Transitioning from 2.5 inch lift to 3.5 inch

[Beardedgator]

Pardon my ignorance.

I'm 3 weeks into owning my second JLUR. I had one in 2018 and loved it but it wasn't practical for my job. Cut to the modern day, i just picked up a '21 JLUR and i'm going to equip it for overlanding. I enjoyed my last one with 2.5 inches of lift and 37s, but with overlanding i know i'll have a substantial load on the jeep and 3.5 is probably where i want to be. It will take me at least a year to get my jeep fully equipped with roof rack, tent, armor, winch, etc

My thoughts are start with a reputable 2.5 inch and (this is where my ignorance might show) it seems most reputable companies with 2.5 and 3.5 inch options are compatible with each other, simply swap out the 2.5 springs for the 3.5 springs and adjust the track bar.

or am i being completely stupid and simply need to go to a 3.5

i love a low COG stance and i prefer to keep it as low as possible

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[John VonJeep]

Just get a 2.5” with higher spring rates to control the load. The only downside is the Jeep would ride more stiffly unsprung.

 

[jhackathorne]

I’d stick with a 2.5” lift that was made to handle heavy loads… MetalCloak, AEV, OME Heavy Duty. Keep the CoG low as possible. You can stil run those lifts as they’re designed to be fully loaded for the lift size specified. MC 2.5” lift unloaded (no winch, armor, HD bumpers etc.) is going to net more than 2.5” and will come down to 2.5” once your equipped.

 

[Beardedgator]

I’d stick with a 2.5” lift that was made to handle heavy loads… MetalCloak, AEV, OME Heavy Duty. Keep the CoG low as possible. You can stil run those lifts as they’re designed to be fully loaded for the lift size specified. MC 2.5” lift unloaded (no winch, armor, HD bumpers etc.) is going to net more than 2.5” and will come down to 2.5” once your equipped.

Do they sacrifice the ride quality while “unloaded”?

I do 20-25k a year in miles

 

[Old Dogger]

I would stay with the 2.5" lift. With the 3.5" lift, you will also need longer, or adjustable sway bar links, and longer, or adjustable lower control arms for additional Caster. A 2.5" lift, looks good, plus if installed properly, should not negatively effect road handling characteristics that much.

 

[micahpop]

Do they sacrifice the ride quality while “unloaded”?

I do 20-25k a year in miles

Not pushing you toward any particular brand but I've had AEV 2.5" lifts on my JK and now my JLUR and the ride quality is/was great on both. I don't have a "heavy" rig, just a roof rack, steel bumpers and a winch. Even when I'm loaded up for trips, I probably only add about 100 lbs worth of gear.

I, too, average between 20-25k miles per year.

 

[jhackathorne]

I also have ran the AEV 2.5" DualSport lift on my JK and it rode great. Loaded down with about 300-400 lb additional with RTT and camping gear it still had no sag.

I have no experience with the OME or MC lifts, but they are likely to run a little harsher, but likely not noticeable really.

 

[firedude]

I would go Metalcloak or Rock Krawler. High quality and just springs from 2.5 to 3.5. I bought the 2.5 Gamechanger for the same reason. 2.5 kit is based on a lot of added weight. I am very happy with mine.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I bought the 2.5 Gamechanger for the same reason. 2.5 kit is based on a lot of added weight.

Does this mean the 3.5" GC only gains about an inch? Just curious to your thoughts (I have a 2.5" GC and am going to a 3.5").

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

I have the 3.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger.. I never measured the before and after .. but it seems to me it is more like 4 inch lift.. also.. the rear springs are quite firm... I wonder if that would compensate when you load it with the 3 tons of overlanding gear.. LOL

I think Metalcloak springs are great..

 

[CarbonSteel]

I have the 3.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger.. I never measured the before and after .. but it seems to me it is more like 4 inch lift.. also.. the rear springs are quite firm... I wonder if that would compensate when you load it with the 3 tons of overlanding gear.. LOL

I think Metalcloak springs are great..

Rubicon?

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Rubicon?

Mine is a Sport Unlimited... but I have Rubicon Axles.. I had Rough Country 2.5 lift... now Metalcloak 3.5 ... it definitely makes it more off-road capable.. I still have my cheap Rough Country shock absorbers so I cannot really tell you about the on-road comfort as mine is not a full Metalcloak kit... but!.. if you want to upgrade to Metalcloak 3.5 I think you will be satisfied..

 

[firedude]

Does this mean the 3.5" GC only gains about an inch? Just curious to your thoughts (I have a 2.5" GC and am going to a 3.5").

I think all things being equal it should but who knows really. Seems to be different Jeep by Jeep. I am interested to see what happens with your move to 3.5. I figure down the road when I get grown up 37’s I will upgrade to 3.5’s.

 

[Ratbert]

I'm attempting to build my rig for a combination of overlanding and rock crawling (aka a rocklander). It'll be built with AEV's new 2.5 to 3" DualSport XP suspension that uses Bilstein XP8100 reservoir shocks.

I test drove one of their JLURD JL370 rigs with the Bilstein 5100s a few months ago and was blown away by how well it drove on 37s. It drove at least as well as my stock JLUR on 33s. The XP is two upgrades beyond what that rig had, so I'm hoping for even better characteristics.

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