Aftermarket lift kit cadence

[Shots]

Thanks for the response. Yes the Rancho kit I saw was with the 5000x shocks. I guess there was a difference from the 5000, and 5000x. From what I've read the 5000x feel a lot better than the 5000, and is considered a good choice for an alternative to the 9000.
If the Rancho yeilds 3.5" on the Sahara it's definitely out of contention for me. Thanks for the tip on the bump stops too. So I guess it should fit as some of the sites say, but if it's that much taller, I'll have to regrettably remove it from my list. Bummer it seemed like the perfect kit at 2"..... or apparently not.

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[aug0211]

Thanks for the response. Yes the Rancho kit I saw was with the 5000x shocks. I guess there was a difference from the 5000, and 5000x. From what I've read the 5000x feel a lot better than the 5000, and is considered a good choice for an alternative to the 9000.
If the Rancho yeilds 3.5" on the Sahara it's definitely out of contention for me. Thanks for the tip on the bump stops too. So I guess it should fit as some of the sites say, but if it's that much taller, I'll have to regrettably remove it from my list. Bummer it seemed like the perfect kit at 2"..... or apparently not.

Yeah, it was on the other forum that is generally a bit less helpful that I read about the Rancho kits being more like 2.5” on a Rubi and 3-3.5” on a non Rubi (I assume 3” on Sahara and 3.5 on Sport).

The info on the bump stop being the only difference between the Stibo and non Rubi version, I believe, came from @RanchoShocks themselves somewhere in a conversation I had with them on this forum.

 

[aug0211]

Thanks for the response. Yes the Rancho kit I saw was with the 5000x shocks. I guess there was a difference from the 5000, and 5000x. From what I've read the 5000x feel a lot better than the 5000, and is considered a good choice for an alternative to the 9000.
If the Rancho yeilds 3.5" on the Sahara it's definitely out of contention for me. Thanks for the tip on the bump stops too. So I guess it should fit as some of the sites say, but if it's that much taller, I'll have to regrettably remove it from my list. Bummer it seemed like the perfect kit at 2"..... or apparently not.

Just thought of this for your scenario - have you considered a Rubi take off suspension? Add in 1” spacers and you should be at a 2” lift with what would ride like a stock Rubi.

 

[Shots]

Yeah, it was on the other forum that is generally a bit less helpful ....

Ha ha, yeah I noticed that too. Everyone seems so quick to dismiss a question rather than helping out. There's a reason I spend much more time on this forum than that one. Honestly the main reason I even joined that one was to enter the giveaway for the Dynatrac lift. I spend less and less time on it since then.

Just thought of this for your scenario - have you considered a Rubi take off suspension? Add in 1” spacers and you should be at a 2” lift with what would ride like a stock Rubi.

Strangely, no I hadn't thought about that. I'm going to look into it though. I haven't ridden in a JL Rubicon, I wonder how they feel compared to the Sahara. I also wonder how doing that would compared to a Daystar kit (both feel and cost).

 

[Shots]

So, after my last post I did a little reading. There's a pretty good thread here, talking about adding the Rubicon springs/shocks on the Sahara. From what they're all saying it rides only slightly stiffer, and it sounds to be able to be done pretty cheap. Now I just need to see if there's a 1" kit to round off my 2", and compare it all to the 2" kits that area available.

 

[aug0211]

So, after my last post I did a little reading. There's a pretty good thread here, talking about adding the Rubicon springs/shocks on the Sahara. From what they're all saying it rides only slightly stiffer, and it sounds to be able to be done pretty cheap. Now I just need to see if there's a 1" kit to round off my 2", and compare it all to the 2" kits that area available.

Excellent!

For the 1”, you should be able to bet some cheap spacers - Traxda will probably custom cut some for you if you ask; I also believe there are some offerings out there from others... you should be able to piece that together if it’s what you end up wanting to go with.

 

[Shots]

Great, thanks for the tip. I'll let you all know what I find out.

 

[Shots]

This is an update to my list of considerations. I've removed some that won't work for me, and added Zone Offroad's first offering for the JL.

