Thoughts on Quadratec Lift Kits

[DanW]

I'm going to lift my JT at some point in the not too distant future and I was looking at some options. I have a Mopar 2" lift on my JL, which is really about a 2.5 to 2.75 inch lift....and I love it. It has Fox shocks and the ride on and off road is plush and really nice. That's what I want for the JT. My brother had the Mopar on his JT with 35's and it rode even slightly better than my JL.

However, the Mopar kit is expensive and I'd be adding adjustable track bars on top of that.

So here's what I'm looking at for starters: With either of these, I would ultimately move to Fox shocks, but would run what comes with it for awhile. Quadratec says their Hydro shocks give a smoother ride but the Nitros handle moderate to heavy off roading better. Most of my off-roading is moderate, but every couple years I head out on a big trip and we get into some pretty hard stuff. The Fox shocks on my JL have been superb no matter what I throw at them and stay cool to the touch, always. They perform like new after over 80,000 miles and 5 years, too.

1. Quadratec 2.5....Pros....I know it will fit in my garage, and it is inexpensive, coming in at under $700. Since it doesn't come with longer lower control arms, I can use my Rancho lower control arm relocation brackets that I originally bought for the JL and never used. I would also for sure add a Rancho adjustable front track bar (same as my JL) and possibly a rear adjustable track bar, if necessary. The whole deal would come in at just over $1,000, possibly closer to $800.

2. Quadratec 3.5. Pros...Comes with an adjustable front track bar and longer lower front control arms. Plus you get another inch of lift, which improves breakover, approach, and departure angles. Cons: I have to make sure it will fit in the garage. Lol. Also, I might have to add extended brake lines. Not really a con, but I'd probably have to add a rear adjustable track bar, but I'm not entirely sure that's necessary with the JT. I'm not as familiar with the rear suspension as I am the JL. This kit costs just under $1000. Shocks are the same.

So does anyone have experience with these two lifts? They must be relatively new because Quadratec doesn't have any reviews yet. I'm particularly interested in feedback on their shocks. Right now, I'd be leaning toward the softer ride of the hydro 7.0 shocks.

Also, what is the liklihood of needing an adjustable rear track bar? Does that rear axle move much when lifted?

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[TheOpa]

I do not have direct experience with their lifts but I have been disappointed with other purchases from them, including side step/rock rails that came somewhat beat up in shipping and started to rust at the welds and seams within a few weeks. I don’t know if there is a direct correlation to the quality of parts in a lift but if you search for the company name on this forum and the Internet you may have some additional points to think about.
I have the Clayton 2.5” Overland plus lift and have been impressed with it. There are other lift manufacturers that, like Clayton, also sponsor this forum and offer sales at this time of year that lower the cost. For something as important as lift, steering, and suspension components I would recommend thinking about the quality of the components first, then price shop and find the better quality components when they are at a discounted price.

 

[mx5red]

So would you be gambling on the QT shocks? Would you be better just buying the fox anyway?
You can Frankenstein a perfectly functional lift if simple.
You can get springs for $3-600 and fox shocks for $650 or so, plus an adj track bar of your choosing… debatable if needed for 2.5”.
JKS owns fox and they should be designed for the fox shocks, plus they’re a bargain at $300. You are essentially getting $50 shocks with the QT kit, sooo you could do that with better springs and cheap shocks at least made by name brands like bds or rancho, even $400 bilsteins 5100s.
Plus you already have the correction brackets which will ride better than longer arms anyway.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/coil-springs/jspec1352-jks-3-5in-front-coil-spring-kit
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...performance-series-ifp-shock-front-2-3in-lift

 

[Gizmo]

In your initial options I would swap the new rear track bar for something like the Tera flex rear track bar bracket . That raises up the axle end which flattens the angle and centers the axle .

 

[DanW]

So would you be gambling on the QT shocks? Would you be better just buying the fox anyway?
You can Frankenstein a perfectly functional lift if simple.
You can get springs for $3-600 and fox shocks for $650 or so, plus an adj track bar of your choosing… debatable if needed for 2.5”.
JKS owns fox and they should be designed for the fox shocks, plus they’re a bargain at $300. You are essentially getting $50 shocks with the QT kit, sooo you could do that with better springs and cheap shocks at least made by name brands like bds or rancho, even $400 bilsteins 5100s.
Plus you already have the correction brackets which will ride better than longer arms anyway.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/coil-springs/jspec1352-jks-3-5in-front-coil-spring-kit
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...performance-series-ifp-shock-front-2-3in-lift

Where did you find the Fox shocks for $650? Nevermind, I see. Those are 2.0's. That's good. Thanks!

So the QT kit even purchasing Fox shocks separately is still easier than a Frankenstein, though. I wouldn't have to dork around with creating bump stop extensions.

