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2.5" Lift $750 and under

3K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  tgio 
#1 ·
Opinions and pics would be great. I am looking into getting a 2.5" lift for my JKU Sport and wanted to see what the best bang for my buck is. Im looking to stay $750 or less which led me to the teraflex kit with shocks
Teraflex 1251000 - TeraFlex 2.5" Lift Kit with Shocks for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

What is your guys opinion on this for a starter and maybe upgrade later on down the road.

Or do you have a better suggestion. As of right now I am running the stock Rubi take off wheels.
 
#3 ·
Ive seen it posted a lot. A few things Ive seen though:

Would I need wheel spacers with the stock Rubi wheels?

Would I need any other hardware in addition to this kit, or would this get me started for a while, until I can upgrade the shocks, sway bar links, etc...?

Would I be able to put this kit on without a garage lift... can I use a normal jack/jack stands?
 
#4 ·
I would research more whether or not spacers are needed for stock rubi wheels with the stock tires. Pretty sure they are thin enough that you don't need spacers but not certain on that. You will definitely need spacers with those wheels if you upgrade to a larger tire though....which you will eventually want to do once you see your lift and those tires.

That kit will be good on it's own but some may recommend control arm drop brackets just to bring caster back to stock. 2.5 won't throw it off too much though and should handle just fine without them.

You can do it with jacks and stands. Rear first and then the front...don't forget to move rear sway bar links to the front and ditch the front links.
 
#5 ·
Teraflex is a great company, but while your searching check out Superlift. I have the 2.5 lift on mine with added replacement reflex track bars front and rear. The ride is honestly as good as stock. Also Superlift builds a majority of the Mopar lift kits that you would get straight from Chrysler so you know its a proven product.

2.5" Jeep Suspension Lift Kit - 2007-2016 JK 4 Door - K931 | Superlift
 
#7 ·
Another decent option in the lower cost range is the Rubicon Express lift with the Bilstein shocks, RE7141M. Plus they have an $80 rebate going right now... Almost enough back to pay for the control arm brackets that make this a pretty good lift.

Rubicon Express 2.5" Budget Boost Coil Suspension System with Monotube Shocks for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

Rubicon Express RE9800 - Rubicon Express Control Arm Drop Brackets for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec

Add the brackets and don't use the cam bolts in the kit.
 
#8 ·
There is a guy selling a used AEV 2.5" in the classifieds for $600 I believe.
 
#9 ·
So I have narrowed it down to these kits so far, still trying to do my research and find the best reviews and personal experiences. I find it is much more stressful trying to buy a lift on a budget and get everything you want included. With that being said, anyone with experience with these lifts please share and let me know if there is anything else needed to make it complete or if the basic kit is everything to get me going for a little bit.

The Kit I initially picked, I understand that it will need wheel spacers so that will be an additional cost I will have to include
Teraflex 1251000 - TeraFlex 2.5" Lift Kit with Shocks for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

The shocks to this kit look much better, not sure if its the boots on them or if they are truly better quality
Rubicon Express 2.5" Budget Boost Coil Suspension System with Monotube Shocks for 07-16 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

This looks to me to be the same lift with different shocks for a $120 difference (I like a little cheaper on something I plan to upgrade later on--I would plan to replace these shocks next tax season or so)
Rubicon Express - Rubicon Express 2.5 Inch Suspension Lift Kit RE7141T - Fits 2007 to 2016 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4WD.com

I always hear and see things about Rock Krawler, my only concern would be, can I use the stock shocks with this kit. If not then I wont bother with this one as of right now.
Rock Krawler - 2.5" Stock Mod Suspension System - Fits 2007 to 2016 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4WD.com

Finally, this one seems like a good kit, again it looks like the shocks would be switched out next year some time.
Pro Comp Suspension - Pro Comp Suspension 4 Inch Stage I Lift Kit K3089B - Fits 2007 to 2016 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4WD.com

With all of these kits, Would i need the wheel spaces with them??? Remember I am running the stock Rubi wheels and dont plan to change them until I need new tires. Thanks to all who have contributed to my madness so far.
 
#10 ·
I have that Teraflex lift on our JKU, installed since 8/14.

