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looking for 2.5lift for 4door options or opinions

4K views 51 replies 25 participants last post by  Greg__Berger 
#1 ·
I am trying to find best bang for my bucks and not a lot of post install issues. AEV and teraflex keep popping up as the best but are they really? Can I depend on one of these lifts to not give any problems after install or do I need to buy drop brackets, extended brakelines, bumpstops, steering stabilizers, sway bars, track bar before I even start the lift? I want to make sure I have everything at the start of my lift project, though it is a small lift it is pretty big investment for me. I am hoping not have tons of problems down the road and want to start off with least likely lift to cause issues.

I am hoping not to spend more than 1500 because i will need to invest in tire soon after. Should i get a shop to install? How will this effect my suspension component warranties also?

Thanks for the help.
 
#7 ·
Teraflex makes a great lift kit. If you plan on doing any offroading or hauling any decent amount of weight, I would recommend them over AEV. AEV's kit is made for mainly street driving with some gravel roads being the most the Jeep will see.

The Teraflex 3" Lift Kit will come with everything you need to install it, and will be a very easy install. I can hook you up with our exclusive Wrangler Forum Discount and or free shipping, that will put the lift right in your price range.

As for the warranty, it doesn't matter who installs the lift kit, it has the potential to void your warranty. The claims will be at the discretion of the dealer. So if you put the lift and larger tires on and your radio goes out, obviously the lift didn't cause that and they have to accept that. Now, if you put the lift and tires on and an axle shaft fails, then it could be attributed to the tires and they can deny the claim.

Hope this give you some help. Feel free to get a hold of me if you have any questions.

-Zach
 
#8 ·
Teraflex makes a great lift kit. If you plan on doing any offroading or hauling any decent amount of weight, I would recommend them over AEV. AEV's kit is made for mainly street driving with some gravel roads being the most the Jeep will see.
-Zach

Understanding that your biased and want to sell your products I would hope that your knock on AEV would be backed up with some hardcore facts so that those of us who went the AEV route and are very satisfied can learn from our "mistakes".

Personally I feel you loose credibility when you tell people that the AEV lifts are made for the street and gravel roads, maybe I need to tell my Jeep that it is not supposed to be mountain climbing and used as an off road vehicle...... So how about some facts maybe start with "any off-roading or hauling" and show us some actual comparisons with similar Jeeps equipped with each manufacturers lifts.
 
#9 ·
Teraflex 2.5" w/ shocks all the way. Ride is great and 100% better than stock. Takes potholes and bumps a lot better. Highly recommend. It'll fit 35s easy (I have 35" duratracs on mine). With the big tires and 3.21 gears, you're looking at about 16 mpg highway. At least that's what I'm getting, although I also have steel bumpers and winch.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tire Automotive tire


I had mine installed by a shop and they said it was the easiest one they've done. Call Quad to place your order and tell them your on Wrangler Forum and you'll get free shipping.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Not getting in between that...

AEV and TeraFlex both are great companies. Each offer their own "feel" both on and off road. If you go with the AEV route, you deffenatly want to add the front correction brackets. If you go with TeraFlex, you should look into adding a adjustable front trackbar and lower adjustable control arms. These two (and the AEV Correction brackets) will really affect the on road ride and handling which is somenthing most of us want to keep.

With the TeraFlex, you will also need to add shocks if you dont get the kit with their 9550's. I would suggest staying away from the shock extension adaports though.

http://www.krawloff-road.com/product_p/tfjk25noshocks.htm

http://www.krawloff-road.com/product_p/tfjk25shocks.htm

All TeraFlex though us is free shipping...

Now, one thing to point out is that AEV runs a progressive rate coil front and back and the TeraFlex runs a linear coil front and back. Most guys like a progessive rate coil at least in the front, because it helps support weight and has a better "feel" to it for most guys.

Now, with that (and your budget) in mind, I would look at the Rock Krawler 2.5" Flex System. It has the front adjustable track bar and adjustable front lower control arms already in the kit. Also, it has a progressive rate coil in the front and a linear coil in the rear. Kinda like best of both worlds!

Rock Krawler JK 2.5 Flex System

I know this is a lot if info. If you have any questions, feel free to PM, email, or call us at anytime my friend! We would be more than happy to talk lifts!

-Jason
 
#13 ·
It really depends how you're going to use the Jeep. I have a JKUR and went with the TF 2.5" coils and shock extenders. I live in AZ and this kit suits me very well no complaints.
Sorry, I disagree with the statement that replacement shocks are "100% better than stock."
IMO, if you have the cash and expect to max out your travel ... get the shocks.
 
