So... I'm getting conflicting statements as I research what type of lift to go for. I want a 2-3" lift on my 2011 JKSU (actually 3" in front and 2" in rear to level the factory rake). My question is which type of lift will be most likely to preserve stock ride characteristics on road - spacer OR coil lifts??
I would classify my offroading as moderate.

 

Hi
It a choice we all have to make for for our self
I after about a year of reading and then reading some more
went with the coil and shock lift I felt that was what I wanted for my jeep.
and after holding the stock coil and shock in my hands and the difference between
the two in size and weight, I glad I went with the switch. I have no concern about adding weight to the front or back of my jeep exp.. bumpers, winch, and then throw on a trailer, the new stuff will take it with easily
Good Luck with your choice

Bob
2010 JKU Sahara Jeep Green, Mopar Black Fuel Door
Uniden Pro 520XL CB / 48” Firestik II, SuperChips Flashpaq
Toyo Open Country MT 285-75R17 (34”x11.5”), DCII Wheels(17x9)
OME 2” HD Lift, Black Screen behind Grill

 

All about the lift u choose. Stay with the good mainstream companies and stay away from the cheap nobodies. Terra flex has a nice spacer lift that has shock extensions and should keep your ride real close to stock and levels it out 1\2". They sell the kit with or without the shock extensions, with the extensions u will stay in the factory valve settings of your shocks and keep all your flex. Without extensions u will save around 80 bucks but your shocks will be extended the distance of the spacer farther then there stock setting. On a rubi or Sahara with extended gas shocks this shouldn't hurt your flex that much but "could" affect your ride It is also fairly cheap 350ish with extensions. A coil lift replaces your coils, depending on the kit
(Ome coil kits seem to be popular), your ride could even improve and your offroad flex could improve. Of course coil kits are more expensive 500-1000 for 2-3". As with most things u get what u pay for in a lift. Read around on the forums and see which one suits u best, thats why there is so many......everyone wants something different.
Enjoy your jeep!!!!!

 

I went with the Teraflex spacer kit... and I love it so far!!! Thanks for the advice.

 

The beauty of the TF spacer kit is that at any time you can replace the spacers and stock springs with 2.5" lift springs and still maintain your handling..

 

I went with the TF spacer kit and regretted it the moment I drove away after completing the install. I couldn't tolerate the rough ride. I decided to go with the AEV 2.5" dual sport suspension and love it.

 

That's surprising since none of the original components are removed. There is no reason the ride would be rougher then stock. Mine rode exactly the same, my daughters spring lift on the other hand rides really rough.

 

To me a spacer lift would ride rougher due to the fact that the shocks are now extended further, rear axle out of alignment, etc. I had a 2003 Liberty that I had installed a spacer lift on and found the same thing happened. Perhaps my idea of a rough ride is different than that from others however anyone that was in my Jeep when I had the spacer lift and now the AEV kit all same the same thing. It is night and day. My wife refused to go out in the Jeep when the spacer kit was installed.

 

The Teraflex kit I chose has shock extensions and bumpstop extensions... It rides identical to stock. The shocks are in the exact same part of their travel so there is no physical reason for any difference.The sway bar link is even extended. With the solid axle design of real jeeps (ie wranglers) the only difference is the space between the axle and the frame.

 

The terraflex kit isn't just a spacer lift, as in 4 spacers. It has all the parts of a regular lift, just uses spacers instead of new springs, and extensions instead of new shocks. I think we can all agree that the $350 TF lift is not as good as a $1200-$1600 AEV lift. Not everyone wants to spend that much nor are they doing the Rubicon every weekend to need it, not to mention the harder install. This is why they don't make just 1 lift kit, everyone has different wants and needs. There is also a question of warranty, and alot of dealers are ok with a spacer lift and keeping stock springs and shocks. Some of coarse may not but u stand a better chance if u haven't changed everything.