Which Lift Kit to Pick From

[Jeeperjamie]

If you want to stay slightly under 3" the Readylift 2.5" SST lift is a great lift kit and it keeps you riding stock or better. I was considering going higher than 2.5" but after the install I'm completely satisfied with it, especially how well it rides and drives and looks. Couldn't be more pleased, and out the door at my local shop I was at $801 which included the lift kit, install and alignment.

I considered adding a adjustable Trackbar and Geometry correction brackets but it's driving so well as it is I'm going to hold off until I feel like I may need them.

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[Kornfan777]

How much are you looking to spend? You can quite literally go from hundreds to thousands quite quickly.

Are you looking for a spacer lift or an actual spring lift?

As you can begin to see, there are lots of questions to answer first before narrowing down a lift for you.

i was planning on getting an actual spring lift

 

[hjdca]

I am also looking for a 3 inch to 3-1/2 inch a lift. I go 4wheeling a lot. I have many trails near my house. Here are my thoughts.

1. I am not really inclined to cut tabs and metal off the Gladiator. I have all the tools, I just do not want to.
2. I am not really inclined to completely change the suspension geometry to a 4 link.
3. I think I want a rear adjustable track bar instead of just an extension mount.
4. I am unsure of the whole "joint discussions" on the control arms. Gamechanger seems to be the best....
5. The control arms that I actually like the best are the Clayton. They are the only square ones and they have bolt holes to attach the brake lines, etc...
6. I have researched - Gamechanger, Clayton, RK, EVO so far....

I would appreciate any comments.

 

[bastage]

I am also looking for a 3 inch to 3-1/2 inch a lift. I go 4wheeling a lot. I have many trails near my house. Here are my thoughts.

1. I am not really inclined to cut tabs and metal off the Gladiator. I have all the tools, I just do not want to.
2. I am not really inclined to completely change the suspension geometry to a 4 link.
3. I think I want a rear adjustable track bar instead of just an extension mount.
4. I am unsure of the whole "joint discussions" on the control arms. RK seems to be the best....
5. The control arms that I actually like the best are the Clayton. They are the only square ones and they have bolt holes to attach the brake lines, etc...
6. I have researched - Gamechanger, Clayton, RK, EVO so far....

I would appreciate any comments.

1. I agree, but not enough to stop me from getting what I want out of the lift.
2. I really like the idea of going to the 4link rear. It was #4 & getting mad at my local 4wp that kept me from going with it.
3. Clayton & Metal Cloak both have them in very reasonably priced kit's. Others as well & if not its about a 200 dollar upgrade to any kit.
4. Talking with my installer & reading a LOT online RK tends to get noisy. The MC & Clayton Giiro bushings are supposed to be great & quiet.
5. I agree aboutt the Clayton arm's. They look OEM, but better.
6. Same & in the end I chose Clayton with MetalCloak as a very close second. The MC is actually a a good bit cheaper (using Fox 2.0's in either calculation) and with great reps from both it came down tome that I was willing to pay more to not have the ugly ass gold plating on everything (I have a red truck & no way I am going to be sporting Chiefs colors on it). If it wasnt for my adversion to the gold I would have gone with MC. The EVO stuff I hear nothing but good about, other then the price. They are MUCH more expensive (arms are like twice the cost) but I dont see an advantage over the others to justify the price.

Also keep in mind when looking at height's what that advertised height is over. A 2.5" kit over a Rubicon is often 3 or 3.5 on a sport. And depending on who you are going with they lifts may be advertised either way. So MC for example I was told gets me about 3.5 at the front on my sport. Clayton told me that they base it over the Rubicon so I should be between 3 & 3.5 using their 2.5" lift.


edit: For referance I am paying to have the Clayton 2.5 overland plus kit installed. At the same time adding the Synergy Sector Shaft Brace & JKS Quicker disconnects. I am paying a total of 4555 (1251 of it being installation, shop materials & tax). If your installing it yourself then its obviously much cheaper, but I wanted it to be as perfect as possible for on road driving so the shop I chose to do the work does pretty much nothing but jeeps.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

i was planning on getting an actual spring lift

EVO Mfg.

 

[cgflyer]

I am also looking for a 3 inch to 3-1/2 inch a lift. I go 4wheeling a lot. I have many trails near my house. Here are my thoughts.

1. I am not really inclined to cut tabs and metal off the Gladiator. I have all the tools, I just do not want to.
2. I am not really inclined to completely change the suspension geometry to a 4 link.
3. I think I want a rear adjustable track bar instead of just an extension mount.
4. I am unsure of the whole "joint discussions" on the control arms. Gamechanger seems to be the best....
5. The control arms that I actually like the best are the Clayton. They are the only square ones and they have bolt holes to attach the brake lines, etc...
6. I have researched - Gamechanger, Clayton, RK, EVO so far....

I would appreciate any comments.

Metal Cloak aka Gamechanger

 

[Moe_Fugga]

Just got my truck back from the shop with JKS installed. Ride is much better than stock. It’s less bouncy and doesn’t roll as much in corners. Sits nice with just a slight rake. Maybe a half inch higher in the back. Very happy with it. Just ordered wheels and 35s to finish her up!

 

[beefcake]

Just got my truck back from the shop with JKS installed. Ride is much better than stock. It’s less bouncy and doesn’t roll as much in corners. Sits nice with just a slight rake. Maybe a half inch higher in the back. Very happy with it. Just ordered wheels and 35s to finish her up!

Looks great!

Which shocks did you go with?

 

[Moe_Fugga]

Looks great!

Which shocks did you go with?

JKS shocks and not Fox. Only reason was to save cash. They ride fine so far, but I only have about 20 miles. The biggest tell was my driveway. I’d bounce all over the place on my factory suspension, but the JKS shocks with their springs control body movement significantly better. It’s not rough or too stiff at all for my liking.

 

[hjdca]

EVO Mfg.

I like the EVO MANUFACTURING ENFORCER OVERLAND 4.5IN LIFT STAGE 4 PLUS W/EVO SPEC 2.5 KING SHOCKS, which is $5500. I am considering getting this one, install it myself, and leave the stock Rubicon Rims and 33" Falken M/Ts for a while... This will allow me to 4wheel where I want to, but, I will be showing lots of fender space or a while... I am thinking to go 35s, not 37s when my tires wear out, but, I still think I need the clearance of a 4.5 inch kit -- because of the wheel base length. I appreciate any feedback on this plan, the EVO kit, and the King shocks.

 

[Markpod7]

If you want to stay slightly under 3" the Readylift 2.5" SST lift is a great lift kit and it keeps you riding stock or better. I was considering going higher than 2.5" but after the install I'm completely satisfied with it, especially how well it rides and drives and looks. Couldn't be more pleased, and out the door at my local shop I was at $801 which included the lift kit, install and alignment.

I considered adding a adjustable Trackbar and Geometry correction brackets but it's driving so well as it is I'm going to hold off until I feel like I may need them.

This sits nice are those 35’s and do you have a spacer as well?

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I like the EVO MANUFACTURING ENFORCER OVERLAND 4.5IN LIFT STAGE 4 PLUS W/EVO SPEC 2.5 KING SHOCKS, which is $5500. I am considering getting this one, install it myself, and leave the stock Rubicon Rims and 33" Falken M/Ts for a while... This will allow me to 4wheel where I want to, but, I will be showing lots of fender space or a while... I am thinking to go 35s, not 37s when my tires wear out, but, I still think I need the clearance of a 4.5 inch kit -- because of the wheel base length. I appreciate any feedback on this plan, the EVO kit, and the King shocks.

4.5” lifts on our JT’s needs 38” tires minimum, IMO. If you’re only going 35’s, EVO has the same kit in a 2.5” lift, which is what I would recommend. I’m running 2.5” of lift with 37’s right now, with plenty of clearance. Zero scrubbing or rubbing.

 

[hjdca]

4.5” lifts on our JT’s needs 38” tires minimum, IMO. If you’re only going 35’s, EVO has the same kit in a 2.5” lift, which is what I would recommend. I’m running 2.5” of lift with 37’s right now, with plenty of clearance. Zero scrubbing or rubbing.

Ok, thanks. If you had to do it all over again, would you pic the 2.5 inch or the 4.5 inch ?

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Ok, thanks. If you had to do it all over again, would you pic the 2.5 inch or the 4.5 inch ?

The EVO 2.5” is a true 2.5” lift (some have even reported closer to 3.5” lift front springs). IMHO, the 4.5” kits look funny with anything less than 38’s or 40’s. That’s personal opinion...Everyone has their own style. Personally, I like to stuff as much tire with as little lift as I can, for a lower center of gravity, and less top-heavy body-roll and sway. Tires are what get you ground clearance. Suspension lifts give you body clearance & more room to flex & utilize that extra ground clearance.

 

[hjdca]

The EVO 2.5” is a true 2.5” lift (some have even reported closer to 3.5” lift front springs). IMHO, the 4.5” kits look funny with anything less than 38’s or 40’s. That’s personal opinion...Everyone has their own style. Personally, I like to stuff as much tire with as little lift as I can, for a lower center of gravity, and less top-heavy body-roll and sway. Tires are what get you ground clearance. Suspension lifts give you body clearance & more more to flex & utilize that extra ground clearance.

Ok, good points. I found this pic on the video for the 4.5 inch EVO Enforcer Stage 4 install from Northridge4x4. Here is a Jeep Gladiator Overland with the lift kit installed with stock tires, which I guess are 32", not 33"s. Lots of wheel well, like you said.....

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