Evo 2.5 vs Metal Cloak 2.5 vs Rock Krawler 3.0

[Gladi8r_22]

What was your impression of the Accu air? Quality? I live in a northern climate in Canada and I’m wondering if it would be a mistake to use it!

Honestly, if i didn't have the issues I had because of having the gas version installed, I would still be running it. Yeah, absolutely it can handle the cold no prob.

My wife (5'3") loved it being able to drop it down the the bumps to get in even on 38's, it dropped lower than a stock gladiator Rubicon.

It rode very smooth, it soaked up small rocks going across desert trails, there JRI shocks are tuned perfectly for the application. All the components were built very well and stout. The air bags are Kevlar lined, so they were very thick, but it allowed it to flex still.

The best part is even after putting a winch on the front and a decked drawer system in the bed, both which would typically cause some sag, the AccuAir would read and factor that & adjust the air to compensate for that. Also, it was very nice having the onboard air, the 5 gal. Tank was nice.

Also, their tech support & customer service was top notch. When I did end up having it removed they took care of me when I came time to box it all up and ship it back to them. They refunded me!!

Overall, it is a great system. Just was a bad timing situation on my part. But would definitely recommend that system to anyone who wants to haul, tow or overland for sure.

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[Krobarr]

Honestly, if i didn't have the issues I had because of having the gas version installed, I would still be running it. Yeah, absolutely it can handle the cold no prob.

My wife (5'3") loved it being able to drop it down the the bumps to get in even on 38's, it dropped lower than a stock gladiator Rubicon.

It rode very smooth, it soaked up small rocks going across desert trails, there JRI shocks are tuned perfectly for the application. All the components were built very well and stout. The air bags are Kevlar lined, so they were very thick, but it allowed it to flex still.

The best part is even after putting a winch on the front and a decked drawer system in the bed, both which would typically cause some sag, the AccuAir would read and factor that & adjust the air to compensate for that. Also, it was very nice having the onboard air, the 5 gal. Tank was nice.

Also, their tech support & customer service was top notch. When I did end up having it removed they took care of me when I came time to box it all up and ship it back to them. They refunded me!!

Overall, it is a great system. Just was a bad timing situation on my part. But would definitely recommend that system to anyone who wants to haul, tow or overland for sure.

Lol, my life is 5 feet tall! I anm already trying to convince her! I just have to keep it a secret how much it’s gonna cost me!!!

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Lol, my life is 5 feet tall! I anm already trying to convince her! I just have to keep it a secret how much it’s gonna cost me!!!

Ha!! Yeah, price is definitely hard one to handle. But it's definitely a quality system. We'll worth the investment. It was a tough sale with my wife, but once seeable to see one in person it's a game changer.

 

[rharr]

Adventure series with their RRD shocks and they can valve them to your comfort preferences after you order.

I like my RK setup, wished i had the RRD shocks tighten up one more step. but I ordered from Northridge, so it wasn't an option. I bet if you ordered direct you get get them set a little better. They are good at default just a little soft for the highway.

Another thing to consider, order your rear spring 1 size taller then the front if you plan to carry any weight in the back. I had 3" in front and 3" in back and the back sagged just a bit with my cap on. ended up going with their 4.5" springs for the rear and it put the back end where i wanted for towing and load in the back.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

I like my RK setup, wished i had the RRD shocks tighten up one more step. but I ordered from Northridge, so it wasn't an option. I bet if you ordered direct you get get them set a little better. They are good at default just a little soft for the highway.

Another thing to consider, order your rear spring 1 size taller then the front if you plan to carry any weight in the back. I had 3" in front and 3" in back and the back sagged just a bit with my cap on. ended up going with their 4.5" springs for the rear and it put the back end where i wanted for towing and load in the back.

Some of that depends on the dealer and whether or not a complete kit is floating around with exactly what you ordered but in my experience they are extremely accommodating for special requests generally. the most surefire way to get exactly what you need for your situation is to call in and order and be very specific. Most often the only downside is waiting on a batch run if they dont have surplus parts to spec out for you.

 

[MAG00]

Still contemplating between these three options.

• Metalcloak 2.5 Game Changer with their RockSport Black Shocks. Kind of like the idea of the service free joints. Not sure I am a fan of the gold finish but if it holds up well then may not be a deciding factor.
• Rock Krawler 3.0 Adventure X Mid-Arm System with either their 2.25" RRD shocks or King 2.5" shocks. Like that RK is now offering their version of the service free joints. Have read a few reports of going 1" higher spring in the rear for loads or heavy outfitted rigs.
• Evo 2.5" HD Enforcer with King 2.5" shocks Including their front and rear track bars.

All three seem to have good reviews and feedback. I have been running Rock Krawler on a 4dr JKU and a 2dr JK for quite a few years and have had no issues. The Rock Krawer and Metalcloak are pretty close in price point. The Evo system is slightly more when adding the front/rear track bars which need to be added to compare to the other kits as best I can tell.

I had kind of been leaning towards Evo but with RK now having the service free joints they kind of made be revisit these three options.

 

[rharr]

Still contemplating between these three options.