3 of the 4 9550 Teraflex shocks blew out and now the rear springs are basically shot. Vast majority on road use. They replaced the shocks with zero hassle, but I installed a set of Rancho 5000x on it that I was going to use on my 2 door. They are exponentially better than the TF brand shocks. Now that the springs seem crappy too, I'm going to replace those with some Rock Krawler 2.5" ones. I run those on my 2 door and they are better than the TF, IMO too. Teraflex customer service has been wonderful, I'm just not at all impressed with the quality of that lift. Their hinged tailgate/tire carrier we have is rock solid great quality stuff. Just wish their shocks/springs compared to that.

You'll need wheel spacers for the TF lift for sure with the stock Rubi wheels.
 
#11 ·
How long did the shocks last until you had to replace them? I plan to upgrade shocks within the next year or so, just need something to get me started. The main reason I want to go with a smaller budget is because I do plan to piece together and upgrade as I go but would like somewhere to get started.
 
#13 ·
I replaced them this past May, but they were shot before that.

If you are set on the TF, get it without shocks or shock adapters, then get a set of the RS5000x, Rancho has a rebate that ends 6/30. After rebate, the set would be around $160.00. The TeraFlex 2.5" Coil lift without shocks or shock adapters is around $500.00

Go to the Vendor section and have them give you their best prices, it will be under your set budget doing that, and you won't have to upgrade/pay for shocks twice that way either.

Or, do the shock adapters and reuse your current shocks. Cheaper still.
 
#14 ·
I installed the 2.5 Teraflex coil lift just over a month ago. I got adjustable Rancho (9000XL) shocks, rather than the TFs. Now that the shocks are dialed-in, it seems like a decent package. I still run the stock wheels and tires - no spacers.

My JKU Sport-S is a daily driver and sees only non-rock off roading. I had a bit of buyer's remorse that I didn't get the AEV 2.5 with their variable-rate springs. But you get what you pay for.
 
#15 ·
I pieced together a kit for my 2015 JK, RK Progressive Rate springs, Synergy LCA's, no name bump stops and rear brake line brackets, RK rear track bar bracket, Rubicon Express rear track bar links, moved the OEM rears to the front. Was going to use Rancho shocks on it, but installed them on the wifes JKU to replace the shot TF ones, and installed the replacement TF's on my JK. Satisfied with everything but the those TF shocks...

We just got back from a 2500 mile round trip to Colorado and back with several miles off road, including the Alpine Loop in the JKU with the Rancho 5000x...they are wonderful shocks. Rear TF Springs became more and more saggy and wallowy the more we drove and flat out sucked balls on the way home. I expected more out of them.
 
#16 ·
Im not necessarily set on the TF kit, it just seems like the best for my budget right now. I would love to keep it less than $750 so I can do a few other things also. My JKU is less than a month old and hasn't seen a trail yet, I plan to take it to Rousch Creek next month hopefully to see how it goes. This is also my DD so I don't want to make it a trail only vehicle. Thats why I have been looking into possibly just going without shocks and using shock extensions until around next tax season getting some nice shocks before going to Jeep Beach.
 
#22 ·
I'm not on PC so I can't see where you are located but I just took a teraflex 2.5" lift with rancho 9000's, teraflex monster trackbar and rancho geometry correction brackets off to go higher and am selling it for $750. Great lift, just decided to go taller with full arms. It's the most popular lift on wrangler forum that was mentioned above. Fantastic ride and I'd do it again in a heartbeat for that lift height.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#17 ·
Okay final question that will determine the route Im going. Opinions on 2 options:

1). Get a 2.5" kit for $750 or less and upgrade later on to newer shocks then coils (This option gives me time to upgrade to better parts throughout time)

2). Get other parts for now and get an AEV 2.5 Kit come next tax season for $1000. (I have a good bit of things on my wish list that would be covered by the money I "could" use for a cheaper lift)
 
#18 ·
I did a Teraflex Body Boost 2.5". Rides 100% better than stock cause of the rubber parts in the lift. You get exactly 2.5" - something you don't necessarily get with shock and spring lift.

With everything installed about $720. That includes wheel spacers and installation.
Installation was $250 so subtract that from $720 and that is the cost of the parts.

You need to space the wheels out for stability if you are keeping stock wheels.
Also looks way more aggressive with wheel spacers. You will know why you wanted them after you see them installed.

Would put the same lift in if I had to do it over again.
 
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