JL Rubicon on 38.5 with 3.5" lift

[Reaper-1]

Hello Forum, I want to introduce myself and contribute by sharing my build - maybe it will help someone like me as I was reading a lot of threads here to help decide what parts I want for my JEEP.

The car is a 2023 2.0 Rubicon - European model (narrow axles) - I'm from Serbia

I decided I want to go with 38.5x12.5-16 tires as it is a very common and available size around here and the variety of aggressive mud patterns are made in that dimension so I went with:

-38.5x12-16 Journey Claw (copy of Maxxis mud trep just softer imo) on 16x8 ET-30 steel beadlocks - added 250g of Magnum+ balance beads per tyre and have no vibration at highway speeds up to 150km/h

-MetalCloak game changer "mid" arms back and front with dropbrackets in the front. Drag link*, tire rod* and track bar in the front and track bar with relocation bracket in the back. I decided to go with MC because I don't want to bother with cleaning and greasing the joints on regular basis as we drive through deep mud and water all the time.

-Metalcloak 3.5" dual rate coils **
-SDI E-clik Pro extended length shocks with E links
-Fox hydro bumpstops front and back
-Fox race series steering stabilizer
-RockJock high steer knuckles on MC baller joints
-One piece RCVs
-Steer Smart sector shaft brace
-Artec trusses front and rear (I fabricated FAD tie in bracket plate)
-4.88 Spicer gears ****
-ARB diff covers
-Grimm extended brake lines
-Mopar high clearance fenders
-AFE snorkel
-Rugged Ridge venator front bumper *** with WARN EVO12S winch

* MC tie rod had to be machined 30mm per side shorter to get in the adjustment range of EU spec axle, drag link 20mm on the knuckle side

** 3.5" MC coils gave me more like 4.5-5" lift and are very stiff. I need to change them for softer ones because it rides harsh and I think SDI shocks cant show the full potential. My rig is relatively light and I want to keep it that way. I've done 2000 km with this so far and I don't see them sagging at all.

*** Had to modify side sections of Venator bumper to get the clearance in full articulation. A bit more testing and I'll have it made in carbon fiber
as this steel is not thick and strong enough and I need it to protect the fenders and grille when I have to go over a tree in the forest.

****The black coating on Spicer gears wears off after brake in and gives you extra 0.04mm of backlash. So I'd recommend adjusting it a bit tighter initially ( 0.06-0.08 )Factory front diff preload was just above 8Nm - way out of spec and bearings had significant heat marks with only 19000km

I was building this for 8 days straight during my vacation, about 10h per day alone. I had a friend help me with gear adjustments.

On 7th day it started snowing and I rushed to finish the build and drive so I haven't made much photos and when I'm offloading I keep my phone on silent deep in my backpack so I'm sharing what I have at the moment:

Looks great

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[techdisaster]

Just throwing in my $0.02. I just finished installing the MC 3.5" Game Changer lift and I also find the springs to be very stiff. I haven't taken it to the shop to have the suspension dialed in yet, but I hope that fixes some of it. Seems like I get a harsher bounce above 45mph, almost like a tire balance issue. But it is pretty early as I've only put 15 miles on the Jeep since the lift. I'm following this thread if you find softer springs.

 

[Draptec]

Just throwing in my $0.02. I just finished installing the MC 3.5" Game Changer lift and I also find the springs to be very stiff. I haven't taken it to the shop to have the suspension dialed in yet, but I hope that fixes some of it. Seems like I get a harsher bounce above 45mph, almost like a tire balance issue. But it is pretty early as I've only put 15 miles on the Jeep since the lift. I'm following this thread if you find softer springs.

I talked to SDI and they recommended Currie. Other oprion is EVO. But first I want to try something with shocks. I guess afrer weekend test I will know for sure if the problem is in the springs.

 

[techdisaster]

So I got the Jeep into an offroad shop to dial in the suspension. Big improvement. Tires were definitely out-of-balance so I took those back to the place I bought them. They did the road force balancing again, and determined I had a bad tire. After 20oz of weights, the tire was still bouncing. So that is a warranty issue with Mickey Thompson. They ordered a replacement and moved the bad tire to the spare.

Now the Jeep is driving a lot better. Still more stiff than factory, but my wife says it feels good to her. So I won't be replacing the springs. If she is happy, I'm happy.

 

[Draptec]

I will have to replace the coils. Metal Cloak 3.5" are definitely too stiff, maybe not for a full armored and loaded JL but for a light car like mine it resulted in 5" lift. I actually tried the car without the shocks to confirm... Also with 5" lift my shocks have only about 3" of down travel so that doesn't help either.

I think I'll try with EVO Plush ride now...

 

[74bronco_nomore]

I will have to replace the coils. Metal Cloak 3.5" are definitely too stiff, maybe not for a full armored and loaded JL but for a light car like mine it resulted in 5" lift. I actually tried the car without the shocks to confirm... Also with 5" lift my shocks have only about 3" of down travel so that doesn't help either.

I think I'll try with EVO Plush ride now...

Please let us know how the EVO coils work. I have the same setup: MC 3.5 gamechange. My jeep is also very light and dont want to add wait.

 

[Draptec]

My springs are ob the way, takes a bit of time to ship to Serbia

Should be here in like 10 days

 

[Draptec]

Finally I had time to change the springs. I installed EVO Plush 3,5" and can tell right away that this springs are much softer compared to MC. Also car is now sitting at true 3.5" lift

 

[74bronco_nomore]

Finally I had time to change the springs. I installed EVO Plush 3,5" and can tell right away that this springs are much softer compared to MC. Also car is now sitting at true 3.5" lift

So, a few days of driving now. How is it?

 

[Magnus Taterhawk]

hey Draptec. i have 3.5 MC and they put my Sport S about 5" and a rough ride thinking about going down to 2.5. but i may try Evo is the ride is better.

 

[Draptec]

They are definitely softer, however I think I'll have to put 1" spacer lift now or order 4.5" springs as my car is now a bit too "low" I have FOX hydraulic bumpstops front and rear and now with EVO springs I have about 3" to bumpstop and they are hitting all the time. I reduced pressure in bumpstops so it feels better but it's not a long term solution.

(Photo attached to make the thread nicer :D )

 

[Draptec]

Setup testing moving on

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