2.5"-3" Lift suggestions to retain as much towing capacity as possible

[SFBayArea]

Ok, I am new to trucks, however, not new to the Jeep (*JK). When I was lifting my JK, the options for lift kits were abundant, I see that it is not so much with the Gladiator. Basically, I want a mid ground 3" lift kit on my Rubicon (planning on 37" tires) to have good off roading, good on roading and good towing. I guess I am looking for a good (not perfect) lift all around. I would like to have good wheel travel during off road and sustain similar or better to the stock on the pavement behavior, and MOST important I want to be able to tow as close to Gladiator Rubicon (even for short distance) as possible.

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[Alabama Mud Machine]

This is what's going under mine when I remove the 2.5" spacer lift...

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...acturing-2-5in-enforcer-lift-kit-stage-2-plus

 

[SFBayArea]

And you are positive this lift will have springs firm enough to sustain as much towing capacity as possible without squatting your jeep?
What shocks do you plan using with it?

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

And you are positive this lift will have springs firm enough to sustain as much towing capacity as possible without squatting your jeep?
What shocks do you plan using with it?

At max towing capacity, even your stock springs are going to squat. So are ALL springs, lift or not. I will be running my factory Rubicon shocks with extension brackets.

If you want to avoid squatting, you'll need something extra, with ALL lifts and springs, sort of like airbags.

You might need to call the company to see if they make a kit for 2.5" lift rear springs, or if they offer a longer spacer base for the top or bottom, to use with lifted applications.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-rear-bag-system-info-you-need-to-know.28205/

https://www.cjponyparts.com/air-lift-1000-air-spring-rear-kit-jeep-gladiator-jt-2020/p/AIR60830/

 

[Bacon]

Since I’m occasionally towing 6500#, I went with an Icon stage one life which has pucks in the rear. I figured that the factory springs were obviously rated for the weight. If I get a lighter trailer, I’ll consider new springs.

In any event, you should consider a weight distribution hitch like Equalizer in your plans.

 

[dialedoutdoors]

Hey,

I currently have the Evo 2.5 enforcer overland stage 2 kit on my gladiator. I'm currently using Evo shock extensions with the stock Rubi fox shocks. I tow a 4700lb trailer and have a about 100-200lbs in the bed between the spare tire and Ace engineering upper Decker. I am within my payload capacity for those who are concerned, I ran the numbers lots of times in many different instances. With this setup I sit about level with a weight distribution hitch (highly recommend for towing with the gladiator). Overall I am super happy with the kit. Perfect lift height (imo), great ride, and does really well with and without a load in the bed. The weakest part of this setup is the stock fox shocks as they are vavled fairly soft. In the future I would love to get the Evo tuned King's with adjusters.

 

[SFBayArea]

At max towing capacity, even your stock springs are going to squat. So are ALL springs, lift or not. I will be running my factory Rubicon shocks with extension brackets.

If you want to avoid squatting, you'll need something extra, with ALL lifts and springs, sort of like airbags.

You might need to call the company to see if they make a kit for 2.5" lift rear springs, or if they offer a longer spacer base for the top or bottom, to use with lifted applications.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-rear-bag-system-info-you-need-to-know.28205/

https://www.cjponyparts.com/air-lift-1000-air-spring-rear-kit-jeep-gladiator-jt-2020/p/AIR60830/

Thank you! I never had airlift, so pardon my stupid question, but how will those air "pillows" affect off road? Will they not get in the way of flexing axles?

 

[bjohnsonmn]

Hey,

I currently have the Evo 2.5 enforcer overland stage 2 kit on my gladiator. I'm currently using Evo shock extensions with the stock Rubi fox shocks. I tow a 4700lb trailer and have a about 100-200lbs in the bed between the spare tire and Ace engineering upper Decker. I am within my payload capacity for those who are concerned, I ran the numbers lots of times in many different instances. With this setup I sit about level with a weight distribution hitch (highly recommend for towing with the gladiator). Overall I am super happy with the kit. Perfect lift height (imo), great ride, and does really well with and without a load in the bed. The weakest part of this setup is the stock fox shocks as they are vavled fairly soft. In the future I would love to get the Evo tuned King's with adjusters.

