So I see mid level kits that have either upper or lower control arms included. These are in that 1K to 1200 range.
I want the ride to be like stock, but looking for about a 3 inch lift for 35s. What kit would be better?
I know having both upper and lowers adjustable would be optimal, but do you need that at 3 inches?

 

Even with a 3 inch lift, the best setup to get u back to a "stock" like ride and handling, will require the caster to be corrected in the front with either adjustable upper or lower control arms in the front. Most go with adjustable lowers in the front. If you don't do this, your jeep will tend to wander all over the road.

Even with a 3 inch lift, the rear pinion angle should be addressed to prevent premature wear to the driveshaft, prevent excessive vibration, which would eventually lead to premature failure of the output shaft end of the transmission. This is corrected thru adjustable rear control arms. Most go with adjustable uppers in the rear.

The rest of the control arms are a nice to have.

Hope that helps.

Good luck with your build.

 

So I notice that RK uses lowers in thier 2.5 max travel, while Full Traction uses uppers in thier 3.0 Premium Plus 0% Maintenance kit
Then MetalCloak gives you front uppers in thier Wrangler 2.5/3.5 Dual-Rate Lift Kit (Additionally, we go the extra step by including the upper front Control Arms for easy Caster alignment)

So can you correct the caster alignment either way? And which one stretches your wheelbase back into "normal"?
Vendors, please feel free to chime in. I'm going for a mid level kit as soon as the mountain snow clears up after the winter. I'm aiming at 2.5 to 3.5 max inches of lift.

 

On a 4 door with a 3" lift, You just need a set of front Control arms to adjust your caster. The lowers are easier to install, Our arms have on car caster adjustment (no need to remove the arms for adjustment), not to mention you are replacing the factory arms that take beating offroad. Generally lowers cost a little more than the uppers, so that why you are seeing different prices on lift kits.

On the 4 door you have enough wheel base to get away with leaving the stock control arms in the rear. Other things to add to a 3" lift kit on a 4 door would be,

Drag Link flip
brake line drop bracket
Sway bar links,
Bump stops
Rear trackbar bracket

 

You could go with Geomtry correcting brackets ( control arm brackets) for the front. Rough Country and AEV both make them. I've installed the RC ones and it helped a hellova lot with flightyness on an incomplete Dealer installed 4" spring/shock lift.

 

Thanks Chris. I spoke to the guys at Full Traction and they pretty much said the same thing. uppers or lowers can do the same, so price is a big part if your lowers are in good shape.

 

No problem, here's an EVO kit that fits your needs

EVO: Suspension / Steering, EVO MFG(2) 4" Lift Kit ENFORCER Package

$1184.00 without shocks

or something like this from Teraflex
| TeraFlex Suspensions

 

hey Chris, I must tell you that I bypassed your kit because the site said 4 inch lift and then the pictured price was for the full up kit with everything.
Then I figured from your comments that 35in tire selection = 3 inch and the 37 tire = 4 inch. Am I off here?

 

we have a 3" kit and a 4" kit, they just have not added the 3" kit to the website

 

I believe you can get either size they ask you what size tire your running so they give you the appropriate size bumpstop. I just got the 4 inch but with bumpstops for 35s