Help me Choose a lift

[jeepguy_456]

Looking for some real-world feedback from those who wheel their JLs regularly.

We have a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited that sees a mix of daily driving and East Coast trail riding, including mountainous, rocky terrain. We do some semi-hard rock crawling, but nothing too extreme, more of a capable trail rig than a dedicated crawler.

We're looking to run 37s and would like to maximize suspension flex while still maintaining good road manners for daily driving.

Right now we're considering:

- Clayton 2.5"
- Clayton 3.5"
- AEV 2.5"
- Teraflex 3.5"
- EVO
- RPM

For those with experience, which kit would you recommend for this type of use? Any regrets, things you'd do differently, or other kits we should consider?

Appreciate any real world feedback!

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[AmericanPatriot100]

I have 392 XR take off suspension on my 2dr JL and it’s awesome for me.

I did test drive a 2024 JLUR on 37s and the AEV 2.5” dual sport and the road manners were phenomenal. Minimal body roll(actually pretty tight for a lifted Rubi on 37s) everything about that jeep was perfect. It was probably regeared too cause it was much peppier than my 25 JLUR. @jadmt has the AEV 2.5” and is very fond of that lift. So much so that my test drive and his testimony and photos convinced me to get that lift for my 2dr sport and my JLUR!

With what you’re proposing as your options for a lift I don’t think you will be disappointed in any of them. If you haven’t seen @Westymikes 2dr you should check it out along with this video he explains why he went from 3.5” down to 2.5” and it makes a lot of sense. Good luck!

 

[jeepguy_456]

Thank you! I'm going to check it out, the AEV seems like a solid lift dollar for dollar vs Clayton. I love the Clayton but 4500$ with drive shaft and AEV is about 1600$. I just feel like the AEV will flex and crawl, I'm not doing extream crawling just a little bit of everything and need to get over some obstacles but not to the point where I'm in a major frame twister.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Thank you! I'm going to check it out, the AEV seems like a solid lift dollar for dollar vs Clayton. I love the Clayton but 4500$ with drive shaft and AEV is about 1600$. I just feel like the AEV will flex and crawl, I'm not doing extream crawling just a little bit of everything and need to get over some obstacles but not to the point where I'm in a major frame twister.

They’ll get the job done. I think @jadmt has been to Moab with his and has had no issues getting over things!

 

[Sportacus]

You dont have it on your list but i would recommend checking out Dynatrac. Smooth riding on and offroaf. I added .5” spacers to the front and rear to make it 2.5” all around. Here is my jeep on dynatrac with 37s. I recently switched to MC 3.5” lift but i can really feel the difference in ride quality.

 

[Dusty Dude]

You dont have it on your list but i would recommend checking out Dynatrac. Smooth riding on and offroaf. I added .5” spacers to the front and rear to make it 2.5” all around. Here is my jeep on dynatrac with 37s. I recently switched to MC 3.5” lift but i can really feel the difference in ride quality.

Do you not like the MC as much for on-road?

 

[jadmt]

They’ll get the job done. I think @jadmt has been to Moab with his and has had no issues getting over things!

been to moab many times and never had an issue offroad rides super good on road.

 

[WannFly]

if you are going 2.5 inch, Clayton, no need for a DS. I have Clayton overland plus with Teraflex shocks, true 37 BBAT, stock DS

 

[Sportacus]

Do you not like the MC as much for on-road?

so far no. It has to be due to the rocksport red shocks i have now vs the fox shocks i removed.

 

[DarthAWM]

3.5" EVO here, very happy with it have 45,000ish miles on it no issues, it does sit higher than advertised

 

[jeepguy_456]

You dont have it on your list but i would recommend checking out Dynatrac. Smooth riding on and offroaf. I added .5” spacers to the front and rear to make it 2.5” all around. Here is my jeep on dynatrac with 37s. I recently switched to MC 3.5” lift but i can really feel the difference in ride quality.

that looks good, what's your wheel backspace?

 

[jeepguy_456]

if you are going 2.5 inch, Clayton, no need for a DS. I have Clayton overland plus with Teraflex shocks, true 37 BBAT, stock DS

Do you think it's worth going to the 3.5 or do you think the 2.5 gives me enough lift on 37 to get over anything I need to.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I have had great luck with the Mopar 2" and the TeraFlex 2.5" on two different JLURs on 37" tires. Daily driven and weekend warrior on the rocks and sand:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/35’s-on-2021-rubicon-questions.110581/#post-2296084

Based on your list, I would not go over 3" of lift unless you plan to run 38"+ tires in the future and are not concerned about ride quality.

 

[Sportacus]

that looks good, what's your wheel backspace?

4.5” or -12mm on 17x9

 

[jeepguy_456]

I have had great luck with the Mopar 2" and the TeraFlex 2.5" on two different JLURs on 37" tires. Daily driven and weekend warrior on the rocks and sand:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/35’s-on-2021-rubicon-questions.110581/#post-2296084

Based on your list, I would not go over 3" of lift unless you plan to run 38"+ tires in the future and are not concerned about ride quality.

Would you say the Clayton 2.5 would be better?

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