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Potential problems to watch for, 2.5" lift and 35's

7K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  InfernoGirl 
#1 ·
Getting ready to put 35's and a 2.5" Teraflex lift on the Rubicon. What potential problems should we be mindful of? Bought the mid range lift with shock extenders, since he likes the ride of the Rubi shocks... Idk if it has brake line extensions or not, or if they'll be needed. It's an '07 2dr. auto... Any input is appreciated. Also installation tips if you have any. We'll be recruiting some buddies to help install it, I don't think any of them have ever lifted a JK, but lots of TJ's.....

Thanks guys and girls :)
 
#2 ·
The front driveshaft is highly prone to ripping off the center boot from hitting the transmission oil pan when off-roading, especially if using front swaybar disconnects.

If doing heavy off-roading, c-gussets for the front axle are highly recommended, but need a professional welder to install.

Will want to get extended bump stops so that the tires don't hit the fenders.
 
#3 ·
Lithium Lotus said:
The front driveshaft is highly prone to ripping off the center boot from hitting the transmission oil pan when off-roading, especially if using front swaybar disconnects.

If doing heavy off-roading, c-gussets for the front axle are highly recommended, but need a professional welder to install.

Will want to get extended bump stops so that the tires don't hit the fenders.
I thought the front ripped from hitting the transmission skid plate and could be fixed by notching out a small section.
 
#5 ·
Getting ready to put 35's and a 2.5" Teraflex lift on the Rubicon. What potential problems should we be mindful of? Bought the mid range lift with shock extenders, since he likes the ride of the Rubi shocks... Idk if it has brake line extensions or not, or if they'll be needed. It's an '07 2dr. auto... Any input is appreciated. Also installation tips if you have any. We'll be recruiting some buddies to help install it, I don't think any of them have ever lifted a JK, but lots of TJ's.....

Thanks guys and girls :)
I've done a suspension install on five TJs and two JKs, and they're very similar. I don't think your buddies will have any problems. I would recommend the brake line extensions. I have the Teraflex longer shocks on my 2 1/2" teraflex lifted Rubi, and even with the extensions on there, the front brake lines get pulled taught at full suspension articulation. Jeep changed the routing of the front brake lines for 2011, so maybe yours wont be so short on a 2007, but I would get the extensions anyway because they're only a few bucks.

I'm running the stock driveshafts, and was just under my Jeep two days ago checking everything over. Not one mark or scuff anywhere in the front driveshaft boot. It looks perfect with 5000 miles since the lift install, and going four wheeling each and every weekend. I would estimate at least 2000 offroad miles.

With 35" tires I don't think you'll have problems with your front axle, providing you drive with a little caution, and don't hold the pedal on the left all the way down. I saw a poll on another web site where they asked people if they had bent thier front axle housing. I saw it when it was a few days old, and at that time there were three people that had bent their axle housing, and 311 that had not bent their axle housing. All of the ones that had bent their axle had larger tires and were running difficult trails (Rubicon, etc.).

Seems like every time someone ask a question "what do I need for this?" we get a bunch of people with long list of things that you "have to do" in order to use your Jeep. Most of the things on the list are not needed. Put the lift on, and go have fun.
 
#6 ·
I have the TeraFlex 2.5" coil lift with shock extenders on my '09 2-door Rubi auto with 35X12.50 Goodyear MT/R/K's. The lift kit comes with brakeline relocation brackets so you won't need to extend your brakelines. It comes with bumpstop extenders to keep from rubbing in the wheel wells.

My front driveshaft was fine until I put in an adjustable front trackbar and recentered my front axle. After that I tore my boot on the tranny pan (not the skid) the first time the front driver side tire was at full drop, and kept on making contact everytime at full drop until I shortened my front trackbar one full turn, and it hasn't been making contact since. Also it's been nearly a year since my boot tore, and it's still looking good under there. I've never had a problem with the front driveshaft making contact with the tranny skid.

I found the handling a bit jumpy especially on bumpy pavement and while braking, until I put on a pair of adjustable front lower control arms and set my caster to about +5.5 degrees.

After putting on your 35's, it will look like your rear tires will make contact with the pinch seams in front of them, but keep in mind that when your rear axle moves up it also moves back. Mine clear by nearly an inch without trimming the pinch seam. I'm not sure if the stock Rubi rails will make contact though, since I'm not using them.

As Lithium Lotus mentioned, it's advisable to reinforce your front axle C's with gussets. I would advise this even for daily driving. I would also advise reinforcing your front axle housing with axle sleeves. Bear in mind that you'll be widening your stance by nearly 5" and putting heavier tires on, and that puts considerably more stress on your axle housing and C's. Additional weight of an aftermarket bumper and winch make this reinforcement even more important.
 
#7 ·
Oh and don't forget you'll need a chip tuner to inform your computer of your new tire size so your speedometer/odometer/trip meter/etc. will be adjusted accordingly. I use the Superchips Flashpaq. With it I also disabled my TPMS since I no longer have the sensors, and use one of their tuning programs to regain a little performance. You'll lose a lot of what little performance the Jeep has after putting on the 35's. Get in the habit of turning off your O/D immediately after starting your engine. Only on rare occasion do I use my O/D now. You may want to regear to get better gear ratios for your 35's and get your O/D back. Personally I'm going to put up with it for now (it's fine if you're not heavy on the pedal) and wait until I actually need new gears before regearing.
 
#8 ·
Here's a thread you check out.
 
#10 ·
I'm glad she asked the question so she can be the one to understand the responses. hehehe. I get in, I hit the trails, I get out. I'm just the driver. She's my crew chief.

Is that so bad? I rather love the arrangement and think it's pretty awesome, myself. ;)
 
#11 ·
I'm glad she asked the question so she can be the one to understand the responses. hehehe. I get in, I hit the trails, I get out. I'm just the driver. She's my crew chief.

Is that so bad? I rather love the arrangement and think it's pretty awesome, myself. ;)
So you're saying it was her fault you hit that large rock? Makes sense now! :rofl:
 
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