Metalcloak lift kit question

[JpLfe]

I’m a JLUR newbie and just acquired a new-to-me 2018 JLUR. It’s currently stock and I’m about to decide on the lift kit.
I’m also very new to off-roading and plan to do a combination of moderate rock crawling with overlanding camping trips with my kids during summer/ fall with quite a bit of skiing trips to Tahoe with the family during winter for the next few years.

I have narrowed it down to 2.5” Metalcloak lift kit with Rockshocks + 35” KO2s + Method 312 wheels in Bronze ( I have a Billet Silver JLUR).

I can’t seem to decide between the MC True Dual rate kit Vs the Gamechanger kit.
I know that the GC kit is an overall far superior system but I wasn’t sure if it would be an overkill for my type of driving I plan to do. Also this is going to be my daily driver and I plan to get the KO2 35s tires as I hear they are much quieter and will perform much better on snow during winters.

Your opinions and thoughts are much appreciated.

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[21xtremewrangler]

Buy once cry once. IMO just do the game changer and be done with. If money is a concern you can always start with the dual rate and add the other components otherwise just do the game changer. You will end up wanting it anyway.

 

[jhackathorne]

Depending on the type of moderate rock crawling you do would be what I would base my decision on. If you are wanting harder trails with bigger boulders/climbs then go GameChanger. Otherwise the True Dual Rate will work perfectly fine. plenty of people are wheeling with spacers on harder trails with less flex than you get with either MC kit.

EDIT: I also have ran KO2's and did not like the winter weather performance actually. Snow was fine, but as soon as it started turning slushy I'd slide all over. So depending on what type of snow you get you may consider other options. I did a ton of research and am running Falken Wildpeak AT3. They have better winter weather performance for sure based on experience. Also, they do perfectly fine on rocks.

 

[firedude]

I say do the GC if you can afford. Be advised there is a good chance you will get 4" from that lift. Myself and several others have. MC assumes a lot of weight with this kit. It looks like you will be at or close to the weight when using your jeep. I am really happy with the lift and kit but I am a inch or so higher than where I was looking to be. I had planned to maybe do 3.5 springs in the future if/when I get bigger 37's than I have. LOL, I might still get them to loose some lift height. All joking aside things get a lot better when loaded.

 

[Roky]

I’m a JLUR newbie and just acquired a new-to-me 2018 JLUR. It’s currently stock and I’m about to decide on the lift kit.
I’m also very new to off-roading and plan to do a combination of moderate rock crawling with overlanding camping trips with my kids during summer/ fall with quite a bit of skiing trips to Tahoe with the family during winter for the next few years.

I have narrowed it down to 2.5” Metalcloak lift kit with Rockshocks + 35” KO2s + Method 312 wheels in Bronze ( I have a Billet Silver JLUR).

I can’t seem to decide between the MC True Dual rate kit Vs the Gamechanger kit.
I know that the GC kit is an overall far superior system but I wasn’t sure if it would be an overkill for my type of driving I plan to do. Also this is going to be my daily driver and I plan to get the KO2 35s tires as I hear they are much quieter and will perform much better on snow during winters.

Your opinions and thoughts are much appreciated.

Definitely GC…… Even with your intended use, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it……..Also, the oem control arms aren’t gonna last very long being lifted and on 35s or 37s. Your rear wheels are gonna get pulled forward in the wheel well, and the factory bushings are just not made for a lot of articulation. Especially on the front, the dual rate comes with adjustable uppers, and to get your caster good you’re gonna be pulling the front wheels back in the wheel well. I never liked that look personally…… here’s dual rate lift with factory lowers…..? …..just some .02 ….

 

[JpLfe]

Depending on the type of moderate rock crawling you do would be what I would base my decision on. If you are wanting harder trails with bigger boulders/climbs then go GameChanger. Otherwise the True Dual Rate will work perfectly fine. plenty of people are wheeling with spacers on harder trails with less flex than you get with either MC kit.

EDIT: I also have ran KO2's and did not like the winter weather performance actually. Snow was fine, but as soon as it started turning slushy I'd slide all over. So depending on what type of snow you get you may consider other options. I did a ton of research and am running Falken Wildpeak AT3. They have better winter weather performance for sure based on experience. Also, they do perfectly fine on rocks.

Thanks for the input. Regarding tires, I might consider the Wildpeak AT3. Are they louder or quieter than the KO2s ?

