I finished what Jeep started with the XR package...

[ArmyRN]

I've got a 2023 Willys JLU XR (2.0T in Sting Gray). The XR package comes with a 1.5" lift along with a lot of other good stuff that to me, made it worth the extra cost for the XR package (I'm a gear-head). But they put an extra-long bump stop up front (my main issue), and the look with the 1.5" lift and factory 35" tires just didn't look... completed.

Jeep - you should have given us a full 2" lift with the XR package.

So today I installed a set of front & rear Teraflex 0.5" spring spacers (yeah - I know... I went out on a limb there - a whole half-inch!). They're like $50-something for the set depending on where you buy them. The Jeep was already level, so I put them in front & rear. If they (Teraflex) had a 0.75" spacer kit I would have got that instead, but they don't. I mainly wanted to put a little more space between the front bump stop & pad, and lift it just a little without worrying about having to get it aligned and such. And not so much lift that it makes the 35" tires look too small now.

JL: 0.5” Coil Spring Spacer Load Level Kit – Front & Rear (teraflex.com)

Here's before and after:

Install was pretty straight forward. The instructions say to disconnect the track bar front & rear when installing. I didn't, and I got them in. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I had disconnected them (would be simple to disconnect - I was just being rebellious).

With the Teraflex spacers they have you reuse your upper rubber pieces, so it is a little bit of a PIA getting the nubs all lined-up when putting the springs back in. If I were to do it again (like wanting to go with a taller spacer), I'd look for a one-piece spacer that doesn't reuse the factory upper rubber parts (if there is such a thing). Or an ACOS up front (which starts with a 1" lift).

Doing the rear, they have you remove the parking brake cable holder at the top of the tub, and they tell you to toss it. Which I did. If you're going to do any kind of rear suspension lift, I'd suggest looking for an emergency brake relocation bracket that has you bring the cables below the crossmember (there's a couple companies that make them - Rancho and Synergy are two that come to mind). Not disconnecting the rear track bar and the tight e-brake cables made it a little more difficult (but doable) for the rear spacer installation.

So now I've got 2.75" of space between the front bump stop and the bump stop pad. And the front shock can only extend about 3" more before it is maxed out. The front shock sits at 21.5" "resting", and maxes out extended at 24.5".

This Willys is my daily driver and road-tripping and light overlanding vehicle (I'm taking it from SW WA to FL and back sometime August/September). I've got a lifted and locked 98 TJ for the rough stuff like threading between trees and over rocks. I think my next suspension upgrade will be to Fox 2.0 shocks in the 2-3" lift variety. I have no intention of going larger than 35" tires - I think the 35" tires and 4.56 gears are just right, and I can barely lift the 35" tires as it is. I'm pleased with how this little project turned out.

I measured the front tires to see how much of a difference one-side stood out from the other. It came out to 1/8" difference from one side to the other (and IIRC it was the passenger side that stuck out more).

Sponsored

 

[XtremeRetard]

Daystar do 0.75" spacers.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/daystar/34-spacer-lift-kit-jeep-wrangler-jl

Thats what I started with... but after metal bumper and winch, needed a 1.5" up front, that cascaded into a MC3.5 lift kit etc..

 

[ArmyRN]

Daystar do 0.75" spacers.



https://www.quadratec.com/p/daystar/34-spacer-lift-kit-jeep-wrangler-jl



Thats what I started with... but after metal bumper and winch, needed a 1.5" up front, that cascaded into a MC3.5 lift kit etc..

I think short spacers are like the gate-way drugs for Jeep suspensions (it is easy to get carried away, and one thing leads to another). I've yet to see a short spacer (0.5" to 0.75") that didn't reuse the factory upper rubber piece. Even a 1" for that matter.

I think my list of next Jeep modification priorities (relatively costly ones anyways) in order are:

1. Head liner (probably Hot Head's) ~ $500. Driving to FL later this year - it will be hot inside the Jeep.

2. Better shocks (Fox 2.0's. I had Bilstein 5100 shocks on my TJ - thought they were too stiff) ~ $750 - $800. Again... this is my daily driver and I want it to ride nice. I want my wife to like riding in it.

