Hi everyone, New to wranglers and don't really know much about lifts and what not. With my JKU being my DD and that I'm not going to be off roading it to hard for now, I believe I have came to the conclusion of 2.5in lift. Being a newbie and before joining the forum I was looking at the RC 3.5 but after reading here, it kinda chased me away from RC. So looking around for the last few days I came across the Teraflex 2.5in with steering stabilizer on Amazon for $800 shipped. Its in my budget and lets me pay it off in a few payments so I can get tires to go with lift and a few other things. So the question here is there any better options or recommendation before I purchase? its going to be about a week or so before I order anything and just want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.
I run the 2.5" teraflex with bilstein shocks and love it. Rides smooth, looks good, gave me a little over 2.5" with steel front bumper, and I like their rear trackbar bracket being on the axle
I run the exact setup you are looking at. For some reason, most people switch out the TF 9550 shocks for something else (Bilstein, Rancho, Fox). All of those are goodnoptions, but differ drastically in stiffness and ride comfort. I didn't notice a difference between the 9550s and the stock shocks, with the exception of COG which will change regardless.
Buy it. You won't be disappointed
The steering stabilizer FWIW is probably not needed, but it's also not expensive. I added it because my JK is 6 years old and wanted to update the piston.
Thanks for the reviews! The package does come with the TF 9550 shocks but could look at seeing if I can find without and get another brand. As for the steering stabilizers, it comes with the pack and even though it says "free" its added in the price ($50). For my understanding on a 2.5 lift, stabilizers doesn't make a difference? or is not needed? Also another question is, Do I need exhaust spacers? some websites recommend or say they are needed?
The exhaust spacers are mostly for insurance when off-road and flexing the suspension. It prevents contact between the front driveshaft and the exhaust cross pipe during suspension down travel. If you don't plan on wheeling (or just light wheeling) you can do without the exhaust spacer. But for less that $50 and an extra hour of labor it's kind of a no-brainer to just throw it on.
If your OEM steering stabilizer isn't broken/worn out, why replace it? Unless you plan to wheel the crud out of your rig I would put a replacement steering stabilizer WAY low on your priority list. I run this exact lift and still have my OEM stabilizer.
You can get the TF 2.5 kit without shocks for around $450 after forum discounts. That way you can choose your own shocks. Many people seem to say that Bilstein 5100 shocks ride a bit firm, so if you like a firmer ride they would be a great choice. Rancho also has a great budget shock RS5000 that you can get for around $200 for the set. If you want an adjustable ride, Rancho RS9000XL will give you custom settings that you can set yourself, from soft to firm. About $400 for a set.
You might think about adding an adjustable track bar to your lift. This will help you center the front axle under the jeep after your lift. You can add one in the rear too, but it's not nearly as important as the front one. Superlift has a great one at a price that can't be beat for the quality. http://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/superlift-track-bar-only-119-a-1379681.html
Lastly, as a result of lifting you are going to change the caster. You can solve this with geometry correction brackets, or longer/adjustable lower control arms. The brackets will be the cheaper option, but you will sacrifice ground clearance as the brackets hang a few inches lower and could come into contact with large rocks if you ever find yourself on a trail like that. I did the brackets and if I could go back in time I would have spent the extra $$ for longer/adjustable lower control arms.
OK, that's my $.02, good luck and post pics when you get it lifted! :action-smiley:
I have the TF 2.5 w/ ranchos. Love it but wish I would've went 3.5. It's my dd and I don't offroad really but just seems like it could be a tad higher.
Teraflex is a good option to go but I personally prefer buy the kit without the shocks that way you can get the Ranchos 9000xl adjustables, best shocks on the market specially for a DD, and don't forget to get the geometry correction brackets by aev or rancho to correct the caster angle and makes the jeep ride better.
Ok yeah, I think I'm settled on getting a kit W/O shocks so I can choose my shocks and I definitely want ones that give me a good ride being its on my DD. Ranchos 9000xl sound nice and are not much more then a set of bilstein and they are adjustable.
Now after hearing a few people state here and other places say they wish they went with a 3.5 lift or 2.5. What are peoples opinions on the "RUBICON EXPRESS 3.5 IN. STANDARD COIL SUSPENSION LIFT".
If I decide on getting a 3.5in over a 2.5in, are some of the recommended parts such as track bars and longer/adj lower control arms and such become required or they still just recommended? I prefer to get all the recommended parts as possible but when I look at going to 3.5in it gets pricey. Thank you.
Now after hearing a few people state here and other places say they wish they went with a 3.5 lift or 2.5. What are peoples opinions on the "RUBICON EXPRESS 3.5 IN. STANDARD COIL SUSPENSION LIFT". If I decide on getting a 3.5in over a 2.5in, are some of the recommended parts such as track bars and longer/adj lower control arms and such become required or they still just recommended? I prefer to get all the recommended parts as possible but when I look at going to 3.5in it gets pricey. Thank you.