 

[JpLfe]

I say do the GC if you can afford. Be advised there is a good chance you will get 4" from that lift. Myself and several others have. MC assumes a lot of weight with this kit. It looks like you will be at or close to the weight when using your jeep. I am really happy with the lift and kit but I am a inch or so higher than where I was looking to be. I had planned to maybe do 3.5 springs in the future if/when I get bigger 37's than I have. LOL, I might still get them to loose some lift height. All joking aside things get a lot better when loaded.

Thanks @firedude . I do have steel bumpers and a winch on my JLUR but no addditional armor yet. I also may plan to get a RTT in the future depending on how often I end up going overlanding with my family - so if and when I do, perhaps going with the Gamechanger kit would help with that additional weight of the RTT. Given that you are seeing almost a 4” lift with the 2.5 GC kit, do the 35s look ok asthetically speaking ? Do you wish you had the 37s instead ?

 

[JpLfe]

Definitely GC…… Even with your intended use, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it……..Also, the oem control arms aren’t gonna last very long being lifted and on 35s or 37s. Your rear wheels are gonna get pulled forward in the wheel well, and the factory bushings are just not made for a lot of articulation. Especially on the front, the dual rate comes with adjustable uppers, and to get your caster good you’re gonna be pulling the front wheels back in the wheel well. I never liked that look personally…… here’s dual rate lift with factory lowers…..? …..just some .02 ….

Got it. Thanks for this valuable insight.

 

[4-play]

IMO, the Falken Wildpeak MT’s were quieter than the BFG’s and can testify that they are awesome in snow. We had 17” of the white stuff fall in one night. Shifted into 4X auto, and drove confidently. Didn’t even shovel the driveway on my way out.

 

[JpLfe]

IMO, the Falken Wildpeak MT’s were quieter than the BFG’s and can testify that they are awesome in snow. We had 17” of the white stuff fall in one night. Shifted into 4X auto, and drove confidently. Didn’t even shovel the driveway on my way out.

To clarify, are you referring to the Falcon MTs or the ATs ? I was looking to get All terrains for now being that this is my daily driver.

 

[4-play]

Sorry for the confusion, the MT’s. They came on my Gladiator. I loved the tires, but hated the wheels. Sold them and regretting not keeping the tires.

 

[Some Random Guy]

If you’re spending money, go M/T’s. Without a good foundation all the other money is a bit of a waste. You’ll have flex without traction. Still better than stock, but M/T’s will make the money feel worth it.
Granted, I say that as someone who bought A/T’s as an upgrade for my sport. But it is a temporary stage in my build that lets me enjoy the trails while I wait to pull the trigger on axle upgrades. If you’re getting second hand A/T’s that’s not so bad.
I also vote GC. Here’s a photo comparison of factory arms and game changer. This is on less lift than either kit, so the difference would be even more dramatic for you:

 

[Vanburi]

Fyi, I got over 55k miles on the factory installed Falken MT's with my JLR...

 

[firedude]

Thanks @firedude . I do have steel bumpers and a winch on my JLUR but no addditional armor yet. I also may plan to get a RTT in the future depending on how often I end up going overlanding with my family - so if and when I do, perhaps going with the Gamechanger kit would help with that additional weight of the RTT. Given that you are seeing almost a 4” lift with the 2.5 GC kit, do the 35s look ok asthetically speaking ? Do you wish you had the 37s instead ?

Check out my link under sig. for pics with 35's and now 37's. The 37's I have are BFG KO2's. They are actually around 35.5. I have steel bumpers and winch as well as sliders and full size spare. Still four inches. When it is loaded for a days fun with everyone in it its just right. Most of my driving is daily and light weight though.

 

[JpLfe]

If you’re spending money, go M/T’s. Without a good foundation all the other money is a bit of a waste. You’ll have flex without traction. Still better than stock, but M/T’s will make the money feel worth it.
Granted, I say that as someone who bought A/T’s as an upgrade for my sport. But it is a temporary stage in my build that lets me enjoy the trails while I wait to pull the trigger on axle upgrades. If you’re getting second hand A/T’s that’s not so bad.
I also vote GC. Here’s a photo comparison of factory arms and game changer. This is on less lift than either kit, so the difference would be even more dramatic for you:

your JLR looks great ! I hear you on the traction with the MTs. But the reason I'm considering ATs is because my JLUR is a daily driver 90% of the time and 10% off-roading. I plan to go wheeling at the most 10 times a year. But for the majority of the time, I'd like a quieter ride with the ATs compared to the MTs. Granted I don't actually have a 1st hand experience riding with a set of MTs to know the extend of the difference in road noise.

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