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Additional parts for 2.5" Lift??

3K views 40 replies 8 participants last post by  dsimon6 
#1 ·
I have a 2013 JKU sports that I will eventually lifting sometime when the weather gets nicer. I just wanted to get opinions on whether I will need any additional parts to complete my lift or if what I have will be enough. I've done quite a bit of reading and I want to complete my lift as best as possible so that I wont have to add additional parts afterward to improve any steering/alignment issues. Any additional parts I should be considering???

Parts I've purchased:

Teraflex 2.5 coil lift /without shocks
Bilstein 5100 Shocks
Rock Krawler Front and Rear Adjustable Track bars
Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms (Not purchased yet deciding on make - RK, Teraflex, or JKS)
 
#3 ·
I believe you'll need that exhaust spacer thingy.

But otherwise, that's plenty.

The trackbars and control arms are "above and beyond" as is--I have the same lift and have neither. It's great that you have them, but they're not needed.
 
#10 ·
Nan said:
do u have any advice on track bars and lower control arms. cause i am planning to get them. thanks.
Assuming you want front lowers only for caster adjustment ?
Teraflex, RK , metalcloak, Currie to name a few.
I have the Teraflex monster front track bar. Very strong and uses a pinch sleeve adjuster like the stock drag link. Very easy to adjust.
For the rear, most kits raise the factory track bar using a bracket. This corrects roll center for the most part but does a good job re-centering the axle also.
 
#11 ·
Assuming you want front lowers only for caster adjustment ?
Teraflex, RK , metalcloak, Currie to name a few.
I have the Teraflex monster front track bar. Very strong and uses a pinch sleeve adjuster like the stock drag link. Very easy to adjust.
For the rear, most kits raise the factory track bar using a bracket. This corrects roll center for the most part but does a good job re-centering the axle also.
will the lower control arms make the on road driving more comfortable? can the track bars be installed easily? and how can i adjust the length of it? alignment?
 
#15 ·
Yep ^

More caster will help drivability. Less angle on the control arms softens the ride.

The CA's are easy to install with tires still on the ground. Set 23" eye to eye to start.
One side at a time but done tighten till both installed.

Track bar. Different brands will adjust different. Like mentioned, my TF has a turn buckle that makes it easy.
On a flat surface. Remove stocker and shake jeep around. The body should center itself. Make adjustments from there.
I use my tires mold line to upper spring perch for centering.
 
#16 ·
Yep ^

More caster will help drivability. Less angle on the control arms softens the ride.

The CA's are easy to install with tires still on the ground. Set 23" eye to eye to start.
One side at a time but done tighten till both installed.

Track bar. Different brands will adjust different. Like mentioned, my TF has a turn buckle that makes it easy.
On a flat surface. Remove stocker and shake jeep around. The body should center itself. Make adjustments from there.
I use my tires mold line to upper spring perch for centering.
so they are all bolt on parts? i am gonna buy them this week and try to install them by myself. i think there is no big difference between different brands, eh?
 
#17 ·
Nan said:
so they are all bolt on parts? i am gonna buy them this week and try to install them by myself. i think there is no big difference between different brands, eh?
Yes bolt on.
You want a reputable brand. They range in price. these are my Teraflex lowers.
 

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#18 ·
Lower control arms help with Caster, but their main function is horizontal axle alignment. Ensuring that its centered and doesn't sway to the driver or pass. side. It can also adjust caster. This dual purpose use makes it the better "bang for your buck" option instead of upper control arms which only really control caster. The majority of the kits offer LCA in their entry level kits, but others like Metal Cloak choose to go with the UCA because it handles caster adjustment better than LCA.
 
#19 ·
now i am totally confused. haha... what kit should be my option! i want something that can improve my drivability. and i want to buy something that i can use for a long time even i get higher lift in the future, cause the control arms and track bars are not cheap.
 
#20 ·
Mat, why would uppers be better for caster?
The lowers will have more affect on the axle with the mounts closer to centerline.

Ideally you want both. Lowers to center the axle in the well then uppers for caster/pinion.

Most will use lowers only for ease of adjusting.
 
#28 ·
Your correct, Ideally you would want both but the lowers main function is to center your axles/wheels within the wheel well. Ensuring that one will isn't too far forward/back from the other, They also help address the caster. But the upper arm's main function is caster. You can only correct caster with the lower control arms so far by compressing them in as much as you can. Then you need to extend the top arms to dial it in perfectly.

Like I had mentioned, from a value point, it makes more sense to offer the lower arms because they offer more bang for your buck, but caster isn't their main function.

I love this illustration because it helps explain what I mentioned.
The top adjusts the caster, while the bottom arms push the wheels along the horizontal plane. The movement along the horizontal plane also rotates the geometry and adjust the caster at the same time, but you can keep the lower arms as-is and play with just the caster on the top all day long.

 
#21 ·
Nan said:
now i am totally confused. haha... what kit should be my option! i want something that can improve my drivability. and i want to buy something that i can use for a long time even i get higher lift in the future, cause the control arms and track bars are not cheap.
RK offers a kit with front lowers and a front track bar.
 
#26 ·
SHYUperman said:
An impact wrench will make your life much easier with the install.

We had a lot of fun trying to torque the bolts back to factory specs at 125 ft lbs.
Grab one of these long breaker bars from HF.
Makes the job 10x easier. Anchor against the ground instead of trying to hold a wrench.
 

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#35 ·
:rofl: That's the truth, sorry buddy. The LCA will give you the ability to adjust what you need.

This whole other back and forth is only for our own amusement :thumb:

KJ, what do I get when I reach 1,000 posts?
 
#37 ·
"yes" for there will be a instruction? hahaha...

ok... i will get them. but i found the teraflex monster adjustable front track bar is much easier to do the adjustment. the other ones have to be adjust with one side not installed. haha...
 
#36 ·
Matador said:
:rofl: That's the truth, sorry buddy. The LCA will give you the ability to adjust what you need.

This whole other back and forth is only for our own amusement :thumb:

KJ, what do I get when I reach 1,000 posts?
Laughed at for being a dork ... Oh wait :hide:
:rofl: :rofl:
 
#38 ·
Yes ... You are correct. Setting the TB should be set and forget.
IIRC RK revised their instructions to be more noob friendly.

Another great option is TF.
2.5 coil lift and add the LCA's and TB.

You should start your own thread. Ask as many questions as you want :D
 
#40 ·
Just to chime in, I installed the TeraFlex 2.5" with springs and shocks this weekend. Front axle and caster is off. I will need adjustable front trackbar and adjustable lower control arms to fix that. I need to go back and look at the rear as it is be off center as well, however, I used the wrong bolt hole on the TeraFlex rear trackbar bracket so im hoping correcting that fixes my issue. If not also will need a rear adjustable trackbar
 
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