ordered 39s and request help shopping lift kits + shocks

[Frenzy]

OMG please help me to get the right lift the first time! What do you have experience with that works well, or maybe not so well?

2022 JT Rubicon (gas)

I’m paying for 8 hours of shop labor, so not going to buy a longarm that requires 25-30 hours to install.

What would you purchase if you were installing 39x13.50 BFG KM3 tires: 38.5” high x 13.6” wide?

Wheels have offset -0.26" and backspace 4.63, and additionally I will run 2” spacers.

Lift height: 3.5” (min.) to 5” (max.)

Performance criteria:

• 50/50 on road and off road
• More rock crawling, some overlanding, less desert racing
• Durability
• Best bang for the buck
• Maximize flexibility
• Most vertical travel possible
• No noise
• Excellent center of gravity (less tip risk)
• Less maintenance
• Clear tires with some inner fender trimming
• Improve ground clearance
• I’m at 6’-1” with 33s stock and try staying below 6’-8” to access my work garage, but must not to exceed 6’-10” for home garage.

I have considered these 5 kits and shock combo thus far, and am open to compare others.

METALCLOAK JT Gladiator 3.5” Game Changer Suspension with front Driveline A3235
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator-3-5-game-changer-suspension-systems.html
Cost: $2,916 + $2,900 shocks = $5,816
Shocks: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 external reservoir

• Front: 883-26-052 Extended 30.51, Compressed 18.34, Travel = 12.17
• Rear: 883-26-074 Extended 28.31, Compressed 17.34, Travel = 10.97

CLAYTON OFFROAD 3.5” Overland Plus Lift 2020+ JT COR-3010035
https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-35-premium-lift-kit-2020-jt
Cost: lift $2,769 + shocks $3,000 = $5,769
Shocks: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 external reservoir

• Front: 883-26-074 Extended 28.31, Compressed 17.34, Travel = 10.9
• Rear: 883-26-052 Extended 30.51, Compressed 18.34, Travel = 12.17

CLAYTON OFFROAD 3.5” Premium Lift 2020+ JT COR-2910035
https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-35-premium-lift-kit-2020-jt
Cost: lift $3,319 + shocks $3,000 = $6,319
Shocks: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 external reservoir

• Front: 883-26-074 Extended 28.31, Compressed 17.34, Travel = 10.97
• Rear: 883-26-052 Extended 30.51, Compressed 18.34, Travel = 12.17

ROCK KRAWLER 4.5” Pro-X System - Stage 1 JT45PX-S1
https://rockkrawler.com/jt-4-5-inch-pro-x-system-stage-1/
Cost: lift $3,179 + shocks $3,000 = $6,179
Shocks: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 external reservoir

• Front: 883-26-052 Extended 30.51, Compressed 18.34, Travel = 12.17
• Rear: 883-26-076 Extended 32.31, Compressed 19.34, Travel = 12.97

EVO MANUFACTURING 3” to 5” JT (GAS) Coilover Enforcer PRO Stage 4 Plus EVO-254B-4P
https://evomfg.com/products/enforcer-pro-stage-4-plus-for-jt
Lift and shocks cost: $8,004
Shocks: Front and Rear EVO Spec. 2.5” Remote Reservoir Coilovers Built by King Shock Technologies

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[Rahkmalla]

You lost me at wheel spacers. Buy the right wheels to fit your build. Spacers are terrible

 

[Frenzy]

You lost me at wheel spacers. Buy the right wheels to fit your build. Spacers are terrible

If this was a large truck towing a 20,000 pound load I may understand a concern for the spacer to crack, but proper installation of a good quality hub-centric spacer on a Jeep should not cause concern.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

Where did you order the 39” KM3’s? Are you sure they have them or can even get them. I have been looking just about everywhere for a set for a very long time and have since moved on to another tire because they are on back order until near the end of this year.

I contacted BFG and asked about them two different times because I didn’t want to give up and I was told as of right now they are not currently producing them and have no production plans to do so in the next several months.

 

[Jefe1018]

The kits you've linked there all appear to be high quality in nature. I personally think I'll start upgrading with Clayton products little by little as the Mopar lift is a good starter kit, but not the best on the market.

 

[JD101]

If this was a large truck towing a 20,000 pound load I may understand a concern for the spacer to crack, but proper installation of a good quality hub-centric spacer on a Jeep should not cause concern.

I've seen wheels break and the spacer still there strong as ever . Still I wouldn't opt to build a rig around spacers unless I had a bomber set of wheels that required it. I would rather get the correct offset from the word go. What's the attraction to the spacers ? Just curious I guess .BTW that would be a whole lotta unnecessary neg offset .

