Lifts??
 

Hey guys, so I've had my new 2012 Sahara unlimited for a few months now and I want to get the wheels and lift done in june (ish), so I'm doing all my research nice and early. I have already put on the rear bumper with tire carrier, front bumper, KC lights, and a few other little things . . . I also have the steel pipe style half doors (cant wait till summer!). So I have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help with:
1. Options for nice black rims other than rockstars
2. Any reason for me to go 17" rims vs 18"?
3. I want to go 35" tires . . . what size lift should I get?
4. If I get a high enough lift, is there anything else I need to get or worry about upgrading if I go 35" tires? Will my axles be fine? I won't be doing hardcore rock crawling but I want to handle trails, lotsa mud and some light rocks with ease . .
5. I plan to go Toyo Open Country M/T's for tires at this point - anybody have any experiences or info, or even just opinion on looks to say that Nitto Trail Grapplers, ---- Cepek Mud Country, or Mickey MTZ's would be better?

Thanks for any and all help!!! :D

Re: Lifts??
 

Welcome to the forum

got myself a 13 rubicon 2 months ago. Love it. Im about to lift it also but I ll try to help you with the best of what I ve read and been told so far

1. Options for nice black rims other than rockstars. Im very conservative and I d go with Pro Comp or Mickey T

2. Any reason for me to go 17" rims vs 18"? I ll let somebody else take care of this one but I m pretty sure that going higher in wheel dia size gives you less tire side, with is not what you re looking for

3. I want to go 35" tires . . . what size lift should I get? Pretty sure you need at least 3 inchs lift, a procal, some track bar relocation bracket, sway bar link


4. If I get a high enough lift, is there anything else I need to get or worry about upgrading if I go 35" tires? Will my axles be fine? I won't be doing hardcore rock crawling but I want to handle trails, lotsa mud and some light rocks with ease. see #3 and also you ll need to relocate portion of your exhaust to avoid any contact between tranny/drive shaft boots and exhaust. You may also run out of gear if you have 3.73 and less ratio. Especially if youre doing some trails. 4.10 would be best but $$$$$
.
5. I plan to go Toyo Open Country M/T's for tires at this point - anybody have any experiences or info, or even just opinion on looks to say that Nitto Trail Grapplers, ---- Cepek Mud Country, or Mickey MTZ's would be better? If it s also your DD, you might want tires that will suit also your need during normal driving without being ultra loud and noisy. I think Toyo is the best choice over all

Let us know how it goes

I m about to get mine in the garage (mine) for a 2.5 lift from rough country, exhaust work and some Ace rock guard installation

Re: Lifts??
 

Thanks for the input! At this point I've also been told if I put on 35's and 3.5/4" lift as planned that I won't be able to use my stock wheels for winter, thus I'd also have to buy larger tires for winter . . . more $$$$ lol So i'm also now looking at the option of a 2.5" lift and 33's so that I don't have that issue . . . maybe I need a second Jeep? lol

Re: Lifts??
 

1. There is literally countless options for black rims, google is your friend for this one. Check out the KMC XD Series Rims or the Black Rock line.Prices varry from brand to brand, like anything else. There is a much larger forum than this one that has a thread for black rims that is hundereds of pages long. You should be able to find pictures of damn near every rim in there. I dont know the policy on linking to other forums though so I wont be linking to it, sorry.

2. Price.

3. 2.5 - 3.0

Re: Lifts??
 

hope this helps

Re: Lifts??
 

1) Aluminum wheels would be best to cut down on weight.
2) 17 inch wheels are cheaper than 18 in and you have a better selection of tires to chose from.
3) Axles will hold up to moderate wheeling with 35's.
4) Shock extension's will limit wheel travel, longer shocks matched to the lift is best. Once you start playing in the more difficult terrain the front axle will suffer, keeping the diff open will help the front end.
5) My wife is running the Toyo's and loves them, quiet on the road for a mud terrain. Only draw back is they are heavy which affects power and mileage. Mickey's MTZ are a nice tire also.

Re: Lifts??
 

You have a great list of replies here and you will see they are most all in agreement..

