Mojave Lift Dilemma

[STROOLKA]

Everyone says this, but I had 35s with a 3in lift (net was around 3.5") and everyone I came across thought they looked just fine. I thought they looked fine as well.



1.5" lift you will not need track bars. I would maybe look at extended rear brake lines though. You'll be fine 99% of the time, but at full flex they might get a little tight. Shouldn't be tight enough to damage, but they are cheap so might as well.

Thanks! I really appreciate the input. I feel like 35 to 37 isn’t a huge difference in look, but the 37 def have more presence.

I like the 35s well. They also help keep weight, cost, and wear on the system down more than a 37.

While I do like the 37 more, it’s a rabbit hole, 40s look great too. I feel like the 35s are a fairly good proportional match to the gladiator.

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[STROOLKA]

Go Clayton 3.5 and 37s and 4:88s....don't look back

Clean!

 

[drew0622]

Clean!

Thank you......lift is 2 weeks old.

 

[Stormtroopin]

If you are dead set on going with a lift below 2 inches just get synergy springs, I bet you will net a 1.5 inch difference. Do you have metal bumpers front and or rear?

 

[STROOLKA]

If you are dead set on going with a lift below 2 inches just get synergy springs, I bet you will net a 1.5 inch difference. Do you have metal bumpers front and or rear?

I think I'd like to stay at or below 2"

I plan on getting a fairly light metal front bumper at about 60#, and may do rear in the future but that's not going to happen for a long time.

I found that Clayton has some 1.5" Rear springs and 2.5" Front springs. This should maintain the factory Mojave 1" front difference.

 

[Stormtroopin]

I think I'd like to stay at or below 2"

I plan on getting a fairly light metal front bumper at about 60#, and may do rear in the future but that's not going to happen for a long time.

I found that Clayton has some 1.5" Rear springs and 2.5" Front springs. This should maintain the factory Mojave 1" front difference.

Yes they do, I looked at there coils for a bit and thought about doing them but when I called and talked to a rep he told me they are on the firm side of the spring rate. I feel like the shocks and coils make the Mojave ride what it is and if you went with a stiffer spring you won’t have that ride. By all means do what you want and what fits in with your current budget. FWIW Clayton makes top notch products!

 

[STROOLKA]

Yes they do, I looked at there coils for a bit and thought about doing them but when I called and talked to a rep he told me they are on the firm side of the spring rate. I feel like the shocks and coils make the Mojave ride what it is and if you went with a stiffer spring you won’t have that ride. By all means do what you want and what fits in with your current budget. FWIW Clayton makes top notch products!

Thanks! But man now i've got analysis Paralysis! I def want ato maintain the Mojave's ride, that is actually the whole intention behind looking at SDI shocks, I feel like theywill really let the Mojave reach it's full potential.

I guess I don't have anything against a 2 inch lift (My wife probably will though). My main concern is trying to keep cost and install complexity down. I just feel like you have to start buying and installing more things, like Track bar and etc..

Please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[JTdiRtyD]

My advice, research the different lift brands, pick one that you like, call them and explain what you're trying to do and let them guide you through the process. Especially since you're trying to accomplish something thats not really the norm or common and most of us here go for at a minimum 2in lift, 37s, and flex, not desert running with minimal lift, so forum help might not get you where you want to be.

Also, don't get too wrapped around the axle over that perfect setup right off the bat, you will go round and round in circles and probably end up changing something about it later on again anyways.

From my experience:
AEV - more focus on overlanding and heavy rigs
Metalcloak - more rock crawling focused with lots of flex
Clayton - good all around, great for options
Rough Country - decent budget suspension, not known for long term quality (getting better). Some modification may be neccessary to fit.
Skyjacker - alright budget suspension but springs start to sag over time. Again, not known for quality.

 

[STROOLKA]

My advice, research the different lift brands, pick one that you like, call them and explain what you're trying to do and let them guide you through the process. Especially since you're trying to accomplish something thats not really the norm or common and most of us here go for at a minimum 2in lift, 37s, and flex, not desert running with minimal lift, so forum help might not get you where you want to be.

