Needed components to piece together 2-2.5 inch lift kit?

[mr.boulevard]

Hello JGF members

Looking to lift my 2021 Gladiator Willys 2-2.5 inches here soon to accommodate 35 inch tires . If I went the route of "piecing together" a 2-2.5 inch lift myself (opposed to buying one ready to go off the rack) what are the minimum components I would need to accomplish this? Would like to use springs (at least for the front end lift) and not spacers. & open to input if its worth getting a rear spring or just using a spacer since the rear lift is minimal. Don't want to get anything more than I need but also don't want to be missing any required components lifting 2-2.5 inches: need new sway bars for this? bump stops? etc.? This is my first time lifting any truck I have owned, so sorry in advance if this is a newb question/already has been covered on the forum. Also not ruling out buying a 2-2.5 lift off the rack if that makes more sense based off feedback. I just think its kind of fun to make things you own. Thanks for the help.

MB

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[mr.boulevard]

I should have also mentioned I plan on getting aftermarket shocks to accommodate the 2-2.5 inch lift (don't want to use shock extensions).

 

[Wet Willys]

Nice truck! You could piece together a minimalist el-cheapo lift but you'll end up with a truck that rides and steers like crap. To get to 2.5" you're going to want to do front and rear track bars (to get your axles centered back up), control arms (to get your caster and pinion angles right), etc. I would take a look at Clayton's Ride Right kit, or if you plan on wheeling it do the Overland Plus kit. The Mopar lift is also an OK option if you add track bars.

 

[Fouts]

Some great kits out there no real need to re-invent the wheel.
Clayton
Metalcloak
Icon
Evo
Rock Krawler
I created my own on my JL and wound up spending more money and changing out more parts.

 

[mr.boulevard]

Some great kits out there no real need to re-invent the wheel.
Clayton
Metalcloak
Icon
Evo
Rock Krawler
I created my own on my JL and wound up spending more money and changing out more parts.

I get where you are coming from 100 percent - and I could see how keeping the same brand across the board instead of mismatching could be the better route.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Following this thread. I’m kind of in the same boat with my Sport S. However, I just got a Skyjacker 2.5” lift (Part# G250PBLT) but I’m still researching everything I need to keep everything lined up correctly.

The kit only has front springs, rear spacers, bump stops, sway bar links, and 4 shocks. I’m looking at possibly getting adjustable front lower control arms and an adjustable front track bar (JKS most likely). I’ll probably go with the front lower control arms first since the Mopar 2” lift comes with new ones too. I figure the engineers did that for a specific reason…Depending on how it handles, I may add the track bar later.

I wanted to start with a relatively cheap kit first, and add/replace things as needed. I imagine the sway bar links and shocks will be the first to get swapped way down the line. I’ve heard skyjacker bushings kinda suck.

Good luck with the build!

 

[Fouts]

I do feel at 2+ inches you need to get a complete kit.
4 springs
4 shocks
sway bar links
adjustable trackbar
adjustable front lower control arms
bump stops

 

[mr.boulevard]

Following this thread. I’m kind of in the same boat with my Sport S. However, I just got a Skyjacker 2.5” lift (Part# G250PBLT) but I’m still researching everything I need to keep everything lined up correctly.

The kit only has front springs, rear spacers, bump stops, sway bar links, and 4 shocks. I’m looking at possibly getting adjustable front lower control arms and an adjustable front track bar (JKS most likely). I’ll probably go with the front lower control arms first since the Mopar 2” lift comes with new ones too. I figure the engineers did that for a specific reason…Depending on how it handles, I may add the track bar later.

I wanted to start with a relatively cheap kit first, and add/replace things as needed. I imagine the sway bar links and shocks will be the first to get swapped way down the line. I’ve heard skyjacker bushings kinda suck.

Good luck with the build!

Have you got the lift installed yet? You will have to let me know how it is. Can't really beat the price even if you do plan to upgrade the shocks.

 

[mr.boulevard]

I do feel at 2+ inches you need to get a complete kit.
4 springs
4 shocks
sway bar links
adjustable trackbar
adjustable front lower control arms
bump stops

Thanks Fouts - this pretty much answers my question if this is what a complete kit should include.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Have you got the lift installed yet? You will have to let me know how it is. Can't really beat the price even if you do plan to upgrade the shocks.

Not installed yet. Hopefully I’ll get it installed sometime in April or so…it’s dependent on whether or not I pass my engineering licensing exam. A little reward for myself to keep studying hard lol.

 

[mr.boulevard]

Not installed yet. Hopefully I’ll get it installed sometime in April or so…it’s dependent on whether or not I pass my engineering licensing exam. A little reward for myself to keep studying hard lol.

Nice, will be around the same time frame as me. Get my yearly work bonus in March so going to treat myself to a lift/tires. Good luck!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Thanks Fouts - this pretty much answers my question if this is what a complete kit should include.

I'd add an adjustable rear track bar to that list. Or maybe Fouts meant to say trackbars instead of trackbar.

The Clayton 2.5" Ride Right gives you everything you need except shocks and bumpstop extensions. I went this route, I think it's the best value for the money.

 

[JTDay]

What I plan on doing is this:

- Mopar kit
- F/R track bars
- Front LCA geometry correction brackets
- Driveshaft center bearing spacer

DIY install so total cost will be less than 2 grand. I'll measure driveshaft and pinion angles at some point and get control arms if I feel the need. This setup will be good enough for me to stuff a pizza cutter 35 on a sport s on the stock wheel (I'm 99% sure) . I do plan on front sway bar discos so I'll have to do a little testing to see what things look like at full drop/full stuff and if I need to do a little tuning in some areas.

Many opinions on lift kits here, but the Mopar kit is pretty good for what you get.

 

[Outside Reality Check]

Personally, I did not find a lift kit that had all the components I wanted, and most kits had components I would have switched out. That said, all the lift kits mentioned in this thread are excellent choices, but I couldn't decide. So, I pieced mine together in order to check all my boxes. Doing that also raised the overall cost about 10% to 20%, and there was no guarantee everything would work well together. I lucked out and couldn't be happier; I definitely did my research. Pay attention to caster and pinion angle with adjustable LCA's or geometry correction brackets. 2.5" and over, adjustable track bars (front and rear), avoid any weird crab walk look.

 

[SnazzGlad]

You could also get some Rubi take off springs and shocks. Add Teralex front spacer and Daystar rear 3/4” spacer. Plus add the lca’s from the Mopar lift kit. That will net you 2” and be able to clear some 35’s. There’s a few threads about that set up and people seem happy with it.

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