Talking through my decision...

[DirtyD]

After looking at several of the rigs on here, I think I have decided to go up 3.5 inches and keep my current 35s. I am looking at two completely different kits to do this. In making this decision my Glad will not be a rock crawler, but not totally a mall crawler either, primary off-road will be at the deer lease and pastures hunting pigs and predators. I can get the JKS kit with LCAs for just under $1200 ($950 without), or I can do the Rough Country kit for about $450ish. One concern I have with the RC kit is once I put a bumper and winch on it will be difficult to adjust for any sag, whereas with the JKS kit I can still throw a 1 inch spacer in if needed. Big draw to the RC kit is price, my build budget is running low and I still want to re-gear. Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Renegade]

I ran a 3.5 JKS lift on my 2015 JK, and a 2.5 RC lift on my 2013 JK. While the RC lift was sufficient considering the price, the JKS rode considerably better than any of my previous Jeeps, and it was on 37” tires (KO2). While my comparisons aren’t direct (due to them being on JKs), if you can reasonably afford it, I would suggest the JKS may ride considerably better. It is certainly more complete.

 

[Bjeepz]

This is a get what you pay for zone. I mean this politely, I don't understand why people purchase expensive vehicles and follow that up with economy upgrades. My JKS lift with Fox shocks is going on Monday. I had JKS on my last JKU and liked it but the Fox upgrade would have been much better... My previous JK had a more expensive Frankenlift with Fox shocks and it rode even better. I do realize that compared to many products the JKS lift can certainly be considered economy or low end..

 

[Renegade]

This is a get what you pay for zone. I mean this politely, I don't understand why people purchase expensive vehicles and follow that up with economy upgrades. My JKS lift with Fox shocks is going on Monday. I had JKS on my last JKU and liked it but the Fox upgrade would have been much better... My previous JK had a more expensive Frankenlift with Fox shocks and it rode even better. I do realize that compared to many products the JKS lift can certainly be considered economy or low end..

Well, I think it’s somewhat related to cash vs. credit. Many of us can afford a payment on a relatively expensive vehicle, but life (mostly family expenses) prevents us from saving up for a higher priced lift (at least initially). I also think often times mass marketing and the internet influence us into believing that we MUST have higher end suspensions/accessories when less expensive things might suit our needs just fine. How many times do you see people spend $30,000 on expensive Jeep crap only to never need it? YouTube has practically convinced us that we should all put Dana 60s, $3,000 shocks, and Hemis in everything we own.

 

[Bjeepz]

Well, I think it’s somewhat related to cash vs. credit. Many of us can afford a payment on a relatively expensive vehicle, but life (mostly family expenses) prevents us from saving up for a higher priced lift (at least initially). I also think often times mass marketing and the internet influence us into believing that we MUST have higher end suspensions/accessories when less expensive things might suit our needs just fine. How many times do you see people spend $30,000 on expensive Jeep crap only to never need it? YouTube has practically convinced us that we should all put Dana 60s, $3,000 shocks, and Hemis in everything we own.

That is a fair statement. I would prefer to run a 29 inch front shock but that is a lot more money than the 26.5 inch shocks that come with my lift due to many other things needing to be changed to accommodate the extra travel. I have done mods that weren't quite what I wanted but thought it should be good enough then ended up paying more in the long run to replace things that weren't great. OP should read here and other Jeep forums about RC lifts and see what people are experiencing. I just know from experience that it is a bummer to come across ppl with sweet looking rigs that hate the way they ride/drive after a lift. Also, it is potentially possible you have taken it a few levels beyond my suggestion by tossing the D60 stuff in here. It is not like I said Kings or nothing! Best of luck with whatever you choose OP.

 

[DirtyD]

Appreciate the input, like I said big draw to the RC is cost, but leaning heavily toward the JKS. Are the JKS shocks any good?

 

[Renegade]

That is a fair statement. I would prefer to run a 29 inch front shock but that is a lot more money than the 26.5 inch shocks that come with my lift due to many other things needing to be changed to accommodate the extra travel. I have done mods that weren't quite what I wanted but thought it should be good enough then ended up paying more in the long run to replace things that weren't great. OP should read here and other Jeep forums about RC lifts and see what people are experiencing. I just know from experience that it is a bummer to come across ppl with sweet looking rigs that hate the way they ride/drive after a lift. Also, it is potentially possible you have taken it a few levels beyond my suggestion by tossing the D60 stuff in here. It is not like I said Kings or nothing! Best of luck with whatever you choose OP.