Also, don't get too wrapped around the axle over that perfect setup right off the bat, you will go round and round in circles and probably end up changing something about it later on again anyways.

This is great advice thank you! I honestly know that in reality, I probably won't really see a huge difference if I get brand A or B, but I tend to over analyze

 

[JTdiRtyD]

This is great advice thank you! I honestly know that in reality, I probably won't really see a huge difference if I get brand A or B, but I tend to over analyze

I updated my last post with a few brands. The "big three" as I call it, AEV, Metalcloak, and Clayton all have their "specialty" area, so that can come into play which route you might wanna go.

 

[GuzziMoto]

If you really like the Mojave spring rate you have and just want it to sit a little higher, that would be the perfect job for spring spacers. While I generally prefer spring lifts to spacer lifts, if I actually wanted to keep the same spring rate and ride quality I would use a spacer lift. And if I liked the shocks, perhaps a set of shock extensions and matching bumpstop extensions, depending on height.

 

[b-roc]

I have gone down many of the paths that you are considering. Here is a quick summary

1) stock Mojave - I enjoyed the ride characteristics quite a bit but needed some more clearance for moderate trails
2) 2 inch spacer lift with geometry correction bracket ... enjoyed this ... very similar ride characteristics... only real difference was slightly worse with high cross wind
3) 3.5 inch Franken lift with sdi eclik shocks ... was starting to do high difficulty trails so needed more articulation and clearance and it was time to service the oem shocks ... on road performance is significantly better, the firming of outboard shocks on turns - wow ... washboard at high speed, not as good as the mojave oem bypass shocks ... small/medium jumps, very minor improvement, hard to say whether this is due to semi-active shock or just increased range of travel ... drops from ledges while off road slightly better but the front hydro bump stops did well in the stock config ... overall - trail/offroad for my driving was neutral to a tiny improvement, road - significantly better due to turning characteristics at speed

 

[STROOLKA]

3) 3.5 inch Franken lift with sdi eclik shocks ... was starting to do high difficulty trails so needed more articulation and clearance and it was time to service the oem shocks ... on road performance is significantly better, the firming of outboard shocks on turns - wow ... washboard at high speed, not as good as the mojave oem bypass shocks ... small/medium jumps, very minor improvement, hard to say whether this is due to semi-active shock or just increased range of travel ... drops from ledges while off road slightly better but the front hydro bump stops did well in the stock config ... overall - trail/offroad for my driving was neutral to a tiny improvement, road - significantly better due to turning characteristics at speed

This is a great write up, thank you. Honestly, I'm extremely pleased with my current setup in terms of height, but had come accross some info that indicated that the SDI E-Clik were an extraordinary improvement offroad, which is my main concern. On road so far does not bug me.
I was hoping the semi-active shocks would kick it up to 11, but for the cost, if there is only a nominal improvement, I'll probably end up going a different direction.

Thank you again!

 

[drew0622]

While on the Mojave subject, has anyone addressed the front sway bar disconnect? I have JKS quick disconnects, but thinking of switching to ROC JOC Anti-Rocs? Apex is another option....

 

[FLY-DOG]

AEV doesn't do that as far as I know, sell a spring lift without shocks. They do sell a lift with cheaper Bilstein 5100 shocks., which can always be re-sold if you want as they are a popular shock for the JT.
But MetalCloak will sell a lift anyway you want it pretty much, and I think Clayton will as well.
You can order that from MetalCloak without even talking to them, it is part of the options when you order.
Both Clayton and MetalCloak seem like good people to talk to, though. And they are a good resource for questions.

When I did a 4.5" AEV lift on a JKUR I spoke to AEV and was able to swap the Bilstein 5100 series for higher end Bilstein shocks and only pay the difference. The build was done by them at their Wixom Michigan facility and may have played a part in being able to customize my build. Wouldn't hurt to call them and see what they can put together for you.

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