Can't decide between two lift options

[DaMaDo]

I have a 2024 JLURX 4xe and I've gone back and forth between these two:

• Metalcloak 2.5 GC with the rocksport long travel shocks and front driveshaft $3800
• Clayton 2.5 O+ with Falcon SP2 3.3 shocks $4450 - although I can get 10% off, so say $4000

I like the adjustability of the SP2 shocks, but I'm under the impression that I'd get better articulation with the MC lift? How much of a difference is it?
What's the difference in feel of the SP2 and rocksports on and off road?

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[Rubi SoHo]

I have a 2024 JLURX 4xe and I've gone back and forth between these two:

• Metalcloak 2.5 GC with the rocksport long travel shocks and front driveshaft $3800
• Clayton 2.5 O+ with Falcon SP2 3.3 shocks $4450 - although I can get 10% off, so say $4000

I like the adjustability of the SP2 shocks, but I'm under the impression that I'd get better articulation with the MC lift? How much of a difference is it?
What's the difference in feel of the SP2 and rocksports on and off road?

Why not just order the MC lift without shocks, and get the Falcons separately?

I’ve got a MC 3.5” gamechanger, can’t fault it. I bought the MC Rocksport black shocks, another good option that’s similar to the Falcon’s.

that said, I don’t think you’d regret buying a Clayton kit either. Plenty of articulation there, it’s not likely to hold you back any.

 

[tomk62]

Either is an excellent choice.

 

[DaMaDo]

Why not just order the MC lift without shocks, and get the Falcons separately?

I’ve got a MC 3.5” gamechanger, can’t fault it. I bought the MC Rocksport black shocks, another good option that’s similar to the Falcon’s.

that said, I don’t think you’d regret buying a Clayton kit either. Plenty of articulation there, it’s not likely to hold you back any.

I forgot to mention my budget is around $4k

Good to hear they are comparable - the requirement for the front driveshaft makes it seems like you're getting more capability off-road, but I guess that's not the case.

 

[jhackathorne]

I forgot to mention my budget is around $4k

Good to hear they are comparable - the requirement for the front driveshaft makes it seems like you're getting more capability off-road, but I guess that's not the case.

Right... and do you need all the extra travel for what trails you run? You can likely get plenty of travel from the Clayton lift to run near any trail you want given your tires are sized accordingly.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I forgot to mention my budget is around $4k

Good to hear they are comparable - the requirement for the front driveshaft makes it seems like you're getting more capability off-road, but I guess that's not the case.

You definitely get more travel out of the rocksports. That being said they were under-dampened for driving at speed in the desert. If your wheeling style is more slow technical trails and Rock crawling they do ride much softer and more like the oem ride. I still say they are the best budget rock crawling shocks on the market, but not great if you run high speeds off road. People use the word capable off road without any qualifications, and terrain and driving style very widely. At speed the teraflex win both in dampening and fade resistance thanks to the reservoirs. In the rocks the rocksports will give more articulation. Some people feel the falcons ride too stiff even in the softest setting. Preference and use matter when choosing shocks, probably more than any other suspension component.

 

[DaMaDo]

You definitely get more travel out of the rocksports. That being said they were under-dampened for driving at speed in the desert. If your wheeling style is more slow technical trails and Rock crawling they do ride much softer and more like the oem ride. I still say they are the best budget rock crawling shocks on the market, but not great if you run high speeds off road. People use the word capable off road without any qualifications, and terrain and driving style very widely. At speed the teraflex win both in dampening and fade resistance thanks to the reservoirs. In the rocks the rocksports will give more articulation. Some people feel the falcons ride too stiff even in the softest setting. Preference and use matter when choosing shocks, probably more than any other suspension component.

Good points - I'm on 35s right now and will be lifting to be ready for the slower technical trails in the south east US.

My experience is still very basic, but I want the upgrade to have the capability to allow me to tackle more technical trails as my knowledge grows.

The mention of falcons being too stiff even at softest setting is leaning me towards the rocksports.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Good points - I'm on 35s right now and will be lifting to be ready for the slower technical trails in the south east US.

My experience is still very basic, but I want the upgrade to have the capability to allow me to tackle more technical trails as my knowledge grows.

The mention of falcons being too stiff even at softest setting is leaning me towards the rocksports.

The rocksports are so cheap it's not a big loss to run them a few years and then upgrade if you find yourself running trails with speed or wanting more dampening. They served us well for a couple years on our 2019, but after a few desert trips we upgraded to fox 2.0s (still a bit under dampened for the desert but better).

 

[DaMaDo]

Thanks, would you recommend the MC driveshaft or get it from Adams or Tom Wood instead? I'm assuming I'd be fine with a 1310 if I'm never going above 37s. Not sure how the MC version compares.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Thanks, would you recommend the MC driveshaft or get it from Adams or Tom Wood instead? I'm assuming I'd be fine with a 1310 if I'm never going above 37s. Not sure how the MC version compares.

The metalcloak one is quality and 1310s are fine in my opinion. If you do bind it up bad enough I'd rather break a driveshaft u-joint than transfer case or pinion gear so I prefer smaller joints there.

 

[KHR Racing]

In my book the more adjustments to a shock, the better you can adjust it for you.

 

[Chris D]

I forgot to mention my budget is around $4k

Good to hear they are comparable - the requirement for the front driveshaft makes it seems like you're getting more capability off-road, but I guess that's not the case.

seems like a self inflicted wound for the budget limit, for a 2024 JLURX 4xe. I can say I really love my MC 2.5" lift, no complaints.

 

[MikeS]

I have a 2024 JLURX 4xe and I've gone back and forth between these two:

• Metalcloak 2.5 GC with the rocksport long travel shocks and front driveshaft $3800
• Clayton 2.5 O+ with Falcon SP2 3.3 shocks $4450 - although I can get 10% off, so say $4000

I like the adjustability of the SP2 shocks, but I'm under the impression that I'd get better articulation with the MC lift? How much of a difference is it?
What's the difference in feel of the SP2 and rocksports on and off road?

I’d take a hard look at Rock Krawler Adventure-X with Bilstein shocks. I was going down the MC path until I compared the two in depth. The RK is a little more stout with a little more articulation for less money.

 

[GATORB8]

I run Oliver's, they have a solid price on the 1310. https://oliversdriveshaft.com/shop/...l-rubicon-dana-44-front-wrangler-1310-series/

Your front extended shock length with the Rocksports and outboards will be around 31.5". You need less than 29" extended to run the stock shaft. Assuming the 2-4.5 Falcons, you are looking at 28.5". That means you'll have an additional 3" of front travel if you bump the same.

If you can wait, MC will likely do a 10% off sale for Memorial day.

EDIT:

As another option, this is basically my setup for around $4k. Bilstein 5160 remote resi's instead of Rocksports. Adams ends up close to Oliver's with the NR forum discount:

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'm currently on a MC GC 3.5" and the red Rocksport shocks. The Rocksport shocks have a 30" fully extended length and something like just under 18" fully collapsed. That's a lot of travel. They are inexpensive, ride well on the street and are an easy fit. I'm just driving my JL a bit around town and rock crawling. The Rocksports suit my uses perfectly. I can see if you want a shock for higher speed washboard roads and the like, that these shocks might overheat and fade. For my uses, I think they are a great shock. They've been on the Rubicon trail, Moab and a number of other trails.

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