Like many of you, my Jeep mods are typically on a budget. That means properly planning out mods is critical to avoid replacing things as I upgrade. With that in mind, I want to talk about lifts. I know there are hundreds of posts in regards to lifts, but I want to steer the conversation in a different direction, with a focus on upgrading down the line. In effort to further focus the discussion, I want to stick within the 2”—2.5” lift kits.
There’s a huge variety of lift options, but overall there are a solid few that are consistent in terms of quality and positive reviews, while giving you the ability to easily adapt most of the items to other kits later on, so I'm going to break this up into 3 price point sections. Each section will have pros/cons and the items that could be used later on.
Also, since the focus is on building up the kit and using the most number of parts, I’m just going to list kits that have items you could use later on. I’m aware that there are dozens of other options, but most of those are finalized sizes and no option for upgrading later on.
$100—$500
Teraflex Leveling kit: $130
Lift: 2" front 1" rear
wheel clearance: 33-34"
Pro: This is a simple spacer leveling kit. You retain your stock springs and shocks. This will allow you to run your stock wheels and does very little to the Jeep's suspension geometry.
Con: This kit will give you a lift in clearance but does not improve handling.
Upgrade Path: You might be able to retain the swaybar links, but the spacers will be useless. The links are not adjustable so that might limit your ability for use in certain kits.
Rock Krawler Budget Based L.T. System: $199
Lift: 1 3/4" front 3/4" rear
wheel clearance: 33"
Pro: This is also a simple spacer leveling kit. You retain your stock springs and shocks. This will allow you to run your stock wheels and does very little to the Jeep's suspension geometry.
Con: This kit will give you a lift in clearance but does not improve handling.
Upgrade Path: Similar to the Teraflex kit, you can keep the swaybar links but the spacers will be useless. The links in this kit are adjustable and can be used in most other lifts later on.
Rancho 2” RS66109BR9: $375
Lift: 2-2.5" front 2-2.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-34"
Pro: This kit from Rancho steps things up by offering the legendary RS9000XL firmness adjustable shocks, new springs for the front and a spacer for the rear. By introducing new shocks and springs to the front, the Jeep’s handling is improved. You can still use your stock wheels and brake line extensions for the rear avoid the need to upgrade brake lines.
Con: This kit increases the suspension geometry a bit past 2” if your running stock bumpers. This will cause your axle to shift enough to possibly need a trackbar. Your swaybar will go a bit past parallel and require a set of slightly longer links. If you can find stock rears, you can minimize the expense.
Upgrade Path: The most attractive part about this kit are the shocks. They allow you to adjust the firmness of the ride and could be used in most upgraded kits later on. The shocks used in this kit are RS999326 (Front) and RS999330 (Rear). They are 25.75" Extended and 16" Collapsed, so you’ll have to check with your final kit company to see if they will work later on. That’s all that is retained from the kit. But if the shocks will work for you later on, typically they run $100/each so you would be within the expense down the road.
$500—$999
Rock Krawler Stock Mod: $549 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–4.25" front 2-2.5–4.25" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit introduces springs on all 4 corner (Progressive front and Linear for the rear), a trackbar for the front, trackbar bracket for the rear and new swaybar links, greatly improving the jeep’s handling.
Con: The kit’s price point is misleading, you need to take into account the need for new shocks as well (an additional cost of about $400) because they don’t provide shock extensions and specify the need to upgrade. In some cases you will also need front lower control arms to correct axle positioning and help with caster adjustment (an additional $295). RK is notorious for varying lift increases due to their choice of springs. Their advertised lift sizes take into account a fully loaded Jeep, with aftermarket bumpers and winch. Running on a Jeep with stock bumpers, the height can fluctuate as high as 4.25” in some cases. This could lead to the added expense of new brake lines ($100+) possibly drive shafts ($450+), also bump stops ($138+). You will also need spacers for your stock wheels ($200+) or aftermarket wheels with at least 4.5” backspacing. This elevates the risk of additional unforeseen expenses that go beyond its initial $549 price point.
Upgrade Path: The great part about this RK system is that everything can be used later on, including the shocks you will need to purchase.
