Should I do front springs instead of leveling spacers?

[MudderNuker]

I want to go a different route this time when leveling my JTR. I did TF spacers on my previous Gladiator but this time I'm thinking about springs. My idea is to get the front Mopar springs and links that come with the full 2" lift kit, 2" bump stops, adjustable track bar and use JKS Geo brackets and TF shock extensions I already have. For the back I also have 3/4" spacers. What is wrong with this approach? It's not much more than doing TF spacers instead of springs. Should I expect 2" of front lift on the JTR? More/less? I will mount a Chinesium Steel bumper and Warn Evo 10S so I'm expecting about a half inch sag in the front. I will also do the Airlift 1000 air bags in the back at the same time since I will be installing rear spacers.

Sponsored

 

[Josh00333]

I did spacers first and ended up throwing them away.

vs a Frankenstein lift kit just get a full kit. It all works together is designed to work.

Sure it’s a little more up front but you’ll probably be happier at the end of the day.

Otherwise I would get AEV’s 2” spacer kit and not mess w new springs.

 

[Josh00333]

To add I put in the tf 1.5” spacers added a winch and over 2 years lost 1.25” of the spacer kit lift.

adding a steel bumper and winch will probably put you back to where you started.

 

[MudderNuker]

To add I put in the tf 1.5” spacers added a winch and over 2 years lost 1.25” of the spacer kit lift.

adding a steel bumper and winch will probably put you back to where you started.

I get you but I really don't want to go beyond leveling. I don't do much offroading with the JTR, for that I have a Wrangler YJ decently spec'd. Going beyond 2 inches gets you to point where you will need control arms, shocks, rear links and the rear track bar in addition to the front track bar I'm already planning on doing. It starts getting expensive. More so where I live. Shops are crazy expensive here. I was quoted anywhere from over $600 to $1000 just installing a front track bar and TF pucks. I did it myself and got an alignment. The nearest city is 3 hours away so that would definitely be an overnight trip just to get a lift installed. We live in a tourist town and we pay dearly for that. It's beautiful though.

 

[Stan H]

Then go with something like a Teraflex base lift that has 2.5 inch springs in front and the spacer for factory spring in the back , get new shocks and adjustable front track bar and it comes with bump stops . It's a great approach to a lift. It climates spacers in the front and if factory springs seem to wrak in the rear latter on then the easiest springs to convert are the rear.

 

[Stan H]

Then go with something like a Teraflex base lift that has 2.5 inch springs in front and the spacer for factory spring in the back , get new shocks and adjustable front track bar and it comes with bump stops . It's a great approach to a lift. It eliminates spacers in the front and if factory springs seem to wrak in the rear latter on then the easiest springs to convert are the rear. The rears can be purchased separately from teraflex in regular our HD

 

[bleda2002]

Do you need the extra load capacity of new springs or the free length? Do you dislike the way it currently rides and drives?

Unless you are looking for different spring rates, more free length, or different ride characteristics just go with spacers and call it a day. If you do want any of the above then springs are the way to go and mixing/matching spacers with springs works fine.

 

[MudderNuker]

Do you need the extra load capacity of new springs or the free length? Do you dislike the way it currently rides and drives?

Unless you are looking for different spring rates, more free length, or different ride characteristics just go with spacers and call it a day. If you do want any of the above then springs are the way to go and mixing/matching spacers with springs works fine.

Just free length right at 2" that way I can use the geo brackets I already have. Those are recommend for lifts of 2" or higher.

 

[bleda2002]

Just free length right at 2" that way I can use the geo brackets I already have. Those are recommend for lifts of 2" or higher.

Free length is how long the spring is before it unseats. After market springs are often multi rate with a really soft first section so it is 3-4 inches longer for a 2" lift than stock springs on a 2" spacer. For geo brackets whether the lift is from springs or spacers it won't matter.

 

[MudderNuker]

Free length is how long the spring is before it unseats. After market springs are often multi rate with a really soft first section so it is 3-4 inches longer for a 2" lift than stock springs on a 2" spacer. For geo brackets whether the lift is from springs or spacers it won't matter.

I have a half inch TF spacer that I thought I could stack on top of their 1.5", but I feel like too many moving parts or points of failure. On the Willys, I did the 1.5 TF and after the metal bumper and winch it looked almost the same pre spacers. Hence the reason I'm considering springs. There are a few lift kits in the 2" and 2.5" (from around $800 to more than $2800) but on most of them you have buy additional components to make it right. Right now my wife would murder me if I spend money on a lift after all the money we have spent on home additions that we financed ourselves. I lucked out with the wheels and tires because I sold some things I had laying around and the almost new tires I took off from the JTW before trading it in. Right now, I might be able to swing around $600 without her noticing. I do admit she has a point.

 

[kb5zcr]

I just installed the IronRockOffroad 2 in spacer lift. It lifts both front and rear 2 in. I'm liking it so far.
Cost was $320. I wanted to go spacers because I don't do rock crawling and wanted to keep the stock feel of the suspension.

 

[Bjeepz]

The Teraflex spacers are designed to be stackable. Your initial plan is solid for a simple setup, but the idea of the Teraflex front spring is also good. Either way you’re going ti be all set for your needs.

Sponsored