[arahambone]

Would love some help on this. I'm an extremely novice Jeep guy and while I don't want to blow the bank, I do want to get it somewhat right.

I plan on wheeling, mudding, probably not rock crawling. I've got Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/75R17 and I like the balance of size and weight and mileage vs going to a 35/12.50R17 so it's unlikely I would upsize significantly down the line.

I've been fairly focused on getting around a 2 inch lift and I've got front and rear steel bumpers and would probably add a little weight on the sides.

I'm trying to decide between the Mopar 77070088AD Stage 1 2" Lift Kit with Fox Shocks and the Synergy Stage 1 2" Lift Kit.

I'm thinking either way I'm adding LCA (either fixed or adjustable). I want Fox Shocks.

Synergy I can bundle up with the LCA's plus Fox 2.0 Shocks and get to about $2200. Comes with Front Track Bar. Not sure if I would need exhaust spacers or a new front drive shaft at that lift height. Or draglink flip. I'd also add the Fox Steering stabilizer, not sure if I need the hi-mount kit or just swap the stabilizer.

Mopar is around $1500, but I get the front drive shaft and shocks. Seems like I would need to add LCA's along with maybe some better geometry correction. I feel like I would probably get back to around $2200.

Any feedback or guidance is appreciated. PS I'm OCD and like stuff to brand match as much as possible.

 

[jadmt]

just food for thought a mopar 2" lift is really a ~3" lift. So if you really only want 2" of actual lift it may be taller than you want.

 

[deepbluerubi]

I think both kits are excellent choices, synergy is known to give a bit more lift than advertised also. Two door or four door? What will you be doing with the jeep?

 

[arahambone]

4door

I think both kits are excellent choices, synergy is known to give a bit more lift than advertised also. Two door or four door? What will you be doing with the jeep?

Sorry, forgot that part. 4 door, JKU Rubicon.

I like mud, dirt, speed. Probably not massive articulation testing. Although down the line I might think differently.

I'm a little worried about the drift shaft vs exhaust spacer being necessary if I'm bumping the exhaust, but I don't know how extreme I would need to articulate to test that.

 

[cranbiz]

The Mopar comes with cam bolts which is less than desirable. Having the new driveshaft is a plus and because it's a 1310 driveshaft (smaller diameter than the stock DS), doesn't usually require exhaust spacers.

 

[deepbluerubi]

Sorry, forgot that part. 4 door, JKU Rubicon.

I like mud, dirt, speed. Probably not massive articulation testing. Although down the line I might think differently.

I'm a little worried about the drift shaft vs exhaust spacer being necessary if I'm bumping the exhaust, but I don't know how extreme I would need to articulate to test that.

Well a four door is definitely going to help with your overland ride, I would invest in reservoir shocks if you will be moving fast to help with not overheating the shocks. I would stay with oem style bushings in any joints if playing in dirt/mud. I think AEV should be looked at with the upgrade of reservoir shocks, I know you want fox, but Bilstein makes a good shock and it will be tuned to the aev springs which is important. I would throw in a hellwig sway bar in the rear, "inexpensive about $160" Either use the aev gemetry brackets or ranchos, but i would try it first and if you need caster correction and your wallet is recovering get the synergy lower front arms , you can even get the fixed ones for $225 or get the adjustable for about $310. It will be great on road too. Love the color, you have a nice looking jeep for the foundation!

 

[bbortko]

I just ordered synergy coils today and I haven’t ridden in a jeep with them but every single review I read about them was very positive and every instance of someone having owned synergy coils and other aftermarket coils all said synergy were their favorite. That being said everyone has different taste and a lot of people love their mopar coils. My jk is already lifted with long falcon 3.1 shocks that are only 6 months old and synergy was one of the few choices available that would work with my shocks which is why I began researching them to begin with.

 

[arahambone]

How do I avoid the cam bolts? I don’t understand what they do? Is it related to the shocks or front steering?

 

[deepbluerubi]

I just ordered synergy coils today and I haven’t ridden in a jeep with them but every single review I read about them was very positive and every instance of someone having owned synergy coils and other aftermarket coils all said synergy were their favorite. That being said everyone has different taste and a lot of people love their mopar coils. My jk is already lifted with long falcon 3.1 shocks that are only 6 months old and synergy was one of the few choices available that would work with my shocks which is why I began researching them to begin with.

Apparently the reviews say they hold up well to the elements too, "hate rust" if I ever go higher, they are on my short list.

 

[deepbluerubi]

How do I avoid the cam bolts? I don’t understand what they do? Is it related to the shocks or front steering?

They are for caster adjustment, the geometry brackets or longer lower front control arms correct it too. They work, but most feel for durability on an off road vehicle the brackets or arms are stronger.

 

[El Burro]

How do I avoid the cam bolts? I don’t understand what they do? Is it related to the shocks or front steering?

LOL... you know my preference. :bop:

They don’t do anything on the Mopar lift because you’re unable to adjust enough caster into the cams to correct the geometry, which is where the adjustable control arms or geo brackets come in. What’s worse is, as the above post says, it’s a 3”+ lift out of the box before it’s sags back down to 2.5”, meaning you’re just chasing issues instead of having fun with your JK.