Teraflex 2.5” lift kit: $730
Lift: 2.5–3" front 2.5-3" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit introduces springs on all 4 corner, shocks, swaybar links, rear trackbar bracket and bumpstops. Overall it’s a somewhat complete kit.
Con: The springs used in the kit are all linear and could lead to sagging later on. Linear springs are also on the lower end of handling performance and don’t offer that much of an improvement in handling. The kit doesn’t provide an adjustable front trackbar that will be needed if you’re your running stock bumpers. You might also need control arms to correct caster and pinion angles.
Upgrade Path: The shocks in this system are the same in their higher end kits. Everything else is tossed if you start looking to go with a bigger lift. If you want to retain the same height but just improve the handling, you can keep all the components and just add things like trackbar and control arms building the system out that way.
AEV Dualsport XT 2.5”: $899
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: AEV offers progressive springs for all 4 corners. The kit also comes with properly matched Bilstein shocks and offers a huge improvement in handling.
Con: The kit doesn’t offer control arms to correct axle position and caster angle, they offer geometry correction brackets (+$100) to re-use your stock lower control arms and correct the axle positioning and caster, but this reduces critical ground clearance by positioning the control arms 3” lower. It also does not offer new swaybar links, rather just brackets to use your stock links with.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain mostly everything in the kit and just add control arms, rear trackbar and swaybar links.
Metal Cloak unlimited dual-rate 2.5”: $899
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit comes with “Dual-Rate” coil springs for all 4 corners. It also gives you the ability of using your stock shocks through the use of shock extensions. It also comes with Upper front control arms to correct caster and pinion angles. Swaybar links, Extended brake lines and bump stops. This is a great entry level option that offers incredible handling and at a minimum cost
Con: Its only available for 4-doors. This is really disappointing because it leaves a significant amount of owners out of the entry level segment. In talk with Metal Cloak, they are considering a 2-door option but for the moment this is exclusive for just 4-door models. Metal Cloak admits that the lift will be 3.5” on Jeeps running stock bumpers. At that lift increase a trackbar for the front and bracket for the rear is critical in order to re-center the axles.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and just add aftermarket shocks later along with trackbars and control arms. If you’re upgrading the height, the only elements that can be transferred are the control arms, brake lines and bump stops.
Rock Krawler 2.5” Flex System: $969 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit builds up from the stock mod kit and adds front lower control arms which is critical for axle positioning and adjusting caster. You also get front brake lines, which are the same length as stock but provide the advantage of a braided lines.
Con: I debated about adding this kit to the sub $1k list because its misleading. Like their stock mod kit, you’ll need to purchase shocks.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and start adding additional control arms and a rear trackbar.
$1,000—$1,700
Rock Krawler 2.5” Max Travel: $1,349 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit builds up from the flex system and adds rear lower control arms, rear swaybar links and rear brake lines.
Con: Like their other lifts, you’ll need to purchase shocks, an additional $400 expense pricing this kit into the $1,700+ range.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add upper control arms and rear trackbar.
Metal Cloak 2.5”/3.5” ARB Edition: $1,599
Lift: 2.5–4.5" front 2.5-4.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit offers dual-rate springs for all 4 corners, OME nitro sport shocks, front upper control arms, front trackbar, rear trackbar bracket, sway bar links, bump stops and longer brake lines. For 4-door models no price difference with either the 2.5” or 3.5” lift. Metal Cloak also offers the same kit without shocks for $1,199 which gives you the ability to upgrade to this kit from a lower level one that included shocks
Con: 2-door models are only offered 3.5” lift, which results in a 4.5” if you are running stock bumpers. At that height the drive shafts will need to be replaced also.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add additional control arms and a rear trackbar.
AEV 3.5” Dual Sport SC: $1,674
Lift: 3.5" front 3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit offers mostly everything needed for a well-rounded lift, in addition to their 2.5” system, the kit includes a bilstein steering stabilizer, high-steer drag link, and geometry correction brackets, swaybar links, procal and jackbase.
