Lift Kit Suggestion

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Fattyfatcow

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Hello everyone. Right now I have my eyes on a Clayton off-road 1.5 ride right lift kit. If I go this route, what shocks do you guys recommend I go with? I have a sport s. Just plan on running 33s and want to be able to do BOH trails potentially.

Alternatively, if you think I should go with a different kit, happy to hear the suggestions. I’m pretty set on a suspension lift versus just adding spacers. Thanks in advance!
 
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The kit you're looking at is fine and ride quality is 100% subjective. That said, I personally would recommend something like Rancho RS7MTs if only because they're affordable and I've always found them to do a pretty good job of dampening. A bit on the sporty side but I personally like it that way. Of course, there are tons of more expensive shocks you can buy but most of them will offer a firmer ride for daily driving.
 
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wayoflife said:
The kit you're looking at is fine and ride quality is 100% subjective. That said, I personally would recommend something like Rancho RS7MTs if only because they're affordable and I've always found them to do a pretty good job of dampening. A bit on the sporty side but I personally like it that way. Of course, there are tons of more expensive shocks you can buy but most of them will offer a firmer ride for daily driving.
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Subjectively speaking, would you personally choose a different kit? I trust your opinion more than the YT videos I have watched since they are likely sponsored. Just want something I won’t run into issues with at least for a while, and something that makes the ride more enjoyable as a whole and capable as a whole. Thanks again for your kindness!
 
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I’ll second the Rancho RS7MTs. I’ve had them on my 2 door Rubicon for three years and they perform better than they should for what I paid for them

You could see if your local tire store will test fit the tires for you to see if a lift is needed.
 
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Fattyfatcow said:
Subjectively speaking, would you personally choose a different kit? I trust your opinion more than the YT videos I have watched since they are likely sponsored. Just want something I won’t run into issues with at least for a while, and something that makes the ride more enjoyable as a whole and capable as a whole. Thanks again for your kindness!
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Assuming 1.5" of lift is all that you're wanting, the Clayton lift will do a good job of that. I don't know of too many other lifts that small or that I would recommend over what you're wanting. If anything, MOST lift kits will yield way more height than what is advertised.
 
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wayoflife said:
Assuming 1.5" of lift is all that you're wanting, the Clayton lift will do a good job of that. I don't know of too many other lifts that small or that I would recommend over what you're wanting. If anything, MOST lift kits will yield way more height than what is advertised.
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Last question for you guys, on the control arms, with dual durometer giiro bushings, do I wait to tighten the control arms under the weight of the vehicle or can I do it in the air like the Rancho kit you used?
 
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Fattyfatcow said:
Last question for you guys, on the control arms, with dual durometer giiro bushings, do I wait to tighten the control arms under the weight of the vehicle or can I do it in the air like the Rancho kit you used?
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You ONLY need to tighten suspension bolts with the full weight of your Jeep on the ground IF they are clevite bushings (bonded rubber).
 
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wayoflife said:
The kit you're looking at is fine and ride quality is 100% subjective. That said, I personally would recommend something like Rancho RS7MTs if only because they're affordable and I've always found them to do a pretty good job of dampening. A bit on the sporty side but I personally like it that way. Of course, there are tons of more expensive shocks you can buy but most of them will offer a firmer ride for daily driving.
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I have a stock 2023 Wrangler Sahara Altitude. I am wanting to either do a 2.5" or 3.5" lift. Do I need to replace the shocks when I put on a new suspension lift?
 
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Alex Parham said:
I have a stock 2023 Wrangler Sahara Altitude. I am wanting to either do a 2.5" or 3.5" lift. Do I need to replace the shocks when I put on a new suspension lift?
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some kits like the AEV 2.5" spacer kit come with shock extensions. it will allow you to keep the factory springs and shock while giving you the height desired. so yes, you can keep the factory shocks but you do need to add the proper lenght extensions if you lift it
 
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cozdude said:
some kits like the AEV 2.5" spacer kit come with shock extensions. it will allow you to keep the factory springs and shock while giving you the height desired. so yes, you can keep the factory shocks but you do need to add the proper lenght extensions if you lift it
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Okay, I have a follow up question. My jeep is my daily driver with the ambition of completing badge of honor trails too. Should I just upgrade the shocks while I am doing the suspension?
 
