Metalcloak lift

[sass JT]

Thanks for posting that ! I am assuming that the "out board" lower shock mounts will not work with the stock Rubicon Rims, but, it says that the "out board" lower shock mounts are not needed for the 6 pak shocks. So, I was thinking the 6 Pak shocks may work with the stock Rubicon rims since they do not require the "out board" lower shock mounts ?

So to truly answer this... call metalcloak.
I read lots of post that on jk models they had issues. Haven’t seen a post on the jl’s.

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[Billet Wilson]

Rides perfectly; flexes like crazy; dead quiet; outhandles stock by a mile. Not sure the triangulated rear isn't a solution looking for a problem. Either way, I am more than happy with mine, which is perfectly aligned, and I did not have to weld anything or spend even more.

Thanks for your real world feedback. I feel MC has not done a great job getting information out about this lift. They do include info on each particular part but not on the complete package as a whole. Being a truck, I want to keep a slight rake, know how it impacts towing/hauling, and what they did to correct many of the factory suspensions shortcomings.

I also was going back and forth between MC and RK and talked to both companies in person as well as seeing both lifts in person. I decided on the RK lift because i do very little rock crawling and more overlanding and bombing across the desert and the triangulated 4 link is what a lot of desert trucks and cars use. It`s impressive that RK offers this in a kit along with the quad rate springs, loaded or unloaded the ride and handling is great.

Both MC and RK make great lifts it just came down to the lift that i felt would suit my needs the best.

Greatly appreciate your input! I too plan to do more overlanding vs rock crawling so this is definitely helpful. No matter where I look I also see RK reps responding, providing feedback, information and pointers which goes a long way in having confidence in their product. I love MC but the lack of information on their part is a head scratcher.

For me i would like to see a side by side flexing of both lifts to compare with... flex is what I want beside ride(which we know, ride is subjective)

I personally debated between both the MC GC and the RK pro lift. I’ve had the MC lift on a ‘17 JKU and loved it. My buddy with his JKU has a 5 link RK lift and I’ve rode in his ride many times... I like it. For my JT, I have the full MC GC lift sitting at home waiting to go on. For me it’s the joints that made me go back to MC. I feel the RK pro setup in the rear is awesome but for me was why do they say limit the down travel... because of brake lines over extended??? I say get extended lines and limit via straps where the springs are almost out so you can get max downtravel.

Just some of my thoughts... why did evo come out with their 3 lift height kits then come out with coilovers and now their double throw down kits?, why does RK still sell regular 5 link kits when the pro kit is innovative? Why not do rebel off road coilover kits? Where the koolaid AEV kits that are supposedly tuned to shock and springs? Does savy offroad sell full on Baja racers for the everyday driver? Why don’t we 4 link the front and rear???

Sorry for the rant... just each mfg has their own ideas and does their products. MC came out with their kit when they fully tested it and they could get them on the production line. RK decided to be the first to come out with production 4 link rear. Each has its positives and negatives... choose one and go for it.

Lol, I get it. Marketing can be a big jug of kool-aid so you definitely need to watch taking the bait. I just feel RK has done a great job explaining their lifts specs and its benefits. MC has been silent by not saying much and has made it feel like a simple "we now offer a JT lift" period. I would never have considered anything else but their lack of info caused me to go digging which has landed me where Im now at. Thanks for your input!

 

[sass JT]

I just feel RK has done a great job explaining their lifts specs and its benefits. MC has been silent by not saying much and has made it feel like a simple "we now offer a JT lift" period. I would never have considered anything else but their lack of info caused me to go digging which has landed me where Im now at. Thanks for your input!

so true on both RK & MC... what’s funny is that on our sister site with JL’s, MC is all over it answering questions, giving advise and doing contests/giveaways... ugh. Looks like it’s time to email them for not being attentive. Lol

 

[MarineHawk]

so true on both RK & MC...

The MC lift may be equal to, or better than, the RK lift in various respects. And, by all accounts they both are very good.

However, to be fair to RK, they have been very active on this forum, providing information and answering (through 181 posts) every question (at least, by my observation) put to them, usually on the same day unless the questions are asked on a weekend, and then you might have to wait a day or two . See: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/search/40689541/

 

[sass JT]

The MC lift may be equal to, or better than, the RK lift in various respects. And, by all accounts they both are very good.

