With the addition of a Jeep Wrangler lift kit, you can transform your Jeep into the ultimate off-road excursion machine by giving it increased ground and tire clearance, improved approach and departure angles for obstacles and plain and simple, a bad ass look.
Already plenty capable off-road from the factory, the Wrangler makes the perfect base for a true, out-and-out beast of an off-road rig, but you’re not going to be able to make the most of the platform without raising the suspension. Generally speaking, there are two major types of Jeep Wrangler lift kit: spacers sets, and damper/spring sets. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, with spacer kits tending to be less expensive and easier to install, and damper/spring kits offering more suspension travel and axle articulation. Which one is right for you depends on your goals and priorities as much as your budget.
To help make your shopping experience a little bit easier, we’ve put together a list of the best Jeep Wrangler lift kits on the market, encompassing options from both major categories for Jeeps from the TJ to the JK, up through the current JL.
Lead photo courtesy of Reinhardt and Co / Shutterstock
Table of contents
- 1. Best Budget TJ Lift - Rough Country 2” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler TJ 1997-2006
- 2. Best All Inclusive JKU Lift - TeraFlex 2.5” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JKU
- 3. Best Budget JL Lift - Rough Country 2.5” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU
- 4. Skyjacker 4” Jeep TJ Suspension Lift Kit with Hydro Shocks
- 5. Rough Country 2.5” Lift Kit with N3 Shocks for Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU
- 6. WULF 3” Full Lift Kit with Bilstein Shocks for Jeep Wrangler JL
1. Best Budget TJ Lift - Rough Country 2” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler TJ 1997-2006
Adding two inches of lift for your 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler has never been easier than with this high-quality Wrangler TJ lift kit from the experts at Rough Country. The kit includes leveling spacers for the front and rear of your Wrangler, laser-cut with precision for a perfect fit with all Jeep Wrangler TJ models from 1997 up through 2006, along with shock relocation brackets for the rear to keep the suspension geometry correct. No, you’re not going to get any additional suspension travel or axle articulation with this kit, but at such an affordable price and with Rough Country’s industry-leading lifetime replacement warranty, this is by far the best lift kit for Jeep Wrangler TJ if you’re shopping on a budget.
2. Best All Inclusive JKU Lift - TeraFlex 2.5” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JKU
Boasting 2.5” lift coil springs, TeraFlex’s stout 9550 VSS dampers, rear sway bar links, bump stop extensions, and a heavy-duty rear track bar axle bracket, this 2.5” Jeep Wrangler Unlimited lift kit from TeraFlex is as comprehensive as it is well put-together. It’s made specifically for the four-door JKU Wrangler, and according to the manufacturer, it supplies enough lift to accommodate tires measuring up to 35” in diameter, really opening up your options with regard to serious-duty off-road tires. Potential buyers should note that on some later (2012+) JKUs, some exhaust modifications might be necessary to ensure proper clearance, but that’s a small price to pay for so much performance.
3. Best Budget JL Lift - Rough Country 2.5” Lift Kit for Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU
“Budget” and “JL Wrangler” are two words you’ve probably never thought to put together before, but this package from Rough Country is a true Jeep Wrangler lift kit bargain for Jeep’s 2018-current JL model line. Complete with spring spacers, shock relocation brackets, sway bar links, bump stops, and hardware, this kit can deliver 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance for not very much time or effort, and while Rough Country says that’s only enough for tires up to 35” in diameter, numerous owners claim that the kit enables them to run 37s with no issues. Your mileage may vary. Best of all, this kit is practically universal across the JL lineup, fitting both two- and four-door models.
4. Skyjacker 4” Jeep TJ Suspension Lift Kit with Hydro Shocks
As one of the biggest, most well-respected names in suspension lift kits, Skyjacker has a massive following in the off-road community. As such, TJ owners will be thrilled to learn that the company offers this outstanding, affordable 4” lift pallet kit for Jeep’s beloved TJ-generation Wrangler. What you get for the money is nothing short of astonishing: coil springs, Hydro 7000 dampers, sway bar end links, lower control arms, a drop Pitman arm, and even a transfer case lowering kit. In short, it’s everything you need to give your TJ Wrangler a massive 4” lift the proper way, and two versions of the kit serve TJs from 1997 through 2002, and from 2003 through 2006, respectively.
5. Rough Country 2.5” Lift Kit with N3 Shocks for Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU
With a full 2.5 inches of lift and a smooth, factory-like ride, this package from Rough Country is one of the best Jeep Wrangler JK lift kit values around. The package includes everything you need to level your suspension front to back and gain an extra 2.5 inches of ground clearance, with high-performance N3 dampers, coil spring spacers, relocation brackets for the track bar and brake lines, and extended sway bar end links. Better still, you can couple the kit with Rough Country’s own 2.5” lift suspension leveling coil springs for more suspension travel, without giving up a smooth, factory-like ride, and still come out having spent less than you would have on some competitors’ packages.
6. WULF 3” Full Lift Kit with Bilstein Shocks for Jeep Wrangler JL
Few automotive suspension brands command the same sort of respect as Bilstein, which makes Bilstein dampers the obvious choice for this premium 3” Jeep Wrangler lift kit from Wulf. An astonishingly affordable kit for the 2018+ Wrangler JL with some Grade-A hardware included, this kit ships complete with front and rear coil springs, heavy-duty Bilstein dampers, bump stop extensions, brake line extensions, and relocation brackets for the sway bar and track bar. Wrangler Rubicon models will also require extended sway bar links, per the manufacturer, but otherwise, it’s everything you need to gain an awesome increase in ground clearance, fast.
What advantage does a lift kit offer?
This really depends on which kind of kit you get. A kit like the Skyjacker 4″ TJ Lift Kit in our list comes with springs, shocks and control arms, which will allow for an increase in suspension travel and ultimately better suspension articulation when off road. Other kits like the Rough Country 2″ suspension kit for the Jeep TJ offer additional lift for improved ground clearance and tire clearance as well but you won’t gain any additional suspension performance.
Are lift kits hard to install?
This really depends on your mechanical ability. Some kits are fairly involved and we recommend taking your Jeep to a professional for installation. Some kits only require the installation of spacers and can be done by many back yard mechanics if they have the experience.
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