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Lift Suggestions - $1400 budget

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Old 09-15-2015, 01:53 PM
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Default Lift Suggestions - $1400 budget

I am in the market for a lift kit for $1400 or less. I'm not sure if I would like to run a 2.5" or 3.5" with my 35" BFG KM2's.

I see North Ridge 4x4 has some great deals on the 3.5" Rock Krawler Flex lift with 5100 Bilsteins as well as a bunch of other 2.5" lifts.

My JKU is my daily driver and I only do light/moderate weekend wheeling. Nothing too crazy since I live in Illinois.

I've tried doing research on the forum but everyone has their own opinion. Feel free shooting me some advice

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Old 09-15-2015, 02:17 PM
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3.5" is a lot of lift for 35s. lower the hieght=less $$
Old 09-15-2015, 02:58 PM
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Really depends on how you are going to equip and how you are going to use your JKU. I installed the first July the AEV 2.5" DualSport XT Suspension with AEV Geometry Correction Front Control Arm Drop Brackets and Spidertrax Black 1.5” Spacers with Factory Willys Wheeler 17” Wheels and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 315/70/R17 Tires. I gained 3.5" from my factory Willys/Rubicon Suspension. That is with ARB Deluxe Front Bull Bumper and Smittybilt X2O-10K Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch which weigh over 180lbs. The rear I have ARB Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier and tire/wheel and weigh over 195lbs. My suspension has not sag and almost level. I use it as a DD and driven over 2000 miles and the Aev Suspension and tires handles and rides great. You see a lot of positive feedback on AEV and the reason I went with AEV because of the heavy bumpers I installed on my JKU. Watch YouTube Video on how JKU handles with AEV 3.5 Lift and 35s on a road track - https://youtu.be/HbKniB2gkl8

AEV 2.5" DualSport XT Suspension is just shy of $1000.00 from Northridge4X4, plus $105.00 for AEV Geometry Correction Front Control Arm Drop Brackets, and AEV ProCal Module $170.00. Your total is just less than $1300.00 for complete suspension kit. Any lift kit you purchase you will need to get some type of programmer to adjust the change to larger tires.

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Old 09-15-2015, 03:25 PM
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3.5 Clayton off-road lift with 315/35 inch tires. First pic is with stock tires
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Old 09-15-2015, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by WillysWheeler
Really depends on how you are going to equip and how you are going to use your JKU. I installed the first July the AEV 2.5" DualSport XT Suspension with AEV Geometry Correction Front Control Arm Drop Brackets and Spidertrax Black 1.5” Spacers with Factory Willys Wheeler 17” Wheels and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 315/70/R17 Tires. I gained 3.5" from my factory Willys/Rubicon Suspension. That is with ARB Deluxe Front Bull Bumper and Smittybilt X2O-10K Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch which weigh over 180lbs. The rear I have ARB Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier and tire/wheel and weigh over 195lbs. My suspension has not sag and almost level. I use it as a DD and driven over 2000 miles and the Aev Suspension and tires handles and rides great. You see a lot of positive feedback on AEV and the reason I went with AEV because of the heavy bumpers I installed on my JKU. Watch YouTube Video on how JKU handles with AEV 3.5 Lift and 35s on a road track - https://youtu.be/HbKniB2gkl8

AEV 2.5" DualSport XT Suspension is just shy of $1000.00 from Northridge4X4, plus $105.00 for AEV Geometry Correction Front Control Arm Drop Brackets, and AEV ProCal Module $170.00. Your total is just less than $1300.00 for complete suspension kit. Any lift kit you purchase you will need to get some type of programmer to adjust the change to larger tires.

<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=624617"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=624618"/>
I have a similar setup 13 JKU 2.5" AEV, rancho drop brackets, and 315/70 R17 duratracs. I also have a heavy full width bumper and winch and the jeep sits pretty level. I have had the lift since Jan 2014 and the tires since December 2015.

The lift handles great on the road especially when weighted down or towing.

It can be a little stiff if you are really light, but feels very well planted. I can't comment on its offroad ability as I just hit the beach or NJ trails no flexing really involved.
Old 09-15-2015, 04:56 PM
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I've been looking into this as well lately. I'm currently leaning towards the Mopar 2in lift for 35's. As with the Mopar Big Brake Kit that I just purchased, I'm seeing Mopar gives you most everything you'll need, it's OEM certified, and seems to be a good bang for the buck.

I won't be doing mine for awhile, so if you go the Mopar route, let me know what you think and post pics.

They just came out with a 4in lift as well.

Mopar MSRP for the 2in lift is $1500 for 2012-15, but if you shop around, I've been seeing them on eBay and other online sources in the $1100-$1200 range and the 2007-2011 is $1k which I've seen in the $800 range.

Last edited by Rednroll; 09-15-2015 at 04:59 PM.
Old 09-16-2015, 02:19 AM
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Where do you live in IL ?
Old 09-16-2015, 04:05 AM
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Agree with 2.5", front lowers, rear track bar bracket. Shocks, stops. $1400 is a nice budget to start with.
Old 09-16-2015, 04:30 AM
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I vote, the 3.5 RK mid arm flex kit. You'll be very happy on and off-road.
Old 09-16-2015, 04:58 AM
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I live in Chicago but like to get out to the trails as much as possible.

I'm going to narrow down my choices between the 2.5" AEV JK DualSport XT or the 2.5" RK Max Travel kit.


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