2012 Rubicon - 3" Lift Installed

[JakeMate]

Just bought a '12 Rubicon in silver. Coming from a 2000 Grand Cherokee (WJ) on Clayton Long Arms. So far I love the Rubicon.

Although I installed the Clayton long arm kit myself, I opted to have a shop install the BDS 3" lift on the Rubicon. The price was too hard to beat. I opted for some Mickey Thompson Classic II Black rims and Toyo MT's.

Adjustable lower control arms need to go on to increase the caster. I opted out of the cam bolts for the OEM control arms.

Before lift:

After lift (sorry for the crappy pic - early in the morning at work):

 

[Warn Industries]

Lookin' good.
- Andy

 

[JPK]

Before you swing for the adjustable lower control arms, take a look at AEV's front control arm relocation brackets.

They correct caster, greatly improve ride and also resolve the pinion angle issue. The brackets reposition the frame side mounting points of the upper and lower arms and the changed relationship restores caster and on droop reduces pinion angle, the opposie of what happens with oem or adjustable arms. The verticle movement of the front driveshaft is reduced enough that the Rzeppa joint will remain within its range.

(BTW, With any lift the driveshaft on 2012's will interfere with the exhaust cross over pipe. Teraflex has an inexpensive and inovative fix...)

The brackets also significantly reduce brake dive and some say improve cornering.

The negative is about 1.5" lower frame side mount for the lower control arm - but that puts it squarely where a long arm would be...

Best of all, the brackets are cheap at $99 the pair.

BTW, AEV's Pro Cal works great to correct for tire size or gearing changes, etc...

Congrats on the Jeep!

JPK

 

[JakeMate]

Before you swing for the adjustable lower control arms, take a look at AEV's front control arm relocation brackets.

They correct caster, greatly improve ride and also resolve the pinion angle issue. The brackets reposition the frame side mounting points of the upper and lower arms and the changed relationship restores caster and on droop reduces pinion angle, the opposie of what happens with oem or adjustable arms. The verticle movement of the front driveshaft is reduced enough that the Rzeppa joint will remain within its range.

(BTW, With any lift the driveshaft on 2012's will interfere with the exhaust cross over pipe. Teraflex has an inexpensive and inovative fix...)

The brackets also significantly reduce brake dive and some say improve cornering.

The negative is about 1.5" lower frame side mount for the lower control arm - but that puts it squarely where a long arm would be...

Best of all, the brackets are cheap at $99 the pair.

BTW, AEV's Pro Cal works great to correct for tire size or gearing changes, etc...

Congrats on the Jeep!

JPK

Thanks for the tip. I haven't seen these. They look like a great solution. I need to measure the distance between my axle and the frame to see if the brackets will work with my lift.

 

[JPK]

Close has been fine for some Aussies who aren't allowed to have the lift heights we are. You will find some post from the Aussies on the AEV site. (Or a set of +/-1" spacers from a leveling kit.)

 

[JakeMate]

The AEV brackets have a requirement that the measurement below must fall between 7 and 9 inches. Mine is at 5.75" So I don't think I'll be able to use them.

I guess the BDS 3" lift is on the short side compared to AEV's 3.5" lift.

I guess I'll have to use control arms. That stinks, because I like the concept of the brackets.

 

[JakeMate]

I installed the Rough Country control arms last night. They're built pretty well for the cost. My caster went from 3.5 degrees to 6.5 degrees. It made a big difference in the steering. I was only able to take it for a short test drive because it was pouring out last night but the twitchiness seemed to be gone and there was less harshness over the stutter bumps. Lengthening them even a little bit seems to make a big difference in the ride quality.

I think a fender trim and front bumper/winch are next.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I installed the Rough Country control arms last night. They're built pretty well for the cost. My caster went from 3.5 degrees to 6.5 degrees. It made a big difference in the steering. I was only able to take it for a short test drive because it was pouring out last night but the twitchiness seemed to be gone and there was less harshness over the stutter bumps. Lengthening them even a little bit seems to make a big difference in the ride quality.

I think a fender trim and front bumper/winch are next.

Keep a close eye on the joint ends, I know several people who had issues with the RC arms and ended up having to completely replace the joints with upgraded units.

 

[JakeMate]

Thanks for the heads up. At least they're very easy to rebuild.

 

[chicken corners]

Looks great!!!! I would just get the control arms.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

track bar

I would add the track bar too. I just did the OMe lift with the terra flex track bar and lower control arms it is very nice. I have an o8 rubi 4 door