My personal Fav for black wheels are the ProComp Xtreme Alloy 7089. I ran them for 3.5 years then traded up to Blackrock Vipers..
As everyone else has already mentioned you can buy a full set of 17" tires and rims for the price of just the 18" tires..

Re: Lifts??
 

Hey guys, so I've made the decision to go with the Toyo Open Country MT 35/12.5/17 tires (I looked it up and they are only 4 lbs more (each) compared to the nitto trail grapplers, which are my current 2nd choice) with BMF Novakane 5 Stealth OR Death Metal (undecided on the finish) black wheels.
I am still totally unsure what to do with the lift though. I am now leaning towards either Rock Krawler 2.5" max travel or 2.5 max travel pro lift, and then add my own shocks, Bilstein 5100??? or possibly the AEV 2.5" kit . . . Anyone know if these kits will be big enough with my 35" toyo's on 17's??? I have been told and read that the rock krawler kit actually gives more than 2.5" of lift? but then how much do I have to take into consideration the fact that I have added a heavier front bumper and rear bumper with tire carrier??? Will it work without changing my fenders? Thanks for the help so far, sooooo much to learn! lol :)

Re: Lifts??
 

2.5" lift with flat fenders and extended bump stops will definately work with 35's. Or you can go 3" and forget the flat fenders but you still need the bump stops. RKs and AEV lifts are both good. Depends on your budget i suppose. Bilsteins are great shocks but are better suited to warmer climates. You can also try Rubicon Express (not the entry level) shocks.

Re: Lifts??
 

I have AEV 2.5 lift----no flat fenders----35-12.50X17 Toyo Open Country----4.6 Backspace Rims 9"X17 Rims----No problem----AEV says I could use Factory Wheels----2013 JKUR

Re: Lifts??
 

Do you have a pic of your Jeep Lawless? I'd really like to see what your set up looks like, because that's a very similar setup to what I'm looking to do. How is AEV's warranty? I like the idea of the RK and BDS warranties being no hassle and free replacement parts. . . . does AEV have a decent warranty setup?
Where did you get yours installed if you don't mind me asking? What kind of price am I looking at for a 2.5" AEV? I have found BDS 3" for $1500 (approx) installed . . . RK definitely more expensive . . . best I've found the Max Travel Pro for is $1500 PLUS install and still have to buy shocks . . .

Re: Lifts??
 

All I wanted to do and or accomplish was to have 35" tires and a well engineered minor lift. This is my 6th new Jeep since 1978.

Re: Lifts??
 

Im extremely happy with my Rock Krawler gear and the customer service from them is awesome, you talk to actual Jeep guys with actual hands on experience when you call.
You will for sure get more than the advertised height out of the 2.5''.
If im not mistaken they offer my lift with 2.5 springs now instead of 3.5... if that is the case I suggest saving up a little extra and get the FULL suspension. Upper and lower front and rear control arms, front and rear track bars, brake lines, sway bar links, then add in the shocks of your choice.
I ended up with just under 5.5'' of lift and it settled about an inch, so i would assume the 2.5 would put you around the 3.5'' mark when all is said and done.
Ill say the same thing i say to everybody (even though you seem to be on the right track) whatever you do dont cheap out on suspension, and build it the way YOU want it from the get go so theres no needing to change stuff down the road. Think what will you use it for, how hard will you push it, where will you go, then eliminate the lifts that dont fit into that criteria.

Re: Lifts??
 

Thanks for the advice! Does anybody know . . . do they still make both the 2.5" Max Travel (steel) and the 2.5" Max Travel Pro??? Or do they just sell one kit now? And is it steel or the aluminum?

Re: Lifts??
 

Also, if I'm starting out with a Sahara if I want to do a manual disconnect, is it difficult? (clearly new to wheelin' lol) I know the Rubicon has the auto disconnect button inside the Jeep . . . I chose to start with the Sahara because I didn't want to pay the extra when I knew I'd end up replacing most of the upgraded parts anyways, but that disconnect button is the one thing I never thought of :S lol oops!

Re: Lifts??
 

