Lift advice thread # 13892

[Cips]

Hiya folks!

I read, re-read, and scoured threads on this forum about lifts. I also kinda have down that Clayton and Metal Cloak are top recommended, Mopar is a little overpriced, et cetera. I also know one's needs and wants are different to every person. So here's me asking for your ideas.

Jeep is a stock 2021 Willys Unlimited. I've owned for nine months now. Been wheeling with some people here twice at my somewhat local spot Rausch Creek in PA. Since my first trip with some of these excellent members - I have become hooked. We spent time on Green and Blue trails and I really like the Blue ones (Intermediate).

My goal is to get a lift that will give me a little 'more 'for wheeling purposes. I am looking for more clearance (I believe) overall. I drive 95% paved roads, about 60% highway 40% city. It will be silly to some, but I want to do the lift first, than down the road wheels and tires. I just don't have $6K-$8K no to spend on both. So for the time being I need one that works with stock wheels, or spacers I suppose. The end goal is 35" tires.

I will likely have it installed, for two major reasons... Time and experience. I cannot afford (time wise) to have the Jeep off the road for any more than a full day. Second, I have some mechanical abilities, I took Auto Tech in high school as a vocation, but hated it.

Budget? I'd like to be in for the low $2K not including alignment.

I received two quotes so far, Zone Offroad installed for $1,400 and JKS J Konnect 2.5" for $3K. I like the JKS but a little pricey for me right now.

Please enlighten me.

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[Flip]

You could consider a Rubi take off lift as an option.

 

[Johnny B]

We're both looking to do the same thing, for about the same amount of usage. I opted for tire swap first. Then gonna look for a deal on a Rubi take off. 61-62 front coils, 91-92 rear coils. Hopefully get intact bump stops too. Shocks, I can easily just grab a good set of aftermarket shocks. You may want to read into this type of upgrade. It's a stock Rubicon suspension, but it is a nice upgrade for the JLU's. Maybe save you a few bucks so you can get those 35's too...

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

If you are looking to run 35s on a 2021 Willys with low clearance fenders you would need about 2 to 2.5" lift.

My previous jeep was a 2020 JLU Sahara. Stance and lift wise it should be similar to Willys with the low clearance fenders.

I had a @Clayton Off Road 1.5" Ride-height kit and later on I added 1" spacer in the front and 0.5" spacer in the rear as I loaded up more and more (steel bumper, winch, roof rack, camping cargo, fuel, water etc..)

Before I added 35s, and the 1/0.5 spacers - I used to run 33s on Clayton's 1.5 lift as is. It doesn't look that bad.. i felt it looked great on 33s

Now coming to tires - you are likely on narrow track axles, M186/D30 front and M210/D44 rear. You are better off sticking to 35s as maximum. Since you have narrower axles than rubicon (0.75" less inward clearance for tires per corner) you will need to think about whether you want to go regular 35s (35x12.5r17 width or 315/70/17) then you might need to use wheel spacer or invest in another aftermarket rim with less backspace. If you love the Willys black rims, Quadratec makes a replica of it with better specs 17x8.5 +10 offset that will clear regular 35s on narrow track axles.

If you are wanting to cut some expense, you could always run 34s (285/75/17) or narrow 35s (35x11.5r17) on stock rims and wheel it with no issues.

 

[Flip]

We're both looking to do the same thing, for about the same amount of usage. I opted for tire swap first. Then gonna look for a deal on a Rubi take off. 61-62 front coils, 91-92 rear coils. Hopefully get intact bump stops too. Shocks, I can easily just grab a good set of aftermarket shocks. You may want to read into this type of upgrade. It's a stock Rubicon suspension, but it is a nice upgrade for the JLU's. Maybe save you a few bucks so you can get those 35's too...

A Rubi take off lift can potentially save thousands of dollars.
FYI: I went with metal cloak bump stops for the rear $50. Hockey pucks for the front with stainless steel bolts & nuts $20. They're both stackable and work fantastic.

 

[Johnny B]

FYI: I went with metal cloak bump stops for the rear. Hockey pucks for the front with stainless steel bolts & nuts. There both stackable and work fantastic.

Thanks for that info. I'm taking my time (dragging my feet) on the Rubi upgrade. But, thus far, on reading from others experience with the Rubi upgrade. I don't recall seeing anyone complain. And most all went right to a 35 inch tire.

 

[Flip]

Thanks for that info. I'm taking my time (dragging my feet) on the Rubi upgrade. But, thus far, on reading from others experience with the Rubi upgrade. I don't recall seeing anyone complain. And most all went right to a 35 inch tire.

Although it might not be for everyone, I wanted a subtle lift so it worked out perfectly for me and I absolutely love the ride quality.

Best of luck my friend.

 

[Johnny B]

Although it might not be for everyone, I wanted a subtle lift so it worked out perfectly for me and I absolutely love the ride quality.

Best of luck my friend.

One thing I love about this forum? You always meet the best folks, and learn the best tips and tricks. Have a happy and safe 4th!!!

 

[Cips]

You could consider a Rubi take off lift as an option.

Will it give me enough for what I am looking for? As I understand, Willy's have Rubi shocks, so what else would be needed other than the springs?