Which Feather is that? We are looking at travel trailers too. This one and the 18RBM are on our list!
My thoughts are around tongue weight and how close it makes it to GVW on the Jeep side of the equation.
Any additional information on what you have on your rig? Which skids, tires, etc? Also, have you gone over the passes in CO or out West yet?
I have a cart fully loaded to buy all of my build gear, but I haven't heard any real world experience reports yet. Just a lot of people running calculators on what is specified in a book.

Thanks!

Edit to reflect the fact I should have seen that this is on an Evo lift.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Thank you! I never had airlift, so pardon my stupid question, but how will those air "pillows" affect off road? Will they not get in the way of flexing axles?

No idea... Never used them. I just know several on here have.

 

[brianinca]

No, you only put high pressure air in them when you need to carry a load. When depressurized, the effective spring rate is stock. This is why they are preferable to higher rate springs for occasional towing use. They are fragile compared to springs, however, so it is good they are inexpensive.

Thank you! I never had airlift, so pardon my stupid question, but how will those air "pillows" affect off road? Will they not get in the way of flexing axles?

 

[dialedoutdoors]

Which Feather is that? We are looking at travel trailers too. This one and the 18RBM are on our list!
My thoughts are around tongue weight and how close it makes it to GVW on the Jeep side of the equation.
Any additional information on what you have on your rig? Which skids, tires, etc? Also, have you gone over the passes in CO or out West yet?
I have a cart fully loaded to buy all of my build gear, but I haven't heard any real world experience reports yet. Just a lot of people running calculators on what is specified in a book.

Thanks!

Edit to reflect the fact I should have seen that this is on an Evo lift.

Other than what was listed in my post it has 37in Milestar Patagonia's, KMC bully wheels, mopar steel front bumper, and that's about it. The trailer is a Jay Feather X213. It has a rear slide out bed (76x75in). It tows really nice behind the gladiator. I haven't done any significant towing at elevation since I got it fairly recently and live in SoCal. But I have towed it up some pretty good grades averaging 60mph no problem. As for tongue weight it is right about 470lbs dry (no battery or propane tanks) so I would guess 570lbs with battery and propane tanks, but you can take 30% off that with a weight distribution hitch.
I was really surprised going over speed bumps how well the Evo kit handled the weight, never bottomed out once with trailer. Whereas stock I had a couple hundred pounds and it would bottom out over speed bumps. Some things to note about the Evo kit though, springs do bow a bit, I can't fit a 37in in the stock spare location with their track bar, and the sway bar end links need red loctite.

 

[Schreconjeep]

Anyone have an opinion on whether or not to combine air bags and weight distribution? I too plan to tow a camper and have a weight distribution hitch. Guessing you would set up the hitch with the bags empty and then fill bags to stiffen ride?

Considering the RockKrawler 3.0" lift and 37s but haven't decided on shocks yet.

 

[Phljeeper]

Hey,

I currently have the Evo 2.5 enforcer overland stage 2 kit on my gladiator. I'm currently using Evo shock extensions with the stock Rubi fox shocks. I tow a 4700lb trailer and have a about 100-200lbs in the bed between the spare tire and Ace engineering upper Decker. I am within my payload capacity for those who are concerned, I ran the numbers lots of times in many different instances. With this setup I sit about level with a weight distribution hitch (highly recommend for towing with the gladiator). Overall I am super happy with the kit. Perfect lift height (imo), great ride, and does really well with and without a load in the bed. The weakest part of this setup is the stock fox shocks as they are vavled fairly soft. In the future I would love to get the Evo tuned King's with adjusters.

I second this on my rubicon. I am running an EVO enforcer 2.5”stage 2 lift with factory fox shocks and shock extensions. The lift is well over 3” in lift height, will easily fit 37s on a Rubicon and I tow a very similar 25’ 4700lb travel trailer and the EVO coils squat much less than the stock Rubicon coils. Actually I found the stock coils to make it challenging to tow when loading up the bed with bikes and gear and no longer have the issue with the EVO lift.

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