I think QT does do some things in a quality way. I also like that they don't completely level the Jeep. Just one inch more lift in the front than the rear. I don't want my JT going nose-high when I put an overlanding load in the bed.

 

[SoK66]

The voice of experince here. Do not cheap out on suspensions. Do your homework, be patient and do it ONCE. Frankly, from my experience other than the fact it doesn't provide adjustable or lengthened track bars the Mopar kit is hard to beat up to 37" tires. We have five tour Gladiators with the Mopar 2" and Fox shocks on them and they have performed brilliantly. The only issues being caused by the dealer's techs installation mistakes.

 

[DanW]

The voice of experince here. Do not cheap out on suspensions. Do your homework, be patient and do it ONCE. Frankly, from my experience other than the fact it doesn't provide adjustable or lengthened track bars the Mopar kit is hard to beat up to 37" tires. We have five tour Gladiators with the Mopar 2" and Fox shocks on them and they have performed brilliantly. The only issues being caused by the dealer's techs installation mistakes.

Yeah, I've been thrilled with the Mopar kit on my JL. I did add front and rear adjustable track bars to it. I'll be installing myself, so I'll own any mistakes. I've installed two AEV lifts on JK's with no known errors, so I'm optimistic! Lol.

 

[mx5red]

Where did you find the Fox shocks for $650? Nevermind, I see. Those are 2.0's. That's good. Thanks!

So the QT kit even purchasing Fox shocks separately is still easier than a Frankenstein, though. I wouldn't have to dork around with creating bump stop extensions.

I think QT does do some things in a quality way. I also like that they don't completely level the Jeep. Just one inch more lift in the front than the rear. I don't want my JT going nose-high when I put an overlanding load in the bed.

People hate the thought of Frankenstein but once you install a lift you realize there are either huge compromises or things like bump stops you have to tune for your specific vehicle to make the most use out of it anyway, so doing it from the start can be cheaper and better.

All the individual parts can be purchased separately, and there is no magic to a simple lift (I.e. getting an alignment with adjustable arms).

-Spacers/springs of your choosing.
-Either shock extensions or longer shocks to utilize travel.
-The bump stops included in kits usually are generously long to make sure there is a safety margin and people don’t crunch their shocks. You ideally would cycle your suspension to see how much/little bump you need and adjust, that’s why metalcloak/synergy etc make nice adjustable bumps.
-Same for sway bar links. Can get some Icon ones for your Rubicon or big buck Rock Krawler/Core ones. Or you can get mopar lift ones for like $30.

Then you can decide on the geometry brackets or track bars or whatever.
It’s easy?
Or wait to buy a takeoff Mopar lift from somebody?

I just think the QT ones aren’t worth what they’re charging.
JKS springs + cheap shocks + cheap end links + bumps =~ Quadratech.. and I’d rather have the other brands and adjustable bumps.

 

[Quadratec]

I do not have direct experience with their lifts but I have been disappointed with other purchases from them, including side step/rock rails that came somewhat beat up in shipping and started to rust at the welds and seams within a few weeks. I don’t know if there is a direct correlation to the quality of parts in a lift but if you search for the company name on this forum and the Internet you may have some additional points to think about.
I have the Clayton 2.5” Overland plus lift and have been impressed with it. There are other lift manufacturers that, like Clayton, also sponsor this forum and offer sales at this time of year that lower the cost. For something as important as lift, steering, and suspension components I would recommend thinking about the quality of the components first, then price shop and find the better quality components when they are at a discounted price.

Hey Greg,

I am so sorry for the trouble you have endured with your side step/rock rail order. Please send us a private message with the order number, so I can take a look at this for you. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

~Lorraine

 

[MrClortho]

Personally, I have had good luck with Quadratec brand parts but take them for what they are. They are often an economical solutions of acceptable quality but not the best. They are not priced to be the best and fit in a nice place between expensive high end but better than the cheap stuff. I have run their rock rails and many other parts and have been satisfied with the quality, but knew what I was getting into. I have had issues with non QT brand parts and QT supported my needs even though it was not their fault, so I trust them to do me right in the end.

When I comes to suspension systems, one must decide based on budget, where to compromise. I have lifted over a dozen vehicles in the last 30 years and though all of that, learned my lessons. I am not saying QT lifts might not be of sufficient quality, but they are at a price point where it would be impossible for them to compete with the high end kits. I am sure they are not trying to either. This often works well for folks as long as they know what they are buying and at what budget. How many lifted Jeeps really hit the trails, and of those, how many do more than simple ranch or forest roads. I'll wager few as a percentage, so an economical kit might make sense.

In the end, going with a full, quality kit is going to be your best bet if your budget allows (Clayton, Metalcloak, Terraflex, etc). I installed the Clayton 3.5" Overland kit with Fox shocks (the 2nd lift on my JT) and the difference in quality, performance, drivability and durability is in a different league than kits I have run from the lower quality brands.

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