Lift recommendation

Well we’ve got good reports on JKS, AEV, and Teraflex. I’ll have to compare them more closely and then post more specific questions.
 
@Danarch
@Jskunk
@Cimmerian

What tires are you running on your 2.5” lift? I might like to increase the size over stock but I don’t want to have interference with flexing off-road or lose too much power being undergeared.

315/R70/17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs

Keep in mind I also have swaybar disconnects, adjustable control arms and 5.13 gears.
 
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I'm leaning toward the AEV; it has the least components and is therefore the least expensive, but if it turns out to need other components I can add them later. I'd like to avoid their Geometry Correction brackets since they would reduce ground clearance by a few inches right behind the front wheels.

It seems to me that leaving the front track bar completely stock would decenter the axle enough to cause issues, but I'm willing to take them at their word that it's not necessary for now.

it also seems that leaving the front LCAs unmodified could cause pinion angle problems for the driveshaft, but again if there're vibes I can deal with that later. By the same token, I'm a little dubious that the rear sway links can stay stock, (I have SwayLOC in the front so no problem there), but longer rear links shouldn't be too expensive.

For some reason I can't access the Teraflex site in the last couple days; there's a server issue per Cloudfare.

I want to keep the stock wheels; if I put on taller tires but keep the width around the stock 10", can I avoid spacers? E.g. 255/80/17 or even 34x10.5-17.
 
255/80/17 or even 34x10.5-17

From what I have learned from others the answer is yes. This is the route I plan on taking with mine, eventually. The other benefit of going with a 10/10.5" tire is the weight is kept to a reasonable level. As an example, Toyo Open Country ATs are ~53lbs in 255/80 and ~60lbs in 33x12.5. it doesn't sound like much but rotational weight has a large impact. You can quickly get up to ~70lbs in some of the more common wider sizes like 315/70, etc.
 
I'm leaning toward the AEV; it has the least components and is therefore the least expensive, but if it turns out to need other components I can add them later. I'd like to avoid their Geometry Correction brackets since they would reduce ground clearance by a few inches right behind the front wheels.

It seems to me that leaving the front track bar completely stock would decenter the axle enough to cause issues, but I'm willing to take them at their word that it's not necessary for now.

it also seems that leaving the front LCAs unmodified could cause pinion angle problems for the driveshaft, but again if there're vibes I can deal with that later. By the same token, I'm a little dubious that the rear sway links can stay stock, (I have SwayLOC in the front so no problem there), but longer rear links shouldn't be too expensive.

For some reason I can't access the Teraflex site in the last couple days; there's a server issue per Cloudfare.

I want to keep the stock wheels; if I put on taller tires but keep the width around the stock 10", can I avoid spacers? E.g. 255/80/17 or even 34x10.5-17.

You won’t get driveline vibrations. That starts becoming a problem with higher lifts and adjusting the lower control arms forward. Keep a close eye on the front Rzeppa joint at the transfer case. When the boot shows tearing, replace with either a high angle Rzeppa joint or a new driveshaft with a double cardan joint.

Lifting without adjustable control arms (or geometry brackets) and an adjustable track bar WILL cause the axles and caster to be off. No way around it. But, at lower lifts it’s not much so you can get away without adjustment. Personally, I would not. But, it WILL work.

I’m helping a friend with a spacer lift later this year and I told him I would only if he did the lower control arms and an adjustable track bar. I want him to be very happy with how it rides and drives. He could do the lift without those parts but he’s on his own if he does. He wants it to ride well so he’s going to take my advice. He’s going to buy all the parts gradually as he can afford it and once he has everything, we are going to do the work.
 
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