Lifts

[longfiredragon]

TX_Ovrlnd, I have been to Windrock in TN and to the Gulches in SC already. At Windrock we stayed on easy trails which as a newbie I thought some were more in the intermediate range. At the suggestion of some more experienced people we stayed off the intermediate trails that day at Windrock, again being a newbie and it had rained pretty good the day before we took it easy. I don't regret my decision, but I do regret a little being there and not getting my BOH. So a trip back is in order. At the Gulches we took the tour offered by the owners and it was another good decision. I found out just how good these things are off road, or at least how good my Willy's is.

Point is I have been on the trails, and I know what kind of trails I want to tackle in the future. Knowing I am still a newbie and need to learn more. The other thing I learned is even with a stock Willy's on a fair amount of the trails you lack a little height. Having a little more body height and 35's for more suspension height would make things a little more comfortable picking lines. Another added bonus is the wife maybe not freaking out so much. LOL.

GATORB8, I am seeing what you stated about having the backspacing with a lot of these lifts. Don't fully understand it, but I am working on it. I also understand the build upon idea. Buy a entry level kit, but one that you can add to going forward, and as you say not buy twice.

I was very patient when wanting a Wrangler, I waited almost 5 years until the time was right for me. I made a very good deal, for a good price on the jeep I wanted. So far I think it was one of the best vehicle buying decision's I every made, I love the dam thing and the wife and I are enjoying the crap out of it all the time. I barley get the thing clean and we are out on some trail or dirt road again.

Point; I am in a holding pattern right now anyway, so I may just wait a bit longer and get I want, and know I will enjoy for years to come.

I will post some Pic.'s from our outing yesterday.

About a 10 foot gator swimming in the brackish Indian river. If you think these things only stay in fresh water you could be in for a rude awaking. We also put the rear gate table to good use for the first time.

Oh, almost forgot about the family of hogs in the last pic.

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[GATORB8]

TX_Ovrlnd, I have been to Windrock in TN and to the Gulches in SC already. At Windrock we stayed on easy trails which as a newbie I thought some were more in the intermediate range. At the suggestion of some more experienced people we stayed off the intermediate trails that day at Windrock, again being a newbie and it had rained pretty good the day before we took it easy. I don't regret my decision, but I do regret a little being there and not getting my BOH. So a trip back is in order. At the Gulches we took the tour offered by the owners and it was another good decision. I found out just how good these things are off road, or at least how good my Willy's is.

GATORB8, I am seeing what you stated about having the backspacing with a lot of these lifts. Don't fully understand it, but I am working on it. I also understand the build upon idea. Buy a entry level kit, but one that you can add to going forward, and as you say not buy twice.

I've been to both Gulches and Windrock this year, so I have a pretty good idea of your goals. As you saw, Gulches gets muddy when wet, but you can pick and choose your trails and still have a good time. Windrock is huge, and the main "G" trails are pretty easy in the wet, but some of the BOH get hairy. I bet you could do 26 as you sit, and probably 51 (Panther Rock). Some of the hill climbs and ruts on 16 would definitely be easier with a little more room.

When you pick 35s, I would recommend staying with MTs for this type of off roading, I definitely get frustrated with lack of traction on my 37" ATs.

Now to help with backspacing understanding. There are two measurements for wheels that determine how far out your wheels are moved out from the face of the axle, offset and backspacing. They basically measure the same thing, but offset changes with wheel width.

Backspace is distance from the inner wheel face to the mounting surface. (Stock Backspace is ~6")
Offset is the distance from the center of the wheel to the mounting surface. (Stock offset is ~+44.5mm)
Tiresize.com has a good converter and calculator that will visualize this for you https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/.

So, here's why it matters with lift. Here's what putting a 35x12.50 on your stock wheels looks like:

Now with 4.5" Backspacing, which is +6mm offset on 7.5" wheels (this can be done with new wheels or spacers).

The pain point is mainly the front Lower Control Arms. You can visualize this by going out to the Jeep, turning all the way left, and looking at the clearance from your tire to the control arm.