 

[JD101]

Where did you order the 39” KM3’s? Are you sure they have them or can even get them. I have been looking just about everywhere for a set for a very long time and have since moved on to another tire because they are on back order until near the end of this year.

I contacted BFG and asked about them two different times because I didn’t want to give up and I was told as of right now they are not currently producing them and have no production plans to do so in the next several months.

THIS .

 

[SeattleJeeper]

I went with the full fat all the cream and gluten Metal Cloak 3.5 (with rocksports). I installed myself in a rent-a-bay DIY shop. took my dumb ass 8 hours and I haven't done anything like this before. Pretty sure a proper shop could do it in 6.

I am only running piddly 37x12.50 shopping cart tires on 4.5" backspace wheels (I think... basically 0 offset), so I cant speak for 39s (nice!!) but so far nothing but love for the metal cloak, that lift is pure beef, I used the control arms for weight lifting. The ride is really good, better than stock. Still to be determined how it stands up to constant bed load, but empty bed I see the upper coils are not yet fully compressed, so I expect it to carry my smartcap and RTT well.

Cant speak to the other manufacturers, my research says all 3 are top of the line and cant go wrong. My decision was based on delivery time, Metalcloak at least when I ordered was 2 weeks and Evo was months, didnt get a time from clayton.

Any way you go, you will find a whole new level of love for your Gladiator.. I think stock rubicons should have come with 37s and 3.5" lift.. Looks awesome

 

[Blackjeepjk]

4.5 evo overland stage 4 coil lift with spec king remotes here. Clears 40” patagonias measuring 39.75” with factory bumper. Think I could clear 42’s with bumper ends removed.
Very happy.

 

[Frenzy]

I've seen wheels break and the spacer still there strong as ever . Still I wouldn't opt to build a rig around spacers unless I had a bomber set of wheels that required it. I would rather get the correct offset from the word go. What's the attraction to the spacers ? Just curious I guess .BTW that would be a whole lotta unnecessary neg offset .

I understand the ideal BS is 3.5, but the wheel I want has BS at 4.6, so they are positioned inward by an inch more than the ideal. I prefer a wider stance, and to push the wheel outwards I will run a 2" spacer. Hutchinson Rock Monster Double Beadlock is DOT approved, I know that may sound insignificant to some (I've never been pulled over for a beadlock) but it seems important to me. Now the question becomes are wheel spacers DOT approved, more to come on that! lol

 

[Frenzy]

4.5 evo overland stage 4 coil lift with spec king remotes here. Clears 40” patagonias measuring 39.75” with factory bumper. Think I could clear 42’s with bumper ends removed.
Very happy.

That rig is a nasty beast! Stock axles or upgraded? What are the steering mods?

 

[Frenzy]

Where did you order the 39” KM3’s? Are you sure they have them or can even get them. I have been looking just about everywhere for a set for a very long time and have since moved on to another tire because they are on back order until near the end of this year.

I contacted BFG and asked about them two different times because I didn’t want to give up and I was told as of right now they are not currently producing them and have no production plans to do so in the next several months.

OH $HIT, this sounds like bad news for me. I placed an order, the sales dud said he expects delivery in about 3 months...I'm in line along with 20 other WISHFUL orders

Edit: I also just called Michelin and they confirmed the BFG KM3 39X13.5R17 will not be produced in the next 4 weeks, and they couldn't say exactly when but they will produce them again within the next 3 months. Demand must have spiked, I purchased mine from Stage 3 Motor Sports for $414.20 two days ago and today they are showing as $516; $102 more each.
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/71004-39x13-50r17-bf-goodrich-mud-terrain-t-a-km3-radial-tire.html

 

[JD101]

I understand the ideal BS is 3.5, but the wheel I want has BS at 4.6, so they are positioned inward by an inch more than the ideal. I prefer a wider stance, and to push the wheel outwards I will run a 2" spacer. Hutchinson Rock Monster Double Beadlock is DOT approved, I know that may sound insignificant to some (I've never been pulled over for a beadlock) but it seems important to me. Now the question becomes are wheel spacers DOT approved, more to come on that! lol

Just something to consider , while the rock monsters may be dot legal , alot of states have laws against multi piece wheels . This voids the legality. I love those wheels too tho, but would rather run kmc machete -38 if I was going for that stance. Or have a set of wheels made ( forged $$$) . But I understand getting what you want. Gl with build !

 

[Blackjeepjk]

That rig is a nasty beast! Stock axles or upgraded? What are the steering mods?

stock axles until I break it. so far so good 15k miles.
only steering mod is king spec jt steering stabilizer. Expensive but worth every penny over stock.

 

[Frenzy]

stock axles until I break it...

That's what I plan on doing, just hope I'm not in the wilderness at the time.

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