Metalcloak lift kit question

[firedude]

Nice choice. I think you will like this kit. With everything you have it should be right where you want it.
I will second the LOD sliders. Family approved here.

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[Roky]

Thanks you all for the amazing suggestions and advice. @rkwfxd and @Chance_P - I hear you both. I realized I might end up doing a few upgrades later in the future if I go now with true dual. SO I just decided to go for GC 2.5 kit.

Here’s my current build (came with the car when I bought it used) so that you all get an idea of what weight the current suspension already supports, and what I just ordered to be installed next week.

Current build and mods:

* 2018 JLUR 6MT 3.6L V6 (Billet Silver) with stock Rubi 4:10 gears
* Stock Rubi 33s tires and wheels
* Factory Steel bumpers and rock sliders
* Smitybilt XRC Gen 3 9.5k Synthetic winch
* UpDown Air Gen 2 Air Delivery system installed under the hood
* ARB Twin onboard compressor installed in the engine bay
* Genesis Off-road Dual Battery kit with Genesis GScreen
* Outback Adventure Trailgater table
* Vector off-road cargo basket
* Rhino Rack Vortex crossbars and backbone system


Here’s what I just ordered to be installed next week:

* Metalcloak GC 2.5 full suspension lift kit with Rocksport long travel shocks and JL Front drive shaft
* Method 312 - Bronze with black lip - 17x9 -12 offset
* Falken Wildpeak AT3W 37x12.5xR17
*Smitybilt spare tire relocation bracket
* Steersmarts Yeti XD Shaft brace with frame side track bar reinforcement

I have been just doing 3-4 day camping and overlanding with the family ( 4 of us) with light off-roading. But with all of us loaded and packed in the car and the with the Thule cargo box on the roof rack , I suspect, and hope, the 2.5 GC will be perfect.

In the future, I will plan on the following
* re-gearing either to 4.88 or 5.13
* some underbody armor
* Step/Slider combo for the kids and wife

Suggestions/advice for the above 3 mods are much appreciated.

Thanks all

Just a suggestion…… I would put your money towards tie rod, drag link, and ball joints ahead of your last 3 future mods. The 37s, along with everything else around these components being beefed up will wear these components sooner than later……. Congrats on your build……

 

[JpLfe]

Thanks @Roky

 

[JpLfe]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Here are my before and after pics from the MC 2.5” GC lift kit with the Method 312s and Falken Wildpeak AT3W 37s

I’m really happy with how it turned out. It rides really nice with less roll over during turns. The stock 4.10 gearing seems to be just fine overall though I do observe slightly less torque on the 1st gear and on the 5th/6th gear, but hasn’t bothered me much, albeit it’s only been a few miles so far. I definitely feel the stopping power of the brakes has been reduced due to the 37s.

 

[JLUR Farout]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Here are my before and after pics from the MC 2.5” GC lift kit with the Method 312s and Falken Wildpeak AT3W 37s

I’m really happy with how it turned out. It rides really nice with less roll over during turns. The stock 4.10 gearing seems to be just fine overall though I do observe slightly less torque on the 1st gear and on the 5th/6th gear, but hasn’t bothered me much, albeit it’s only been a few miles so far. I definitely feel the stopping power of the brakes has been reduced due to the 37s.

How are you liking it a few years and miles later?

 

[JpLfe]

@JLUR Farout i have updated it quite a bit since then. Check my sig for details - I now have 4.5” springs with chromoly axle shafts and HD ball joints and re-geared to 5.13. Also, I now run Nitto grapplers 37” on a KMC beadlocks. Overall, I would say that the heavy Nittos MTs and the th higher rate 4.5” springs has made the ride more stiffer overall

 

[JLUR Farout]

@JLUR Farout i have updated it quite a bit since then. Check my sig for details - I now have 4.5” springs with chromoly axle shafts and HD ball joints and re-geared to 5.13. Also, I now run Nitto grapplers 37” on a KMC beadlocks. Overall, I would say that the heavy Nittos MTs and the th higher rate 4.5” springs has made the ride more stiffer overall

If not for running the larger tires, would you still have the 2.5" kit? Was that just a spring swap, or new arms too? Did your springs sag / tire / shrink before your swap? Thanks!!

 

[JpLfe]

If not for running the larger tires, would you still have the 2.5" kit? Was that just a spring swap, or new arms too? Did your springs sag / tire / shrink before your swap? Thanks!!