We're both looking to do the same thing, for about the same amount of usage. I opted for tire swap first. Then gonna look for a deal on a Rubi take off. 61-62 front coils, 91-92 rear coils. Hopefully get intact bump stops too. Shocks, I can easily just grab a good set of aftermarket shocks. You may want to read into this type of upgrade. It's a stock Rubicon suspension, but it is a nice upgrade for the JLU's. Maybe save you a few bucks so you can get those 35's too...

I have no idea what those coil numbers mean.

...
Now coming to tires - you are likely on narrow track axles, M186/D30 front and M210/D44 rear. You are better off sticking to 35s as maximum. Since you have narrower axles than rubicon (0.75" less inward clearance for tires per corner) you will need to think about whether you want to go regular 35s (35x12.5r17 width or 315/70/17) then you might need to use wheel spacer or invest in another aftermarket rim with less backspace. If you love the Willys black rims, Quadratec makes a replica of it with better specs 17x8.5 +10 offset that will clear regular 35s on narrow track axles.

If you are wanting to cut some expense, you could always run 34s (285/75/17) or narrow 35s (35x11.5r17) on stock rims and wheel it with no issues.

There is no info on my window sticker on axels or gearing. Where would I find that?

Honestly, I don't mind 'narrow' 35's at 11.5 width. I really just wanted the 35" height.


Thank you all so far... I'm still learning Jeeps.

 

[jadmt]

sounds like with what you do mostly you should consider an AEV 2.5 dualsport. ~$1560 super easy to install and great highway ride and handling and does great on trails.

 

[Johnny B]

Will it give me enough for what I am looking for? As I understand, Willy's have Rubi shocks, so what else would be needed other than the springs?



I have no idea what those coil numbers mean.



There is no info on my window sticker on axels or gearing. Where would I find that?

Honestly, I don't mind 'narrow' 35's at 11.5 width. I really just wanted the 35" height.


Thank you all so far... I'm still learning Jeeps.

The 61-62 front and 91-92 rear are the coil part numbers if you choose to look into buying a take off. Some Rubi's have different coil numbers, but those are the ones most everyone looks for.

 

[Jbudz511]

I'm in a similar boat as you, just not a Willys.

I have bought rubi take off suspension and it's been sitting in my garage for over a year lol. My bank account is laughing at me with me thinking I can put lift, tires, and probably regear all at the same time. I'm gonna get around to doing the rubi suspension at some point in the next week or 2 and see how I like it then

There are equally as many threads discussing the approach of using rubi take off suspension and I believe there's even a thread that breaks down all the part # springs and what to look for.

Basically think of it like this. You'll want to source springs from a 'heavy rubi' meaning a diesel with a hardtop and steel bumpers. That's going to weigh quite a bit compared to a soft top with plastic bumpers etc. Worth mentioning, if not obvious you'll want them from a 4dr as well. Generally, the consensus seems to be the higher the number the 'stifffer' the spring/taller the lift, though there are some arguments about that.

Some other things, if this was addressed already you can ignore this part, but yes you have rubi shocks so no need to change there, you would just need springs. Some people also mention that added the longer Mopar LCA's as well to help address castor angle and make the ride nicer. You can buy a pair for $80 new here. These are the same ones that come on the Mopar lift and are .25in longer. Sadly they aren't adjustable but at the height you're going for you wont need much. All together you're probably looking at $300, maybe $400 if you're unlucky and can't find anything cheap near by.

Also to your last point about having someone install it, I get that you hated the class you took but swapping out for rubi suspension should really only take a few hours, even with limited knowledge. All you're doing is swapping springs and maybe LCA's since you already have shocks in. Could save you a few more bucks. Not that a full kit from MC or Clayton is harder necessarily, it's just more bolts to take out and replace. If you can turn a wrench you can definitely install these kits.

That was longer than I had in my head but looking back on it I think it's helpful. Let me know if you have other questions!

 

[vaJLUR]

I have the Clayton Ride Right, 1.5" lift and have done everything from commuting to black trails on this lift. That's 2 F Upper control arms, F / R track bars, springs, shocks... Everything else is stock (other than bumpstops/endlinks). This can be had with the Fox shocks for the low $2k area you're looking for.

It rides very well and flexes fine, more than most will ever use IMO.
Given I now have gutted fenders so it'll look different, but prior to my current wheel/tire combo I had skinny 35s and the overall setup did the 3 BOH trails + others at Windrock without issue
Here it is next to a few MC lifted jeeps at Windrock

And how it is now, on the same lift.

 

[jeepingib]

You want to do it on the cheap? Marketplace is your friend. You might have to drive a little for the good deals, but you would be surprised what all you can find here, or on FB. Then budget for the things that are worth spending money on and doing it right to replace the cheap stuff. It certainly takes longer, but when I see threads where a guy spent more than 13k, I feel a lot better about the less than 5k I have in mine.

I found beadlock wheels and 38" tires for 1500
Mopar Fox 2.5" shocks for 300
Metalcloak 2.5" springs for 300
Arcus front bumper for 300
Replacement 38" tires for 400

 

[Cips]

Thanks all! I am now pivoting and researching a Rubicon take off suspension (springs and the longer lower control arms.). It seems like it gets what I desire and I can also get new wheels/tires sooner rather than later.

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