3. True-tracs front & rear (I've had them on two vehicles front & rear - love them) ~ $2500 - $3000. Function over looks. I like to drive in the snow (which we get here in WA).

4. Eventually a winch (most likely Warn) and winch bumper (I like the RR Arcus bumper) ~$1500 - $2000. And then with that added weight up front I'll be back to thinking about suspension mods again.

It already has the slightly longer Mopar LCAs up front.

 

[Tank2112]

I've got a 2023 Willys JLU XR (2.0T in Sting Gray). The XR package comes with a 1.5" lift along with a lot of other good stuff that to me, made it worth the extra cost for the XR package (I'm a gear-head). But they put an extra-long bump stop up front (my main issue), and the look with the 1.5" lift and factory 35" tires just didn't look... completed.

Jeep - you should have given us a full 2" lift with the XR package.

So today I installed a set of front & rear Teraflex 0.5" spring spacers (yeah - I know... I went out on a limb there - a whole half-inch!). They're like $50-something for the set depending on where you buy them. The Jeep was already level, so I put them in front & rear. If they (Teraflex) had a 0.75" spacer kit I would have got that instead, but they don't. I mainly wanted to put a little more space between the front bump stop & pad, and lift it just a little without worrying about having to get it aligned and such. And not so much lift that it makes the 35" tires look too small now.

JL: 0.5” Coil Spring Spacer Load Level Kit – Front & Rear (teraflex.com)

Here's before and after:

Install was pretty straight forward. The instructions say to disconnect the track bar front & rear when installing. I didn't, and I got them in. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I had disconnected them (would be simple to disconnect - I was just being rebellious).

With the Teraflex spacers they have you reuse your upper rubber pieces, so it is a little bit of a PIA getting the nubs all lined-up when putting the springs back in. If I were to do it again (like wanting to go with a taller spacer), I'd look for a one-piece spacer that doesn't reuse the factory upper rubber parts (if there is such a thing). Or an ACOS up front (which starts with a 1" lift).

Doing the rear, they have you remove the parking brake cable holder at the top of the tub, and they tell you to toss it. Which I did. If you're going to do any kind of rear suspension lift, I'd suggest looking for an emergency brake relocation bracket that has you bring the cables below the crossmember (there's a couple companies that make them - Rancho and Synergy are two that come to mind). Not disconnecting the rear track bar and the tight e-brake cables made it a little more difficult (but doable) for the rear spacer installation.

So now I've got 2.75" of space between the front bump stop and the bump stop pad. And the front shock can only extend about 3" more before it is maxed out. The front shock sits at 21.5" "resting", and maxes out extended at 24.5".

This Willys is my daily driver and road-tripping and light overlanding vehicle (I'm taking it from SW WA to FL and back sometime August/September). I've got a lifted and locked 98 TJ for the rough stuff like threading between trees and over rocks. I think my next suspension upgrade will be to Fox 2.0 shocks in the 2-3" lift variety. I have no intention of going larger than 35" tires - I think the 35" tires and 4.56 gears are just right, and I can barely lift the 35" tires as it is. I'm pleased with how this little project turned out.

I measured the front tires to see how much of a difference one-side stood out from the other. It came out to 1/8" difference from one side to the other (and IIRC it was the passenger side that stuck out more).

Of course the longer bump stop up front is to keep the 35" tire from rubbing at full articulation.

 

[JerseyJeff]

You should check out httpps://ironman4x4america.com for your shocks. They have a foam cell shock that looks like it would perform better than the fox 2.0. Check out some youtube videos on the tech about them

 

[Hohertz]

I've got a 2023 Willys JLU XR (2.0T in Sting Gray). The XR package comes with a 1.5" lift along with a lot of other good stuff that to me, made it worth the extra cost for the XR package (I'm a gear-head). But they put an extra-long bump stop up front (my main issue), and the look with the 1.5" lift and factory 35" tires just didn't look... completed.

