Is The JKS 2" Lift Worth The Money?

[k1n3k]

Its right around $1200 but looks like its pretty complete, maybe too complete? I'll probably not end up installing any of the travel limiting elements as I'm staying on 31s, but having them on hand wouldn't be terrible should I decide to go to a larger tire later. Not sure about needing the adjustable track bar either... that seems like overkill for a 2" lift. Also looks like if I do get it, I'm locked on to the fox shocks. Seems the consensus is Rancho RS5000X shocks are the way to go so I'm hesitant.

So is this kit worth it or am I better off just ordering springs, disconnects, shocks and a rear track bar relocation bracket individually?

https://jksmfg.com/products/2-lift-kit-1997-2006-wrangler-tj-lj

 

[TheBoogieman]

NO! You can get BDS 2" springs and Rancho shocks for under $500.
P.S. For 31s, I'd just do a 1.25" Black Magic Brakes BL.

 

[YonderNorthwest]

I've got 2" springs and fox shocks on my rig. Ended up needing adjustable lower front control arms to get aligned. Also had to drop the T-Case about an inch. Trackbar relocation recenters the axle under your rig i think. You can notice that it's offcenter if you look close. Doesn't bother me. Might bother you.

It's subjective, but I have really enjoyed my shocks so far FWIW

 

[GATORB8]

. Also looks like if I do get it, I'm locked on to the fox shocks.

Fox standard "performance series" shocks run $900 ish a set, the only selection is the Adventure series which is the value version of that that the Fox group throws in their lifts (still Monos but steel bodied rather than aluminum), doesn't look like the JSpec Twin Tubes from the pictures are an available option on their site. The Adventure series look like they run around $400-450 a set.

 

[Feralkid]

I'm staying on 31s

No need for a suspension lift then. Get a 1.25" savvy body lift and a set of good rock sliders and you'll be gtg.

 

[GATORB8]

Y'all sure love body lifts

 

[Tronner]

Y'all sure love body lifts

Small body lifts are fine, 2-4inch body lifts are dumb and dangerous. There are valid reasons why one would want to lift the body. Tummy tuck, up travel, etc.

 

[k1n3k]

Yeah... Not doing a body lift. My stock springs are sagged out. I have a whopping 1.5" of uptravel in the front. If I'm going to be replacing the springs, I'll replace them with something that will yield a bit more travel, hence the 2" lift. Zero interest in the BL at the moment.

 

[TheBoogieman]

No need for a suspension lift then. Get a 1.25" BMB body lift

Fixed that for you.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I've got 2" springs and fox shocks on my rig. Ended up needing adjustable lower front control arms to get aligned. Also had to drop the T-Case about an inch.

That's what the installer told you to get more money. If you DIY, you'd know better.

 

[GATORB8]

Yeah... Not doing a body lift. My stock springs are sagged out. I have a whopping 1.5" of uptravel in the front. If I'm going to be replacing the springs, I'll replace them with something that will yield a bit more travel, hence the 2" lift. Zero interest in the BL at the moment.

Any future plans for more lift/tire?

 

[inkedrose]

Y'all sure love body lifts

I'm with you on this. Never liked the gap from a body lift

 

[GATORB8]

Damn, the comment about my wife disappeared before I could come up with a witty response, lol.

Once you've maxed out a short arm, I can see a Tummy Tuck making sense for breakover, but, especially as a stand alone upgrade, suspension modifications have many more benefits. More up travel for comfort in go fast, increase in overall shock travel for keeping traction articulated, increased approach/breakover/departure angles. You're also likely to end up with options for shocks to dial in a ride quality you prefer.

While it does allow for some further modifications like tummy tucks, a BL by itself does one thing, allow for larger tires when you're scared of a sawzall.

 

[k1n3k]

Any future plans for more lift/tire?

Eventually but not any time soon.

a BL by itself does one thing, allow for larger tires when you're scared of a sawzall.

Bro, I'm not that much of a caveman.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I use a pneumatic body saw. Gotta have SOME finesse

 

[JustDandee]

Its right around $1200 but looks like its pretty complete, maybe too complete? I'll probably not end up installing any of the travel limiting elements as I'm staying on 31s, but having them on hand wouldn't be terrible should I decide to go to a larger tire later. Not sure about needing the adjustable track bar either... that seems like overkill for a 2" lift. Also looks like if I do get it, I'm locked on to the fox shocks. Seems the consensus is Rancho RS5000X shocks are the way to go so I'm hesitant.

