Looking for opinions on this potential lift setup

[Mitoni]

So i recently upgraded by 2023 JL Willys from the stock tires to 34" Falken Wildpeak AT4W. They feel great (much quieter than the stock mud terrains), and fit fine on the stock wheels with no rubbing lock to lock, but I have avoided taking it off-road yet due to my new lack of clearance. I am shopping for a 2.5" lift that isnt going to break the bank, but from brands that I know as well. This is what I am thinking so far. Any suggestions would be helpful, as I'm a total newbie at this, and YouTube knowledge only gets me so far.

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[Gangplank]

Add front track bar to recenter the axle

+ either a rear track bar or a rear track bar relocation bracket.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

I’d suggest you add longer front LCAs to add a bit of caster back - the Mopar ones from their lift kit are cheap, for example.

 

[Mitoni]

Add front track bar to recenter the axle

+ either a rear track bar or a rear track bar relocation bracket.

How big of a difference does that make? I know teraflex says this is the base kit and can be expanded on, but they also said that nothing else is required. Also in an off note, is there a primer on suspension geometry I can read somewhere that explains what the LCA and track bars are actually doing for the suspension?

 

[Roky]

How big of a difference does that make? I know teraflex says this is the base kit and can be expanded on, but they also said that nothing else is required. Also in an off note, is there a primer on suspension geometry I can read somewhere that explains what the LCA and track bars are actually doing for the suspension?

The track bars are connected one end to the frame the other to the axle so when you separate the axle from the frame ( lift it) the axle gets pulled over to drivers side in the front to passenger side in the rear…At 2.5” of lift the axle is only going to move 1/2” so you would only be moving it a 1/4” to center it…. Teraflex is saying that’s acceptable…. The thing is you’ll likely get more than 2.5” which will pull the axle more…. You need to measure before and after to make sure how much lift you actually get then you can determine if you need to center the axle or not ….. the lcas it’s the same scenario except front to back… you lift it the lcas pull the axle back, longer lcas push it back where it was ish…….

 

[Gangplank]

How big of a difference does that make? I know teraflex says this is the base kit and can be expanded on, but they also said that nothing else is required. Also in an off note, is there a primer on suspension geometry I can read somewhere that explains what the LCA and track bars are actually doing for the suspension?

@Roky already answered your question. To add a bit… A front Track Bar, rear Track Bar bracket and longer Lower Control Arms (LCA) are not that expensive to add on for the lift, and will keep the geometry in spec.

Track bar centers the axle. There are a ton of adjustable track bars out there and you don’t have to go overboard. You can get a decent one for $200-$250

The LCA’s will put your caster back in spec after the lift. You can get adjustable or just get a set of the Mopar longer LCA’s from the Mopar lift kit. You can order them separately for $70 or so.


https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...8aa-front-lower-control-arms-last-week.92709/

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I agree with the above comments. What you have selected (which are good choices) and then add an adjustable front track bar and extended Mopar front lower control arms (the ones sold with the Mopar lift kit).

 

[Mitoni]

The track bars are connected one end to the frame the other to the axle so when you separate the axle from the frame ( lift it) the axle gets pulled over to drivers side in the front to passenger side in the rear…At 2.5” of lift the axle is only going to move 1/2” so you would only be moving it a 1/4” to center it…. Teraflex is saying that’s acceptable…. The thing is you’ll likely get more than 2.5” which will pull the axle more…. You need to measure before and after to make sure how much lift you actually get then you can determine if you need to center the axle or not ….. the lcas it’s the same scenario except front to back… you lift it the lcas pull the axle back, longer lcas push it back where it was ish…….

So if the track bar isn't replaced with a longer one/adjustable one, does that mean the wheels will stick out more on one side than the other? And they say that is acceptable?

 

[kah.mun.rah]

So if the track bar isn't replaced with a longer one/adjustable one, does that mean the wheels will stick out more on one side than the other? And they say that is acceptable?