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Alex Parham said:
I have a stock 2023 Wrangler Sahara Altitude. I am wanting to either do a 2.5" or 3.5" lift. Do I need to replace the shocks when I put on a new suspension lift?
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At 2.5", you'd be okay running shock extensions so long as you do what cozdude said and make sure you get the right size extensions. 3.5" of lift is a LOT of lift and there are more things you really should install with it than just longer shocks.
Alex Parham said:
Okay, I have a follow up question. My jeep is my daily driver with the ambition of completing badge of honor trails too. Should I just upgrade the shocks while I am doing the suspension?
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Guess it depends on what trails you're wanting to run. As stated above, 3.5" of lift is enough that you really should be installing adjustable components and or drop brackets. Your front drive shaft will need to be replaced as well if you plan on wheeling a lot. Rear too if you have a 2-door.
 
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Alex Parham said:
Okay, I have a follow up question. My jeep is my daily driver with the ambition of completing badge of honor trails too. Should I just upgrade the shocks while I am doing the suspension?
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if your only going to do 2.5" of lift you can do a lot of trails with the JL platform. if you really wanna do 3.5" then you absolutely need to do the proper length shocks and many more upgrades as Wayalife mentioned.
 
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Fattyfatcow said:
Hello everyone. Right now I have my eyes on a Clayton off-road 1.5 ride right lift kit. If I go this route, what shocks do you guys recommend I go with? I have a sport s. Just plan on running 33s and want to be able to do BOH trails potentially.

Alternatively, if you think I should go with a different kit, happy to hear the suggestions. I’m pretty set on a suspension lift versus just adding spacers. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I have the Clayton lift on my 2010 JKU, had AEV 2.5 on the JLU which changed to an EVO LA.

The Clayton and AEV both used Bilstein which I found to be a good paring (ride being subjective) for a daily driver.

I've run Rancho shocks and prefer the sport feel when off road not so much as a DD but kept tires at a lower psi as a daily driver (37" tires) and that worked for my use (ride subjective)

The Clayton lift with johnny joints has been trouble free since 2010 but they require routine maintenance (which I suck at) and replacing JJ bushings when needed.
I would recommend going with giiro bushings for maintenance free and from I've seen since they introduced them, they've held up well.

I would stay away from TF Falcon shocks, currently have them on the JKU, they lasted about a year and the only way to perform a rebuild is to send them back to TF... long angry story lol

Call Clayton and ask which Bilstein or Rancho shock they recommend, the Bilstein that originally came with the JKU kit worked great as a daily and offroad; not for fast offroad driving though, they tend to fade fast but I suspect it would be the same with any monotube shock.
 
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Really good advise given here. Post some pics when finished of what you decide to go with. Also consider what you may want to do in the future. I went with a 3.5 lift on the JT and have 35's. Chose the 3.5 because I will regear and go to 37's eventually. Ride quality is really good for what I like and a big improvement over stock. Has both good street and off road manners but you will spend a little more up front.
 
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Thank you all for the advise! For now, I think I am going to go with a 2.5" lift. I do not see myself going to 37's. I am thinking of going with the Teraflex 2.50-Inch Coil Spring Base Suspension Lift Kit or would it be better to spend a little more and get Teraflex 2.50-Inch Sport S/T2 Suspension Lift Kit? I did not know if the front lower control arms could wait and I could buy them down the road since I would only take it offroad 2-3 days a month at most. The rest of the time it would be my daily driver. I have read that Rough Country lifts are not as good and I should stay away from them. Do yall agree with that?
 
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Alex Parham said:
Thank you all for the advise! For now, I think I am going to go with a 2.5" lift. I do not see myself going to 37's. I am thinking of going with the Teraflex 2.50-Inch Coil Spring Base Suspension Lift Kit or would it be better to spend a little more and get Teraflex 2.50-Inch Sport S/T2 Suspension Lift Kit? I did not know if the front lower control arms could wait and I could buy them down the road since I would only take it offroad 2-3 days a month at most. The rest of the time it would be my daily driver. I have read that Rough Country lifts are not as good and I should stay away from them. Do yall agree with that?
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Terrorflex is garbage. Look elsewhere. Lots of good suggestions here in this thread and none are terrorflex.
 
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