There are many opinions out there, but here are some thoughts:

1. As you add more components to the kit generally what you are trying to do is maintain the geometry of the suspension close to stock but with a higher height. That is why control arms are slightly longer than stock, why the rear trackbar normally gets the bracket to raise the attachment point to maintain roll center, etc. Many of these changes will be felt as improved on road handling. Some of the differences enhance flex and total suspension travel (not just height) and those are more focused on off road performance. I have lifted two jeeps and have always gone with a pretty full kit and haven't regretted it.

2. Rocksport is too new to find many opinions, so time will tell. Of the other two I currently have the Fox shocks (with reservoir) and I have been very happy. OME however also has a good reputation for performance and durability although I have no personal experience with them. But by reputation alone I would feel comfortable with them. Biggest factor in any shock though is how well matched is the shock to the application? Valving, length, etc.
3. Paint is cheap. You don't like the color, hit it with some sandpaper and pick a color you like.

 

I have no experience with the Fox shocks. Lots of people like them.

When I talked to the MC folks prior to ordering my lift they felt that OME provided the best overall experience; Fox tended to feel a little stiffer. He comented offhand that one of the reasons they even offered fox was because people don't like the color of the OME shocks. Once broken in the OME setup rides real nice on my opinion.

Just an aside, not sure what is going on, but MCs site now shows black shocks for the arb version. Maybe they've fixed the color problem?

 

You are right. I went to their site and both kits with OME show black shocks. That's definitely more appealing to me colorwise Thanks for pointing that out and also for the info that Fox tends to feel stiffer. I appreciate the info!

 

I'm running their coils and fox shocks. Love them

 

I believe the OME shocks are black now. I preferred yellow with my yellow Jeep. No experience with either the Fox or RS's, but I can say the OME are very nice on the road and I have had AEV and been in other with 9000's. I would take the OME every time.

 

I'm still struggling to make my ride great with the MC GC. Honestly, Will @ MC has been fabulous and we keep trying new things to get it right. From the install shop, to the alignment shop, he's mailed me out new components to swap in, etc. But with a 2 door (metal bumpers, metal fenders, metal sidestep, metal toolbox replacing rear seat, hundreds of pounds of tools and winch, MTRk's at 26psi) I cannot get a comfy ride.

I've run the OME and their RS shocks. I prefer their RS shock.

I'm going to uninstall my AntiRock and install factory swaybar with their links. After that it'lll be time to swap springs.

YMMV and I hope it does. Just wanted to give my experience. A++++ customer service but after months not loving my ride, yet.

 

I to will be entertaining the Metal Cloak lift only in 2.5 , what I was considering was getting the MC Duroflex kit and adding Rancho 9000's. Anyone have thoughts on that? This will be going on my 16 JKUR.

I currently have a 2.5 RK flex with Rancho 9000's on my 15 JKUS and the ride on and of road is great but have noticed that the added weight of bumper has caused sag up front plus my jeep just doesn't have the stance I want, so I thought I might try a different option this time around.

So I know what you mean about ride comfort , heck removed my PSC Brawler and winch yesterday in preparation for the transfer and reinstalled stock bumber and wow my jeep seemed so much more nimble.

Anyone chime in on the Ranchos and the Duroflex option.... I called MC Friday but haven't received a return call yet.

 

I had also considered this option as there are alot of people that rave over those Rancho 9000's. I haven't seen anyone comment on using them with a MC lift so would be interesting to hear if anyone has that combo as well.

 

Anyone know how those shocks feel?

 

Someone on another thread has them (rocksport shocks) and when I asked him he said a rep at Metal Cloak told him they are on the softer side, like OME, where as Fox is stiffer than the two?

Still sort of hard to differentiate and justify the cost differences with little to no reviews on them but I suppose thats because they are still relatively new. Anyway, just thought I'd pass along what someone else had said that actually has them.

 

I've got the Game Changer 3.5 with Fox shocks and I can tell you that it is stiff. It also drives pretty nice on the highway which is where my Jeep lives 90% of the time. It's a trade off...if you want a soft, spongy ride, then it's going to wallow a bit more on the highway with softer shocks. This also works vise versa with the firmer shocks. All depends on what you want.

Great choice with the MC lift though...it's just flat out awesome on the trail.

 

So do you recommend firmer shocks for a better on road experience and softer for offroad? I was thinking the opposite and thought I should be looking for a softer shock but after your post I'm wondering if I need a firm one instead. I want the best on road shock since that is where I will be most of the time. We have horrible pot hole infested, broken pavement roads here and I was thinking a softer shock would help absorb some of that and provide a softer ride and a firmer one would be more "jarring". Am I thinking about this all wrong? Thanks for any advice!

 

I'm running the MC Game Changer 2.5 w/rock sports 33 Duratracks and it rides great as a daily driver. The ride w/rock sports isn't super plush but handles amazingly well, better than stock. The shocks in conjunction w/the MC bushings do a good job of absorbing the bumps. It handles the local fire roads w/out too much vibration. I've been in some jeeps that make your teeth feel like they will vibrate out if you are on these roads longer than 10 minutes. The Game Changer is the way to go the flex is amazing and the bushings help smooth the ride. The rock sports also have slightly more travel than OME. The I love my setup and customer support at MC is amazing!

 

@WV Jeeper I'll just throw this out as food for thought...

Based on your stated usage and desire for ride quality, etc... Have you considered the MC Overland Elite series lift? They have it with the Rocksport shocks and without. You could put the kit without shocks together with a set of Rancho RS9000XL's for an "adjustable" ride quality.