#15 ·
Sorry, I disagree with the statement that replacement shocks are "100% better than stock."
IMO, if you have the cash and expect to max out your travel ... get the shocks.
If you have the Rubicon or Sahara shocks maybe. The ones on the Sport suck big time. My ome shocks are waaayyyyyyyyyyyyy better than the stock sport junk. IMO
 
#19 ·
So, to follow up on the OPs question, what is the recommendation for a complete one and done kit? My deal is this. I bought the jeep because my wife is a cancer survivor and has always wanted one. Technically, it's "my" vehicle, but I'm driving the Sonata to work everyday. :)

We (she) homeschool our 5 and 8 yr olds, so after they finish school each day she drive over to the beach on an almost daily basis. On weekends I'll be pulling a SeaDoo, and 2 or 3 days a week we drive about a 60 mile commute.

I want to do a lift as a first major mod, but it has to maintain or improve her daily driving feel or I'll hear it forever. I don't want to change the 255/75/17s anytime soon, so I'm looking for that "perfect for me" kit that will maintain or improve daily feel, handle loose/wet sand while launching the SeaDoo from ramp or beach, not have a dozen things to do after the install to "fix" things, and it cost effective. My birthday and Father's Day are coming up, so I'd like to get the wish list in her hands. :)

The other consideration is she doesn't want to do any mods, so I'm trying to prevent the I told you so moment from a lift gone bad.
 
#22 ·
I'm probably going to have an engineer / mechanic / A&P /IA. friend to help me. I worked on my airplane before, some major stuff, under the watchful eye of an A&P certificated mechanic.

While I know the term trackbar, sway bar, links, etc., at this point I wouldn't know one if you slapped me upside the head with it. :)

Paul
 
#24 ·
Yes. Like I said above, the front adjustable trackbar and front adjustable lower control arms will really help with the on road drivablity. Without it, the front axle wont be where it needs to be and the JK will feel flighty and wonder a bit. Some see it more than others though. So, you dont HAVE to hav them but it is a good ideal.

Here is a link to the TF 2.5" with shocks that your looking at with free shipping:
TeraFlex JK 2.5 inch Lift Kit, W/Shocks

Here is a great option for the trackbar and control arms that would be cheaper than going the TF route. Still free shipping as well:
Rock Krawler Bomb Proof Adjustable Front Track Bar
and
Rock Krawler High Clearance Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms

Then, not sure what year your JK is but if it is a 2012-13, you will need one of these too:
TeraFlex JK Exhaust Spacer Kit for 2012-13 Driver and Passenger

If you have any other questions, please let me know my friend!

-Jason
 
#28 ·
Jaxpilot you and your A&P buddy will breeze thru a lift install.
I suspect some of the problems that rear their ugly head are due to lazy installers.
It would be real easy to think you could get away with not loosening all upper and lower control arm bolts (before install) or the even bigger one is if an installer is installing the lift, and the jeep is up in the air, tightening bolts (after the lift install) without the jeep being weight on wheels. It certainly would be easier to tighten/torque with the jeep in the air, but this is not the correct way.

Cheapest way to lift IMO is TF budget boost 2.5" + AEV drop brackets should give you same ride as stock. The springs stay the same as do the shocks (if you use the extensions). The AEV drop brackets keep the control arms as if they are at stock angles. This may be the answer to both you and the OP but that depends on what your needs are.

Like I said before not one company mentioned in all the previous posts is going to give you a bad product. It just comes down to what you want/need.

My 09 Rubicon I have this exact set-up plus the TF adjustable front track bar. It does everything I want offroad and drives and rides as good as any stock jeep.
I could say the same about my AEV 2.5"+ AEV drop brackets, lift on my 13 sport.
Youtube has exact install videos for TF budget boost.
Good Luck to both of you.
Last thing...Your wife may not like getting in and out of the jeep after the lift.:redface:
 
#29 ·
Wow opinions sure differ here..
Our Jeeps spend 90% of the time on the highway. I ran 2.5" TF lifts on 2 Jeeps with shock extensions and they both handle like stock with NO extra components other then what came in the TF kits. The spring lift is a little stiffer but the budget boost rode exactly like stock. There is No need for adjustable control arms or adjustable front track bar on a 2.5" lift.
The point of the AEV drop brackets is so you don't need adjustable control arms.. The AEV brackets just do the same thing as lengthening the lower control arm, they return the castor to near factory spec..

The bad wrap AEV gets is from the hardcore guys who complaint that the drop brackets really get beat up bad on the trails cause they hang down.
 
#30 ·
Question...

There is No need for adjustable control arms or adjustable front track bar on a 2.5" lift.
The point of the AEV drop brackets is so you don't need adjustable control arms.. The AEV brackets just do the same thing as lengthening the lower control arm, they return the castor to near factory spec..
If you dont run either the correction brackets (AEV) or adjustable lower control arms, how are you fixing the castor?

-Jason
 
#33 ·
I had the 2.5 on my 2011 JKU with 33's and never noticed any issue but now I have the same kit on my 12 JKU with 35's and the handling was terrible until I put the lower control arms on. It might just depend on specific types of configurations.

