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  • Rock Krawler 1.5" Spring Budget Build

    When this all started, There was no 1.5" spring available for the our jeeps.

    There is a sweet spot for this level spring for people who are trying to do certain things with their trucks, but are not trying to go nuts with them.

    You can build a very cool jeep without spending a lot of money and in this thread we are going to show you how.

    Here is a picture of Black Betty, who's mods are out of control and beside her is "Lola"



    Lola is a Sport. Her owner has taken the first step by replacing her tires with the stock rubicon tires BFG KM 25575r17.

    So she's starting to look a little meaner, next we are going to put her 1.5'' RK springs in.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Rock Krawler 1.5" Spring Budget Build started by JeepLab View original post
    Comments 84 Comments
    1. Yoinkers's Avatar
      Yoinkers -
      So max size with these 1.5s is 35?

      I think it will look good, but im terrified that I will want to go bigger later.... You guys make it seem like 37s are the standard.
    1. Rexx19's Avatar
      Rexx19 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Yoinkers View Post
      So max size with these 1.5s is 35?

      I think it will look good, but im terrified that I will want to go bigger later.... You guys make it seem like 37s are the standard.
      Yoinkers you need to get on the trail in some friends lifted jeeps. I know thats not easy, as other guys may not give their keys to a rookie offroad, but ask.

      You need to get a taste of what lifts feel like, then you will be better suited to pick one.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      What shocks do you intend to install on this budget build? I am looking at a similar type of build using the 1.5" coils. I am looking at Rancho RS9000XL shocks, but not sure which length to get.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      FIRST POST!

      Welcome to JeepLab!

      I shot a message to Jeremy from rock krawler about his shock suggestions as far as size.

      A factor people don't realize is the flares. You want less down travel if you have flat flares, (more up travel), and you want more down travel if you have stock flares.

      Whats your flare situation?
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      stock flares for now, but intend to get flat flares down the road. I am running 285/75-16 falken rocky mountain atsII. Did adding the springs throw the front and rear axles off any? Trying to figure out if I should go ahead and get adjustable track bars or not.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      stock flares for now, but intend to get flat flares down the road. I am running 285/75-16 falken rocky mountain atsII. Did adding the springs throw the front and rear axles off any? Trying to figure out if I should go ahead and get adjustable track bars or not.
      Our budget build has the stock track bar.

      I don't think it needs to be changed. Alignment is always a good idea after you lift.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Im still working on the correct shock size, I got conflicting responses today. Hang in.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      any word on the correct shock sizes?
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      any word on the correct shock sizes?
      I think we are looking at a 10 inch. But hang on, Im trying to sift thru the information, as you might want to go with a longer shock because you have stock flares.

      To max out down travel.

      In that case it would be an 11 inch. Sit tight for a few more hours.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here's the answer.

      Bilsteins.

      5100s
      1.5 to 3" lift

      24-146708 fronts
      24-146715 rears
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Thanks, I hope RK changes their website. They did have the 1.5 and 2.5 using the same shocks. Looking at those travel specifications I don't think the Rancho RS9000XL's have enough travel.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      ordering the springs with shocks on Friday. How has the ride been with the stock shocks? Any noticeable difference?
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      ordering the springs with shocks on Friday. How has the ride been with the stock shocks? Any noticeable difference?
      Lola, belongs to Frank The Tank, and he got married last friday and is in the Caribbean.

      I can tell you, as Ive driven it a few times, how you like it will depend on the weight of your mod, If you have steel bumpers, and go from stock springs to RK you will LOVE it.

      Its going to be a little taller than before, and its good with the regular shocks, but you have to realize Lola, was a 09 Sport. Her shocks aren't great to start with and she drives pretty good.

      Should new shocks be on frank's list? Yes. If it was a 12 Rubi would he need to make a move? Prob not.

      The noticeable difference in Lola's case is that the truck stands up now, huge improvement from where she was coming from.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Thanks, hope Frank and his bride are having a good time. I have a rear steel bumper, but waiting on Smittybilt to get their SRC generation 2 front bumper in stores, I don't want to lose my fog lights. That will be my next purchase after the springs and shocks.
    1. Pznivy's Avatar
      Pznivy -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      Thanks, hope Frank and his bride are having a good time. I have a rear steel bumper, but waiting on Smittybilt to get their SRC generation 2 front bumper in stores, I don't want to lose my fog lights. That will be my next purchase after the springs and shocks.

      LCAs! Have I said it too much? LCA! LCA!
    1. Frank The Tank's Avatar
      Frank The Tank -
      I am back from Antigua!!!

      And regretting it every second haha

      As Ross said it is different and took me a while to get used to being taller. First move now will be to get some new shocks pronto!

      Will keep you updated
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Glad you had a good time. So the height is actually noticeable? I order my springs and shocks last week just waiting on them to be delivered. Shocks will be here today and springs are being drop shipped from RK and haven't gone out yet. Hopefully this week.
    1. HavD55's Avatar
      HavD55 -
      Hey First time poster here!

      I first want to say thank you so much for your work. I have been scouring the internet for this kind of review.

      If you don't mind i have a few questions regarding the RK 1.5" coils. First, a little back story. I have a 2013 jku that I'm looking to put a small lift on. nothing more that 2" really (my GF has a hard enough time getting in it as it is) Anyways, I do not plan on ever really going bigger than just a small coil lift just enough to fit 33's in and i dont really plan on getting a heavy bumper. I plan on upsizing to 33s once my stock tires wear out at which time i plan on upgrading to a 4.5" back spaced rim.

      I guess my main question is I have been looking at the Teraflex Performance leveling kit (coils). I am not in anyway interested in spacer lifts. But after seeing the RK 1.5" coils I'm really interested in the triple layer springs. The teraflex coil level kit is ~400$ it includes 4 springs and 2 extended sway bars. And i priced the RK coils and they are $149 per axle. so ~300$ than I can buy extended sway bars. How do they compare? Is it worth it? i know one is a level kit but they seem reasonable comparable.

      You said you don't need to upgrade shocks or really anything else for just the 1.5" rk coils and Teraflex reps say you don't need to change shocks or anything else. But non the less I have Take-off 10A rubicon shocks i picked up with 149 miles on them so you did say the rubi shocks were better with the rk coils over sport shocks.

      which would you recommend and if i go with the RK 1.5 coils would you suggest extended sway bars like the teraflex kit comes with or no?

      Im sorry if i highjacked the thread. im a newb looking for some info. anything helps!

      Thanks again!
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      I have no experience with the Teraflex kit.

      The RK kit is ment to be a lift kit, not a leveling kit.

      If you want to use the rubi shocks, they should work with either. Its going to come down to how tall you truly want to go.

      For me, the deciding factor would be that the RK kit allows 35s with cut flares. You will want 35s later... It just happens. And cut flares look great...
    1. HavD55's Avatar
      HavD55 -
      Quote Originally Posted by JeepLab View Post
      I have no experience with the Teraflex kit.

      The RK kit is ment to be a lift kit, not a leveling kit.

      If you want to use the rubi shocks, they should work with either. Its going to come down to how tall you truly want to go.

      For me, the deciding factor would be that the RK kit allows 35s with cut flares. You will want 35s later... It just happens. And cut flares look great...
      what is really the difference between a lift and leveling kit? because the level kit says it still jacks the back up about an inch.
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