Jeep - you should have given us a full 2" lift with the XR package.

So today I installed a set of front & rear Teraflex 0.5" spring spacers (yeah - I know... I went out on a limb there - a whole half-inch!). They're like $50-something for the set depending on where you buy them. The Jeep was already level, so I put them in front & rear. If they (Teraflex) had a 0.75" spacer kit I would have got that instead, but they don't. I mainly wanted to put a little more space between the front bump stop & pad, and lift it just a little without worrying about having to get it aligned and such. And not so much lift that it makes the 35" tires look too small now.

JL: 0.5” Coil Spring Spacer Load Level Kit – Front & Rear (teraflex.com)

Here's before and after:

Install was pretty straight forward. The instructions say to disconnect the track bar front & rear when installing. I didn't, and I got them in. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I had disconnected them (would be simple to disconnect - I was just being rebellious).

With the Teraflex spacers they have you reuse your upper rubber pieces, so it is a little bit of a PIA getting the nubs all lined-up when putting the springs back in. If I were to do it again (like wanting to go with a taller spacer), I'd look for a one-piece spacer that doesn't reuse the factory upper rubber parts (if there is such a thing). Or an ACOS up front (which starts with a 1" lift).

Doing the rear, they have you remove the parking brake cable holder at the top of the tub, and they tell you to toss it. Which I did. If you're going to do any kind of rear suspension lift, I'd suggest looking for an emergency brake relocation bracket that has you bring the cables below the crossmember (there's a couple companies that make them - Rancho and Synergy are two that come to mind). Not disconnecting the rear track bar and the tight e-brake cables made it a little more difficult (but doable) for the rear spacer installation.

So now I've got 2.75" of space between the front bump stop and the bump stop pad. And the front shock can only extend about 3" more before it is maxed out. The front shock sits at 21.5" "resting", and maxes out extended at 24.5".

This Willys is my daily driver and road-tripping and light overlanding vehicle (I'm taking it from SW WA to FL and back sometime August/September). I've got a lifted and locked 98 TJ for the rough stuff like threading between trees and over rocks. I think my next suspension upgrade will be to Fox 2.0 shocks in the 2-3" lift variety. I have no intention of going larger than 35" tires - I think the 35" tires and 4.56 gears are just right, and I can barely lift the 35" tires as it is. I'm pleased with how this little project turned out.

I measured the front tires to see how much of a difference one-side stood out from the other. It came out to 1/8" difference from one side to the other (and IIRC it was the passenger side that stuck out more).

I've got a stock JLUR XR and I've been concerned about how much space I have upfront between my bump stop and bump stop pad.

Did you happen to measure what the space was between the bump stop and bump stop pad before installing the spacers?
Do you know what your front spring p/n are?

I'm starting to think my XR might have the wrong springs from the factory as I have very little space, maybe just over 1".

Thanks!

 

[NChap89]

My 2022 Rubicon XR (plastic bumpers & tow package) suffered from limited travel and showed roughly an inch of space between bump stop & bump stop pad.

I solved this with RK 2.5" springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks (3-4.5" lift version).

Cannot wait to hit the trails and enjoy the added room & flex.

 

[ArmyRN]

I've got a stock JLUR XR and I've been concerned about how much space I have upfront between my bump stop and bump stop pad.

Did you happen to measure what the space was between the bump stop and bump stop pad before installing the spacers?
Do you know what your front spring p/n are?

I'm starting to think my XR might have the wrong springs from the factory as I have very little space, maybe just over 1".

Thanks!

23 JLU Willys XR 2.0T plastic bumpers/tow package.

Spring PNs: FL 0189AB; FR 0190AB.

If I have 2.75" now between the bump stop and bump stop pad, then before the 0.5" lift it must have been 2.25". I wish I had another inch in there.

