Brand new 2013 JKU will arrive in a few weeks and I'm trying to decide which lift. I plan to run 33x12.5x15 and don't foresee going to 35s ever. I've decided on a TF lift, but can't figure out the pros and cons impact of a budget boost vs. full 2.5 lift with shocks. My main priority is daily driving on highway, with secondary being Florida trail runs twice a month. Can you help me break down the pros and cons?

Separately, if the 2.5 lift with shocks is the right way to go, are adjustable Ranchos a good way to go?

Thanks

 

first off, you say 33s now, but likely 35s later. but maybe not lol .

i had my 33s for 4 months i think, just got my 35s yesterday. i went from a 1.75bb to the JKS 2.5 coil lift ( more like 2.75+) super happy with the ride of the coil lift over stock springs with spacers. i also added fox shocks ( highly recommended but the bilstein 5100s are also a cheaper but excellent shock as well.

the teraflex 2.5 bb is highly recommended on this forum, great kit. very well put together and guys seem to love them. 2.5inch front spacer and 2inch rear spacer, so it levels the jeep. my coil lift was 2.5 front/rear so it still has the factory rake stance to it. ( your preference ). this forum has great info on it, just do some searching and will find pretty much anything you need to know. lots of knowledgable guys here and everyone is willing to help.

 

I was in the same boat. I had 2.5bb and went to 2.5 TF coil specifically because the stock springs don't handle the weight of added bumpers and winch. And you say you don't want 35"s but once you see how much of a gap there will be between the tires and fenders on a 2.5" lift and 33"s you will reconsider.

 

Moving from a spacer leveling kit to a rough country 2.5 coils and shock/ rear trackbar relocator, the ride is 100 x better than the stock ride, i would go with coils and shocks and ditch the stock stuff.

 

Thanks guys. My concern is getting a lift that's too large for the 33's or negatively impacts the daily driving. It sounds like the ride might actually be better with the coil lift +shocks.

 

I'd get the 33s and rims installed, before you buy any type of lift kit. 33s can be run at stock height and fill the fender wells just right at stock height. 35s DO require a lift or flat fenders to fit properly. We put on the 35s first at stock height and had it like that for a month then went to a 3"/2" BB lift which looked great with 35s. But bought a 4" kit a month later cause the lil woman wanted her JK higher and I finally put it on 8 months after running the BB. We got about 5" of lift and now 37s look like they should be in there So next is gearing and 37s.

If you really think you're not getting 35s or bigger in the future, then get the 33s and don't do any lift yet. Run it with the 33s for a little bit first to see how you like it, cause it's easy to start wasting money on stuff you'll change out later on.

 

Depending how wide you go...and the backspacing, you will rub occasionally. I did. lift will help.

 

I would suggest getting the coil lift and shocks. The shocks will improve the ride quality over stock shocks. New coils will also improve ride quality.

You do say you are mostly highway, and couple trails. For looking at coil spacer vs coils, go with coils.

Don't worry about looking "bad" with your 33"s and 2.5" lift.

I'm running 33"s, had a 2.5" lift an loved it. Just traded that 2.5" lift for a 4" RC lift. I'll be running my 33" tires (measure to 31") with my 4" lift.

Here's my 2.5" and 285/70/17 BFG AT KO



Here's my Jeep with the tires and no lift.

 

My buddy bought an X model 2009 JK model. That's what made me order my Jeep. I could help falling in love with his. He has the 2.5" BB spacers with a metric tire I thought read 285 something...LoL I can't remember the number but I measured the tire exactly at 33" height, a Nitto Grappler and it looked fine on there, not too small or too big a wheel gap so I wouldn't worry about not getting 35" if your gearing is not low enough. You can get into what others have already told you about. Stepping stones to get to the ideal you have in your mind. I ordered my Jeep a month ago so my mind has been changing constantly as to what I'm willing to spend. I've already made the mistakes in my head what others are warning of here. Luckily my Jeep hasn't arrived so I haven't wasted anything yet although I plan to spend a lot of money soon so I'll have everything ready. My budget is at $10,000 now and I have the 2d with 5sp auto and 4.11 gearing. I'm thinking I wish I could have 37" without a regear. I don't want to have it not handle on the road either. I'm going to use it as a daily driver all winter and on wet days. I'm not looking for something that I'll need to trailer!!! I bought this to get rid of a Rhino and so I could just drive to the trails. I just decided today I better get a winch too. Tomorrow I'm boosting my budget to $12,000. LoL But at least in the end I wont waste a cent taking baby steps. I thought every body's post was very good. I wouldn't argue with one of them. They were all good ideas and if you just decide on the BB and never go any further I'd think good job but if you keep changing your mind after you already did things I'd think that's too bad. This forum has been a gold mine of knowledge for me over the last month. Thanks to everybody that went down the JK build road before me and posted their story! Sometimes its hard to make up your mind. At first I thought I only needed a BB and larger tires. I'm making sure I don't see something in another few weeks and think OH I wish I would have gotten that instead... Good luck with the new Jeep I'm sure it will be a great rig no matter what you do. Right now every Jeep I see looks wonderful. I stare at them all and even found myself reading tires on one in a parking lot the other day...LoL

 

Thanks folks, great information. I'm going to get the 33s and then probably go with the whole 2.5 lift. I appreciate the insight.