Mopar 2” vs Clayton 3.5” lift before and after

[Silvertruck]

This summer we installed a lot of heavier duty steering parts, and noticed that it was actually binding a little/making contact with the Mopar 2 inch lift we had. Check this link for full specs:Silvertruck build notes

After discussing with my builder Elite Offroad and Performance in Chelsea, AL, we decided the best cure was to give the entire jeep a little more air to correct some angles and incidental contact. We went with the @Clayton Off Road 3.5” overland plus kit.

I have to really hand it to Clayton, this kit is as high quality as it gets. The spring rates combined with the bushing design and fox 2.0 shocks make the jeep ride much much better on highway. Specifically, less jouncing and also feels more planted while somehow also not allowing a lot of harshness from expansion joints, etc on these crappy alabama freeways. Very sure footed.

The mopar lift was a good start, in retrospect a great bang for the buck. If I hadn’t wanted to take the jeep further than it would have been fine, except now I also know about how custom length control arms set up for better steering angles and less energy transfer into the frame. With the new heft under the front end, the mopar spec springs and shocks wanted to walk around a little.

I will try to post off road pics on this thread once my driveshaft is in and I can get out there. For now, I wanted to offer these comments above and also provide before and after shots below for anyone considering this mod or what a JT on 37’s looks like with the mopar vs the clayton kit. See my build thread above for more pics and full specs.

“Before” means with Mopar kit. “After” means with Clayton 3.5 inch Overland Plus.

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[swar15]

Looks great. What wheels are those?

 

[CWGrisw0ld]

Thanks for posting! Your truck looks great. Unfortunately, you've just made my 3 week wait for my Clayton kit feel that much longer now.

 

[Silvertruck]

Looks great. What wheels are those?

these are 17x9 inch fuel kicker 5’s in anthracite. One piece wheel. Wish they were actual beadlocks but still love the look

 

[Silvertruck]

Thanks for posting! Your truck looks great. Unfortunately, you've just made my 3 week wait for my Clayton kit feel that much longer now.

The clayton stuff is top notch. Ride and handling have improved, nothing against the mopar kit. Good luck and tag me when you post pics!

 

[swar15]

What offset?

 

[Silvertruck]

What offset?

Pretty sure these are -12mm offset. No spacers they come in -12mm and +1mm. They have a little poke, spray a little in the wet, but to me its perfect

edit to this i think my wheels are actually +1. Have not measured yet but i think the -12 would have more poke based on pictures i have seen.

 

[robd1438]

Did you need a new drive shaft with the clayton kit?

 

[Silvertruck]

Did you need a new drive shaft with the clayton kit?

Definitely. We put in an Adams front drive shaft with the install. The rear driveshaft is still stock though i plan to get a carrier bearing spacer from Rock Jock if they ever come off back order. No issues with the rear but the front cv style joint on the transfer case side would not have lasted, if the output shaft didnt make outright contact with the cv housing itself.

The front driveshaft was recommended by @Clayton Off Road when I called and also recommended by the installer. Not too expensive, no brianer add.

 

[Stacked JT]

did you use the shocks from your Mopar lift with the Clayton?

 

[Silvertruck]

did you use the shocks from your Mopar lift with the Clayton?

No we added longer shocks. You could use the mopar shocks with extensions but if you ran those with this kit and no extensions they’d internally bottom out before full droop.

 

[aevgladitorrubi]

Did you need a new drive shaft with the clayton kit?

Yes with the 3.5", but No with the 2.5" kit-- I went with 35's and the 2.5" kit for this reason (for now)... also, didn't want to be tempted to have to regear right away with the diesel and 3.73 gears...

 

[robd1438]

Thanks, I ended up going with Adam’s front and rear driveshafts do get them both done and matching at the same time. Also did 5.13 gears with 37’s and Clayton 3.5 Overland+

 

[Speedy_12139]

That lift, almost makes 37's look too small

 

[Silvertruck]

I thought about 38’s. This jeep is gusseted and trussed as well. The 37s do well with flex though at this height, no rubbing. 37s probably enough.

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