You'll see the factory LCA is bent inward to allow more clearance from the tire. Some manufacturers have straight arms, so without the extra spacing of the tire outward, you'll hit the tire on the LCA. The green arrow in this picture points at the LCA:

 

[longfiredragon]

Got it. I had a good general idea but the info. you posted helped a lot for the visual. So, until one day when new wheels are added to the budget spacers with the OE wheels will be fine, but you do have to purchase spacers.
So you could just take a big sledge hammer to the LCA'S and bow them in more? Kidding, Kidding.


And yes 26, & 51 were the ones I was advised not to go down that day because they were really muddy. ?

Thank you for the Information.

I love my M/T tires. I see some folk on here don't like them, but for me they really make the jeep., and I don't mind the noise, and have had know issues in any terrain.

I was at Firestone a few weeks back and was eyeballing I think they were 35" XT badass looking tire.

 

[longfiredragon]

Hate to be a pain, but still learning here. Metalcloak's web site is confusing. When I asked them they replied price will vary depending on how you configure the lift. Well know crap.

But my question was the 2.5 inch true duel lift is $937. Then of course you can add shocks, use your own, use none, etc. But, when you click on 2 door or 4 door with what engine you have, no matter what you pick the price goes up $499? WHAT, OK, But it is not telling what I am getting for the price jump of $499, I am just picking 2 door or 4 door and engine. Am I missing something?

Can't I just order the stock shock kit for $937?

This kit. https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-2-5-true-dual-rate-suspension-system-lift-kit.html

Thanks

 

[GATORB8]

Hate to be a pain, but still learning here. Metalcloak's web site is confusing. When I asked them they replied price will vary depending on how you configure the lift. Well know crap.

But my question was the 2.5 inch true duel lift is $937. Then of course you can add shocks, use your own, use none, etc. But, when you click on 2 door or 4 door with what engine you have, no matter what you pick the price goes up $499? WHAT, OK, But it is not telling what I am getting for the price jump of $499, I am just picking 2 door or 4 door and engine. Am I missing something?

Can't I just order the stock shock kit for $937?

This kit. https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-2-5-true-dual-rate-suspension-system-lift-kit.html

Thanks

It's the spring selection. At least on my laptop, the $1436 shows on the initial selection screen. Then it drops inside the options until you pick the springs by 2/4 door/engine.

 

[GATORB8]

FYI, I'd expect them to do a Memorial Day 10% off and free shipping sale.

Options and what you'll get:

Shock Type: Which brackets and/or shocks. The outboard brackets required 4.5" or less backspace.
2 or 4 doors: Selects the springs
Jeep Model: Solid front sways for Rubi, Quick Disconnects for non.
Driveshaft: Do you want their aftermarket driveshaft:
Backspacing: Will pick whether you get a sway bar drop bracket, or extended rear links and spacers.

 

[longfiredragon]

Thanks, I will have to play around with it. It shows the springs with spring extensions in the $937 kit? And you use your own shocks.

I have an email from them stating that if you use the 2.5 lift with my shocks I don't need the drive shaft.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks, I will have to play around with it. It shows the springs with spring extensions in the $937 kit? And you use your own shocks.

I have an email from them stating that if you use the 2.5 lift with my shocks I don't need the drive shaft.

You can't get the kit without springs, so there is no $937 kit.

You can buy the parts separately for $973, though. Would be $923, but you'd need the disconnects instead of solid front sways, that's an extra $50.

 

[longfiredragon]

Wow, your a lot faster on the web than I am. Lol. I just got a off a chat with them and yes the kits don't work the way I am seeing it. Have to say though their web site is confusing compared to others I have been on.

In the chat the Rep. Did mention I could order the parts by themselves, or just start with a spacer kit and upgrade a little at a time. He also agreed that if I start off using my shocks with extensions I don't need the shaft right away until I upgrade to the longer travel shocks.

I see in the parts your showing, no coils. Not complaining for the price of the kit including the springs. Very close to other mfg's prices. Just trying to learn and figure stuff out.

 

[GATORB8]

Wow, your a lot faster on the web than I am. Lol. I just got a off a chat with them and yes the kits don't work the way I am seeing it. Have to say though their web site is confusing compared to others I have been on.

In the chat the Rep. Did mention I could order the parts by themselves, or just start with a spacer kit and upgrade a little at a time. He also agreed that if I start off using my shocks with extensions I don't need the shaft right away until I upgrade to the longer travel shocks.

