Question about leveling kits

[Trauma PA]

So you could add just the 1" spacer to take a little of the rake out and not mess with alignment, etc. I take it. Stock shocks, etc. with the minimal change..........

You are correct.

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[Trauma PA]

This is my Rubicon. I've installed the Daystar 1.5" leveling kit with an added on 3/4" rear spacer. Tires are 33s (285/70/17) Falken Wildpeak AT3s. Install time in my garage with floor Jack and hand tools was 3 hours.
Question for you all: should I go with 35s or does it look good as it sits currently?

 

[bhbdvm]

So you could add just the 1" spacer to take a little of the rake out and not mess with alignment, etc. I take it. Stock shocks, etc. with the minimal change..........

I only added the 1” spacer on my truck. I also got new wheels and tires at the same time therefore had an alignment done. I also changed over to the Falcon shocks which I believe make a difference.

 

[Reasons]

This is my Rubicon. I've installed the Daystar 1.5" leveling kit with an added on 3/4" rear spacer. Tires are 33s (285/70/17) Falken Wildpeak AT3s. Install time in my garage with floor Jack and hand tools was 3 hours.
Question for you all: should I go with 35s or does it look good as it sits currently?

I know you are not on level ground but even when i tilt the screen your front looks higher than the rear. Could be just me though. As far as looks, doesn't look bad but 35s will definitely fill in those wheel wells nicely.

 

[bhbdvm]

This is my Rubicon. I've installed the Daystar 1.5" leveling kit with an added on 3/4" rear spacer. Tires are 33s (285/70/17) Falken Wildpeak AT3s. Install time in my garage with floor Jack and hand tools was 3 hours.
Question for you all: should I go with 35s or does it look good as it sits currently?

I think 35’s look better

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You are correct.

But then what about the pitch and roll gauges (inclinometers)?
You will be out of zero when sitting on the level, would you not? Don't you need to recalibrate?
It would be as when I had my inclinometer in my WJ measuring the grade on some of the roads here. I set the Jeep in my shop on the part of the floor that was level, set my gauge up so it read 0 degrees and secured it in place, then went for a drive. If I had changed the pitch - the front to rear tilt in any way - the gauge would be off.
Does anyone here even use those or recalibrate them after changing the pitch of the vehicle using a leveling kit or other means?
(I normally use those to measure drive shaft and joint angles - I actually have two, one electronic, the other with a rotating indicator in it. The electronic one is handy for my table saw setup.)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I know you are not on level ground but even when i tilt the screen your front looks higher than the rear. Could be just me though. As far as looks, doesn't look bad but 35s will definitely fill in those wheel wells nicely.

Go by the rocker area - looks like a very slight rake front being just a tiny bit lower than the rear to me..........
Assuming he is straight in that beautiful driveway you could compare the line along the grass with the rocker panel area and it looks like a very slight rake, front lower - at least to me (I can only imagine how nice the rest of the place looks based on this pic - puts mine to shame for sure)

 

[Gobi Wan K]

I only added the 1” spacer on my truck. I also got new wheels and tires at the same time therefore had an alignment done. I also changed over to the Falcon shocks which I believe make a difference.

So, I just installed my bumper and winch. From my measurements it seems I dropped somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. I was thinking of doing that Teraflex 1" disc to bring it back close to stock and maybe take just a little rake out. Do you know how much your bumper/winch dropped your front? Hard to tell from the angle in your profile pic but yours looks pretty level.

 

[bhbdvm]

So, I just installed my bumper and winch. From my measurements it seems I dropped somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. I was thinking of doing that Teraflex 1" disc to bring it back close to stock and maybe take just a little rake out. Do you know how much your bumper/winch dropped your front? Hard to tell from the angle in your profile pic but yours looks pretty level.

I did not measure prior so I can’t say specifically. It’s pretty level but from some views it still has a little rake but not much at all.

 

[SgtMajTomahawk]

I learned with my JK plan ahead. Do the work once. I was all set on just doing the 1.5in level but realized at some point I'm adding a heavier steel bumper and a winch. With my JK this turned my 4in lift into a 3in lift on the front so I opted for the 2.5in on the front and a 3/4in on the rear just to keep a little rake to the truck. I don't have it all installed yet so i will try and post pics when it is, but just from doing research and looking at other builds this is what I've decided on.

Another thing to consider is spring rates of the different JTs. I have the Sport S with Max Tow and my rear springs are stiffer (Progressive Springs) compared to the Rubicon Springs, which give the Rubicon slightly more height, but they are more linear and softer for off road performance. That's why Rubicon owners complain about the sag in the rear when leveling them out. Now I grabbed a set of take off Rubicon Springs and Fox shocks to put on mine when I do the kit. From what I've read the Rubicon Springs make the JT feel spongy while the Max Tow springs feel firm. A lot of Max Tow owners are going to Rubicon Springs on the front and keeping the stiffer Max Tow springs on the rear. The regular Sport, Sport S, and Overland models have the softest springs in the bunch so those 3 trim levels going to Rubicon take offs would be an upgrade.

This is just from stuff I've gathered here on the forums so when you start looking at what height level kit you want to go you have to consider several factors. What trim level you are running, what do you plan to add to the front of the Jeep, do you plan on towing at all, do you plan on adding an overland build with a lot of weight in the bed. Honestly if you have a Rubicon and plan on adding racks and tents to the bed maybe towing trailers you would benefit from putting Max Tow springs on the back with a 3/4in or 1in spacer.

Like I said when I get it all installed I will try and post some pics.

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