So is this kit worth it or am I better off just ordering springs, disconnects, shocks and a rear track bar relocation bracket individually?

https://jksmfg.com/products/2-lift-kit-1997-2006-wrangler-tj-lj

View attachment 646291

I bought just the springs from JKS on a Black Friday deal, bought Rancho shocks 5000x - all in I think I was at $450 or less. Definitely was significant improvement to the OEM set up. No other items were needed.

 

[k1n3k]

Another thought was maybe just do the H&R 52107 Sport Spring, its like a 1" lift and then throw some RS5000X shocks on and call it a day.

 

[GATORB8]

Another thought was maybe just do the H&R 52107 Sport Spring, its like a 1" lift and then throw some RS5000X shocks on and call it a day.

There is a chart on here of anticipated ride height you can use to compare. I’d personally go heavy to keep away the one inch itis.

Had to check the new LJ and it’s on all factory links with the garbage RC lift and seems to track fine.

As long as you do bumps when you do spring (or if you can get adjustibles). Everything else can be replaced down the road depending on your impression of the ride. I’d expect you don’t need any bump with 31s, just make sure the shocks you pick have a compressed length less than stock bump.

 

[k1n3k]

Whats the situation on the rear track bar relocation bracket, Needed or naw?
Decided to just hit it with some 2" BDS springs, RS5000X shocks and JKS sway bar disconnects. If the bracket isn't needed, I'll pass.
If it is needed, whats a good one to get?

Its a 2004 Rubicon if that makes any difference.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Whats the situation on the rear track bar relocation bracket, Needed or naw?

Its a 2004 Rubicon if that makes any difference.

TLDR; Don't overlook the fried 20+ year old control arms. And IMO yes the cheap relocation bracket is worth it.

I have an 04 Rubicon (since 04) and for a very long time ran 1.75 spring spacers plus some old pro comp springs someone gave me that were supposedly 1" lift but was probably more like .5" lift by that point. Aka damn close to 2" lift. I was in my early 20s when I bought it and didn't have unlimited funds. The front and rear were always offset by about .75" at each axle in opposite directions. The rear track bar bracket should be cheap and it corrects that for one axle.

My original RS5000 shocks were toast from age even though it only had 60k miles on it. My axle seals were leaking at the front and rear axles and after getting booted from the garage 8 years ago some rust was developing on the frame at the T-case skid. Last year turned into either time to sell it and move to something new or fix it properly. Now I'm on 2.5" springs all around, fresh shocks, adjustable track bars and adjustable control arms all around. Caster dialed in, thrust angle zero'd. It handles and rides better than when I bought it new. I'd rather not talk about how much I spent on this refresh... Honey, have you seen the price of new cars?

My dad's '06 LJ Rubi 6spd had some 1.75" spring spacers, bump stop extensions and bad shocks that came with it, stock tire size. He was the second owner (bought around '09 from his friend) and he didn't know it had been lifted but loves the jeep. He's in his upper 70s now and my mom is shorter and hated riding in the jeep. We just went the other way for him. Back to stock ride height with fresh spring pads, new RS9000xl shocks for that height and fresh stock style Moog control arms all around. There were some other things that got done including a ZJ v8 tie rod upgrade and a fresh t-case skid to resolve some rust developing at that contact point. His also now rides better than ever. All in the refresh was $1200 including the "new" freshly painted skid, 2k epoxy paint for his faded bumpers and factory rocker skids.

 

[GATORB8]

Whats the situation on the rear track bar relocation bracket, Needed or naw?
Decided to just hit it with some 2" BDS springs, RS5000X shocks and JKS sway bar disconnects. If the bracket isn't needed, I'll pass.
If it is needed, whats a good one to get?

Its a 2004 Rubicon if that makes any difference.

See how much your axle moves, there is another recent thread where it’s discussed on an OME lift and the warning is that most brackets add like 4” of height to the axle side and end up getting into lines at full stuff if you aren’t bumped enough. Recommendation there was adjustable bar.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rear-track-bar-solution.87335/#post-1802214