• Zone Offroad 2" for $312 (J30N). I guess this is a hybrid kit. It uses spacers on the stock springs, but also comes with new shocks. Definitely a plus for me that they went with 2" instead of 2.5", though they don't address caster. A set of brackets for $175 can fix that bringing it to $487.
• Daystar 2" for $319 (KJ09177KV). This is a spacer kit, but it does correct caster change with a set of new control arms. Still the cheapest kit to offer that.
  
• Rock Krawlers 2.5" for $950 (JL25AS1-4). Not a lot of new info on this one, but still bummed you need to add shocks or extensions (neither of which are included). Although I still like that it has track bars and control arms, but once you take care of the shocks you're looking at $1150 or more.
• JKS 2.5" for $1076 (117K). I still can't find any reviews on this kit. However I did find that it comes with "caster cam locks" to correct caster, rather than replacing the control arms. So my initial research showing I'd have to spend the extra $175 on brackets won't be necessary. The price seems pretty good for a kit that has shocks, springs, track bars and corrected caster even if it is 1/2" taller than I wanted. It really bugs me that I can't find any reviews of it though.
  
• Dynatrac 2" for $1300 (JL20-1X5310-A). I haven't found a bad review of this kit yet, which says a lot. The down side still being that it's the highest price kit on my list and doesn't address the track bars or caster even though the cheaper kits do.

So the list hasn't really shortened much, but it has refined a bit. Zone seems to have made a pretty reasonable first offering, and I expect they'll have more soon.
JKS seems like they're really giving you the most bang for the buck by including everything in one kit, but I have no idea if it's any good since I'm not able to find any reviews. Is it stiff like the R.C. kit, is it comfortable like the Dynatrac kit, or somewhere in the middle? Who knows.
Dynatrac is clearly highly regarded, but I'm still having trouble justifying that price when compared to other offerings. At the same time the complete lack of any negative reviews is a huge incentive to continue to consider it.

 

[Kbach]

• JKS 2.5" for $1076 (117K). I still can't find any reviews on this kit. However I did find that it comes with "caster cam locks" to correct caster, rather than replacing the control arms. So my initial research showing I'd have to spend the extra $175 on brackets won't be necessary. The price seems pretty good for a kit that has shocks, springs, track bars and corrected caster even if it is 1/2" taller than I wanted. It really bugs me that I can't find any reviews of it though.

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on the JKS 2.5" but can't find any real world reviews. If I could find some more info it would definitely help make the decision!

If I do end up going with JKS my plan is to build lower control arms instead of running the cam locks though.

 

[Shots]

Be sure to post a review of it if you do. I'd like to know if the ride is similar to stock (which I like), if it's stiffer/mushier, if it handles well, etc.
If I go with the JKS kit, I still might buy the control arm brackets from Rancho (RS62118B) depending on how the caster cam locks work/install. If I buy a different kit, that doesn't correct caster, I'm going to install those to fix it. Mostly because it seems that caster angle plays a role in the steering issues people report, so I'm not going to risk it if I can retain the stock angles for $175. I don't have the steering problems and don't intend to do something to cause it to start.

 

[Shots]

And another update. 2 things on this one. I finally found 1 review on the JKS system. They seem to like the kit though in the review they note it's "a little rough" and then later say a little rougher than stock. So It doesn't sound like it's a harsh kit, but still unsure how "rough" a little rough is.

Now for the big new. At least for me. I think I found the kit. Or more specifically a combo of kits.
Zone Offroad has finally announced a body lift for the JL (J9122) for $75. It's a 1.25" kit, but if I pair that with a Rubicon take-off suspension I'll be right around 2" with a stock ride. I've read plenty of reviews saying the Rubi take-off is only slightly firmer than the Sahara ride so I'm not concerned with it.
Now all I have to do is find a reasonably priced take-off.

