One of the most common questions we get asked at 4X Store these days about 2018+ Jeep Wranglers is “How much lift do I need to run 35 or 37” tires?” Simply put, you’ll want a lift height of over 2.5” to clear your new rubber. This leads us to the next question customers ask. “What lift kit should I buy to run 35 or 37 inch tires on my JL or JLU Wrangler?”
While there are a multitude of excellent lift kits for Jeep Wrangler JL and JLU on the market, your choice should depend on what type of driver you are. Here, we’ll discuss our top three choices, and each caters to different driving needs. Every kit discussed below provides excellent, reliable, high quality components that can be counted on in a daily driver rig.
- 1 - Daily Driver/Mild Wheeler
Teraflex Jeep JL Wrangler 3.5 Inch Sport ST3 Suspension System with Falcon 2.1 Shocks - 1513321
Teraflex Jeep JLU Wrangler 3.5 Inch Sport ST3 Suspension System with Falcon 2.1 Shocks - 1513021
Our first pick is the Teraflex Sport ST3 3.5 Jeep JL Wrangler Suspension System and JLU Suspension System. This lift kit for a Jeep Wrangler JL is our number one choice for folks on a budget who need quality parts they can depend on without compromise.
The Teraflex Sport ST(Street & Trail) Suspension Systems deliver excellent street and trail performance. Teraflex designed this package to be dependable and maintenance free. This makes this lift kit our most recommended option for folks who use their rig as a daily driver and like to hit two tracks, forest roads and mild trails on occasion at the local offroad park.
The Front Control Arm Sport Brackets included with the ST3 package keep your caster in check without the expense of a control arm kit. Included Front and Rear track bars keep axles positioned correctly. This kit also includes properly sized bump stops which are important to maintaining tire clearance offroad.
Installation is simple. The ST3 suspension is a bolt on kit with no cutting, welding, grinding or required. The included Falcon Series 2.1 Monotube Shocks are a smooth riding shock engineered to work hand in hand with Teraflex coil springs.
Fitment:
Max Tire Diameter:
- 2 - Rock Crawler/Overlander/Daily Driver
Clayton Offroad Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 3.5" Premium Lift Kit- 2909035
Pick number 2 is the Clayton Offroad Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 3.5” Premium Lift Kit. The Clayton kit brings the offroad capability of your JL or JLU to the next level without sacrificing street manners. This kit has the durability needed for extreme offroad abuse and the refinement to keep your Jeep comfortable and safe on the road.
If you’re starting to get serious about offroading and you plan on playing in the rocks, this is the kit for you. Calling the Clayton Offroad Control Arms Beefy is an understatement. These 1/4” thick square tube arms are the highlight of Clayton Offroad Suspension Systems. They also carry a Lifetime Warranty against bending or breaking. The lower front and rear upper arms are bent for added tire clearance and for proper alignment joint alignment.
High quality Johnny Joints and GIIRO joint bushings allow for a smooth ride on the road with extreme offroad articulation. The GIIRO joint has bridged the gap between rubber and flex joints to create the ultimate street and offroad bushing. GIIRO joints are free pivoting, self lubricating, self centering and provide maintenance free silent operation.
Shocks are not included with the Clayton kit, but our favorite choice for a mild rig or rock crawling build are the Fox 2.0 smooth bodies. If you like Jeep playtime to be at high speed, you can pair this kit with Fox 2.5 Factory Series Reservoir Shocks.
The Clayton 3.5” kit is completely bolt on and can be installed with basic shop tools. With adjustable control arms, adjustable track bars and adjustable sway bar end links front and rear, you’ll be able to dial in your alignment with precision.
Fitment:
Max Tire Diameter:
Fox 2.0 Front Shocks - 985-24-179
Fox 2.0 Rear Shocks - 985-24-180
Fox 2.5 Front Shocks - 883-26-051
Fox 2.5 Rear Shocks 883-25-055
- 3 - I Want To Go Hard and Fast!
Pick number 3 is Evolution Manufacturings JL/JLU Wrangler 2.5” Enforcer Overland Lift. While this lift has the smallest lift height of our picks, it packs the biggest punch. With .281” thick control arms and King 2.0 Reservoir Shocks, the EVO kit is ready for go fast fun and hardcore rock crawling. This system has what your Jeep needs to do it all, and with Johnny Joints and high performance components you’ll still have a smooth reliable on-road ride.
The King 2.5 EVO Spec Shocks are built to perfectly complement the 2.5 Inch Plush Ride Lift springs included in the kit. These custom valved reservoir shocks have increased fluid capacity to keep the shocks at a cooler temperature when running at high speeds over rough terrain.
EVO’s control arms are seriously hardcore. They are made from 2.00 “ x .281” Wall DOM Tubing and massive 1-¼” Currie Johnny Joints on both ends. The joints are rebuildable and grease-able for long term reliability. With the Overland 4 Plus kit, you will get all the control arms and track bars needed to fully align your suspension.
Installation is still a straightforward bolt on affair with the EVO kit. This kit may require a bit more trimming of the front bumper to fit your desired tire size, but aftermarket winch bumpers will provide plenty of tire clearance.
Specs:
Max Tire Diameter:
