Which Lift Kit to Pick From

[Romenator]

Finally made it to Moab. My wife is the toughest critic and loves our lift, shocks and 37 inch tires. did I say she loves our Clayton off-road lift with flacon shocks 3.3. We did hard trails and over 50 miles of crappy dirt roads. All I can say is smooth and controlled. Even our husky loves it.

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[trust]

Interesting discussion all, I'm unsure on lift but am semi certain I'll go with 37s. I wasnt familiar with Clayton but will become so for sure. I like dealing with folks who know their product. Surprises me how seldom that happens (bestop, others).

I'm not throwing stones or mud but while vicariously wheeling on youtube I was struck by a shop owners lack of any discernable enthusiasm for the EVO set up on his own truck. In recommending kits for someone he pretty quickly dismissed EVO as an option. Surprised me but maybe he knew the guy being shopped for couldn't pop for it.

For thos who have the EVO and have lived with it some what dont you like about it or what would you do differently or change?

Other brands same question?

I want a set up that works as well as my alcan/bilstien set up on my Scrambler

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Interesting discussion all, I'm unsure on lift but am semi certain I'll go with 37s. I wasnt familiar with Clayton but will become so for sure. I like dealing with folks who know their product. Surprises me how seldom that happens (bestop, others).

I'm not throwing stones or mud but while vicariously wheeling on youtube I was struck by a shop owners lack of any discernable enthusiasm for the EVO set up on his own truck. In recommending kits for someone he pretty quickly dismissed EVO as an option. Surprised me but maybe he knew the guy being shopped for couldn't pop for it.

For thos who have the EVO and have lived with it some what dont you like about it or what would you do differently or change?

Other brands same question?

I want a set up that works as well as my alcan/bilstien set up on my Scrambler

Evo is not cheap. And it's not known to be one of the more budget-friendly options. It is, however, well-known for being extremely heavy duty and solid. I have an EVO 2.5" Enforcer Stage 2 Plus kit sitting in my storage unit waiting to be installed. I don't buy junk with my hard-earned money. I have been fooled in the past, but EVO is well-known in the Jeep suspension world. and I've only seen 1 or 2 bad reviews (which everything man-made is bound to have a lemon or 2 slip-out occasionally, so I try to give companies the benefit of the doubt). But everything else I have ever read about them was positive and rave. I'm just waiting on time to install my Evo stuff.

I'm running a 2.5" spacer lift right now with 37's on my JTR, and it's been great. Kept the factory ride, but increase height and clearance for 37's and allowed for about 34" of flex. Really can't complain about that, just want to go fully-adjustable for future upgrades and future more hardcore terrain offroading than we have around here in Alabama. Maybe future trips out west to MOAB and places like that...I hope. I plan on running the factory Fox Rubicon shocks for now, with shock extension brackets.

 

[trust]

Thanks AMM. I can totally relate, we spend to much time, energy, money, and seat time to scrimp on parts, especially suspension parts. I never realized how bad the good lead springs were until I got my Alcans in 04, still the best riding, best flexing jeep I've owned or ridden in.

Whose spacers are you using? I'm about to order wheels and tires but may not be able to do a full suspension before September In Utah. AEV is sold out...

Thanks

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Thanks AMM. I can totally relate, we spend to much time, energy, money, and seat time to scrimp on parts, especially suspension parts. I never realized how bad the good lead springs were until I got my Alcans in 04, still the best riding, best flexing jeep I've owned or ridden in.

Whose spacers are you using? I'm about to order wheels and tires but may not be able to do a full suspension before September In Utah. AEV is sold out...

Thanks

Here’s a thread I started about it...

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/skyjacker-g250msb.28909/

Several others are also using the kit, and enjoying it, as well. It’s a nice spacer lift.

 

[Tufelhundin]

@bastage , did you pick up your JT today? If so, thoughts? Pics?? LOL

 

[bastage]

@bastage , did you pick up your JT today? If so, thoughts? Pics?? LOL

Yes I did... And its way higher then I was expecting. I am not at all complaining, but as @j.o.y.ride said in his its way higher then the advertised 2.5". I didnt get measurements, but I believe I got 2" extra at the front end & it was already up 1.5" . I havent been out to flex it yet, but the on road ride feels much better. Part of that is the steering which the synergy sector shaft brace seems to of resolved the rest of my complaints with part.

So far I am more then completely satisfied with what was done. If I have to nitpick anything though it would simply be that the retaining braces for the JKS quicker disconnects are almost certainly going to be in the way of the ACE inner fenders I have sitting in my garage. Thats not a big deal though I will just pull the braces & ziptie the swaybars out of the way when I have them disc.

I have only taken one pic so far.

 

[Tufelhundin]

35's? That looks great! Congrats on your purchase and results.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Yes I did... And its way higher then I was expecting. I am not at all complaining, but as @j.o.y.ride said in his its way higher then the advertised 2.5". I didnt get measurements, but I believe I got 2" extra at the front end & it was already up 1.5" . I havent been out to flex it yet, but the on road ride feels much better. Part of that is the steering which the synergy sector shaft brace seems to of resolved the rest of my complaints with part.

So far I am more then completely satisfied with what was done. If I have to nitpick anything though it would simply be that the retaining braces for the JKS quicker disconnects are almost certainly going to be in the way of the ACE inner fenders I have sitting in my garage. Thats not a big deal though I will just pull the braces & ziptie the swaybars out of the way when I have them disc.

I have only taken one pic so far.

I measured a solid 3-4" on every corner from the 2.5" lift. @Clayton Off Road said it's for some settling and adding components and gear and still having the 2.5" clearance. Which is WAY more honest an approach than 2.5" being maybe 2" in reality and then settles and loads to 1.5" like some other options.

You absolutely get your money's worth and more with the Clayton stuff. And they refuse to sell a kit without a trackbar like some other even notable brands do.

 

[bastage]

35's? That looks great! Congrats on your purchase and results.

Yeah 35's (well technically 315/70r17 on 0 offset wheels).

It really does look fantastic. Not trying to toot my own horn... but I am anyway.

 

[chickenbill77]

Reading through this thread has been enlightening, I am a complete noob, but looking to lift my overland to fit 37" tires, there are an overwhelming amount of lifts to choose from but, I am thinking about an EVO kit or a Clayton kit (looking for one on the budget end of those). Even so, as I said I am a complete noob, I don't know which one to pick, and with each one what additional pieces are needed, or recommended. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[kelkolb]

Reading through this thread has been enlightening, I am a complete noob, but looking to lift my overland to fit 37" tires, there are an overwhelming amount of lifts to choose from but, I am thinking about an EVO kit or a Clayton kit (looking for one on the budget end of those). Even so, as I said I am a complete noob, I don't know which one to pick, and with each one what additional pieces are needed, or recommended. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

What are your goals? Clayton will be cheaper by the time you add shocks, and IMO is the better choice regardless of that. EVO is overpriced and has its problems. They’re customer service is fantastic as well.

 

[Aberk]

I can't say enough about how happy I am with the service from Clayton. I just installed the 3.5" overland kit with fox shocks and it rides great.

I cut my sway bar end links too much and they're sending me new threaded rod so I can redo it at no charge to me even though it was my mistake.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Reading through this thread has been enlightening, I am a complete noob, but looking to lift my overland to fit 37" tires, there are an overwhelming amount of lifts to choose from but, I am thinking about an EVO kit or a Clayton kit (looking for one on the budget end of those). Even so, as I said I am a complete noob, I don't know which one to pick, and with each one what additional pieces are needed, or recommended. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

Shoot Jamie at @Clayton Off Road a message. I strongly suspect the new "2.5" kit which ended up closer to 3.5-4 is plenty enough for 37s. I'll have my 35s from @Discount Tire on later this afternoon.

The Clayton I got was a perfect way to lift and recenter everything properly and allow you to add other arms later if you decide you need them.

But 37s on an Overland is going to require a re-gear, may as well add lockers at same time, and and should get new axle shafts. It's a lot of work

 

[bastage]

Reading through this thread has been enlightening, I am a complete noob, but looking to lift my overland to fit 37" tires, there are an overwhelming amount of lifts to choose from but, I am thinking about an EVO kit or a Clayton kit (looking for one on the budget end of those). Even so, as I said I am a complete noob, I don't know which one to pick, and with each one what additional pieces are needed, or recommended. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

The budget lifts are enough to get you into the air. If your not beating on them then its probably good enough as long as its got the arms to correct the front geometry & track bars to recenter the brackets. Just like the last few responses I think Clayton is the go to. Their budget type lift isnt on the webpage yet, but it appears they will sell it if ya contact them. You could always take it from the budget to the full thing later by adding the rest of the control arms.

Re-Gear is not necessarry if your ok with the loss in power that the bigger tires will result in & not beating on things. If your wanting to look good pulling into the local mall then grab the budget lift & your 37's & your done.. The rest is going to mostly be for performance/strength when your pushing things to their limits.

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