Yes there is aluminum and steel and they are solid not tubular, real heavy buggers too.
Manual quick disconnect links are easy for sure, even for a beginner! You aren't missing anything with the Rubicon electro disconnect, it is a total piece of trash system and a waste of money. In my opinion. But I also haven't even had a front sway bar on my Jeep in a year and a half so yea.

Re: Lifts??
 

Ok, good to know! Thanks for the help! So is (In your opinion) the lighter weight, and the fact that they are stainless (won't rust) worth getting the PRO for the extra money? I think it's only an extra $250 approx. . . .

Re: Lifts??
 

I'd say apples to oranges man, for what it will be used for. All what you're into, the pro is nice to look at.. I wouldnt be too concerned with weight..

Re: Lifts??
 

I'm being told Rock Krawler discontinued the PRO version of the Max travel kit . . . . anybody know if this is true? If so, why am I still seeing it on some websites? Leftover inventory they're selling off still?

Re: Lifts??
 

I would call RK themselves, problem solved lol

Re: Lifts??
 

I emailed them.... No reply yet. Unfortunately they don't have a 1-800 number.....

Re: Lifts??
 

Hey Guys, I Think Im a little late posting in this, but better late than never right?! :thumbsup: haha im new to the modding of the jeep as well and im also looking at lift kits, my jeep will be my DD, also im not sure if anyone has ever went wheeling over in little ole PEI :hah: , more mud and the odd hill, for me it wont be a constant wheeler, the odd day on the weekend or odd run and what not, so im just wondering if the rock krawler 2.5 max travel with the arms will suit me? or any other suggestions? thanks guys! :thumbsup:

Re: Lifts??
 

Hey . . . . since posting this I have gotten my Jeep built . . . I went with the AEV 3.5 lift and 35`s and my buddy went with the AEV 2.5 lift and 33`s . . . I wanted the best possible handling onroad while also being able to run with the big boys offroad. I couldn`t have made a better choice . . . I absolutely love my lift and everything else I got done. On road it handles like a dream and offroad I have already done some pretty crazy stuff (trails, mud, rocks, etc.). My second choice in the end was the RK 2.5`` max travel, but in the end it seemed like it would be more maintenance than the AEV (main reason for AEV choice). AEV is also very well known for never having issues or unhappy customers - learned this through lots of research and forums and asking questions. My buddy`s Jeep with the 33`s and 2.5 AEV handles better on road and can do ALOT offroad . . . so by the sounds of what you want to do I`d say go with that. Just my opinion though based on what I`ve seen him do offroad in his Jeep. He made it through some pretty deep and sticky mud with very little effort and as a newbie offroader. Obviously with an inch bigger lift and bigger tires I was able to do some more, but really for general trails and mud there wasn`t much he couldn`t do (and this was in an ORV offroad park in Michigan called `The Mounds`` - it was incredible for those of you who`ve never been to an ORV park I suggest going . . . It`s like an amusement park for Jeeps! SO FUN!`).

Re: Lifts??
 

AEV is definitely quality gear. One of the biggest pluses is the front control arm geometry correction brackets. Any lift kit will benefit from these. I just installed a set on my rig with a TeraFlex lift. Adding a draglink flip will also help lifts with 3.5+ lift.
The only real complaint you'll hear about the AEV kit is the reduced clearance at the control arm drop brackets.

Re: Lifts??
 

I'm assuming you need to get an alignment once a lift kit is installed, how far can I drive before getting one?

Re: Lifts??
 

...the sooner you get it done, the happier you'll be knowing everything is set up right.

Re: Lifts??
 

Generlly speaking. If you don't replace control arms, you won't need an alignment. A standard 2.5" lift does not replace components that affect wheel alignment.

Re: Lifts??
 

This is the Rock Krawler lift I'm considering.

JK 2.5 Stock Mod System

Re: Lifts??
 

That RK kit you will not need an alignment with. I suggest you look at the TeraFlex 2.5" performance spring lift as it also includes bumpstop extensions, longer rear swaybar links and brakeline extension brackets.
The RK includes front swaybar disconnects but does not address rear swaybar or bumpstops.

Re: Lifts??
 

Thanks Jeff

Re: Lifts??
 

NP ... I hate to see people get something and find out that it keeps leading to more money to make it right