Opinions on lift kits for 2021 JT willys

[Zsis]

First 2 pics are with completely stock suspension and tires. Last one is with the Rubicon suspension, front and rear spacers, and larger Rubicon tires. Doesn't look like it went up no less than about 2" all around, but parked next to a stock Rubicon it clearly sits taller.

The driveway slopes down so it looks like front is sitting higher in at least one of the pics. The passenger side pics were also taken before I received my first pinstripe! There is now a scratch from just in front of the front passenger door, down the door, across the pillar and across the back passenger door. After some weather I guess some trees and branches had come down on a trail and once it started, I just kept going. Trail wasn't wide enough to avoid it. I cried and quickly got over it!!

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[Dougstdig]

If you are thinking about hanging onto the truck for a while, Metalcloak actually has serviceable bushings so you don’t have to replace entire arms. They also have been through FMVSS certification. Look at their website for a deeper dive.
I went with the 2.5GC with red shocks and several additional components.

As does Clayton.

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

If you're just going to drive it on the street, then a spacer kit is all you need. If you're going to actually be off-roading it, then your best bet will be MetalCloak.

 

[snazzberry2021]

First 2 pics are with completely stock suspension and tires. Last one is with the Rubicon suspension, front and rear spacers, and larger Rubicon tires. Doesn't look like it went up no less than about 2" all around, but parked next to a stock Rubicon it clearly sits taller.

Yeah, that thing looks good. That’s exactly how mine looks like bone stock. I’m putting on a 1.5” leveling kit for now because that nose dive kind of bothers me, in a few weeks and I think probably next spring either it’s gonna be a Clayton 2 1/2 inch ride right or a BDS 3 inch, I had a 3 inch BDS on my JK and I ran it for about 70,000 miles and had no problems,

As does Clayton.

thanks for that info. Appreciate that

If you're just going to drive it on the street, then a spacer kit is all you need. If you're going to actually be off-roading it, then your best bet will be MetalCloak.

Yeah just want a better stance, this gladiator will never see the trails, that’s why I’m doing a 2.5” lift to make it look better

 

[Zsis]

If you just want it for looks, honestly a spacer lift will save a lot of cash and you can use the extra and just upgrade shocks, control arms, sway bars, and new larger tires or maybe some rims. Again I only have spacers and I do off road mine and it does perfectly fine. But it also drives great on the street. I may go with taller spacers in the future, but the old girl has done all that I have pushed her to do.

 

[Stan H]

I’m up in central Canada and we get extreme winters so I’m aware of what the climate and salt can do to a vehicle. I’ve heard Metalcloak say a few times that the gold protectant zinc does wear off but that rusting shouldn’t be an issue. I have no personal experience however. One of the other members stated his Clayton control arms had quite a bit of surface rust after one winter in Wisconsin I believe. Again I have no personal experience. I’m sure both companies would fix any issues for customers immediately if there were any. I use fluid film or some other oil spray on my undercarriage components to try to prevent rust.

What I seen @Metalcloak mention is to take the arms and wipe them in acetone. Then paint them . I too am think of get different arms. I would wipe them down with acetone then paint them black or Harvest Gold or just Gold. .

 

[mac68]

I just installed the AEV 3” dual sport lift with there geometry correction brackets and billstein 5100 shocks, I netted about 4” of lift, I did add a TeraFlex front adjustable track bar to it .

 

[snazzberry2021]

I just installed the AEV 3” dual sport lift with there geometry correction brackets and billstein 5100 shocks, I netted about 4” of lift, I did add a TeraFlex front adjustable track bar to it .

That looks really sharp the way it sits

 

[mac68]

Thank you, that’s sitting on 35’s by the way

 

[2021Willys]

I just installed the AEV 3” dual sport lift with there geometry correction brackets and billstein 5100 shocks, I netted about 4” of lift, I did add a TeraFlex front adjustable track bar to it .

I looked into that AEV lift but isn’t it only recommended if you run a very heavy bed and are always loaded down? For someone that runs with an empty bed most of the time or light weight cargo wouldn’t it be a very stiff ride. I’m just curious.

 

[Metalcloak]

You should see what New England winters do to metalcloak's "great" finish. One year and it's toast.

Yes, in harsh winters, as our friends at Clayton noted, the finishes will not remain the same... however, even though the gold finish is not so pretty any more... the underlying zinc that has been infused into the steel is still doing its job and preventing steel destroying rust for many winters to come.

However, a simple clear coat sprayed over the gold zinc chromate not only brings out the luster of the gold, but protects it against winter after winter after winter.

 

[mac68]

I looked into that AEV lift but isn’t it only recommended if you run a very heavy bed and are always loaded down? For someone that runs with an empty bed most of the time or light weight cargo wouldn’t it be a very stiff ride. I’m just curious.

It rides like a 3/4 ton truck right now, but I will start adding the camper, and steel bumpers and winch

 

[Harleync]

I installed the teraflex 2.5 sport st2 lift. I also added lower adjustable lower control arms, adjustable track bar with bilstein 5100 shocks. Toyo at3 35x11.5x17 (factory rims) the tires did rub the lower control arms. Adjusting the steering stop bolt kept the tires from rubbing but I installed 1.75 synergy spacers so I could have full turn. Down the road will add new wheels with the correct backspacing. 95% of driving is Hwy and for looks. The truck drives great with this setup.

 

[snazzberry2021]

I installed the teraflex 2.5 sport st2 lift. I also added lower adjustable lower control arms, adjustable track bar with bilstein 5100 shocks. Toyo at3 35x11.5x17 (factory rims) the tires did rub the lower control arms. Adjusting the steering stop bolt kept the tires from rubbing but I installed 1.75 synergy spacers so I could have full turn. Down the road will add new wheels with the correct backspacing. 95% of driving is Hwy and for looks. The truck drives great with this setup.

That’s a perfect look, that’s how I want to be set up, thanks for the info

 

[2021Willys]

I just had the Mopar 2” lift with Bilstein shocks put on. The picture below is with 285/75/17 Toyo AT 3 tires. Long term plan is to paint and add the Rubicon fenders I acquired, switch to 4.88 spicer gears and go with a 37” BFG K03 tire in load range C. It’s insane how
much it costs to modify these vehicles to how they should look and perform.

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