However, to be fair to RK, they have been very active on this forum, providing information and answering (through 181 posts) every question (at least, by my observation) put to them, usually on the same day unless the questions are asked on a weekend, and then you might have to wait a day or two . See: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/search/40689541/

soooo....if you actually read my post I agree with RK being super active on our forum vs the no voice of MC here.

I sent a message to MC today explaining what’s happening on this forum vs our sister site that they are super active on... so far no reply (crickets... crickets... wind... rain... snow...crickets)

 

[WhiteJT8541]

I run a 3.5" GC lift on my 17 JKU and have been extremely happy. I was planning to do the same with my JT but now I'm wondering if MC is the right direction to go. It seems MC simply took their existing product line and made it work while RK designed their lift around the best solution for this application. MC retains the five-link rear suspension by simply replacing the control arms while RK went with a triangulated 4 link as one example. There's not much info out there on why MC chose their design choices or on items like expected rake etc, so what made you go this route? Im sold on MC joints but it seems there are more thorough options when you compare the complete package.

I chose the MC because of the following:

1. Do not need the kind of articulation that the Pro-X provides as I’m not speeding around any areas.

2. I have been reading where people have ordered the RK kit from various vendors and stuff has come in bits and pieces or missing parts. Not placing the blame on RK or distribution. Just a concern to me.

3. Time of order to ship. I received my MC lift in 1 week with all the various other parts I ordered.

4. Prompt feedback either from emails or telephone regarding the lift and installation. While RK is very active on the forum and answered many of my own questions see above and below.

5. It meets my intended needs and purpose.

 

[MarineHawk]

soooo....if you actually read my post I agree with RK being super active on our forum vs the no voice of MC here.

I sent a message to MC today explaining what’s happening on this forum vs our sister site that they are super active on... so far no reply (crickets... crickets... wind... rain... snow...crickets)

When you said, “so true on both RK & MC...”, I thought you were referring to the comment to which you were responding that "MC has been silent by not saying much and has made it feel like a simple 'we now offer a JT lift' period."

In any event, I said "just to be fair:," and thought I would stick up for RK since they have been really super responsive. Wasn’t sure you were aware of that, as I didn’t see anything to indicate that.

 

[Billet Wilson]

I chose the MC because of the following:

1. Do not need the kind of articulation that the Pro-X provides as I’m not speeding around any areas.

2. I have been reading where people have ordered the RK kit from various vendors and stuff has come in bits and pieces or missing parts. Not placing the blame on RK or distribution. Just a concern to me.

3. Time of order to ship. I received my MC lift in 1 week with all the various other parts I ordered.

4. Prompt feedback either from emails or telephone regarding the lift and installation. While RK is very active on the forum and answered many of my own questions see above and below.

5. It meets my intended needs and purpose.

What made you determine the Pro-X was designed mainly around speed? With RK being located in NY I would assume it would excel in areas the Northeast is known for.

I too have seen people complaining about RK lifts coming in numerous packages but I thought that was due to where they ordered it from. Northridge 4X4 for example, breaks the lift down to each package so I can see where some could show before others. I too received my MC lift in about a week so there's no question they have their act together on that.

I'm sure I could call or email to get more detailed info but it feels like I shouldn't have to when there the one selling me the lift. Explain what you did, why you did it, what I should expect, and what you're including to accomplish it. I know the JT comes factory with triple rate coils in the rear yet MC has not explained why their dual rates are a suitable replacement along with how they effect towing and payload ratings. This isn't a typical Jeep so how does their lift compliment the trucks attributes or did they focus more on off roading at the expense of capacities?

 

[MarineHawk]

What made you determine the Pro-X was designed mainly around speed? With RK being located in NY I would assume it would excel in areas the Northeast is known for.

I too have seen people complaining about RK lifts coming in numerous packages but I thought that was due to where they ordered it from. Northridge 4X4 for example, breaks the lift down to each package so I can see where some could show before others. I too received my MC lift in about a week so there's no question they have their act together on that.