@JLUR Farout With the Metalcloak Gamechanger lift kit, it super easy to upgrade to 3.5” or 4.5” by swapping in the longer springs. The MC shocks and all the arms+drive shaft that came with it can accommodate upto 4.5” springs.
I moved up to larger springs mostly to fix the rear sag/squat that usually tends to happen with dual rate springs as you load up the jeep with weight overtime - luggage, rotopax, fridge etc.

recent pic

 

[C.Sco]

@JLUR Farout With the Metalcloak Gamechanger lift kit, it super easy to upgrade to 3.5” or 4.5” by swapping in the longer springs. The MC shocks and all the arms+drive shaft that came with it can accommodate upto 4.5” springs.
I moved up to larger springs mostly to fix the rear sag/squat that usually tends to happen with dual rate springs as you load up the jeep with weight overtime - luggage, rotopax, fridge etc.

recent pic

Indeed - I started with a 3.5" GC kit in mine, and eventually swapped out my rears for 4.5" springs, and now I actually have a 5.5" set of rear springs to swap them again whenever I have some free time. Between the battery pack (it's a 4xe), the undercloak skids, and my huge toolbags, my ass needs all the support it can get.

Anyways, super easy to swap out the springs yourself any time you want. I probably do need to adjust my control arms at some point but for now they're fine in the same lengths they were when I had 3.5" springs back there.

 

[JLUR Farout]

@JpLfe and @C.Sco thank you both. When I called Metalcloak last week, I shared with them my scale weights. I added ~380 lbs of daily weight over factory with a full tank and me out of it. With me, my lady, and our camping gear we add about 580 lbs on top of the 380 over factory. My JLRX came with a "1.5" lift per the literature, but more like just over an inch brand new as I parked next to regular JLRs in the lot the day I touched it.

I sure hope I do not have to go to spring set #3. The OEM springs because soggy noodles, the Clayton springs softened a lot after about 10,000 miles, and I hope the 2.5" will net me the 16" off the ground at the cross member and 19" at the hitch I am targeting, if not a bit more.

Thanks for the info on being able to upgrade if needed. I sure hope I don't. I'll have to retire on cat food and Ramen.

 

[azjl#3]

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.

Concur, my 2.5 inch MC lift netted pretty much 3.75, and that was loaded.

 

[JLUR Farout]

Concur, my 2.5 inch MC lift netted pretty much 3.75, and that was loaded.

Did that require you to upgrade your rear drive shaft as well?

 

[roaniecowpony]

Indeed - I started with a 3.5" GC kit in mine, and eventually swapped out my rears for 4.5" springs, and now I actually have a 5.5" set of rear springs to swap them again whenever I have some free time. Between the battery pack (it's a 4xe), the undercloak skids, and my huge toolbags, my ass needs all the support it can get.

Anyways, super easy to swap out the springs yourself any time you want. I probably do need to adjust my control arms at some point but for now they're fine in the same lengths they were when I had 3.5" springs back there.

I'm in this predicament as well. 3.5" MCGC, 37s. I saved some weight when I removed 2/3 of the rear seat. But my tool bag is a solid chunk of steel tools 24" long x 12" dia. I also have a 35lb Pro Eagle mini floor jack, compressor, recovery gear, to say nothing of the usual cooler/fridge and camping gear. I've been considering the 4.5" rear springs. Maybe the fronts as well, since I'm considering 38" tires.

So, would I need to change the rear driveshaft to accomodate 4.5" springs? I'm also thinking about getting the new Rocksport (cheap red) 32" shocks for more articulation. I currently have an aftermarket longer front driveshaft and OEM rear driveshaft.

 

[Crso8541]

I'm in this predicament as well. 3.5" MCGC, 37s. I saved some weight when I removed 2/3 of the rear seat. But my tool bag is a solid chunk of steel tools 24" long x 12" dia. I also have a 35lb Pro Eagle mini floor jack, compressor, recovery gear, to say nothing of the usual cooler/fridge and camping gear. I've been considering the 4.5" rear springs. Maybe the fronts as well, since I'm considering 38" tires.

So, would I need to change the rear driveshaft to accomodate 4.5" springs? I'm also thinking about getting the new Rocksport (cheap red) 32" shocks for more articulation. I currently have an aftermarket longer front driveshaft and OEM rear driveshaft.

You may not need a new driveshaft at first just driving around town but if you plan on doing any off-roading it’s pretty much a must.

I love the RockSport shocks they ride and stretch great.

I feel like I could fit 38’s and stay at 3.5, do you see it differently?

 

[roaniecowpony]

You may not need a new driveshaft at first just driving around town but if you plan on doing any off-roading it’s pretty much a must.

I love the RockSport shocks they ride and stretch great.

I feel like I could fit 38’s and stay at 3.5, do you see it differently?

Certainly lightly loaded, the 3.5" would be no problem with 38s. But with my load-out for an overnight trail run, the rear sags significantly. I found myself making contact (albeit light) on the Rubicon, more this last year. One might say to lighten my load. But the heavy stuff is tools. So, which tools would I do without? (retorical)

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