• Metalcloak 2.5 Game Changer with their RockSport Black Shocks. Kind of like the idea of the service free joints. Not sure I am a fan of the gold finish but if it holds up well then may not be a deciding factor.
• Rock Krawler 3.0 Adventure X Mid-Arm System with either their 2.25" RRD shocks or King 2.5" shocks. Like that RK is now offering their version of the service free joints. Have read a few reports of going 1" higher spring in the rear for loads or heavy outfitted rigs.
• Evo 2.5" HD Enforcer with King 2.5" shocks Including their front and rear track bars.

All three seem to have good reviews and feedback. I have been running Rock Krawler on a 4dr JKU and a 2dr JK for quite a few years and have had no issues. The Rock Krawer and Metalcloak are pretty close in price point. The Evo system is slightly more when adding the front/rear track bars which need to be added to compare to the other kits as best I can tell.

I had kind of been leaning towards Evo but with RK now having the service free joints they kind of made be revisit these three options.

I have been happy with my RK adv service free joint lift.
a tip, if you do the Rk RRD shocks, call RK direct and order from them, talk to them about what your planned weight is so they can set the valving of the shocks to work best for your application. Otherwise you get their base valving which in my opinion is a little soft.

Also yes, go taller in the rear with the springs, otherwise you get squat with any type of load. If you are set on the 3" rear coils let me know, i have a pair in am not using because i went to 4" after trying the 3".

 

[MAG00]

If I go with the RK kit, I may look at the Pro X with the 4-link triangulated rear and possibly with Fox 2.5 shocks. Anyone have any input on this combination?

 

[MacNobody]

What did you go with? I'm looking at the Metalcloak 2.5"

I had the 3.5 inch Game Changer on my old JL, but I don't want to go to 37s on the Gladiator (yet )

 

[MAG00]

What did you go with? I'm looking at the Metalcloak 2.5"

I had the 3.5 inch Game Changer on my old JL, but I don't want to go to 37s on the Gladiator (yet )

I ended up going with the following:

• EVO 2.5 - springs, control arms, HD sway links, rear sway bar reinforcement brackets
• King 2.5 shocks
• Steer Smarts - front trac bar, tie rod, sector shaft brace with frame side track bar reinforcement bracket, and drag link
• Clayton rear trac bar.

 

[efitzger]

I’ve run an evo long arm coilover on my JL and now a mc gamechanger on my jt with rocksports
I love both but kings / reservoirs are only needed for high speed stuff / repeated successive shock loading
Both great setups
Absolutely love my metalcloak on the JT. Fit , finish, support from mc, ride quality is the best I’ve seen and I’ve installed a half dozen kits over the years.

 

[Sweetums]

I am narrowing down my lift choices and I think I am pretty much down to either of the following.:

- Evo 2.5 stage 4 kit with King 2.5 remote res shocks.

- It looks like this kit only comes with one set of sway links. I think you put the rears on the front and put the new ones on the rear. Would you buy new links for both the front and rear? If so, which ones would you go with?​

- Either will go with their arms and track bars or Core4x4. Any thoughts on this?​

- Metalcloak 2.5 Game-Changer with their Rocksport Black shocks (remote res with adjuster)

- Do you really need to change your front driveshaft?​

- It looks like this kit only comes with rear brake lines. Do you need to replace the front with longer too?​

Yes, you need to change the front drive shaft for that much lift.

Something to be aware of with King shocks is that they don't like salt and corrode quickly. I've heard from multiple shops in my area that this is an issue with Kings, including my powedercoater who offered cerakote for King owners due to corrosion issues.

My preferred off road shop doesn't sell Kings for this reason.

I have no experience with the Metalcloak Black shocks, but I have the 2.5" game changer with the Rocksport shocks. Zero complaints about the quality of the kit or the support from Metalcloak.

Be sure to look at the backspacing requirements for your wheels to avoid rubbing on the out-spaced shocks.

 

[Minty JL]

I am narrowing down my lift choices and I think I am pretty much down to either of the following.:

- Evo 2.5 stage 4 kit with King 2.5 remote res shocks.

- It looks like this kit only comes with one set of sway links. I think you put the rears on the front and put the new ones on the rear. Would you buy new links for both the front and rear? If so, which ones would you go with?​

- Either will go with their arms and track bars or Core4x4. Any thoughts on this?​

- Metalcloak 2.5 Game-Changer with their Rocksport Black shocks (remote res with adjuster)

- Do you really need to change your front driveshaft?​

- It looks like this kit only comes with rear brake lines. Do you need to replace the front with longer too?​

Front drive shaft on the 2.5, not unless you're wheeling the dog shit out of it. I didn't get the driveshaft until I went to the MC GC 4.5 kit.

The front brakelines have plenty of slack up to 5".

I have the MC GC kit and it's complete and solid AF. I'm not sponsored, an affiliate........just a working dude that's care with money and want shit that works with no drama.

ZERO and I mean zero issues with anything MC that I've bought or installed. If you have a question before you buy, call them. Their customer service is knowledgeable on their products and if they don't have an answer, they go to the engineers and get it

 

[efitzger]

My kings have done really well in Colorado - really no corrosion at all.

 

[efitzger]

MC really impressed me with their kit. I’d highly recommend

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