Lift kit or no lift kit That is the question

[RJ7]

I sold my factory wheels and tires over the weekend and had to install my new set of 35's
315/70R-17 Toyo Open Country AT3's on Fuel Vectors, before lift is installed
After looking at the results I kind of like it as it is. There is no rubbing at all so it rides nice.
I have a 3 inch lift kit all ready to be installed, Springs, shocks, control arms , track bars, complete. Just waiting for some good weather. But the current set up is growing on me. need some opinions on whether I should do install it or not. Let me know what you think, Thanks

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[BDinTX]

I was just gonna jump in here and say "do the lift!" but that actually doesn't look bad...
What lift do you have?

 

[Twisted Patriot]

I think that's one good looking Rubi.. I have a 3 inch lift on mine.. granted it's a 4 door but to give you a little reference.. its a 3 inch zone lift.. on 35x12.50 tires..

 

[swedeviking]

I sold my factory wheels and tires over the weekend and had to install my new set of 35's
315/70R-17 Toyo Open Country AT3's on Fuel Vectors, before lift is installed
After looking at the results I kind of like it as it is. There is no rubbing at all so it rides nice.
I have a 3 inch lift kit all ready to be installed, Springs, shocks, control arms , track bars, complete. Just waiting for some good weather. But the current set up is growing on me. need some opinions on whether I should do install it or not. Let me know what you think, Thanks

 

[swedeviking]

after looking at your photos it has convinced me to forego the lift.. That looks really good the way it is I see it a Rubi so its probably a bit higher than mine (Sport S ) but I am thinking 33's so maybe it will look somewhat like yousr the way it is.. Its sooo nice.. Glad I saw your post.. Gives me a god guide

 

[entropy]

I sold my factory wheels and tires over the weekend and had to install my new set of 35's
315/70R-17 Toyo Open Country AT3's on Fuel Vectors, before lift is installed
After looking at the results I kind of like it as it is. There is no rubbing at all so it rides nice.
I have a 3 inch lift kit all ready to be installed, Springs, shocks, control arms , track bars, complete. Just waiting for some good weather. But the current set up is growing on me. need some opinions on whether I should do install it or not. Let me know what you think, Thanks

save your money. 2 doors don't need the extra belly clearance and benefit from lower center of gravity due to their short-wheelbase. From a practical point of view, 2 doors should not be lifted as much as 4 doors to fit the same size tire and achieve same or very similar performance.

It also looks great. leave it. You can add longer shocks to get better articulation.

With that said, if you were to fully articulate you might rub the fender. Adding an inch bumpstop would solve that.

If you still want to lift, I don't know what the 3inch lift kit is but you could go with a smaller lift.

 

[Dan M.]

Awesome rig. If you aren't planning on any serious offroading, I don't think you need to do the lift. Especially as you already stated you aren't having any rubbing issues.

 

[entropy]

Awesome rig. If you aren't planning on any serious offroading, I don't think you need to do the lift. Especially as you already stated you aren't having any rubbing issues.

What benefits do you think he'd get from a lift for "serious offroading"? We don't know specifics about the lift he is getting. He is already on 35s, with front and rear lockers on a 2 door jeep lol. That Jeep can tackle the Rubicon trail... Maybe add some longer shocks to max out stock suspension articulation.

Next obvious step for additional off-road capability would be lift and 37s.

 

[Punkn89]

I like it as is. I feel like with a 3 inch lift, you might have to get 40’s!

 

[Zandcwhite]

No rubbing driving around or no rubbing fully flexed out? I agree with the lower cog advantage, but stock shocks limit articulation quite a bit. Stock caster is too low for my liking as well. In my opinion, even on stock tires front LCAs and new shocks are nearly mandatory on any Rubicon that will actually be wheeled. If you can sell your complete kit and get even better shocks and a set of lca's with the money, I could see going that route. If there's any potential you'll want to go bigger than 35's, I'd keep the kit and just install the shocks, control arms, and track bars for now. I'm guessing you'll need to extend your bump stops to actual wheel it, as our XR nearly rubs even with the massive front bump towers and stock KO2s, even with a 2" spring spacer.

 

[Electrified]

No way I'd lift that thing. Looks great, doesn't rub, and already has the Rubicon goodies? You can take that thing damn near anywhere.

 

[Dan M.]

What benefits do you think he'd get from a lift for "serious offroading"? We don't know specifics about the lift he is getting. He is already on 35s, with front and rear lockers on a 2 door jeep lol. That Jeep can tackle the Rubicon trail... Maybe add some longer shocks to max out stock suspension articulation.

Next obvious step for additional off-road capability would be lift and 37s.

I was mainly thinking there could be some significant rubbing and some loss of articulation off road with the set up as is. Really depends on what trails the OP is planning on tackling if any. Your right, I was making assumptions of what kind of lift the OP would get if he/she ended up getting one.

 

[entropy]

No rubbing driving around or no rubbing fully flexed out? I agree with the lower cog advantage, but stock shocks limit articulation quite a bit. Stock caster is too low for my liking as well. In my opinion, even on stock tires front LCAs and new shocks are nearly mandatory on any Rubicon that will actually be wheeled. If you can sell your complete kit and get even better shocks and a set of lca's with the money, I could see going that route. If there's any potential you'll want to go bigger than 35's, I'd keep the kit and just install the shocks, control arms, and track bars for now. I'm guessing you'll need to extend your bump stops to actual wheel it, as our XR nearly rubs even with the massive front bump towers and stock KO2s, even with a 2" spring spacer.

I wouldn't expect the 2inch spacer lift to help much or any with rubbing the fenders.

 

[entropy]

I was mainly thinking there could be some significant rubbing and some loss of articulation off road with the set up as is. Really depends on what trails the OP is planning on tackling if any. Your right, I was making assumptions of what kind of lift the OP would get if he/she ended up getting one.

I was mostly curious. And yeah stock Rubicon shocks have very little droop. But a 3inch sounds a bit excessive for 35s. But as you said, we don't have specifics.

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

when in doubt.. lif... heck ! no doubt ! LIFT IT!

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