Unless you have 37s in your future I'd stick with 2.5". You'll be plenty high up and won't have the additional geometry correction issues that tend to come with more than 3" of lift.
I didn't correct for caster and I have had zero issues with drivability. Not saying I won't ever have issues, but caster correction at 2.5" is debatable. My shop said it wasn't necessary and they are 95% Jeep specific.
At 3.5", you will probably have to do something with control arms or brackets.
I didn't correct for caster and I have had zero issues with drivability. Not saying I won't ever have issues, but caster correction at 2.5" is debatable. My shop said it wasn't necessary and they are 95% Jeep specific.
At 3.5", you will probably have to do something with control arms or brackets.
I went with the 2.5" TF BB w/o shocks, but with the extensions. I run AT2s in 285x75x18, which measure 34" on the ground. I read up a little on caster, but kept my stock setup as I have no ride issues. Still, some more knowledgeable folks say that I can improve ride/handling if I used adjustable arms to go to about 4.5 from my current 3.3. If I go to a spring kit perhaps I'll go for the arms at that point. I wouldn't get brackets because I come down off some pretty big rocks occasionally and don't want less clearance behind the wheels.
I did the teraflop 2.5" and got Thier front/rear fixed length sport arms. The arms are set up for proper caster with a 2.5" lift. Love the set up and jeep rides like stock.
Sorry. Final point on caster. At 2.5" it's debatable weather you'll need it or not. If you do, it's not going to be detrimental. You can get the lift in first and evaluate.
And - if you are doing the install yourself. Do it incrementally with some drive time in between. That way you'll be able to identify and isolate any issues you might have.
Not questioning anyone, but I always double check to triple check things out of habit. The two different shocks I got in my Amazon list are the correct front and rears shocks? I believe they match what I found on forum the other day. Also, for my understanding now, it would be ok to just get the lift kit and shocks from amazon list and I can hold off for a bit on track bar, correction bracket and exhaust spacer?
Not questioning anyone, but I always double check to triple check things out of habit. The two different shocks I got in my Amazon list are the correct front and rears shocks? I believe they match what I found on forum the other day. Also, for my understanding now, it would be ok to just get the lift kit and shocks from amazon list and I can hold off for a bit on track bar, correction bracket and exhaust spacer? Thanks, Sam
You will need 29xl front, 30xl rear. You probably can hold off for the track bar, exhaust spacer and your caster angle is not that bad at 2.5 but OMP I noticed the difference of running the brackets specially I feel less the road imperfections, bumps and the little vibes on the steering went away, so it is up to you. Jeep is my DD that's another reason I bought the brackets
Good point towards installing in phases. Get those springs and shocks on and see how it sits and feels. Then decide if you need correction or just improvement/upgrades.
So they are the RS999329 and RS999330 shocks and match up on Rancho's web sight for 3.00 in front and 2.5 in rear. I will be installing with two friends, one who has installed a lift on a truck and the other who has some experience as well. The reason I have everything with Amazon is if I'm buying it all at once, its nice to pay off in 6-12 months with my Amazon account leaving me room for new tires to go with lift. I would be willing to do business with any vendors who make a decent offer that accept paypal so its not a big bite into wallet. Just kinda had everything with Amazon for simplicity. But would like to get some vendor relations going for all the other mods ahead.
So I ordered the lift kit, shocks and exhaust spacer for good measures for now to see how it rides and will wait and see on the correction brackets and track bar. Question now is, if I want to run the factory stock tires for a bit P255/75R17, What spacers are going to be needed?
So I ordered the lift kit, shocks and exhaust spacer for good measures for now to see how it rides and will wait and see on the correction brackets and track bar. Question now is, if I want to run the factory stock tires for a bit P255/75R17, What spacers are going to be needed?
How much did it end up costing you? I have a JKU as well. Thinking of the same lift just saving up some more cash so I can buy everything at once. Also I will probably have a shop put it on, because I have little to no experience for putting on a lift. Just know some of the basics.
Hello, I did the teraflex 2.5 inch leveling kit with shock extensions. I wanted time to pick out the right shocks first. Exhaust spacer was not needed, seldom go off road except cottage roads or camp sites...and being a daily driver, I was safe. The 2.5 in lift was plenty for size tires I went with, 315x70x17. Kit came with rear track bar bracket and sway bar extensions. Nice kit and easy to install....still maintained my smooth ride.
So Finally got the lift installed last week and tires on earlier this week! Teraflex 2.5 in lift with Rancho 9000xl shocks , Goodyear Duratrac 316/70/17 on MB 352 rims.
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