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Jk 33's with a 2.5"lift?

57K views 51 replies 11 participants last post by  JD15 
#1 ·
This probably a FAQ but My jeep has 33" Mickey thompson tires (12.5) with 17 inch rims, should I put a 2.5 inch lift on it? I have a steering stabilizer on it and I am pretty sure it has correct backspaceing so would I need anything else?
 
#3 ·
I am installing a 2.5" lift this week and running 285/75/17s with spacers. The only other thing that was recommended to me was an adjustable trackbar. Some have said to go without it first and see how it is and other indicated it's a good idea.
 
#5 ·
I am new as well and now going broke after reading this stuff:) Check out the largest tire thread on a JK page 4-5. Some guys were kind enough to walk me through this. It has to do with centering on the axle. If you read it i=should help. 4fit started it and it is very good info.
 
#6 ·
Firs of all, you stock steering stabilizer is as good as any aftermarket version. If you've already bought an aftermarket one, no biggie, but you could've spent that $$ somewhere else. And don't buy one of the dual ss's...they can actually cause problems with your Jeep.

If your 33's aren't currently rubbing anywhere (steering stops, air dam, etc) then you've probably got wheels with good backspacing. I'd recommend 4.5" bs or less to run a lift with new sway bar links.

The only problem you'll encounter with your 33's will be rubbing the fenders if you go off-road, especially if you disco your swaybars. To prevent that from happening, you can add something as inexpensive as a TeraFlex leveling kit ($130), which will give you 2" in front (4 1" spacers) and 1" in rear (2 1" spacers) and will eliminate your Jeep's rake.

A 2.5" coil lift will do essentially the same thing, but give you stiffer, longer coils that will sag less than your stock springs if you buy some heavy add-ons like bumpers, winch, etc.

Next step up would be a 2.5" coil lift with shocks...generally about $800. If you buy a good one (TeraFlex, Rock Krawler, Old Man Emu (OME)) you'll get a stiffer ride, your Jeep will be more stable in corners, and it will handle the rigors of off-roading better.

I have 33 with a 2" lift, and it works find but had to make sure the camber was good, initially had a problem with the death wobble.
DW is not caused by poor camber. Camber is the angle of your steering, as viewed from the side, in relation to the steering's pivot axis. On your Jeep you generally want a caster of ~ +4º to +5º. If your caster is off, your Jeep's steering will feel flighty, or twitchy (requiring constant correction) at speed on the highway.

DW is often a result of an improperly-installed lift. It's usually caused when the installer doesn't correctly torque the track bar and control arms, or torques the bolts to same while the Jeep is in the air, thereby causing the bushings to bind.

True DW will render your Jeep undriveable. The only way to stop it is to park the Jeep. Here's a thread that deals with the causes (and the causes of other problems that many people mistake for DW). There's a video of DW in there, as well...

Diagnosing Death Wobble and Fixing Non-DW Shimmies and Wobbles

I am installing a 2.5" lift this week and running 285/75/17s with spacers. The only other thing that was recommended to me was an adjustable trackbar. Some have said to go without it first and see how it is and other indicated it's a good idea.
What is a trackbar? (sorry I am very new to this)
None of the 2.5" lifts I'm aware of come with adjustable track bars or adjustable control arms. They're often not needed for lifts that size.

The only function of an adjustable track bar is to recenter your axle if it gets off-center from the lift install. The function of adjustable control arms is to adjust your Jeep's caster...if you install a 2.5" lift and your caster is off, you need only a set of lower, front adjustable ca's to fix it.

My advice is to install your lift, drive your Jeep for awhile, THEN decide if you need to spend the $$ on an adjustable tb or adjustable ca's. You'll be able to tell if your axle is off-center just by looking at your Jeep head- or tail-on. Even if it's off, it won't affect your Jeep adversely...but most peeps can't stand it being a little off.

See the description above about caster, and how it'll affect your Jeep...

I am new as well and now going broke after reading this stuff:) Check out the largest tire thread on a JK page 4-5. Some guys were kind enough to walk me through this. It has to do with centering on the axle. If you read it i=should help. 4fit started it and it is very good info.
Here's the thread you referred to: Largest tire on stock JK? Here's your answer!
 
#13 ·
There are several clubs. I haven't hooked up with any of em yet, mainly cuz I do a lot of traveling and my schedule is f*****. :)

Here's a link to some of the clubs in WI: 4x4 Clubs Of the U.S.