Con: The kit does not include control arms and the front trackbar is not adjustable.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add adjustable control arms and trackbars.
There’s a huge variety of lift options, but overall there are a solid few that are consistent in terms of quality and positive reviews, while giving you the ability to easily adapt most of the items to other kits later on, so I'm going to break this up into 3 price point sections. Each section will have pros/cons and the items that could be used later on.
Also, since the focus is on building up the kit and using the most number of parts, I’m just going to list kits that have items you could use later on. I’m aware that there are dozens of other options, but most of those are finalized sizes and no option for upgrading later on.
$100—$500
Teraflex Leveling kit: $130
Lift: 2" front 1" rear
wheel clearance: 33-34"
Pro: This is a simple spacer leveling kit. You retain your stock springs and shocks. This will allow you to run your stock wheels and does very little to the Jeep's suspension geometry.
Con: This kit will give you a lift in clearance but does not improve handling.
Upgrade Path: You might be able to retain the swaybar links, but the spacers will be useless. The links are not adjustable so that might limit your ability for use in certain kits.
Rock Krawler Budget Based L.T. System: $199
Lift: 1 3/4" front 3/4" rear
wheel clearance: 33"
Pro: This is also a simple spacer leveling kit. You retain your stock springs and shocks. This will allow you to run your stock wheels and does very little to the Jeep's suspension geometry.
Con: This kit will give you a lift in clearance but does not improve handling.
Upgrade Path: Similar to the Teraflex kit, you can keep the swaybar links but the spacers will be useless. The links in this kit are adjustable and can be used in most other lifts later on.
Rancho 2” RS66109BR9: $375
Lift: 2-2.5" front 2-2.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-34"
Pro: This kit from Rancho steps things up by offering the legendary RS9000XL firmness adjustable shocks, new springs for the front and a spacer for the rear. By introducing new shocks and springs to the front, the Jeep’s handling is improved. You can still use your stock wheels and brake line extensions for the rear avoid the need to upgrade brake lines.
Con: This kit increases the suspension geometry a bit past 2” if your running stock bumpers. This will cause your axle to shift enough to possibly need a trackbar. Your swaybar will go a bit past parallel and require a set of slightly longer links. If you can find stock rears, you can minimize the expense.
Upgrade Path: The most attractive part about this kit are the shocks. They allow you to adjust the firmness of the ride and could be used in most upgraded kits later on. The shocks used in this kit are RS999326 (Front) and RS999330 (Rear). They are 25.75" Extended and 16" Collapsed, so you’ll have to check with your final kit company to see if they will work later on. That’s all that is retained from the kit. But if the shocks will work for you later on, typically they run $100/each so you would be within the expense down the road.
$500—$999
Rock Krawler Stock Mod: $549 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–4.25" front 2-2.5–4.25" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit introduces springs on all 4 corner (Progressive front and Linear for the rear), a trackbar for the front, trackbar bracket for the rear and new swaybar links, greatly improving the jeep’s handling.
Con: The kit’s price point is misleading, you need to take into account the need for new shocks as well (an additional cost of about $400) because they don’t provide shock extensions and specify the need to upgrade. In some cases you will also need front lower control arms to correct axle positioning and help with caster adjustment (an additional $295). RK is notorious for varying lift increases due to their choice of springs. Their advertised lift sizes take into account a fully loaded Jeep, with aftermarket bumpers and winch. Running on a Jeep with stock bumpers, the height can fluctuate as high as 4.25” in some cases. This could lead to the added expense of new brake lines ($100+) possibly drive shafts ($450+), also bump stops ($138+). You will also need spacers for your stock wheels ($200+) or aftermarket wheels with at least 4.5” backspacing. This elevates the risk of additional unforeseen expenses that go beyond its initial $549 price point.
Upgrade Path: The great part about this RK system is that everything can be used later on, including the shocks you will need to purchase.
Teraflex 2.5” lift kit: $730
Lift: 2.5–3" front 2.5-3" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit introduces springs on all 4 corner, shocks, swaybar links, rear trackbar bracket and bumpstops. Overall it’s a somewhat complete kit.