I love my Mopar lift so much I keep the springs in a warm safe place far away from my Jeep. The Fox Shox are great with the Synergy springs... running 3” up front and 2” rear.

 

[El Burro]

How do I avoid the cam bolts? I don’t understand what they do? Is it related to the shocks or front steering?

Here’s what they look like... you need to grind out the old hole which is why Synergy sells a cam bolt eliminator kit for people like me that don’t listen and do things the hard way.

 

[rednroll]

I'm thinking either way I'm adding LCA (either fixed or adjustable). I want Fox Shocks.

Ignore the noise about the cam bolts and the Mopar lift. In either case as you stated you're adding LCA's which will adjust for caster correction, where you would not be using the included cam bolts of the Mopar kit if you're purchasing LCA's.

For some reason some folks struggle with the concept that a lift which doesn't include anything for caster correction such as the Synergy is better than a kit that includes the lowest cost option for caster correction (cam bolts) which you don't have to use if you get other options for caster correction like you would be doing with other lifts. The only lifts out there which include caster correction as part of the kit are the ones that include longer replacement control arms and the prices of those kits are much higher to match.

There's 3 most common ways to adjust for caster after lifting.
1. Cam bolts ($20 least expensive option, Not preferred because adjust-ability is limited, and they can come loose over time).
2. Geo Brackets ($100-$175) additional cost to the lift. They'll provide the best ride quality but do so at a cost of about a 1in reduced ground clearance that some tend to get overly hung up about. Some who rock crawl have bent them on rocks.
3. Longer front replacement LCA's ($300-$800) additional cost to your kit. They are the most expensive option, and won't provide better ride quality as a geo brackets, but you don't lose the 1in of ground clearance and are more durable than geo brackets.

There are other options for caster correction as well such as axle bracket relocation replacements, but I won't get into those since it's likely not in your budget and overkill for what you're trying to do.

The Mopar kit just includes the lowest cost not often preferred option for caster correction (cam bolts). Most who run that lift don't use them. The other lifts in the same price range as the Mopar don't include anything for caster correction. Some who don't do their due diligence as you are doing bitch and moan unnecessarily about cam bolts after the fact because they didn't do their homework ahead of time to realize what I just outlined for you.

Both are good lifts, but both can benefit from some additional part additions to complete the lift, as you originally outlined you would be doing in your initial post. Your best bet would be to focus on those needed additional items for each kit and understand why you would benefit by adding them and then see where you are price wise for each lift. Focusing on name brands and asking for opinions is not really helping you, unless you really think asking people if Nike or Adidas sneakers would be better for you and expect to get real non opinionated answers in return?

 

[El Burro]

Ignore the noise ..... bla bala bla bla bla bla bla bla.... Nike or Adidas sneakers would be better for you and expect to get real non opinionated answers in return?

Is this you? Seems like you’re a shill for Mopar... pretty funny stuff!!


You should chime in when you’ve run both kits.

 

[Hilldweller]

....
I like mud, dirt, speed. Probably not massive articulation testing.....

Sounds like an AEV candidate to me.

 

[rednroll]

Is this you? Seems like you’re a shill for Mopar... pretty funny stuff!!

You should chime in when you’ve run both kits.

Thanks, WAL.... LOL!

The communications are now understood since it's a disease that runs rabid on that forum run by Eddy and his mindless minion followers. It makes a lot of sense now for the reasons there's an entire 500 page discussion on this forum for the Mopar 2in lift with many who are pleased with it, while there's one guy in that entire discussion not happy with it and thinks he knows more than everyone else. That's the WAL spirit!!:thumb: It's great seeing one of Eddy's minions bringing that same propaganda non-sense over here. I'm certain your visit won't last long.

 

[demarpaint]

Lets keep it civil please.

 

[arahambone]

Focus

Let's focus on me and my desperate needs.

I'm pretty much locked on Synergy, life owning a Jeep is too complicated.

Got on the line with Poly Performance down in San Luis Obispo and I liked what I heard. Keepin in Cali

Seems like cam bolt eliminator kit for the lower fronts to go with my adjustable arms.

Now I just need to learn how to install a lift

 

[Hilldweller]

...

Seems like cam bolt eliminator kit for the lower fronts to go with my adjustable arms.

Now I just need to learn how to install a lift

I think you'd like the ride with a pair of geo correction brackets, based on how you describe yourself and ride style.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/rancho/...p/rancho/geometry-correction-brackets-07-17-jeep-wrangler-wrangler-unlimited-jk
Cambolts suk balz and tend to move around. And it doesn't sound like new control arms are something you really need.
Shout @Quadratec three times and Rick will magically appear to tell you how to get a discount.

 

[bbortko]

Let's focus on me and my desperate needs.

I'm pretty much locked on Synergy, life owning a Jeep is too complicated.

Got on the line with Poly Performance down in San Luis Obispo and I liked what I heard. Keepin in Cali

Seems like cam bolt eliminator kit for the lower fronts to go with my adjustable arms.

Now I just need to learn how to install a lift

Teraflex makes really good install videos for all of their products and are worth checking out.