Amateur Owner: Adding lift and tires

[Alucent]

Ive had my 21 Willys S 6M currently with stock 32s for a year now and looking to finally do some big boy upgrades. Im currently in Louisiana and gotten around with some basic off-roading but will be moving to Palm Springs, CA in the next year or so and looking to get prepared for trails out there and would like to add at least 35s and at minimum a 2" lift. Eventually I would like to add a bed-rack and RTT as well so I would like to plan out the suspension for that too.

Right off the bat, I am not looking to jump to the extreme, but I would like the ability to safely do most rock crawling and off-roading to an amateur level. This is also my daily rider and I know theres some items that can adjust for usage (I think?). Honestly I tried looking online myself, but felt a bit overwhelmed by the information so I'm coming to the community.

So what items, not budget, but not looking for the 'best' either; kits, lifts, etc do I really need to be looking at? Does a lifting kit cover everything or would buy each component recommendations? Personal thoughts and experiences are also welcomed.

Thanks!

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[aceisback]

Man you are moving close to Jeepers paradise! You will be smack dab in the middle of everything there is to do Jeep wise.
Truck Haven
Ocotillo Wells
Anza Borrego
Old Dale Mining District
Big Bear
Johnson Valley
Of course the Mojave Desert

Just moved after 28 years in 29 Palms. I miss my old desert. Enjoy your new home. From Louisiana it will be quite a change with 120*, 4% humidity, and a nice gentle 30mph breeze!

 

[Alucent]

Man you are moving close to Jeepers paradise! You will be smack dab in the middle of everything there is to do Jeep wise.
Truck Haven
Ocotillo Wells
Anza Borrego
Old Dale Mining District
Big Bear
Johnson Valley
Of course the Mojave Desert

Just moved after 28 years in 29 Palms. I miss my old desert. Enjoy your new home. From Louisiana it will be quite a change with 120*, 4% humidity, and a nice gentle 30mph breeze!

Looking at your quote I can guess why you were in 29 lol. Ill be there for the same. Honestly prefer that heat to the waterboarding that is Louisiana humidity.

 

[RangerG]

Ive had my 21 Willys S 6M currently with stock 32s for a year now and looking to finally do some big boy upgrades. Im currently in Louisiana and gotten around with some basic off-roading but will be moving to Palm Springs, CA in the next year or so and looking to get prepared for trails out there and would like to add at least 35s and at minimum a 2" lift. Eventually I would like to add a bed-rack and RTT as well so I would like to plan out the suspension for that too.

Right off the bat, I am not looking to jump to the extreme, but I would like the ability to safely do most rock crawling and off-roading to an amateur level. This is also my daily rider and I know theres some items that can adjust for usage (I think?). Honestly I tried looking online myself, but felt a bit overwhelmed by the information so I'm coming to the community.

So what items, not budget, but not looking for the 'best' either; kits, lifts, etc do I really need to be looking at? Does a lifting kit cover everything or would buy each component recommendations? Personal thoughts and experiences are also welcomed.

Thanks!

I looked at two kits.
Rock Crawler 3.5” and Icon stage 8 2.5” lift. It’s was a hard choice, went with icon. Drives like a race car on the road, rides better than factory. I have added metal clock 3.5” springs for a little more lift. With all that being said. IMO 3.5” of lift is perfect for the gladiator running 35” or 37” tires. The rock crawler kit does get rid of the rear track bar. When spending this kind of money most kits should be great. Look at the differences between the kits. Get the one you like.

 

[SSinGA]

Not all lift kits are "complete". Some don't level out the vehicle, so spacers or longer springs might be required if that is your goal. Make sure you have a way to adjust caster and pinion angle. Track bars will be needed to re-center the axles. I would recommend relocating the steering stabilizer above the tie rod. Replace the junky factory ball joints with something more substantial before lifting and bigger tires.

 

[WhyNotJeep]

I read that Clayton make some good stuff. With 35's you need 0 lift. 35s will not hurt the factory ball joints. I would keep the lift low like 2 inches. You got plenty to spend money on,,, bumpers, rock rails, winch, overlanding equipment. Go to the Overland expo in Flagstaff in May.

 

[OffroadAlliance.com]

In my opinion, Icon will give you the best bang for your buck. We carry all their stages and you get a lot of options between stage 1 and stage 8 (all of which will give you the lift you're looking for). Each stage up just gives you either more parts, or better suspension components. I have Icon suspension on my truck and it was one of the best choices I made for my modifications. If you want to shoot me a PM I am happy to go over what stage has what and figure out exactly what you need for your application.

We also have racks and RTT's which I'm happy to talk over too and see what you're looking for as well as what suits your needs for adventure.

 

[SSinGA]

In my opinion, Icon will give you the best bang for your buck. We carry all their stages and you get a lot of options between stage 1 and stage 8 (all of which will give you the lift you're looking for). Each stage up just gives you either more parts, or better suspension components. I have Icon suspension on my truck and it was one of the best choices I made for my modifications. If you want to shoot me a PM I am happy to go over what stage has what and figure out exactly what you need for your application.

We also have racks and RTT's which I'm happy to talk over too and see what you're looking for as well as what suits your needs for adventure.

My take as a long time jeep owner:
ICON kits 1-3 are incomplete and not good choices to lift a jeep unless you plan to buy ala cart all the rest of the parts you'll need. Kit 4 is the 1st kit in the line-up to address caster (only lower links) and axle centering with both track bars, although that straight rear track bar will limit tire size in the factory location. Then when you get to stage 5 at a whopping $4578!! it still it still doesn't have rear control arms!!

Rock Krawler, Clayton and Metalcloak are a much better value for the Jeep .

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