Outfitting a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with a JKS Manufacturing 3-inch JSPEC kit with 33-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers. See the full article here: www.drivingline...
Very early on wheelin' Jeeps, there were a few people who told me how sluggish their TJ got just going from 32's to 33's. So I asked to drive one of their TJ's on 33's. And boy was that thing a dog! It ran more like a 2.5l 4 banger. The low end torque was completely gone and ran like 💩, especially off the line. And since I had no plans of ever re-gearing because of the crazy expense of that AND all the other aftermarket BS required to get the rig back to riding like stock geometry - a manageable 2" lift on 32's. Above all, I wanted to maintain that great low end torque of the 4.0, so, I have only needed to get front lower adjustable control arms, the rest are fixed Detroit Axles, transfer case drop kit and that is all that's required for a 2" lift on 32's. I wanted my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn 4.0 to handle great on and especially off road, so I installed the Currectlync steering, Fox 2.0 Shox, Fox steering stabilizer, JKS q.d's and a M.O.R.E steering box brace. This modest yet very high quality build has produced the best Jeep I've ever had. Keep in mind, I am not a rock crawler, I'm an adventurer who takes the family beach wheelin, beach camping, surf fishing and in the fall we hit our favorite fishing and camping spots getting there on awesome, moderate trails. This TJ you built is excellent, love the stance and aggressive 33" tires and rims, but it needs to be regeared.
Also, that stock toothpick drag link & tie rod will not hold up with 33's, let alone 35's as you mentioned to another commenter. I've seen too many of these bent with 33's - 35's.
I was hoping for a review of how the kit feels on and off the road, this video should be titled "Installation" not "Review"! If you could let me know how it performs, that would be great! I am having the same kit installed in my '03 TJ, but with the Fox 2.0 Performance Series shocks. Thanks!
We've added bumpers and mounted our spare inside since doing the install.The Fox 2.0s are a good way to go. We don't do a lot of high-speed 'wheeling with the Jeep, so the JKS shocks work fine for our needs. Off-road, you'll find the suspension does a good job at cycling with the sway bar disconnected. The coils are not overly stiff, which is something we've experienced with other kits on the market. Overall, it's once of the softer-riding suspensions we've tested for the TJ, which is a major plus. We don't daily drive the Jeep, so our on-road impressions are more limited. We will say that given the lift height, we've considered changing the fenders and moving up to a 35-inch-tall Mud Grappler. Overall, we've been pleased with the kit on-road and off. As we get more miles on it, we will update the article.
I agree with Jordan. I installed the jks 2" kit. It performs great! Excellent articulation except you may want to get small bump stop spacers for the front if you don't want to self clearance. No drive line issues if you install it correctly! I daily drive it to work and it rides and handles well on road! My jeep had worn out stock springs so I netted 3.5" of lift at the bumpers both front and rear with the 2" kit.
have a 99 tj on 33's with this lift. But after getting it installed, this Jeep Vibrates like Crazy on offroad, its undrivable, I cant go faster than 1 mph.
Very early on wheelin' Jeeps, there were a few people who told me how sluggish their TJ got just going from 32's to 33's. So I asked to drive one of their TJ's on 33's. And boy was that thing a dog! It ran more like a 2.5l 4 banger. The low end torque was completely gone and ran like 💩, especially off the line. And since I had no plans of ever re-gearing because of the crazy expense of that AND all the other aftermarket BS required to get the rig back to riding like stock geometry - a manageable 2" lift on 32's. Above all, I wanted to maintain that great low end torque of the 4.0, so, I have only needed to get front lower adjustable control arms, the rest are fixed Detroit Axles, transfer case drop kit and that is all that's required for a 2" lift on 32's. I wanted my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn 4.0 to handle great on and especially off road, so I installed the Currectlync steering, Fox 2.0 Shox, Fox steering stabilizer, JKS q.d's and a M.O.R.E steering box brace. This modest yet very high quality build has produced the best Jeep I've ever had. Keep in mind, I am not a rock crawler, I'm an adventurer who takes the family beach wheelin, beach camping, surf fishing and in the fall we hit our favorite fishing and camping spots getting there on awesome, moderate trails.
This TJ you built is excellent, love the stance and aggressive 33" tires and rims, but it needs to be regeared.
Also, that stock toothpick drag link & tie rod will not hold up with 33's, let alone 35's as you mentioned to another commenter. I've seen too many of these bent with 33's - 35's.
I was hoping for a review of how the kit feels on and off the road, this video should be titled "Installation" not "Review"! If you could let me know how it performs, that would be great! I am having the same kit installed in my '03 TJ, but with the Fox 2.0 Performance Series shocks. Thanks!
We've added bumpers and mounted our spare inside since doing the install.The Fox 2.0s are a good way to go. We don't do a lot of high-speed 'wheeling with the Jeep, so the JKS shocks work fine for our needs. Off-road, you'll find the suspension does a good job at cycling with the sway bar disconnected. The coils are not overly stiff, which is something we've experienced with other kits on the market. Overall, it's once of the softer-riding suspensions we've tested for the TJ, which is a major plus. We don't daily drive the Jeep, so our on-road impressions are more limited. We will say that given the lift height, we've considered changing the fenders and moving up to a 35-inch-tall Mud Grappler. Overall, we've been pleased with the kit on-road and off. As we get more miles on it, we will update the article.
How do you like it with the Fox 2.0's, Jordan? I'm seriously considering this kit to replace my 2" BDS.
I agree with Jordan. I installed the jks 2" kit. It performs great! Excellent articulation except you may want to get small bump stop spacers for the front if you don't want to self clearance. No drive line issues if you install it correctly! I daily drive it to work and it rides and handles well on road! My jeep had worn out stock springs so I netted 3.5" of lift at the bumpers both front and rear with the 2" kit.
Telling us that you put the lift on your Jeep doesn't exactly constitute a review...
Simple, easy, and very effective
What is the offset of the wheels y’all used?
have a 99 tj on 33's with this lift. But after getting it installed, this Jeep Vibrates like Crazy on offroad, its undrivable, I cant go faster than 1 mph.
Sounds like you need a slip yoke eliminator. My guess is your rear driveshaft is the problem.
Did you use wheel spacers? If so what size?
Yes. We used these :www.ruggedridge.com/wheel-adapters-1-375-inch-5-x-4-5-inch-to-5-x-5-inch-15201-11.html