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Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits

IronScott

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I bought a Rubicon Express 2.0 spacer lift back on Black Friday and went to a shop to see about getting it installed plus some other work. They gave me pricing and some Teraflex options but I don’t know what I want to do.

This is a Sahara with 295/70/17 KM3 tires (33” measured). I have the MOPAR steel front bumper plus a winch, so the front has sagged a bit more than the standard rake.

Here is the pricing I got quoted. They charge a $100 alignment fee on any lift.

Install my RE lift - $400
Fox Performance 2.0 shocks - $160 * 4 = $640
Install shocks - $130

So, adding in my original cost $300, I’d be in for a little over $1500 with tax with new shocks or $780 with tax without shocks. I don’t know if new shocks would be worth it. These Fox are supposedly very nice but not sure if that big an improvement over the stock Sahara shocks.

Two Teraflex packages are $1500 installed. They are these:

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jlu...550-vss-shocks?vehicle=JLU Wrangler Unlimited
2.5” lift with springs and 9550 VSS shocks

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jlu...con-2-1-shocks?vehicle=JLU Wrangler Unlimited
1.5” lift without springs but with Falcon 2.1 shocks

I’m leaning toward one of the Teraflex options but unsure which. I like the idea of getting full length springs but are the 9550 far inferior to the Falcon shocks? The lift size difference isn’t a big deal either way. Not sure I’ll ever go to 35” tires or not. I like the way the 33” KM3 look - just need a bit more space between tire and fender.

Would appreciate any thoughts.
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stil2low

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Not sure if they stepped up quality but I used their 2.5 on my 2015 JK and installed a 3” on a friend’s TJ in 2016. Both of our Jeeps coils sagged like crazy, mine so much I ended up running a 1.25 spacer on top of my springs. The 9550 shocks both blew out after 2 years and he’s rear sway bar links deteriorated. We both tried to contact them over these issues and once they found out the problems we had they stopped responding and ignored us

Really disappointed in their products, I hope others haven’t had such issues like we did.
 
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IronScott

IronScott

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Not sure if they stepped up quality but I used their 2.5 on my 2015 JK and installed a 3” on a friend’s TJ in 2016. Both of our Jeeps coils sagged like crazy, mine so much I ended up running a 1.25 spacer on top of my springs. The 9550 shocks both blew out after 2 years and he’s rear sway bar links deteriorated. We both tried to contact them over these issues and once they found out the problems we had they stopped responding and ignored us

Really disappointed in their products, I hope others haven’t had such issues like we did.
Thanks. Disappointing to hear but good to know. At the price point I’m nearly to what the MOPAR 2” would cost but from what I’ve seen that kit adds to much height to a Sahara for 33” tires and I’m not ready to move up to 35” yet. Maybe someday. I really like these KM3 so far.
 

stil2low

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Thanks. Disappointing to hear but good to know. At the price point I’m nearly to what the MOPAR 2” would cost but from what I’ve seen that kit adds to much height to a Sahara for 33” tires and I’m not ready to move up to 35” yet. Maybe someday. I really like these KM3 so far.
Yah I originally was going to go RK but decided to try Teraflex because it came with shocks. Lesson learned, swapped everything to RK

For sure those KM3’s are nice! A good buddy is running them on his JKU, awesome grip and hold well at 6psi. Get a kick out of them when he slips on a rock, sounds like a dog barking haha

53CCDED9-0A67-4983-A7D8-8873D64355BE.jpeg
 
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Carlton

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I've never heard of charging to install shocks when installing a lift. Usually that is part of the lift install price.
 

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IronScott

IronScott

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I've never heard of charging to install shocks when installing a lift. Usually that is part of the lift install price.
I think it’s because I didn’t buy the lift from them but they are charging $400 to install the lift. I know I could do it but not sure I want to go through the trouble. I may just bite the bullet and do it and then go bigger later. The only thing I don’t like about the Rubicon Express lift is it keeps the factory rake and I’d like to level it. Didn’t realize that when I bought it.

Yah I originally was going to go RK but decided to try Teraflex because it came with shocks. Lesson learned, swapped everything to RK

For sure those KM3’s are nice! A good buddy is running them on his JKU, awesome grip and hold well at 6psi. Get a kick out of them when he slips on a rock, sounds like a dog barking haha

53CCDED9-0A67-4983-A7D8-8873D64355BE.jpeg
LOL @ the barking dog sound. Gotta try that. That’s an awesome pic.
 
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IronScott

IronScott

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Just for reference, here are some pics. I need to get a better one of the front end on level ground now. The last pic is on a pretty good incline. Maybe it’s not as bad as I feel it is. I’m okay with the look but there isn’t much room for articulation.

Before the steel bumper and winch.

F5A64ED2-E8BB-4B2F-B53F-2C29FF5F8671.jpeg
C1B43B42-68E5-4A32-B428-6600249075D3.jpeg


After the steel bumper and winch.

