3.5 Lift Kit Springs or Spacers?

[Clancaster23]

I'm thinking I already know the answer to this but thought I should ask anyway. I currently have a RC leveling kit in my '21 Willys. I have noticed for a little while now that my left front shock is getting dirty over time and I'm assuming it's going bad. I plan on taking a long trip pulling my bike with me and would like to take care of this before that. I was thinking of just replacing the shocks with Bilstiens but I figure since I have to take a bunch of stuff off anyway that I'd go all in and do a full lift. I was going to stick to RC and I see they have two 3.5" kits, one with spacers and one has springs. One with springs is about $60 more. I'm assuming the spring kit would be better than the spacers and reusing the stock springs or is there no real difference?

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[Hootbro]

Springs all the way. You are going to be doing the same amount of work to put spacers in as you would springs. For the price difference, you are getting a better travel suspension with no dead feel you can sometimes get with spacers on stock springs.

 

[Clancaster23]

Thanks for the quick reply. I figured as much but want to be sure. One more question, I see on extreme terrain that they have a Mammoth lift licensed by Jeep. It has good reviews on their site but can't be sure. Would this one be of better quality than RC? I know how lots of people feel about RC but I haven't had a problem with them yet. It's over $100 cheaper than the RC kit, that' why I'm questioning it.

 

[Hootbro]

Links to each kit would help. If you are shopping on price alone, many of the budget kits that RC and others are know for is usually lacking some other things like extend arms, adjustable trackbars extended end links to name a few.

 

[Clancaster23]

Mammoth - Jeep Licensed by Mammoth Jeep Gladiator 3.50-Inch HD Suspension Lift Kit with Shocks JG30921 (20-25 Jeep Gladiator JT) - Free Shipping

RC - Rough Country Suspension Jeep Gladiator 3.50-Inch Suspension Lift Kit with Premium N3 Shocks 64930 (20-25 3.6L Jeep Gladiator JT) - Free Shipping

 

[Hootbro]

Of the two, I would go with the Rough Country. They are a better known entity.

Either kit regardless, I would be looking at a set of geometry correct brackets or adjustable lower front control arms for getting the caster set in. Also, need look at rear driveshaft center carrier bearing spacer or you are going to be looking at driveshaft angle issues also.

 

[Clancaster23]

From what I've read and videos I've watched, as long as you aren't going over 3.5" lift, you should be fine with what the kit provides. Again, just going by several install videos I've watched. Also, it's not the same truck but I installed a 3.5" RC lift on a 19' Ram 1500 a few years ago and never had to get anything else for it and it worked great. I only plan to have this one for two years max so I'm just looking to keep the cost at a minimum and don't do any real offroading. All for the looks. I know...

 

[Camaroboi13]

If I had to choose between the two, I’d probably just ride the bus instead. I would actually put the 3” spacers with stock springs before I would install a rough country spring in my ride. Coming from personal experience.

 

[Clancaster23]

Ok, I see a lot of dislike for RC! Then how about some suggestions on the cheapest 3.5" lift that has everything that's recommended? If that's too rich for my blood, I may just replace the fronts with violations and call it a day. Like I said before, I won't have this particular JT for more than two years from now so I'm not wanting to dump a bunch of money into it and I'm happy with the way it looks now.

 

[antihero]

In my experience, going 3.5" is a bit much if you're trying to stay on a budget and retain a bunch of stock parts and geometry. 3.5" will reveal the limitations of the stock parts and adjustability.

If you want cheaper and easier, and still look cool, give up an inch of ego and go with a 2" or 2.5" front spacer level and call it a day.

 

[Clancaster23]

I do have a front spacer level on now and am happy with how it sits. I was just figuring if I need to replace the front shocks, I may as well go all in on an actual lift. It seems that a good budget one isn't available so I'll likely just put Bilstiens on it and be done with it.

 

[Hootbro]

I do have a front spacer level on now and am happy with how it sits. I was just figuring if I need to replace the front shocks, I may as well go all in on an actual lift. It seems that a good budget one isn't available so I'll likely just put Bilstiens on it and be done with it.

Shocks can be replaced separate of anything else on the suspension. Given with what you have said of the end use, replacing just the shocks is probably the cheapest and easiest outcome here.

 

[Okie Gladiator]

3.5 inch lift is going to add a decent amount of height over the leveling kit you currently have. If you aren't running at least 35 inch tires currently you're probably going to need to replace tires - and even if you have 35's, you may see it with a 3.5 inch lift and want to go with 37's anyways.

If you like how it looks now, and you aren't doing offroad, I recommend just changing the parts (shocks) that need to be changed and stay happy.

 

[Clancaster23]

So I have been watching more videos, this time on replacing the front shocks. I had no idea it was that easy. So I will definitely be doing that. I though of also doing the Bilstein steering damper as well. Question is since I'm doing that much, would there be a benefit to swap out the rear shocks as well? I want to stick to the Bilstiens. Are the rears better than what's stock on my Willy's sport? I do plan on towing my bike in August so it'll be about 1,000 pounds.

 

[Hootbro]

So I have been watching more videos, this time on replacing the front shocks. I had no idea it was that easy. So I will definitely be doing that. I though of also doing the Bilstein steering damper as well. Question is since I'm doing that much, would there be a benefit to swap out the rear shocks as well? I want to stick to the Bilstiens. Are the rears better than what's stock on my Willy's sport? I do plan on towing my bike in August so it'll be about 1,000 pounds.

Shocks tend to be matched better in front/rear sets with the same manufacturer and series.

The Biltstein steering damper is a mixed bag. Many to include myself have found it is a positive gas charge damper that has a propensity to push the steering to one side while driving and you are always constantly course correction with the steering wheel.

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