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Spacer Lift on New Hard Rock JKU

17K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  A2tanker 
#1 ·
I picked up my new JKU Rubicon Hard Rock last week and am ready to start modding. First thing on the list is probably a lift, tires, and wheel spacers.

I've researched my lift options and think a spacer lift will be best suited for my needs. I daily drive the Jeep around 200 miles a week, won't off-road much, and don't plan on adding a winch or armor.

I'd like to lift in the 2.5-3" range. My preference would be a 3" lift, but I recognize the potential problems I may have. I don't plan on doing shocks, as the stock Rubi shocks should be fine for now. I'd like any opinions you have on which is the better brand, kit, etc.:

Teraflex 2.5" Budget Boost without shocks ($340)
Rubicon Express Economy 2.5" spacer lift ($260)
ReadyLIFT SST Mild Lift (3"/2") ($500)
Superlift 2.5" spacer lift ($275)
Daystar 3" spacer lift (includes shocks) ($375)

I've also considered the Rancho 3" Sport System, which is coils, not spacers. ($640, but Rancho has a rebate).

I have the budget for a more expensive lift, but not sure I need it for what I'll be doing.
 

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#2 ·
For what your doing, a spacer lift would work great. You'll keep the factory ride and handling. If you can afford a more expensive lift, a coil lift with all the goodies will run you about $1200. A quality lift kit will improve your ride and handling. But the factory ride isn't bad and you can use the money on other mods.

Spacer lifts don't have the same quality differences as coil lifts. A block of polymer or steel is a block or polymer or steel. Look for a complete kit. The Teraflex kit, for instance, is complete. Bump stops, rear track bar relocation bracket (though their axle side bracket you get with the coil kits is better), brake line relocation bracket and sway bar links (comes with new rear links, you move the rears to the front). Also make sure any spacer lift will level the Jeep, usually 1/2 to 1 inch less height on the rear spacer.

You'll still need/want some exhuast spacers, cheap drive line insurance, the Northridge bolt kit, more cheaper insurance and you need to loosen all those bolts anyway so might as well replace them, and you might need some lower control arm drop brackets. If you have flighty steering due to the change in camber, they will fix that but you might not feel that with 2.5 inches of actual lift. My TF 2.5 inch coil lift gave me almost 3.5 inches in the front. Still, the brackets are around a hundred bucks and take a couple of hours to install. Definitely wait on those until the lift is installed. You might not need them.

And I don't know where your looking to get those prices but the TF budget boost is only $273 on their site. Probably find it for less other places, especially with forum discounts.
 
#4 ·
I thought when you said no shocks you were going to buy new. I see now you meant extensions. Try Extreme Terrain. Contact XTRyan and he'll get you a good price with the forum discount. I got my lift through XT and it was on my doorstep in three days. Some of the other venders on here can get you similar deals.
 
#5 ·
I just installed Hard Rock Suspension in my sport with a 2" AEV lift. Here's what I found.

Definatally gave me at least 3" of lift. It was nice to have the the Shock Extension Brackets, correct Bumpstops and what not that came with the AEV lift. I it surely looked like I could fit 35" tires in their without an issue. However I did not like the handling. It felt squirrly if that make sense. So what I did was take the stock front spacer out (Which you leave in with the AEV Spacer lift) and put the Stock sport rear springs back in. This took me down about 1/2"-3/4" leveled me out perfectly and handling is spot on.

For you I would grab the AEV 2" spacer Lift, its pretty inexpensive, comes with great extension brackets for making everything work. I would use their front 2" spacers without your stock isolators and replace the back isolator with something about 1/2" shorter than the one AEV gives you. (Theirs is not exactly 2" in the back, but I dont remember what it was)

I run this setup with 33's and love the stance/ clearance, but could definatally for 34's in there. But I think 35's would definatally be pushing it, for that Id start to look for a coil spring setup of run different fenders.

PS- Im not familar with the Tereflex Spacer kit but I do think it is very similar to the AEV.

One problem you may have is that most spacer kits will level you out, I think the Hard Rock is pretty leveled out so these may leave you front high. It may be a matter of moving one spacer 3/4" more or less in front or back
 
#6 ·
Spacer lifts don't really have a quality issue... However, if you are going above 1.5" you should get a kit that corrects sway bar and rear track bar geometry.

This is the only lift product from Rough Country that I like to recommend. For $180, you can't go wrong with the contents of their series II spacer lift.

2.5in Series II Suspension Lift Kit for 07-15 Jeep JK Wrangler | Rough Country Suspension Systems®

Even has brake line brackets. You can run the stock shocks and upgrade any time you want.
 
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#8 ·
Spacer lifts don't really have a quality issue... However, if you are going above 1.5" you should get a kit that corrects sway bar and rear track bar geometry. This is the only lift product from Rough Country that I like to recommend. For $180, you can't go wrong with the contents of their series II spacer lift. 2.5in Series II Suspension Lift Kit for 07-15 Jeep JK Wrangler | Rough Country Suspension Systems® Even has brake line brackets. You can run the stock shocks and upgrade any time you want.
Exactly the type of info I need. A local shop installs that kit for $499, parts and labor.

Any thoughts on swapping the shocks to Rancho 9000 while the work is being done?
 
#9 ·
I put the RC series II kit and spacers on my 2014 JKUR right away. It'll give a little bit of attitude and retains stock ride. You don't need anything else. I have about 13k miles no issues.

My plan is to run the MT's and rubi shocks until they need replacing. I figure that gives me time to figure what I like and don't like with the JKUR.

Should be able to run 35's as is. Plus it's a fairly small investment, should you decide to change plans

One thing to keep in mind is that with the rubi package, you likely already have the upgraded springs (and shocks) from the factory. That means that upgrades may not make as much of a difference for you vs. upgrading a base model.
 
#11 ·
OP: Your Jeep is stunning. First all silver JKUR I have seen and it is gorgeous.
Can't help you with the budget lift. I just installed the Mopar Stage III kit on my new JKU Hard Rock and it was anything but "budget".

Joe
 
#13 ·
OP: Your Jeep is stunning. First all silver JKUR I have seen and it is gorgeous. Can't help you with the budget lift. I just installed the Mopar Stage III kit on my new JKU Hard Rock and it was anything but "budget". Joe
Thanks! I was dead set on this color, and it's really the reason I went with the Hard Rock instead of just the Rubicon. It was the only one I could find within 250 miles.
 
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