TF even recommends on their website that you should install front lower control arms and rear uppers with their 3" lifts on a 4 door.
 
#34 ·
Jax, you have 2 little kids, the wife drives the Jeep more than you do, and you want to stay with the stock tires. You will occasionally be pulling a Seadoo to the beach.

Dont waste your money on a lift unless you're just dying to have one. If you wanna do something, get leveling kit pucks to straighten out the rake and pick it up an inch.

Wife will thank you every time she DOESNT have to pick up the kids and crawl up into your Jeep, lol. Then you can spend money on other cool mods!:thumb:
 
#37 ·
Jax, you have 2 little kids, the wife drives the Jeep more than you do, and you want to stay with the stock tires. You will occasionally be pulling a Seadoo to the beach.

Dont waste your money on a lift unless you're just dying to have one. If you wanna do something, get leveling kit pucks to straighten out the rake and pick it up an inch.

Wife will thank you every time she DOESNT have to pick up the kids and crawl up into your Jeep, lol. Then you can spend money on other cool mods!:thumb:
Shayne, good points. I don't need it, I just want it. Wife tells me I have to buy land in Palatka before I get a lift kit - I think she's telling me she thinks it looks redneck - not sure :).

Kids are 6 and 9 yr old boys, and are little monkeys. They can climb anything.

Gotta really think this through.

All - thanks for the input, gives me a lot to consider and research.

Does anyone know of a Lift kit 101 article? Or Jeep suspension for dummies?

Paul
 
#35 ·
I, like most, drive on road more than off road. I want superior handing on both, I am going with AEV and geometry correction brackets, installing today. Many folks on this forum have that lift and believe that the on road handling is better after the lift! I also noted that those same folks do not seem to be "upgrading" their lifts frequently. Do it right the first time, that leaves you with more time and money to drive it in the dirt.
Bob
 
#36 ·
In all fairness the reason most people like myself upgrade or add things to our lifts is because we continue to push the limits of our jeeps off road so we learn that we need more flex or more control not because the original lift kit wasn't sufficient or complete.

The realty is there is hardly any difference between the top suspension companies so the best kit is purely subjective and we all think we have the best setup.
 
#42 ·
I'll throw a vote out there for build your own lift - or rather, select your own components.

As I look around it occurs to me - most lift kits/packages don't save money over the components separately, or not significantly so.

So, I'd tell you to find the components you like and price them out - compare it to what a off the shelf kit would cost and decide for yourself which better suits your needs.

Also, regardless of which parts/kit you go with, buy something you can grow into. By that, I mean don't set yourself up with a bunch of parts that you'll need to swap out for newer/better parts if you upgrade your lift. Let me give you an example:

I've got a set of OME springs - they gave me 3 inches of lift and they work just fine. It accomplished my initial goal of providing my Unlimited Rubicon enough increase in break over angle to not drag my belly all over Uwharrie. I debated between the long travel OME shocks and the standard length shocks. I ended up purchasing the standard length shocks. Here's where it gets interesting...

Does my lift do what I want - well, it does what I WANTED. What I want now, because this is a cycle/process, is longer travel shocks. That means I'll be a good 200 down on top of my initial purchase price IF I get 45-50 a shock on resale - and that's a dubious proposition at best. Or, I could get shock adapters, which I sort of want in the rear anyhow for clearance. But, that's an inelegant solution.

I guess that's a long winded way of saying that if I want to upgrade my current setup I must swap parts - I cannot simply add to it. So, if you're better at learning from folks than I am, do yourself a favor and ID parts that allow you to upgrade your overall performance without changing them out and design the remainder of the lift around them. Think about shock travel, ground clearance, what size tires you want to run, etc.
 
#43 ·
Good advice DJ, and I can get on-board with that philosophy. My immediate issue is that while I was eyeball deep in aviation, cars never really interested me before I got the Jeep. So while am somewhat versed in the aerodynamic merits of gap seals and wheel fairings, and very interested in engine management and mixture control in Lycomming IO-540s, I am so uneducated about suspension components and parts that I can't make that informed decision. I have learned the hard way about "throw away" upgrades and in aviation that's about triple the cost of most other endeavors.

I am learning more and more each day as I read the forum, and the contrasting opinions are good for me because I have to go and research to see which ones I think are supportable by data and which ones are just opinions. There are a lot of smart people here, and it's been one of the better internet forums I've come across in a long time.

So a thank you to everyone for sharing experiences. I have no need to be in a hurry to do anything until I become less ignorant, although the itch to mod is maddening. :)

-Paul
 
#44 ·
Hey now Big daddy.....I say forget all that stuff! Go Balls To Da Wall! :punk: Evo 4" Long arm kit will rock your world. There is NO WAY that you would regret it at all, never even for a second :dance: Then you have room for the 37's that you really want. Your the man of your pad, are you not? Get off the porch and run with the Big Dogs.....I'm getting my boots on now to run with them! Party On! :blunt:
 
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