Lift decision headaches

[Thinline21]

I know, another “what lift kit” post & kinda long. Please bear with me and help a guy out!

I have researched and read numerous posts until my head hurts and my eyes are blurry. I have thoughts on which way I want to go then I read something negative or otherwise second guess myself. So looking for some assistance of what you would do in my situation, and any experiences you feel are applicable.

Jeep is a 2018 JLU Sahara, currently sitting on 285/70R17’s. Rims are 17x9 with 0 offset and a 5” backspacing. I am planning on upgrading to 35’s but would prefer to keep the current rims.

Jeep has a steel front bumper and winch, and will get a rear at some point.

Jeep will probably become my daily in 2023, but commute is short. That being said we do travel 3 hours +/- to the beach or elsewhere. I would like to keep ride quality as near to stock as possible.

Currently off road is primarily beach and or mountain “roads”, however plan on doing a little more aggressive stuff. That being said I don’t think I will ever do any crazy rock crawling. I would like to go with something with at least a moderate amount of flex.

I am thinking a 2 or 2.5” as I do garage the Jeep. I am limited to a absolute max height of 82” to the top of the roof (soft and hard tops)

I want to say Budget is not a factor, but I also actually like my Wife so…….

I am pretty mechanically inclined and have access to a lift and a significant cache of tools. I plan on doing the instal myself. I am looking for as complete a kit as possible.

I keep coming back to Metal Cloak, but am concerned with the 5” backspacing on the rims (been told yes and no, but have not gone to the source yet)

So, if you were in my shoes, what lift kit would you go with?

Thanks in advance for all of your help and wisdom.

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[Some Random Guy]

I know, another “what lift kit” post & kinda long. Please bear with me and help a guy out!

I have researched and read numerous posts until my head hurts and my eyes are blurry. I have thoughts on which way I want to go then I read something negative or otherwise second guess myself. So looking for some assistance of what you would do in my situation, and any experiences you feel are applicable.

Jeep is a 2018 JLU Sahara, currently sitting on 285/70R17’s. Rims are 17x9 with 0 offset and a 5” backspacing. I am planning on upgrading to 35’s but would prefer to keep the current rims.

Jeep has a steel front bumper and winch, and will get a rear at some point.

Jeep will probably become my daily in 2023, but commute is short. That being said we do travel 3 hours +/- to the beach or elsewhere. I would like to keep ride quality as near to stock as possible.

Currently off road is primarily beach and or mountain “roads”, however plan on doing a little more aggressive stuff. That being said I don’t think I will ever do any crazy rock crawling. I would like to go with something with at least a moderate amount of flex.

I am thinking a 2 or 2.5” as I do garage the Jeep. I am limited to a absolute max height of 82” to the top of the roof (soft and hard tops)

I want to say Budget is not a factor, but I also actually like my Wife so…….

I am pretty mechanically inclined and have access to a lift and a significant cache of tools. I plan on doing the instal myself. I am looking for as complete a kit as possible.

I keep coming back to Metal Cloak, but am concerned with the 5” backspacing on the rims (been told yes and no, but have not gone to the source yet)

So, if you were in my shoes, what lift kit would you go with?

Thanks in advance for all of your help and wisdom.

Metalcloak, but don’t run the shock relocations. You can drop them an email to confirm. I have 4.63” of backspacing and am nowhere near any components.
I believe their 4.5” is worst case. Narrow axles and you want to run the shock relocations.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Here is their specific answer to me on my first JL:
“Thank you for reaching out. You are correct, our arms are not what require the backspacing. Our outboard shock mounts and sway bar links require no more than 4.5. Now, you do have the rubi so I can let you know that you can get away with 4.63 without an issue ? Are you looking at a full kit or just the arms?”

 

[Bingo blue]

I’m no expert but like you I have a short commute and hit the beach and some mud trails when not going to the beach and getting sandy. Soooooo… I went with the skyjacker 3.5” lift. It is a complete lift everything you need. However I did replace/upgrade from the cam bolts to front/lower links. Also upgraded the black max shocks to the b8 5100 bilsteins. Rode with the black max shocks for about a month. Felt just like stock. Very rode compliant and smooth. When I upgraded to the bilsteins the ride became a bit stiffer but it’s just the way I like it. I went with skyjacker for cost and for what I needed it to do. I’m no hardcore off roader as that can get expensive and I like my wife too ?

 

[word302]

I know, another “what lift kit” post & kinda long. Please bear with me and help a guy out!

I have researched and read numerous posts until my head hurts and my eyes are blurry. I have thoughts on which way I want to go then I read something negative or otherwise second guess myself. So looking for some assistance of what you would do in my situation, and any experiences you feel are applicable.

Jeep is a 2018 JLU Sahara, currently sitting on 285/70R17’s. Rims are 17x9 with 0 offset and a 5” backspacing. I am planning on upgrading to 35’s but would prefer to keep the current rims.

Jeep has a steel front bumper and winch, and will get a rear at some point.

Jeep will probably become my daily in 2023, but commute is short. That being said we do travel 3 hours +/- to the beach or elsewhere. I would like to keep ride quality as near to stock as possible.

Currently off road is primarily beach and or mountain “roads”, however plan on doing a little more aggressive stuff. That being said I don’t think I will ever do any crazy rock crawling. I would like to go with something with at least a moderate amount of flex.