I'm sure I could call or email to get more detailed info but it feels like I shouldn't have to when there the one selling me the lift. Explain what you did, why you did it, what I should expect, and what you're including to accomplish it. I know the JT comes factory with triple rate coils in the rear yet MC has not explained why their dual rates are a suitable replacement along with how they effect towing and payload ratings. This isn't a typical Jeep so how does their lift compliment the trucks attributes or did they focus more on off roading at the expense of capacities?

I ordered my RK lift on Jan. 5 through River City Off-road, and received all parts on Jan. 7. Had it installed a few days later.

 

[WhiteJT8541]

What made you determine the Pro-X was designed mainly around speed? With RK being located in NY I would assume it would excel in areas the Northeast is known for.

I too have seen people complaining about RK lifts coming in numerous packages but I thought that was due to where they ordered it from. Northridge 4X4 for example, breaks the lift down to each package so I can see where some could show before others. I too received my MC lift in about a week so there's no question they have their act together on that.

I'm sure I could call or email to get more detailed info but it feels like I shouldn't have to when there the one selling me the lift. Explain what you did, why you did it, what I should expect, and what you're including to accomplish it. I know the JT comes factory with triple rate coils in the rear yet MC has not explained why their dual rates are a suitable replacement along with how they effect towing and payload ratings. This isn't a typical Jeep so how does their lift compliment the trucks attributes or did they focus more on off roading at the expense of capacities?

Sorry about point 1. Didn’t come out right. I believe there is the possibility to drive at a much faster pace with the RK then the MC in other terrain conditions. I’m not saying the RK lift is bad.

As for the rest, yes, I agree we shouldn’t have to call and get all this information about the lift but if you want an answer and can’t find it online or on the website then you have to do what you have to do.

Some people have been waiting weeks to get all the parts for their RK lift. Items are out of stock or backordered. So one can take that as they may.

I’m not saying one company is better than the other as far as the lifts are concerned. Each company has its pros and cons when it comes to their marketing, distribution network, etc.

 

[Billet Wilson]

I just went through this when lifting my 2018 Ram. A ton of popular lifts reduce capacities by 15% which I was not ok with as I needed to keep those capabilities. While taking 15% off a 17,000lb tow & 2500 payload rating is doable for a lot of people, it becomes a very real issue when you're dealing with a 7,000lb tow and 1350 payload rating (give or take depending the model of JT). 15% of 1350 is 202.5 pounds let alone the additional weight added from the wheels & tires. You could very well be driving around a truck with far less than a 1K payload.

MC makes no mention of this topic anywhere which I find crazy due to the JT designed to haul additional weight.

From RK:
"The Triple Rate front coils paired with our Quad rate rears coils provide unmatched ride quality and off-road performance, while maintaining standard JT rear load capacities."

An example of lifts for the Ram 2500:

From Carli:
"Your truck will sit 3”-3.5” higher in the front (cab configuration dependent) with 50% more suspension travel than the factory platform thanks to the taller, lighter rate coil springs. The rear is lifted .5”-1.5” via Carli’s progressive coil springs and will reduce payload and towing capacity 15% from a stock 2500"

From AEV:
"We wanted to design the ultimate “real world” suspension system –one that allows greater performance off-road, while also improving driver comfort and vehicle handling characteristics on the road and maintaining the factory load carrying capacity."

Capacity considerations are equally important to flex etc. when lifting a JT. At least I feel so since it's the reason I purchased a JT over a JL.

 

[jeepdriva]

Any more shots of the gamechanger 3.5 on the truck?? I have a slot in two weeks for the install but would love to see anybodys truck with it on. More straight-on shot than all articulated off-road so i can get a sense of the height.

Thanks!!

 

[davetha]

Any more shots of the gamechanger 3.5 on the truck?? I have a slot in two weeks for the install but would love to see anybodys truck with it on. More straight-on shot than all articulated off-road so i can get a sense of the height.

Thanks!!

Give me a couple of days and I'll have a few

 

[jeepdriva]

Give me a couple of days and I'll have a few

Appreciate it.

 

[Greg75]

Any more shots of the gamechanger 3.5 on the truck?? I have a slot in two weeks for the install but would love to see anybodys truck with it on. More straight-on shot than all articulated off-road so i can get a sense of the height.

Thanks!!

Here's mine with GC 3.5", Fox Smoothies, and Ridge Grappler 37" tires on Black Rhino Abrams wheels.

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