a dual battery kit. So I think mine sits lower than the projected 1/2" that RockKrawler builds into the lift. I see there are 3/4" spacers out there and RockKrawler makes a 1.5" spacer. I'm leaning toward the 3/4" as it will still give me some rake but minimize it. The 1.5" I'd imagine would need a bit of adjusting to the suspension but it does look nice. I may put 40s on at some point or even just a little larger than 37s so the extra room and clearance would be nice.
The last question is balljoints. Has anyone replaced theirs? I see the main replacements are either the Dynatrac pro steer or Dana has heavy duty replacements. I only have 10K on my Jeep. But I've read of people seeing failure inside of 20K. My feeling if that while I'm regearing and installing axle shafts it wouldn't be much more than parts to replace the balljoints while I'm there with better units.

Thanks. attached are pics of my JTR. First is as it sits, 2nd is with front raised 3/4". 3rd is with front end raised 1.5"

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[JTPatriot]

Basically the same setup as yours. I did the 3/4" spacer in the front and it was not enough for me. So I did the Terra Flex 1.5" leveling kit in the front only (Rock Krawlers 1.5" front spacers where on back order at the time) I like the way it sits now, still has just a tad of rack but it is fine with me. only thing I had to do was adjust steering wheel center after install.
I just wish I would have done 5.13's to mine instead of the 4.88's.

 

[Harold0819]

Basically the same setup as yours. I did the 3/4" spacer in the front and it was not enough for me. So I did the Terra Flex 1.5" leveling kit in the front only (Rock Krawlers 1.5" front spacers where on back order at the time) I like the way it sits now, still has just a tad of rack but it is fine with me. only thing I had to do was adjust steering wheel center after install.
I just wish I would have done 5.13's to mine instead of the 4.88's.

How does it handle? Did the spacer effect that at all? I like how that looks. Looks great.

 

[JTPatriot]

Thank you.
Handles great! No wonder or following of the road. Rides really nice to. I daily drive it to work 22 miles round trip on the interstate at 75-80 mph everyday and travel with it. I think it feels better than it did stock.

 

[Harold0819]

Thank you.
Handles great! No wonder or following of the road. Rides really nice to. I daily drive it to work 22 miles round trip on the interstate at 75-80 mph everyday and travel with it. I think it feels better than it did stock.

I just looked up the Teraflex spacer. I like that it is a 1" and a .5" spacer. So you have options. can remove the .5" if to high or add if one is too low. I'll go ahead and order it. Did you have to do anything extra on your bumpstops with the spacer? I don't want to over compress my springs.

 

[JTPatriot]

No. I just added the spacers and left the bump stops set with Rock Krawlers setup. I figured with the bumper and winch and that the rake seemed greater than what was stated that it would be fine. So far all is good.
Yes I should probably cycle it and or flex it but I have not gotten around to it.

 

[Harold0819]

I definitely like the stance of your JTR with the spacer. Think I'm going to go that route. At worst if it is too much I can remove the .5" piece.
You are regretting the 4.88s? I went with the 5.13s because I figured I will likely go a bit bigger in tire size.
Have you had any issues with your balljoints?

 

[JTPatriot]

Thank you! That's also why I went with the terra flex spacer. Able to adjust if needed.
Yeah, I tow a 3500 lbs. RPod a few times a year and I really think I could of used the lower gears. Plus on the highway at 75-80 mph it still likes to drop out of 8th for any little hill or head wind. Maybe with the 5.13's it would hold better. My fear was if it did drop to 7th or even 6th then the RPM's would have been even higher than they are now in those gears. Be curious what you find with the 5.13's and 37's at least while you have them.
No issues as of yet with around 5800 miles on it.

 

[Harold0819]

Thank you! That's also why I went with the terra flex spacer. Able to adjust if needed.
Yeah, I tow a 3500 lbs. RPod a few times a year and I really think I could of used the lower gears. Plus on the highway at 75-80 mph it still likes to drop out of 8th for any little hill or head wind. Maybe with the 5.13's it would hold better. My fear was if it did drop to 7th or even 6th then the RPM's would have been even higher than they are now in those gears. Be curious what you find with the 5.13's and 37's at least while you have them.
No issues as of yet with around 5800 miles on it.

I'm just at 10K on mine. No issues either. I'll let you know how the RPMs are. The differences between are 4.88 and 5.13 are relatively small but it seems that with either ratio people are happy. I'm happy with how my Gladiator runs with the 4.10s but I want it back as close to stock if not better as I do plan to tow with it when needed. I'd imagine that dropping out of 8th occassionally is not a big deal. In all honesty I think mine did that when it was stock and if Rubicons do that I'd imagine that sports and overlands with 3.73 would see that more frequently. I decided on 5.13s after talking with many people in the industry. The consensus all seemed going a tad deeper was better.

 

[JTPatriot]

Yeah I kept looking at the gear charts and thinking the rpm's at not that far apart. But then what if this or that and I did my gear change 6 months ago. At that time everyone was saying 4.88 with 37's and the new 8 speed transmission was perfect. I was questioning it and should have went with my gut and my experience with the 2007 JKU that I had previous to the JT. I had 35's on it and was running 5.13's with it and at times thought I could go lower. Never know, depending on what you report back with may have to bite the bullet and spring for another regear, ugh.
Maybe I can sell the 4.88's to someone running 35's then.

 

[Harold0819]

Yeah I kept looking at the gear charts and thinking the rpm's at not that far apart. But then what if this or that and I did my gear change 6 months ago. At that time everyone was saying 4.88 with 37's and the new 8 speed transmission was perfect. I was questioning it and should have went with my gut and my experience with the 2007 JKU that I had previous to the JT. I had 35's on it and was running 5.13's with it and at times thought I could go lower. Never know, depending on what you report back with may have to bite the bullet and spring for another regear, ugh.
Maybe I can sell the 4.88's to someone running 35's then.

Same here. I have an '08 JKU Sahara on 37s. I went back and forth and ended up with 4.88s for 2 reasons, one it is a 6spd manual and two, it has the Dana 30 front axle. I have to say I don't regret it because it has plenty of pep and pulls hard in every gear. So when I saw others recommending 4.88s I was easily convinced it was the way to go. It wasn't till I spoke to some manufacturers and vendors that run the stuff that I changed my mind and decided 5.13s was the way to go. My main hold back was reports/claims of pinion size and weakness, flashbacks to my Dana 30 as that was a very valid concern with them. But everyone seemed to feel that it is plenty strong enough.

 

[Harold0819]

I installed my spacer lift today. Ended up going with just the 1" spacer from the Teraflex kit. My JT was a full 1.5" higher at the fender lip than the front as it sat. Now it is just a 1/2" higher. Definitely looks much better. I though about doing the full 1.5" but decided against it as I wanted a small amount of rake for when loaded or towing.

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