 

[OffRoadWarehouse]

The two best "complete" kits with shocks included from your selection would definitely be JKS with their trackbar already included, basic shocks (still deisgned for the JL) and sway bar discos. downside would be the shocks included with this kit.

https://offroadwarehouse.com/i-2304...pension-lift-kit-2018-wrangler-jl-4-door.html

For a better shock'd basic kit, ICON's stage 1 with the addition of their trackbar upgrades you to a monotubed, specifically designed shock that is serviceable.

https://offroadwarehouse.com/i-2304...l-wrangler-2-5-stage-1-suspension-system.html
https://offroadwarehouse.com/i-23042613-icon-2018-jeep-jl-wrangler-adjustable-front-trackbar.html

 

[Shots]

Thanks for the reply and links. So how does the Icon kit compare to the Dynatrac kit. The difference is "only" $150 and they're replacing the same parts. Based on everything I've seen/heard about the Dynatrac kit, I imagine most would spend the extra for a kit that gets rave reviews versus a relatively unknown one..

 

[Arrowhead]

Zone Offroad has finally announced a body lift for the JL (J9122) for $75. It's a 1.25" kit, but if I pair that with a Rubicon take-off suspension I'll be right around 2" with a stock ride. I've read plenty of reviews saying the Rubi take-off is only slightly firmer than the Sahara ride so I'm not concerned with it.
Now all I have to do is find a reasonably priced take-off.

There's no way I'd want to do a body lift. Way more work than figuring out a better suspension solution. I haven't looked into this specifically for the JL (I have done a lot of frame off vehicle work though), but I can only assume you could have issues with brake lines, Ebrake cables, fuel lines, coolant hoses, transmission cooler lines, not to mention extensive wiring that may or may not have enough slack to be re routed. Your also running the risk of broken body mount bolts like that have been happening to people installing rock rails.

Not totally sure of what you goals are, but a Rubicon takeoff with shocks (they are longer than the sport so I'm assuming they are longer than the Sahara also) would give you a good ride with added lift (as you mentioned already). If that's not enough, then add a leveling kit that will add the little extra you want for lift.

 

[Shots]

I've done many body lifts on trucks before, so I'm not worried. If you buy a kit (from a reputable manufacturer) made specifically for the vehicle on which you are installing it, there should be any extensions and/or relocation brackets included that are needed. Keep in mind I'm also talking about a 1.25" kit, not a 3" kit. Having done similar kits on other vehicles there's not usually a lot to change, unlike the 3" kits which require a lot more work.
As for body mount bolts, you should absolutely replace the stock bolts. Any time you're installing a body lift or other items that decrease their engagement with the nut, you need longer bolts. The new bolts must also be rated for the appropriate shear and tensile strengths too, or you're asking for trouble.

As for my goals, I'm looking mostly for a cosmetics. I jacked my Jeep up testing various heights for look, ease of entry/exit, driving position. and found that right around 2" is what I'm looking for. My stock rims/tires don't look too small (I'm keeping them, they were an option I specifically ordered), my wife can get in/out without issues, and it seems to "feel" about right from the driver seat, though I obviously wasn't able to test it in motion.
The Sahara is more capable than I'll ever need, so I don't need to increase ground clearance, clear bigger tires, change articulation, improve stability while rock crawling, etc. I drive it on light trails to get to a hunting blind, trail head, or camp site. If I encounter a big mud hole, or pile of rocks that I can drive around, I do. My Jeep has nothing to prove, and I don't need to prove my masculinity by doing crazy stuff with a $50K vehicle (not implying anyone else is either, I'm just saying I don't need to). Basically I bought a Sahara instead of a Rubicon because I want the creature comforts instead of the off-road extras that I won't use. I'm not looking to make my Sahara as capable as a Rubicon, or really even more capable than any other Sahara. I guess to summarize, I'm looking to add a little height without hurting the ride quality. From what I've read the Rubi take-off will gain me roughly 1", with an obviously stock feeling ride since they're OEM parts.

I haven't looked into the install process on the JL body lift yet, so it may be more work than I'm interested in. If so I'll end up with one of the kits I've been considering. However the idea of using a stock suspension and a body lift to get the height I want is an option I was most definitely looking for. I'm going to do a bit more reading on this option before deciding anything. As you can tell, I take my time on these things.

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