There's also the Wisconsin Off-Highway Vehicle Association (WOHVA). You can check them out here: WI Wheeling Information

And there are sometimes posts about get-togethers, etc, in the Wisconsin section of WF (scroll to bottom of main WF page).
 
#14 ·
I have heard Ruff country and sky jack just rust out after a year of wear and tear UNLESS you are constantly cleaning them... i went for the RCD 3 inch full bilstein and it rides and feel great. the tires are 32 x 11.5 on a 15R looks great and porpotioned properly...also GREAT JOB to my boys @ superior AUto in Wanaque NJ these guys are pro's they know what do to and HOW to make it happen CORRECTLY !!!! worry free service with quality work to go alone with it...
 

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#20 ·
I did mine myself. I did a Black Diamond 2" spacer lift and skyjacker shocks. I had my nephew help me. Took about 4 hrs. Changing springs, if you decided to go that route, would also not be anymore difficult. Now if your changing and upgrading and adding control arms, adjustable tracbars and swaybar links with your lift, that will be getting a bit more involved but still do-able with average skills.
It's actually fun and it allows you to get down to the nuts and bolts knowledge of your vehicle should you have a problem when you're on the trail. There's lots of instructions and videos online to help your preparation.
 
#22 ·
I used the scissor jack that comes with our jeeps. Bought some jack stands at harbor freight. ProjectJK.com has a good write up with instructions and pictures for the Teraflex 2.5 spacer lift with shocks. Go there and click the "write ups" tab and see if it looks like something you could handle. If not, just pay to have it done. Labor will run you around $150 for a basic lift.
I used to be pretty much an oil change, do a tune up kind of guy. The lift was my first "big project". So if a knuckle head like me can do it, then anybody with basic mechanical skills can too . I just followed the instructions.
 
#24 ·
It is a bit expensive but dude you get what you pay for... i like doing things ONCE!! plus once shes up its easier to see under her skirt so i rather have her l@@king as clean as possible...remeber guys this is your SUSPENSION your riding on it DO U REALLY WANA GO CHEAP??? not saying the other manufacturers are cheap BUT i have used bilstein in the past and i can vouch that is last forever and is WELLLLLL WORTH the extra.. took me 1.5 years to save but do it once and your done... On Quadratec i only see them for TJ's BUT on RCD's website they make for JK's also.
 
#25 ·
I have heard good things of TERAFLEX as well for stability and comfort, i ended up also getting the front track bar and ended up needing it.. i was terrified of the death wobble which it elliminates... :thumb: Dirty DOG nice job man self installed i was thinkn of it but i saw my boy do a F150 and it scared my $hit le$$ :hide: so i didnt attempt.. they are still raggin on me for @itchin out LOL....
 
#26 ·
123Jato said:
Thanks for the help. Do you think that the teraflex is better than the rough country for the 2.5" lifts?
Teraflex has been great as far as CS.

Leveling issue- sent me rear spacers.
Upgraded rear TB bracket it newer kits-they just sent me the upgraded bracket to replace the old one.

$200 new FREE :)


x10 Teraflex :thumb:
 
#27 ·
I run a few RC parts, but Teraflex is by far a better quality product.
I personally like Skyjackers suspension parts. Quality is very good, priced reasonably and I believe their stuff is made in USA.
I recently saw that Skyjacker's put out quick disconnect swaybar links for JKs. I sent back the pair of RC discos that i had sitting for a few months on my workbench, happy that I never got around to installing them. $50 extra bucks for the Skyjackers, but worth the upgrade.
 
#28 ·
damndirtydog said:
I run a few RC parts, but Teraflex is by far a better quality product.
I personally like Skyjackers suspension parts. Quality is very good, priced reasonably and I believe their stuff is made in USA.
I recently saw that Skyjacker's put out quick disconnect swaybar links for JKs. I sent back the pair of RC discos that i had sitting for a few months on my workbench, happy that I never got around to installing them. $50 extra bucks for the Skyjackers, but worth the upgrade.
Only bad thing I read about SJ is their bushings going bad.
Don't know if that is something they fixed?
 
#29 ·
I'm not sure Kjeeper, They are using urethane bushings. I've had mine on for 2 yrs and inspect the underworkings routinely and have not noticed any degradation of the the shock bushings. Plus that's kind of why i stopped spraying WD40 for corrosion, not sure what effect that has on the urethane. But, so far so good.
 
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