Yes, with 2.5" of lift, the front axle will shift about 1/2" to the driver's side. An adjustable trackbar can be adjusted (lengthened) to bring it back to center. It's not a 100% necessity but probably saves on the wear and tear of the tires. The stiffness of a heavy duty trackbar will also slightly improve your steering.

 

[Roky]

So if the track bar isn't replaced with a longer one/adjustable one, does that mean the wheels will stick out more on one side than the other? And they say that is acceptable?

You really won’t notice it with the naked eye, on a 2.5” lift, it’s only a 1/4” to center it… but, it’s rare , almost never, that you’ll only get 2.5” of lift and the more lift you get the farther the axle will move…. Personally I always include adjustable front track bar, and adjustable rear track bar or a rear track bar relocation bracket with any lift I do over 2.5”…..

The relocation bracket raises the track bar which centers the axle, but it’s only good up to 2.5”, anything higher and it won’t move the axle enough to center it….. Teraflex has a front t.b. relocation bracket but it’s only good up to 2.5”…Again….. it all depends on how much height you actually get with your lift that determines the actual need for the track bars….The longer lcas I would recommend doing even if you only lift it 2” or more……

Before you lift it measure like in the pic at ride height ( top of axle tube to bottom lip of upper coil housing) before and after the lift the difference in the measurements is how much lift you actually got, and then you can decide how much more you want to do…..

 

[Mitoni]

The track bars are connected one end to the frame the other to the axle so when you separate the axle from the frame ( lift it) the axle gets pulled over to drivers side in the front to passenger side in the rear…At 2.5” of lift the axle is only going to move 1/2” so you would only be moving it a 1/4” to center it…. Teraflex is saying that’s acceptable…. The thing is you’ll likely get more than 2.5” which will pull the axle more…. You need to measure before and after to make sure how much lift you actually get then you can determine if you need to center the axle or not ….. the lcas it’s the same scenario except front to back… you lift it the lcas pull the axle back, longer lcas push it back where it was ish…….

Thanks for the info. After looking into it some more this evening, I am leaning towards the more complete Teraflex S/T2 Lift kit instead of the base kit. Its a bit more, but it has the longer LCAs, a rear track bar relocation bracket, and a nice bonus, quick disconnect front sway bar endlinks.

That along with the shocks and the steering stabilizer will run just shy of $2k

 

[Roky]

Thanks for the info. After looking into it some more this evening, I am leaning towards the more complete Teraflex S/T2 Lift kit instead of the base kit. Its a bit more, but it has the longer LCAs, a rear track bar relocation bracket, and a nice bonus, quick disconnect front sway bar endlinks.

That along with the shocks and the steering stabilizer will run just shy of $2k

You’re welcome,
if you have any questions you can always shoot me a PM …

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Thanks for the info. After looking into it some more this evening, I am leaning towards the more complete Teraflex S/T2 Lift kit instead of the base kit. Its a bit more, but it has the longer LCAs, a rear track bar relocation bracket, and a nice bonus, quick disconnect front sway bar endlinks.

That along with the shocks and the steering stabilizer will run just shy of $2k

That is the lift that I am running and I like it (37s with TeraFlex ST2):

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You for certain want adjustable track bar and control arms with a 2.5 lift.

 

[Mitoni]

So I went ahead and placed my orders. Northridge had a really nice discount code, so I ended up getting almost everything there. Got the shocks from ExtremeTerrain because they were about $200 cheaper there for some reason.

Rather than going with the full Teraflex S/T2 lift kit, as it comes, I broke it down into each part included. That way, I could swap the Quick Disconnect front sway bar links and rear trackbar relocation bracket with the Teraflex adjustable rear track bar. I can always purchase the Quick Disconnect later, and I feel better not having to drill holes into my axle to attach the relocation bracket. So far I've managed to keep every mod on the jeep completely bolt-on.

Next weekend will be busy!

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