So it is time to lift the JK. I have a 4 dr 2011 rubicon and I will be running GY MTR 35 with kevlar on my 17" stock rims with 1.5" spider tracks spacers. I am still waiting for the quote from Northridge Canada for the parts. I have to decide which height to go. It sounds like if I go RK 3.5 mid arm flex, I will need to change drive shafts soon. If I go with 2.5 max travel system, which is almost same price, I could get away with not changing drive shafts. Since I wont be running anything bigger than 35, I think 2.5 should be plenty.

Also what shocks should I get? Bilstein or fox. The information I am getting about shocks do not match. Its my daily driver but I go wheeling almost every weekend. Our terrain is mountainous, wet, rocky and slippery. Please chime in your opinion. Thanks...

 

The Bilstein 5100s are incredible....just put mine on and love them.
4 Wheel Parts has a special going on them, $285 for four.

 

Thanks. That sounds like a good deal. I will check them...

 

I love my 2.5" RK MTP suspension on my 2 door, but for a heavy, long, JKU, I'd think about a 3.5" kit for better breakover angle. Only you know if it's a problem for you on the trails you run. If that's not an issue, their 2.5" kit is perfect for 35" tires. Lots of guys are even doing 37's with flat fenders with that kit. Consider, too, that they are coming out with a 2.5" X-Factor, if that might be more attractive.

As for shocks, everyone I've ever heard talk about their Fox shocks absolutely loves them. I like my 5100's fine, too, but you may want to consider what my friend Tom recently wrote:

"...a bilstein 5100 series shock uses an crimp to seal the tube and if something happens to it you can send it in for warrantee and run with only 3 shocks until it comes back or throw it away and buy a new one. For a bit more you can get into the 7100 series that you can rebuild yourself with a $20 seal kit and a couple of special tools. In fact you can buy every part of the 7100 shock from bilstein. If you are not tool friendly then you may not care about it but when you break down on a Saturday or on an extended trip you could be up and running in about an hour if you carry some extra parts and do the work yourself."

Cheers.

 

I know what you are saying about breakover angle. So far I had only a few skratches under my JK. Mostly on skid plates and cross member and rockers. It has been almost a year of wheeling every weekend.

I never thought about breaking shocks on the trail but it is very good point. If I could fix it on the trail, and still get going, that would be awesome. Especially for an expedition trip over a few days, this would be very useful. Thanks for the idea...

 

I have the AEV 2.5 and it seems to handle pretty good. I took it out to ocotillo wells and did a good deal and it handled everything I threw at it. They use a Bilstein custom shock.

 

I was in your same boat! I wanted to clear 35's but wasn't sure if the 2.5" would yield the ground clearance I needed.

I finally decided on the 3.5" Mid Arm Flex with Bilstein 5100's and I love it. When I do blow the biltein's I will upgrade to either a Fox, which I prefer or the EVO spec Kings. Most likely the Kings do to the amount of time Offroad evolution and king have put into fine tuning the shocks.

Good luck with your decision! Its a freaking tough one!

 

I think custom tuned shocks handle much better than generic ones... Thanks

How is your drive shafts? did you change them or are you still running stock shafts? Thanks...

 

With stock bumpers the 2.5 gave me 4" up front and 3 in back. Just a heads up. Mine did sit front low prior though.

Bilsteins with those springs drove slightly stiffer than stock but nice.

Mine totally needs front LCA's because it wanders on the road and is a work out to drive now.

 

Depends if you want to switch other parts such as drive shaft gears and such and on the tire size... i would do 2.5 just cause it would be stronger.

As for shocks, i have Fox tuned shox and.... FOX... need i say more?