2012 Jeep Wrangler Lift kit install

[Dustoff35]

My wife's 2012 Jeep JK Wrangler.  We bought it new and it is factory stock with the exception of a M.O.R.E. dead pedal.  No Rubicon or Sahara package, just the Sport model with the ugly steel wheels and the stock tires.  I was determined to wear out the tires before we put on a lift kit, new wheels and tires.

[Dustoff35]

285/75R-16 BFG AT tires mounted on matte-black Pro-Comp alloy wheels

[Dustoff35]

Pro-Comp's "Complete" 2-1/2 inch kit.

More about just how "Complete" their kit is later...

[Dustoff35]

Rear springs.

[Dustoff35]

Front spacer install.

[Dustoff35]

Shock and spring install.

[Dustoff35]

Pro-Comp's "Complete" 2-1/2 inch kit includes a rear axle trac-bar relocation bracket.  No provisions to re-locate the front axle trac-bar are included with the kit.  Once everything is bolted in, settled and torqued, The front axle is off-set towards the driver's side an inch to an inch and a half.

I called Pro-Comp's tech line and after a few transfers got one of the guys in engineering.  He told me he: "Never heard of that happening before.  Everything should bolt in and align just fine…" 

"Well it doesn't.  I'm going to have to add an adjustable front axle trac-bar in order to center the axle." 

"Well, gee, we do sell those you know."

"You guys advertise this as a COMPLETE KIT.  If I have to order a trac-bar in addition, it isn't exactly COMPLETE now, is it?"

Fortunately, Summit Racing was able to get an adjustable trac-bar to me by 1000 hrs the next day.  I did not buy a Pro Comp trac-bar.  I will not purchase Pro Comp again.

[Flyin6]

Hey Bro, throw up a pic of the finished product.

It looks right to me, not too tall, and not stock and squatty

[Dustoff35]

I installed the Rubicon Express adjustable trac-bar the next day and drove the jeep to my local Tire Discounters.

Caster would not come in.  After a discussion with their lead tech and a quick internet search, we determined that I also needed a pair of adjustable upper or lower control arms.  Again, Pro Comp fails to deliver on their "Complete" lift kit.

Summit Racing was able to get a pair of Rubicon Express adjustable LCA's to me by 1000hrs the next day. 

[Dustoff35]

Hey Bro, throw up a pic of the finished product.

It looks right to me, not too tall, and not stock and squatty

Patience, Bro, patience...

[Dustoff35]

Here is a shot of the Rubicon Express adjustable LCA's next to the stockers.

[Dustoff35]

After installing the LCA's, another trip to Tire Discounters.  Success!!!

[cudakidd53]

Drives ya nuts when you get something "complete" and you have to figure out how to make "direct bolt on" fit in some indirect manner!  Especially when you have a fixed amount of time to dedicate to the Vehicle being down and it becomes double or triple!

[Dustoff35]

Drives ya nuts when you get something "complete" and you have to figure out how to make "direct bolt on" fit in some indirect manner!  Especially when you have a fixed amount of time to dedicate to the Vehicle being down and it becomes double or triple!

Exactly.  The beloved Jeep is my wife's daily-driver and she was not happy that it was down for three days instead of one.  Of course, MY FAULT !!!

[Dustoff35]

Here it is, finished and drivable.

[BobbyB]

So how are the shocks in that kit? And how were the stock ones?

[Dustoff35]

So how are the shocks in that kit? And how were the stock ones?

The ride is now considerably more harsh than stock.  No denying that. 

I would have to say before the lift, the Jeep rode like a car, now it rides like a truck.

Visual inspection during the install revealed that there had been regular contact between the bump-stop and the axle prior to the lift kit installation.  Than's not the case anymore.

[BobbyB]

The ride is now considerably more harsh than stock.  No denying that. 

I would have to say before the lift, the Jeep rode like a car, now it rides like a truck.

Visual inspection during the install revealed that there had been regular contact between the bump-stop and the axle prior to the lift kit installation.  Than's not the case anymore.

Well, I WAS looking at the ProComp lift... but I think I shall pass. Maybe just piece one together or, even stay stock!  :o

[Dustoff35]

By the time I added in all the extra parts to my "Complete" Pro Comp lift kit, I could have purchased an actual Complete kit from a better manufacturer.

[cudakidd53]

By the time I added in all the extra parts to my "Complete" Pro Comp lift kit, I could have purchased an actual Complete kit from a better manufacturer.

That's infuriating to say the least- how's Mrs. Duane like the modifications?  She either likes trucks or your getting her used Jeep?!  :o

[Dustoff35]

She likes the way it looks and would rather drive a truck or SUV than a car.  Misses the softer ride a little but has been wanting bigger tires since she got the jeep.  She is tall enough to handle getting in and out OK.  We may put on rock rails with steps.  Her mom struggles a little getting in and out. 

[JR]

Funny I have heard that alot about Pro Comp.

Sure looks so much better now. Have you played with tire pressure yet? Are other shocks an option at all? Kits tend to be over shocked from what I have seen.

I never run full air pressure. Heck I used to run about 28 lbs in my old Jimmy. It makes a huge difference in the ride.

I have tended to put my own kits together then buy my shocks to suit. Just got a Cognito front lift for my 2500hd, the rest will come as installed.

[Dustoff35]

I have read that ride improves if you replace the shocks on this lift kit but I'm not to that point.  The ride isn't kidney-damaging at this point, just noticeably stiffer than stock.

I'll try dropping the tire air pressure a bit and see what that does for us.

 

[Flyin6]

These guys are so right. Dropping the tire pressure from 65 to 60 made all the difference in that caddy like Silverado of mine

BTW guys, you wouldn't believe the summer sausage this guy and Dan the man made last week...Awesome

[Nate]

sounds to me like there could be an option for duane to make a little money selling his summer sausage in the vendor jungle.............?

[Flyin6]

Good idea! He can kill off some of that herd of deer I have eating my farm alive!

[Dustoff35]

BTW guys, you wouldn't believe the summer sausage this guy and Dan the man made last week...Awesome

It was Nate's recipe with a few slight modifications.  I'll post more on it in the recipe's section under venison summer sausage 2nd batch...

[cudakidd53]

Duane taking bids on a jalapeño cheddar stick to help the homeless?

[Dustoff35]

Look at all this DOT activity...   :o

Tire pressure is down to 25 all the way around.  Still rides the same.  Maybe hanging a winch onto the front of it will soften things up a bit. ;D

[KensAuto]

Winch with 1/4" plate to box the front section, and a super heavy rear bumper would make it ride like a caddy.