 

Honestly I hadn't. The overland kits say "NEW" on metal cloaks website with no reviews yet to compare the best value for our money. Hubby also wants a complete kit with little to nothing to add later if our needs change. Rather have more than we need now than have to add to a basic lift later. The game changer lift seems like the "end game" for alot of people without much else to do and comes highly reguarded by those that have it. Hubby wants the best flex and offroad capability as he can get while I am most concerned with a smooth riding daily driver. Its a constant battle of trying to meet in the middle to satisfy both our wants! lol

 

I have the Bilstien 5100 shocks on my JKU and the ride is great except for the fact I had to replace both rear shocks when they began to leak fluid soaking the bottom mount. I am thinking of switching to FOX or OME

 

Did Bilstein replace them under their lifetime warrantee?

 

Going through all this myself...a lot will depend on the installer I pick as they only install what is bought from them.

Just when I think I have my mind made up I get steered in another manufacturer direction.

Trying to decide on Rock Krawler or Metal Cloak with Fox 2.0 IFP shocks..the better monotone versions. I was going to go with the RK RDD shocks but too many reports on leaks.

 

Yes they were replaced under warranty its just should not happen to a higher quality shock. Stock ones seem more durable than these.

 

This is all great info! I am also right on the fence with all of this.

 

I went with the OME shocks and 3.5" Game Changer. I decided Fox may be too stiff for me. I was really going back and forth on the Rocksports and OME right down to when I placed the order. In the end I chose OME because they have quite a bit of good reviews to back them up as opposed to RS having less than a handful. Hopefully OME will fit my needs. I will let you know once the lift comes and we get everything installed.

 

Hey WV, I sent you a private message. But I saw this and wanted to ask if you are doing the lift yourselves or having a shop do the work. Also, if you want to see how I set up my WV daily driver, feel free to check out my build thread.

Joe

 

Hey Joe. Yes doing the lift ourselves. Everything we have ever owned has been lifted so my husband has some experience although first time lifting a wrangler. I'll check out your build. I see your a fellow WVIRGINIAN I think we are about 3 hours north of Greenbrier. Would love to go riding down that way!

 

Fyi....it was discussed earlier about the ome shocks not being yellow anymore and now are black. My lift was delivered last week and they are YELLOW. Needless to say they will be getting painted before they go anywhere near my jeep! Truth be told even if they did come black I'd probably still be painting them but just thought I'd let others know that yellow is still out there. Maybe you have to ask for black?

 

I'm running Rancho 9000XLs with MetalCloak 2.5" coils and MetalCloak front lower arms. I leave the Ranchos cranked up to 7 in the front, 6 in the rear, running the lower settings makes the Jeep feel sloppy when hitting pot holes, expansion joints, etc. They also heat up fast on washboard after 5-10 miles.

The biggest change in ride for me was switching from 35s to 37s in Nitto Trail Grapplers. Going from a E rating to D rating took a lot of the edge off from hitting pot holes, bumps, etc.

 

@WV Jeeper, come on down. If you've never been to The Greenbrier resort it's definitely worth going at least once in your life. It's definitely not an inexpensive trip, but really an incredible place. Also, if it will sway your hubby into a trip, we now host a Jeep Jamboree every November. This years has been booked full for about six months, but I think registration opens shortly after the first of the year. They also offer dozens of miles of trails any time you're down staying with them. I know the guy over the operation and he's very cool guy. If you ever make it down here just hit me up.

Joe

Oh to keep this relative to your thread, sorry the shocks still came yellow. Few shots of rattle can will take care of that though. And my JKU was the first suspension mod I ever attempted. I'm not sure jeep could make it any easier.

 

Thanks for the info. Had no idea about the jamboree down there. Would have been cool to come down next month for that. I will definitely look into it for next year! My oldest just bought a sahara last week too so we keep adding jeeps to the family. lol

I picked up my lift kit parts I had powder coated red on Friday. Turned out really nice. Also found some matching spray paint for those yellow shocks Can't wait to get it all on.

 

Pondering the same question as the OP, so I was hoping for some reviews?

 

I went with the full Metal Cloak 3.5" GameChanger with OME shocks. I've had them on for about 3 weeks and the ride on the road is great no complaints from me or the wife and kids. I've had it out on one trail and didn't have any issues with it. As of right now if I had to do it over again I wouldn't change a thing. The install was straight forward and the ride is great. To answer your color question the shocks came in all black.

 

Was thinking the game changer 3.5 or 4.5.... But with the teraflex tuned fox reservoirs.... Or saving more and getting fox reservoir adjustables. Only place I've seen those is Amazon though and who knows how well those would actually end up working on the Jeep

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

 

I would go with the Game Changer for a Rubi. I bought the 2.5 TrueDual for my Willy's, but a Rubi is much more capable right out of the box. It's my wife's daily but will get a little dirty, so the TrueDual is perfect for us.

I have Fox shocks on my F150 & got them with the MC lift for the JKU too since they are awesome!

 

I have the OME shocks and I really like them. Been running 3.5 GC for about 3 months now and I have no complaints. In fact, I love it!

 

I have a 2dr and the 2.5 inch Game Changer with 6 pak so it will be a little different than a 4dr. Here are my impressions.

First remember that you are higher and it will ride different, more sway and more suspension movement than stock. With that understood I would say on the highways it is better and it is worse. It is much better on rough roads, big bumps, expansion joints. But you have more body roll and you feel every road imperfection, not jarring or anything like that just more movement. In my mind it is an overall plus but everyone is different.