Oh, I was definitely taking it a few levels beyond.
I wasn’t calling you out on your suggestion. It was solid, and I agree about the Fox Shocks. I was just pointing out that a lot of people seem to look down on people who have less expensive lifts. I think it’s because the marketing people convince us we always need more. Cheers!

 

[WXman]

Well, I think it’s somewhat related to cash vs. credit. Many of us can afford a payment on a relatively expensive vehicle, but life (mostly family expenses) prevents us from saving up for a higher priced lift (at least initially). I also think often times mass marketing and the internet influence us into believing that we MUST have higher end suspensions/accessories when less expensive things might suit our needs just fine. How many times do you see people spend $30,000 on expensive Jeep crap only to never need it? YouTube has practically convinced us that we should all put Dana 60s, $3,000 shocks, and Hemis in everything we own.

Exactly. When Lite Brite started to make her YouTube channel popular they were running the same $169.99 Rough Country lift kit that I had at the time and they thrashed the hell out of their Rubicon all over the country and that Jeep went everywhere on 37" tires and the spacer lift. It really makes a guy wonder why somebody would spend $2,000 on a lift kit.

But... the ultra expensive stuff is what viewers want to see, probably because they can't afford it themselves, and so Lite Brite has since dumped the RC lift in favor of tens of thousands of dollars worth in mods to the suspension, axles, and even powertrain.

Personally, I find great joy in the challenge of seeing how little I can spend on mine and still get it to where I need it. I find excellent deals on everything I can.

 

[Bjeepz]

Appreciate the input, like I said big draw to the RC is cost, but leaning heavily toward the JKS. Are the JKS shocks any good?

The JSPEC shocks weren’t quite firm enough for my liking on my JKU. The ride was generally satisfactory which is why I am going JKS again! What I found was there was still a little sway back and forth similar to stock, whereas when I ran Fox 2.0’s on the previous JK setup the sway was not apparent. If you’re on a budget and go this way I am Confident you will find the ride better than stock. But.... ride is very subjective!

 

[DirtyD]

The JSPEC shocks weren’t quite firm enough for my liking on my JKU. The ride was generally satisfactory which is why I am going JKS again! What I found was there was still a little sway back and forth similar to stock, whereas when I ran Fox 2.0’s on the previous JK setup the sway was not apparent. If you’re on a budget and go this way I am Confident you will find the ride better than stock. But.... ride is very subjective!

Thanks for the reply, just trying to figure out if the Fox were worth/needed for the extra $200

 

[Bjeepz]

Thanks for the reply, just trying to figure out if the Fox were worth/needed for the extra $200

For $200 I feel the upgrade once is worth it.

 

[Capt. B]

I’m running the RC 3.5” lift and while it may be $450ish choosing that doesn’t mean you’re going cheap because of affordability. I went back and forth between spacer vs spring and at the end of that process I decided that I preferred the factory ride over any sway/spring ride I wouldn’t like. I’m not a hard core rock crawler either. Assuming someone chooses a lesser costing lift because they’re broke is a little elitist.

 

[Renegade]

Thanks for the reply, just trying to figure out if the Fox were worth/needed for the extra $200

For only $200, I would do it.

 

[DirtyD]

I’m running the RC 3.5” lift and while it may be $450ish choosing that doesn’t mean you’re going cheap because of affordability. I went back and forth between spacer vs spring and at the end of that process I decided that I preferred the factory ride over any sway/spring ride I wouldn’t like. I’m not a hard core rock crawler either. Assuming someone chooses a lesser costing lift because they’re broke is a little elitist.

The biggest issues I can see with the RC lift for my use are leveling the vehicle after a bumper and winch go on (stacking spacers) and replacing their shocks with better riding units.... with a spring lift if I need to "tune" things it would be a little easier. But coming in at less than half the price leaves money in the budget for a set of Bartact covers....

Sponsored