CD306B60-2B83-4D67-9E57-6740427F85E1.jpeg


181FD157-08F8-4366-9570-2C174EBF3816.jpeg


04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D.jpeg
 

mark917

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Just for reference, here are some pics. I need to get a better one of the front end on level ground now. The last pic is on a pretty good incline. Maybe it’s not as bad as I feel it is. I’m okay with the look but there isn’t much room for articulation.

Before the steel bumper and winch.

F5A64ED2-E8BB-4B2F-B53F-2C29FF5F8671.jpeg
C1B43B42-68E5-4A32-B428-6600249075D3.jpeg


After the steel bumper and winch.

CD306B60-2B83-4D67-9E57-6740427F85E1.jpeg


181FD157-08F8-4366-9570-2C174EBF3816.jpeg


04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D.jpeg

What bumper is that?
 

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IronScott

IronScott

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Can you use factory led fogs (sport) with no issues?
Thanks for the compliment. I really like the look and the option to take the ends off.

Mine came with LEDs already in the bumper. I’ve read that the factory fogs from a Sport and Sahara need a bracket to work in the steel bumper but I can’t confirm it. Also, seems like the Sport may have a different wiring harness, but I can’t confirm that either. My Sahara harness hooked right up.
 

Deezus

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I bought a Rubicon Express 2.0 spacer lift back on Black Friday and went to a shop to see about getting it installed plus some other work. They gave me pricing and some Teraflex options but I don’t know what I want to do.

This is a Sahara with 295/70/17 KM3 tires (33” measured). I have the MOPAR steel front bumper plus a winch, so the front has sagged a bit more than the standard rake.

Here is the pricing I got quoted. They charge a $100 alignment fee on any lift.

Install my RE lift - $400
Fox Performance 2.0 shocks - $160 * 4 = $640
Install shocks - $130

So, adding in my original cost $300, I’d be in for a little over $1500 with tax with new shocks or $780 with tax without shocks. I don’t know if new shocks would be worth it. These Fox are supposedly very nice but not sure if that big an improvement over the stock Sahara shocks.

Two Teraflex packages are $1500 installed. They are these:

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jlu-4-door-2-5-base-lift-kit-w-9550-vss-shocks?vehicle=JLU Wrangler Unlimited
2.5” lift with springs and 9550 VSS shocks

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jlu-4-door-1-5-sport-s-t1-suspension-system-w-falcon-2-1-shocks?vehicle=JLU Wrangler Unlimited
1.5” lift without springs but with Falcon 2.1 shocks

I’m leaning toward one of the Teraflex options but unsure which. I like the idea of getting full length springs but are the 9550 far inferior to the Falcon shocks? The lift size difference isn’t a big deal either way. Not sure I’ll ever go to 35” tires or not. I like the way the 33” KM3 look - just need a bit more space between tire and fender.

Would appreciate any thoughts.
This might sound crazy but why not install it yourself? With the money you save if you don't like it you could always buy another one.
Rancho makes a terrific 2" sport lift that comes with shocks and rides really nice on and off road. It's about $650 and sometimes less for the kit. I'm running the Teraflex ST4 on my JLUR. Its got the perfect balance of ride quality.
 
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IronScott

IronScott

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This might sound crazy but why not install it yourself? With the money you save if you don't like it you could always buy another one.
Rancho makes a terrific 2" sport lift that comes with shocks and rides really nice on and off road. It's about $650 and sometimes less for the kit. I'm running the Teraflex ST4 on my JLUR. Its got the perfect balance of ride quality.
I ended up using a different shop and went with Rough Country full suspension lift. It was $600 cheaper, part of which was the cheaper kit but they also charged a couple hundred less for install and alignment. I love the look of this lift. It's a little stiffer than I want but airing down the tires has helped. If I don't like it I can change to something else and recoup some money by selling the old kit.

I could've done the install myself but it was worth the money to me. If I change later I may go with the MOPAR kit installed by the dealer, just so my extended warranty will be honored if needed.
 

TammieWtn

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Just for reference, here are some pics. I need to get a better one of the front end on level ground now. The last pic is on a pretty good incline. Maybe it’s not as bad as I feel it is. I’m okay with the look but there isn’t much room for articulation.

Before the steel bumper and winch.

Jeep Wrangler JL Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits 04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D
Jeep Wrangler JL Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits 04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D


After the steel bumper and winch.

Jeep Wrangler JL Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits 04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D


Jeep Wrangler JL Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits 04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D


Jeep Wrangler JL Torn between RE spacer lift + shocks vs Teraflex suspension lift kits 04BD6BC0-3676-4126-BF7A-27E2E89F609D


Hi there, I have the sane JLU as yours and am wanting to change the factory tires & rims. What size wheels do you have, and did you lift your JLU or put spacers in? I really like the look
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