I see in the parts your showing, no coils. Not complaining for the price of the kit including the springs. Very close to other mfg's prices. Just trying to learn and figure stuff out.

I’ve got too much experience on their site, lol. I started with a spacer lift and built into a game changer piece by piece.

I bought our wheels early on, and the backspacing I chose limited my options, luckily the MC stuff works except for all the cool outboard shock stuff.

Sign up for their newsletter so you get alerted to the sales. At least once every month or two you’ll see 10% off and free shipping. They require their distributors to stock instead of drop ship, so they aren’t available on the big online vendors. Jeepsarelife stocks their stuff and will match their sales if you need something quickly.

Not trying to fanboy, and there are some high end manufacturers with better components. I think you’ll see MC has reasonable prices without skimping on quality, and stays made in America whenever they can.

Now, back on topic. I would at least consider doing shocks instead of extensions. You only need to limit yourself a little to keep from needing a driveshaft. As @Roky mentioned earlier, the magic number is 29” extended in front per RK. There are several shocks in the 28” extended range that work. Your minimum collapsed length in front is 16.25” plus the bump you add, so ~18.25 with 2” bump extension.

 

[longfiredragon]

Thanks, good numbers to know on the shock lengths. They sent me an email for there newsletter. Great info. I appreciate it.

 

[RZ.]

About a 10 foot gator swimming in the brackish Indian river. If you think these things only stay in fresh water you could be in for a rude awaking.

Sssh - the wife might hear you.

They stay in fresh water & we don't know what brackish means!

 

[longfiredragon]

Lol. Brackish is a mix of fresh and salt water. In MHO after living in FL since 1986 they stay in fresh water because of camouflage, and food sources. Otherwise they go where they want, I have even seen them in the ocean.

 

[Cthehentz]

TX_Ovrlnd, I have been to Windrock in TN and to the Gulches in SC already. At Windrock we stayed on easy trails which as a newbie I thought some were more in the intermediate range. At the suggestion of some more experienced people we stayed off the intermediate trails that day at Windrock, again being a newbie and it had rained pretty good the day before we took it easy. I don't regret my decision, but I do regret a little being there and not getting my BOH. So a trip back is in order. At the Gulches we took the tour offered by the owners and it was another good decision. I found out just how good these things are off road, or at least how good my Willy's is.

Point is I have been on the trails, and I know what kind of trails I want to tackle in the future. Knowing I am still a newbie and need to learn more. The other thing I learned is even with a stock Willy's on a fair amount of the trails you lack a little height. Having a little more body height and 35's for more suspension height would make things a little more comfortable picking lines. Another added bonus is the wife maybe not freaking out so much. LOL.

GATORB8, I am seeing what you stated about having the backspacing with a lot of these lifts. Don't fully understand it, but I am working on it. I also understand the build upon idea. Buy a entry level kit, but one that you can add to going forward, and as you say not buy twice.

I was very patient when wanting a Wrangler, I waited almost 5 years until the time was right for me. I made a very good deal, for a good price on the jeep I wanted. So far I think it was one of the best vehicle buying decision's I every made, I love the dam thing and the wife and I are enjoying the crap out of it all the time. I barley get the thing clean and we are out on some trail or dirt road again.

Point; I am in a holding pattern right now anyway, so I may just wait a bit longer and get I want, and know I will enjoy for years to come.

I will post some Pic.'s from our outing yesterday.

About a 10 foot gator swimming in the brackish Indian river. If you think these things only stay in fresh water you could be in for a rude awaking. We also put the rear gate table to good use for the first time.

Oh, almost forgot about the family of hogs in the last pic.

I live in Vegas but my mom's condo is in Cape Canaveral and faces the banana river. My July trip got canceled or I would bring out a level kit...

 

[longfiredragon]

Cthehentz, so she is in CC with the house on the banana river. Nice. I am in the Cocoa area about 15 miles from CC.

Thank you for the offer on the leveling kit. Still not sure which way I am going. A friend gave me a RC spacer lift, but in the almost 3 years he ran it all the bushings are completely trashed. I looked on RC's site but didn't see where they sell bushings separately. Plus I think you could buy the whole kit for less.

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