Flat Fender vs Lift
#1
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Needed Info: 2014 (2 door) JK. Runs very light. 315/75R16 tires with 4.25 BS wheels. PSC Brawler Lite up front w/ X2O synthetic winch. About 135lbs over stock. Rear has PSC BFH bumper. With crossmember gone its same as stock. I have a soft top, no spare and back seat out. I'm currently running the stiffest JKUR stock springs in the front and rear with a .75" spacer up front. This has netted me 1.75" in the front and 1.75" in the rear. When I'm fully flexed out, my rear tire barely scrubs the rear fender. You can hear the treads smacking and pulling on it. But it's not enough to tear the fender off or cause any real damage.
I'm a "once every few weekends" warrior, but I do have some fairly gnarly ruts and decent sized rocks on my favorite trails.
So would I be better served by picking up a RK 2.5 stock mod with proper bump stops and shocks (I've already decided on this lift as it's the only one that should net me a true 2.5"-2.75" and can be added to as I see fit). Or should I just pick up a set of PSC flat fenders? Which route is going to give me the best mix of street manners and true amount of up/down articulation. I know that some of the more extreme and incomplete lifts will mess with geometry and actually limit flex. Just wondering, with my current setup, which route would provide the best on/off-road mix.
Thanks in advance for any help. And while I greatly appreciate answers to my questions. I don't want this to turn into a brand war.
I'm a "once every few weekends" warrior, but I do have some fairly gnarly ruts and decent sized rocks on my favorite trails.
So would I be better served by picking up a RK 2.5 stock mod with proper bump stops and shocks (I've already decided on this lift as it's the only one that should net me a true 2.5"-2.75" and can be added to as I see fit). Or should I just pick up a set of PSC flat fenders? Which route is going to give me the best mix of street manners and true amount of up/down articulation. I know that some of the more extreme and incomplete lifts will mess with geometry and actually limit flex. Just wondering, with my current setup, which route would provide the best on/off-road mix.
Thanks in advance for any help. And while I greatly appreciate answers to my questions. I don't want this to turn into a brand war.
#2
Super Moderator
![FJOTM Winner](https://i.ibb.co/FgFLpFN/Untitled-1.jpg)
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Cut your factory flares and see if that gives you the clearance you need. If so then go with the flares. If not then you can order the lift.
You really only need a little longer shock with the coils you've got if you're satisfied with the ride. You won't booger up the street manners and you'd gain more travel without dropping a bunch of cash.
You really only need a little longer shock with the coils you've got if you're satisfied with the ride. You won't booger up the street manners and you'd gain more travel without dropping a bunch of cash.
#3
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Cut your factory flares and see if that gives you the clearance you need. If so then go with the flares. If not then you can order the lift.
You really only need a little longer shock with the coils you've got if you're satisfied with the ride. You won't booger up the street manners and you'd gain more travel without dropping a bunch of cash.
You really only need a little longer shock with the coils you've got if you're satisfied with the ride. You won't booger up the street manners and you'd gain more travel without dropping a bunch of cash.
#5
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Parker, Colorado
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Have fun.
#6
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I say that because I've called Synergy, RK, ARB (OME), Teraflex and RK was the only manufacturer that guaranteed I'd get between 2.5 and 2.75 of lift, due to how light the Jeep is. Everybody else's 2.5" lift was almost certain to break 3", but RK uses their 1.5" coils for the 2 door, making their true 2.5 lift height a bit lower. Or so they're telling me...
#7
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My 2cents.
I would cut the fenders because I like the look.
Get the RK 1.5" coils for the 4 door, netted my buddy almost exactly 2.5" (he has a front bumper and winch, but other than that not much armor at all) he got the Rancho 9000s with them and it rides great.
Not sure if there any difference between the 1.5 for 4 door and their 2.5" for a 2door, you'll have to ask them. But they are nice coils.
I would cut the fenders because I like the look.
Get the RK 1.5" coils for the 4 door, netted my buddy almost exactly 2.5" (he has a front bumper and winch, but other than that not much armor at all) he got the Rancho 9000s with them and it rides great.
Not sure if there any difference between the 1.5 for 4 door and their 2.5" for a 2door, you'll have to ask them. But they are nice coils.
Trending Topics
#8
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My 2cents.
I would cut the fenders because I like the look.
Get the RK 1.5" coils for the 4 door, netted my buddy almost exactly 2.5" (he has a front bumper and winch, but other than that not much armor at all) he got the Rancho 9000s with them and it rides great.
Not sure if there any difference between the 1.5 for 4 door and their 2.5" for a 2door, you'll have to ask them. But they are nice coils.
I would cut the fenders because I like the look.
Get the RK 1.5" coils for the 4 door, netted my buddy almost exactly 2.5" (he has a front bumper and winch, but other than that not much armor at all) he got the Rancho 9000s with them and it rides great.
Not sure if there any difference between the 1.5 for 4 door and their 2.5" for a 2door, you'll have to ask them. But they are nice coils.
#9
JK Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: North Fort Worth
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a similar set up to you. 4 door coils up front (#18), psc flares and 315/70r17 tires. I'm still running factory shocks, I'll upgrade to a longer shock eventually but it performs really well how it is. I drag my belly on everything but that's what you expect keeping it low. If you're not going to be running any bigger tire I say leave the suspension as is and put some flat flares on.
![Click image for larger version
Name: image-2316186067.jpg
Views: 202
Size: 278.9 KB
ID: 655440](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=655440&thumb=1&d=1513730755)
![Click image for larger version
Name: image-4222891230.jpg
Views: 190
Size: 465.9 KB
ID: 655441](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=655441&thumb=1&d=1513730755)
![Click image for larger version
Name: image-2951779979.jpg
Views: 173
Size: 467.6 KB
ID: 655442](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=655442&thumb=1&d=1513730755)
![Click image for larger version
Name: image-1304590329.jpg
Views: 167
Size: 402.1 KB
ID: 655443](https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=655443&thumb=1&d=1513730755)