I've got a lifetime warranty thing from the dealer, and part of it is having no more than a 2" lift (which I'm ok with). I know a lot of the 2" lift kits out there (Mopar and Dynatrac for example) will lift it more than 2". I've considered the 2" Dynatrac lift as I've read good things about it, and it comes with Fox shocks. But go too high and the 35" tires look too small. Technically I've now got a 2" lift on it (XR's 1.5" and the 0.5" spacer) and I think it looks good. Since I'm not made out of money, there are other things I want to do to my Jeep (which is my daily driver), and I'm happy with how it currently looks (and rides for that matter), I think I'm done lifting it for now and will address other items on my (wish) list.

 

[Hohertz]

23 JLU Willys XR 2.0T plastic bumpers/tow package.

Spring PNs: FL 0189AB; FR 0190AB.

If I have 2.75" now between the bump stop and bump stop pad, then before the 0.5" lift it must have been 2.25". I wish I had another inch in there.

I've got a lifetime warranty thing from the dealer, and part of it is having no more than a 2" lift (which I'm ok with). I know a lot of the 2" lift kits out there (Mopar and Dynatrac for example) will lift it more than 2". I've considered the 2" Dynatrac lift as I've read good things about it, and it comes with Fox shocks. But go too high and the 35" tires look too small. Technically I've now got a 2" lift on it (XR's 1.5" and the 0.5" spacer) and I think it looks good. Since I'm not made out of money, there are other things I want to do to my Jeep (which is my daily driver), and I'm happy with how it currently looks, I think I'm done lifting it for now and will address other items on my (wish) list.

Thanks!

Yea - I'm the same way. Not looking to lift it just wanted more clearance between the bumpstop and pads on the axle.

Mine is a '22 JLUR XR with steel bumpers. The only thing I've added are the Mopar Performance Rock Rails in place of the standard rock rails. They are considerably heavier than the standard rock rails but I wouldn't think enough to cause such rake in the front and lack of clearance on the bumpstops. Plus, I'm looking to add a winch and winch plate to the front bumper this weekend which will only further weigh down the front end. I'll have to double check my spring part numbers this evening but I believe mine are the same p/ns. ?

 

[Retired Jeeper]

I took a similar approach. Put TF 1" spacers on the front and 1/2" on the rear. Once I install my winch will see how that's going to work out. Replaced the stock LCA's (24") with the longer (24.25") factory LCAs. Also installed Bilstein 5160's for 2-3" lift and got about 2" more droop and would have more up travel but the bump stops are the limiting factor. Added 1/2" bump stop in the rear in anticipation of 37's (not yet installed) and may have to go up another 1/2" from what I've read on here. Anxious to get the 37's on and doing some wheeling to test things out. Right now, I like the ride and it drives great. Drove across Kansas with cross winds gusting 30-40 mph and felt it handled pretty darn well.

 

[jdubdup]

I've got a 2023 Willys JLU XR (2.0T in Sting Gray). The XR package comes with a 1.5" lift along with a lot of other good stuff that to me, made it worth the extra cost for the XR package (I'm a gear-head). But they put an extra-long bump stop up front (my main issue), and the look with the 1.5" lift and factory 35" tires just didn't look... completed.

Jeep - you should have given us a full 2" lift with the XR package.

So today I installed a set of front & rear Teraflex 0.5" spring spacers (yeah - I know... I went out on a limb there - a whole half-inch!). They're like $50-something for the set depending on where you buy them. The Jeep was already level, so I put them in front & rear. If they (Teraflex) had a 0.75" spacer kit I would have got that instead, but they don't. I mainly wanted to put a little more space between the front bump stop & pad, and lift it just a little without worrying about having to get it aligned and such. And not so much lift that it makes the 35" tires look too small now.

JL: 0.5” Coil Spring Spacer Load Level Kit – Front & Rear (teraflex.com)

Here's before and after:

Install was pretty straight forward. The instructions say to disconnect the track bar front & rear when installing. I didn't, and I got them in. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I had disconnected them (would be simple to disconnect - I was just being rebellious).