I am thinking a 2 or 2.5” as I do garage the Jeep. I am limited to a absolute max height of 82” to the top of the roof (soft and hard tops)

I want to say Budget is not a factor, but I also actually like my Wife so…….

I am pretty mechanically inclined and have access to a lift and a significant cache of tools. I plan on doing the instal myself. I am looking for as complete a kit as possible.

I keep coming back to Metal Cloak, but am concerned with the 5” backspacing on the rims (been told yes and no, but have not gone to the source yet)

So, if you were in my shoes, what lift kit would you go with?

Thanks in advance for all of your help and wisdom.

I would get Metalcloak all day long and run a 1/2” spacer. RK adventure series would suit you as well. If you really want to run those rims without spacers I’d look for a lift with control arms that are bent inward (yuck?).

 

[word302]

Metalcloak, but don’t run the shock relocations. You can drop them an email to confirm. I have 4.63” of backspacing and am nowhere near any components.
I believe their 4.5” is worst case. Narrow axles and you want to run the shock relocations.

He’s got a Sahara so things will be a bit tighter.

 

[Some Random Guy]

He’s got a Sahara so things will be a bit tighter.

I saw,
See next post

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

You only need 2" springs and a 2-3" spec shocks to clear 35s on Sahara.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I just moved forward on a Metal Cloak lift. The stuff looks very tough. My friend that owns a shop and wheeled for 35 years recommended MC.

That said, if you want to go on the cheap, a Mopar lift works and seems to work well enough for the casual off-roader. Then you'll have plenty left over for wheels. You may want to read some of the threads about stock wheel widths (under 8") and 12.5 x 35 tires. Lots of discussion and disagreement. Concerns seem to be over "popping a bead" and shops not wanting to mount 12.5 wide tires on narrow wheels. I think the popping bead concerns are unfounded. I've been running 12.5 wide tires on my truck with 7.5" wide wheels for 90,000 miles and having had to purchase at least couple sets (maybe 3) of tires, I've never had a shop even question the width of the wheel.

 

[word302]

I just moved forward on a Metal Cloak lift. The stuff looks very tough. My friend that owns a shop and wheeled for 35 years recommended MC.

That said, if you want to go on the cheap, a Mopar lift works and seems to work well enough for the casual off-roader. Then you'll have plenty left over for wheels. You may want to read some of the threads about stock wheel widths (under 8") and 12.5 x 35 tires. Lots of discussion and disagreement. Concerns seem to be over "popping a bead" and shops not wanting to mount 12.5 wide tires on narrow wheels. I think the popping bead concerns are unfounded. I've been running 12.5 wide tires on my truck with 7.5" wide wheels for 90,000 miles and having had to purchase at least couple sets (maybe 3) of tires, I've never had a shop even question the width of the wheel.

I’m assuming your truck is only driven on the street? Popping a bead is definitely a real thing off-road and it sucks.

 

[rkwfxd]

I have 2.5" MC GC on my 2021 2dr Rubicon with 315/70/17 BFG MT tires on wheels that have 5.22" of back-spacing. It looks like my tires rub slightly on my front sway bar end links. I can tell because I did not like the gold so painted everything black. I now see a small area where the tires have rubbed at full flex. BUT - it is a Rubi with swaybar disconnect so it probably flexes a bit more than your Sahara without the SB disconnect. I also have their shock relocation brackets and nothing rubs on them. I believe that if I had your wheels with 5" of back spacing nothing would rub.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I’m assuming your truck is only driven on the street? Popping a bead is definitely a real thing off-road and it sucks.

I use it to hunt on 2 track trails that don't require air-down.

 

[Roky]

I know, another “what lift kit” post & kinda long. Please bear with me and help a guy out!

I have researched and read numerous posts until my head hurts and my eyes are blurry. I have thoughts on which way I want to go then I read something negative or otherwise second guess myself. So looking for some assistance of what you would do in my situation, and any experiences you feel are applicable.

Jeep is a 2018 JLU Sahara, currently sitting on 285/70R17’s. Rims are 17x9 with 0 offset and a 5” backspacing. I am planning on upgrading to 35’s but would prefer to keep the current rims.

Jeep has a steel front bumper and winch, and will get a rear at some point.

Jeep will probably become my daily in 2023, but commute is short. That being said we do travel 3 hours +/- to the beach or elsewhere. I would like to keep ride quality as near to stock as possible.

Currently off road is primarily beach and or mountain “roads”, however plan on doing a little more aggressive stuff. That being said I don’t think I will ever do any crazy rock crawling. I would like to go with something with at least a moderate amount of flex.

I am thinking a 2 or 2.5” as I do garage the Jeep. I am limited to a absolute max height of 82” to the top of the roof (soft and hard tops)

I want to say Budget is not a factor, but I also actually like my Wife so…….

I am pretty mechanically inclined and have access to a lift and a significant cache of tools. I plan on doing the instal myself. I am looking for as complete a kit as possible.

I keep coming back to Metal Cloak, but am concerned with the 5” backspacing on the rims (been told yes and no, but have not gone to the source yet)

So, if you were in my shoes, what lift kit would you go with?

Thanks in advance for all of your help and wisdom.

@River City Offroad has this kit on sale, you pair this with Fox 2.0 shocks and you have everything you need for your intended use…..

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