Con: The springs used in the kit are all linear and could lead to sagging later on. Linear springs are also on the lower end of handling performance and don’t offer that much of an improvement in handling. The kit doesn’t provide an adjustable front trackbar that will be needed if you’re your running stock bumpers. You might also need control arms to correct caster and pinion angles.
Upgrade Path: The shocks in this system are the same in their higher end kits. Everything else is tossed if you start looking to go with a bigger lift. If you want to retain the same height but just improve the handling, you can keep all the components and just add things like trackbar and control arms building the system out that way.
AEV Dualsport XT 2.5”: $899
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: AEV offers progressive springs for all 4 corners. The kit also comes with properly matched Bilstein shocks and offers a huge improvement in handling.
Con: The kit doesn’t offer control arms to correct axle position and caster angle, they offer geometry correction brackets (+$100) to re-use your stock lower control arms and correct the axle positioning and caster, but this reduces critical ground clearance by positioning the control arms 3” lower. It also does not offer new swaybar links, rather just brackets to use your stock links with.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain mostly everything in the kit and just add control arms, rear trackbar and swaybar links.
Metal Cloak unlimited dual-rate 2.5”: $899
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit comes with “Dual-Rate” coil springs for all 4 corners. It also gives you the ability of using your stock shocks through the use of shock extensions. It also comes with Upper front control arms to correct caster and pinion angles. Swaybar links, Extended brake lines and bump stops. This is a great entry level option that offers incredible handling and at a minimum cost
Con: Its only available for 4-doors. This is really disappointing because it leaves a significant amount of owners out of the entry level segment. In talk with Metal Cloak, they are considering a 2-door option but for the moment this is exclusive for just 4-door models. Metal Cloak admits that the lift will be 3.5” on Jeeps running stock bumpers. At that lift increase a trackbar for the front and bracket for the rear is critical in order to re-center the axles.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and just add aftermarket shocks later along with trackbars and control arms. If you’re upgrading the height, the only elements that can be transferred are the control arms, brake lines and bump stops.
Rock Krawler 2.5” Flex System: $969 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit builds up from the stock mod kit and adds front lower control arms which is critical for axle positioning and adjusting caster. You also get front brake lines, which are the same length as stock but provide the advantage of a braided lines.
Con: I debated about adding this kit to the sub $1k list because its misleading. Like their stock mod kit, you’ll need to purchase shocks.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and start adding additional control arms and a rear trackbar.
$1,000—$1,700
Rock Krawler 2.5” Max Travel: $1,349 (+$400 shocks)
Lift: 2.5–3.5" front 2.5-3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-35"
Pro: This kit builds up from the flex system and adds rear lower control arms, rear swaybar links and rear brake lines.
Con: Like their other lifts, you’ll need to purchase shocks, an additional $400 expense pricing this kit into the $1,700+ range.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add upper control arms and rear trackbar.
Metal Cloak 2.5”/3.5” ARB Edition: $1,599
Lift: 2.5–4.5" front 2.5-4.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit offers dual-rate springs for all 4 corners, OME nitro sport shocks, front upper control arms, front trackbar, rear trackbar bracket, sway bar links, bump stops and longer brake lines. For 4-door models no price difference with either the 2.5” or 3.5” lift. Metal Cloak also offers the same kit without shocks for $1,199 which gives you the ability to upgrade to this kit from a lower level one that included shocks
Con: 2-door models are only offered 3.5” lift, which results in a 4.5” if you are running stock bumpers. At that height the drive shafts will need to be replaced also.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add additional control arms and a rear trackbar.
AEV 3.5” Dual Sport SC: $1,674
Lift: 3.5" front 3.5" rear
wheel clearance: 33-37"
Pro: This kit offers mostly everything needed for a well-rounded lift, in addition to their 2.5” system, the kit includes a bilstein steering stabilizer, high-steer drag link, and geometry correction brackets, swaybar links, procal and jackbase.
Con: The kit does not include control arms and the front trackbar is not adjustable.
Upgrade Path: If your sticking with the height, then you can retain everything in the kit and add adjustable control arms and trackbars.