With the Teraflex spacers they have you reuse your upper rubber pieces, so it is a little bit of a PIA getting the nubs all lined-up when putting the springs back in. If I were to do it again (like wanting to go with a taller spacer), I'd look for a one-piece spacer that doesn't reuse the factory upper rubber parts (if there is such a thing). Or an ACOS up front (which starts with a 1" lift).

Doing the rear, they have you remove the parking brake cable holder at the top of the tub, and they tell you to toss it. Which I did. If you're going to do any kind of rear suspension lift, I'd suggest looking for an emergency brake relocation bracket that has you bring the cables below the crossmember (there's a couple companies that make them - Rancho and Synergy are two that come to mind). Not disconnecting the rear track bar and the tight e-brake cables made it a little more difficult (but doable) for the rear spacer installation.

So now I've got 2.75" of space between the front bump stop and the bump stop pad. And the front shock can only extend about 3" more before it is maxed out. The front shock sits at 21.5" "resting", and maxes out extended at 24.5".

This Willys is my daily driver and road-tripping and light overlanding vehicle (I'm taking it from SW WA to FL and back sometime August/September). I've got a lifted and locked 98 TJ for the rough stuff like threading between trees and over rocks. I think my next suspension upgrade will be to Fox 2.0 shocks in the 2-3" lift variety. I have no intention of going larger than 35" tires - I think the 35" tires and 4.56 gears are just right, and I can barely lift the 35" tires as it is. I'm pleased with how this little project turned out.

I measured the front tires to see how much of a difference one-side stood out from the other. It came out to 1/8" difference from one side to the other (and IIRC it was the passenger side that stuck out more).

Hello!
I am planning on adding the same kit 1/2 inch teraflex or 3/4 inch fishbone on my XR Rubicon. Still happy about the small lift? Any other comments? I am not planning on modifying anything else… I really agree that Jeep should have lifted 2 inches as opposed to 1.5… especially if you add gear. I have the XG Cargo interior platform and the Rival roof rack + my own gear when I travel.
Thank you for your post!

 

[mferrara91]

23 JLU Willys XR 2.0T plastic bumpers/tow package.

Spring PNs: FL 0189AB; FR 0190AB.

If I have 2.75" now between the bump stop and bump stop pad, then before the 0.5" lift it must have been 2.25". I wish I had another inch in there.

I've got a lifetime warranty thing from the dealer, and part of it is having no more than a 2" lift (which I'm ok with). I know a lot of the 2" lift kits out there (Mopar and Dynatrac for example) will lift it more than 2". I've considered the 2" Dynatrac lift as I've read good things about it, and it comes with Fox shocks. But go too high and the 35" tires look too small. Technically I've now got a 2" lift on it (XR's 1.5" and the 0.5" spacer) and I think it looks good. Since I'm not made out of money, there are other things I want to do to my Jeep (which is my daily driver), and I'm happy with how it currently looks (and rides for that matter), I think I'm done lifting it for now and will address other items on my (wish) list.

I have the Dynatrac lift on my JL with 35s, but mine is a 3.6L which I believe the lift kits they make are only for 3.6L. I am not sure the weight difference between the 2.0L and the 3.6L, but you may actually get more lift in the front. I also have steel bumpers on mine, but it gave more than a 2” lift after initial install and I am pretty happy with how it looks.

 

[Sobchak Security]

I've got a 2023 Willys JLU XR (2.0T in Sting Gray). The XR package comes with a 1.5" lift along with a lot of other good stuff that to me, made it worth the extra cost for the XR package (I'm a gear-head). But they put an extra-long bump stop up front (my main issue), and the look with the 1.5" lift and factory 35" tires just didn't look... completed.

Jeep - you should have given us a full 2" lift with the XR package.

