RK 2.5 or 3.5? and bilstein or fox?
06-06-2012 | 03:11 PM
#11
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: LOS ANGELES
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...
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...
But, I must say, 4dr's really look sweet with 37's over 35's.
Good luck!
06-06-2012 | 03:13 PM
#12
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Rifle, Co
How is your drive shafts? did you change them or are you still running stock shafts? Thanks...[/QUOTE]
I tore my front shafts boot about 30 min after I installed the lift with the sway bar disconnected. I still have the stock shafts and just grease the slip and zip tie the boot every once in a while. The front shaft also rubs on the transfer case skid plate when it flexes really hard so mine has a shiny ring around it haha.
I'll get new shafts eventually but it works great right now.
I have had zero issues with the rear shaft.
I tore my front shafts boot about 30 min after I installed the lift with the sway bar disconnected. I still have the stock shafts and just grease the slip and zip tie the boot every once in a while. The front shaft also rubs on the transfer case skid plate when it flexes really hard so mine has a shiny ring around it haha.
I'll get new shafts eventually but it works great right now.
I have had zero issues with the rear shaft.
06-06-2012 | 04:05 PM
#14
Sponsoring Vendor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,423
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From: FULLERTON,CA
You should consider looking at King Shocks. They can be valved to fit your needs. If you dont like the ride, it can always be re-valved. You also should match your shocks with the coils. When the shock is valved to the specific coils you get the best ride
Last edited by chris@offroadevolution; 06-07-2012 at 08:42 AM.
06-06-2012 | 04:44 PM
#16
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Grahamsville NY
I have the 2.5 Max Travel, Fox 2.0 IFP shocks and love it!! Rides, firm, but not harsh, handles great on the road, very happy, I also have 37" Nittos, with 3.5 kit your 35s may look a little small, just my 2 cents.....
06-06-2012 | 04:57 PM
#17
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: North Vancouver
Thanks to everyone here for your ideas . This was very helpful. I think I will go with 2.5 because this is what I need at the moment. Good thing about RK is that they are upgradable.
I will check the King shocks too, Chris. Hopefully I could get my next mod in your shop. It would be nice to take a road trip towards south. May be we could turn it into a monster jeep at that time
When I bought my jeep, I didnt think I was going to off-road it but then I wheeled every weekend. 
Now I am thinking I wont go over 35s but that might change too 
I will check the King shocks too, Chris. Hopefully I could get my next mod in your shop. It would be nice to take a road trip towards south. May be we could turn it into a monster jeep at that time
When I bought my jeep, I didnt think I was going to off-road it but then I wheeled every weekend. Now I am thinking I wont go over 35s but that might change too
06-07-2012 | 07:55 AM
#18
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, Kansas
I asked this very question to someone who has actually run both brands & basically the Fox vs. Bilstein issue is basically a wash. They're both great shocks. Here's the answer that I got:
Originally Posted by RiverCityOffroad
Bilstein 5100 vs Fox 2.0 IFP is a wash. The Fox shocks are heavier duty but don't have as much travel as a Bilstein do you have to run shocks that don't correlate with their listed lift heights. If you're going to spend money on shocks I would look to adjustables or RRDs before a remote res unless you're bombing through the desert when you wheel.
Marcus
Marcus