So today I installed a set of front & rear Teraflex 0.5" spring spacers (yeah - I know... I went out on a limb there - a whole half-inch!). They're like $50-something for the set depending on where you buy them. The Jeep was already level, so I put them in front & rear. If they (Teraflex) had a 0.75" spacer kit I would have got that instead, but they don't. I mainly wanted to put a little more space between the front bump stop & pad, and lift it just a little without worrying about having to get it aligned and such. And not so much lift that it makes the 35" tires look too small now.

JL: 0.5” Coil Spring Spacer Load Level Kit – Front & Rear (teraflex.com)

Here's before and after:

Install was pretty straight forward. The instructions say to disconnect the track bar front & rear when installing. I didn't, and I got them in. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I had disconnected them (would be simple to disconnect - I was just being rebellious).

With the Teraflex spacers they have you reuse your upper rubber pieces, so it is a little bit of a PIA getting the nubs all lined-up when putting the springs back in. If I were to do it again (like wanting to go with a taller spacer), I'd look for a one-piece spacer that doesn't reuse the factory upper rubber parts (if there is such a thing). Or an ACOS up front (which starts with a 1" lift).

Doing the rear, they have you remove the parking brake cable holder at the top of the tub, and they tell you to toss it. Which I did. If you're going to do any kind of rear suspension lift, I'd suggest looking for an emergency brake relocation bracket that has you bring the cables below the crossmember (there's a couple companies that make them - Rancho and Synergy are two that come to mind). Not disconnecting the rear track bar and the tight e-brake cables made it a little more difficult (but doable) for the rear spacer installation.

So now I've got 2.75" of space between the front bump stop and the bump stop pad. And the front shock can only extend about 3" more before it is maxed out. The front shock sits at 21.5" "resting", and maxes out extended at 24.5".

This Willys is my daily driver and road-tripping and light overlanding vehicle (I'm taking it from SW WA to FL and back sometime August/September). I've got a lifted and locked 98 TJ for the rough stuff like threading between trees and over rocks. I think my next suspension upgrade will be to Fox 2.0 shocks in the 2-3" lift variety. I have no intention of going larger than 35" tires - I think the 35" tires and 4.56 gears are just right, and I can barely lift the 35" tires as it is. I'm pleased with how this little project turned out.

I measured the front tires to see how much of a difference one-side stood out from the other. It came out to 1/8" difference from one side to the other (and IIRC it was the passenger side that stuck out more).

Looks good. I saw your post in the Clayton offroad thread and was hoping you'd be the first to try their 1.5" springs and report back. I am ok with where my XR sits right now, but I know once I add a bumper and winch I'll be going down a similar rabbit hole.

 

[ArmyRN]

Looks good. I saw your post in the Clayton offroad thread and was hoping you'd be the first to try their 1.5" springs and report back. I am ok with where my XR sits right now, but I know once I add a bumper and winch I'll be going down a similar rabbit hole.

I thought about doing the Clayton's, but thought I'd try this first. For fifty something dollars I couldn't go wrong. When I eventually get the winch and bumper I'll possibly get the 1.5 Clayton springs and go from there. And I'll already have the 0.5" spacer if needed.

Right now, 99% of the time the Jeep is riding empty other than my weight. I think the factory springs are fine right now - I like how it rides. I was concerned the Clayton springs might be stiffer than stock, and might affect ride. I'd rather get the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks first and see how it rides before I start swapping out springs before I need to (need to - when adding bumper and winch up front).

 

[ArmyRN]

Hello!
I am planning on adding the same kit 1/2 inch teraflex or 3/4 inch fishbone on my XR Rubicon. Still happy about the small lift? Any other comments? I am not planning on modifying anything else… I really agree that Jeep should have lifted 2 inches as opposed to 1.5… especially if you add gear. I have the XG Cargo interior platform and the Rival roof rack + my own gear when I travel.
Thank you for your post!

Yes, still very happy with it. Did not affect the front alignment at all. Next suspension mod will be Fox 2.0 IFP 2-3" shocks. I like how it looks with just the 0.5" spacer, and it rides the same as before I did the spacer.

Sponsored