Are you thinking about lifting your Jeep JK Wrangler but don’t know where to start? That’s not surprising, given the wide variety of kits and parts available. Whether you’re a new or experienced Jeep owner, it can be difficult to choose the right setup. 

That’s why we’ve put together a short guide featuring three different performance levels, which we’ll be presenting in three posts over three days. Stay tuned, and you’ll get a good sense of what’s right for you! 

We often receive—and are happy to answer—questions from Jeep owners who want to take their pride and joy to the next level. The first questions we always ask in return are how you plan to use your Jeep and what your budget is. Are you primarily looking for a certain look, or do you want to make the vehicle more capable off-road? Is it a daily driver, an overlander, or an uncompromising off-roader? 

We hope these three examples will help you navigate the Jeep jungle. If they raise more questions than they answer, just reach out—we love talking about Jeeps!

Level 1: Style & Budget-Friendly (1.5"–2.5" lift)

Level 2: Overlanding, light off-roading, and an improved daily driver (2.5"–3.5" lift)

Level 3: Uncompromising off-road performance and the best possible on-road handling (3.5”–4.5” lift)

Level 1: Style & Budget-Friendly (1.5"–2.5" lift)

• Best for: New Jeep owners and daily drivers looking for a price point that won’t break the bank.
• Lift height: 1 .5 "–2.5"
• Tire size: Fits 33" to 35" tires
• What’s included: Durable coil spacers, shock extension mounts, and brake line relocation kits.
• Why you’ll love it: You get to keep your factory-installed original springs and shocks. The lift is achieved using coil spacers, shock extension mounts, and brake line adjustment kits. The lift height and tire size are similar to a much more expensive kit, but at a fraction of the cost. 
• Installation time: DIY-friendly if you have tools and are generally handy. Can be installed at home in a few hours in your garage. Or we’d be happy to help you with a professional installation. 

A good example of a Level 1 kit is Rough Country’s 2.5” Lift Kit RC656.

Level 2: Overland & Off-Road (2.5"–3.5" lift)

• Best for: Light off-roading, overlanders, and daily drivers looking for improved ride comfort.
• Lift height: 2.5"–3.5"
• Tire Fit: Accommodates 35" to 37"
• What’s Included: Longer springs and higher-quality shocks than stock. Rear track bar correction for improved comfort. Extended sway bar ends for better cornering, plus extended bushings.
• Why you’ll love it: Noticeably better handling than stock; overlanders will love how effectively the kit absorbs washboard roads and counteracts body roll in corners. The Jeep won’t be out of its element off-road either, and there’s plenty of room to test its limits.
• Installation time: Slightly more advanced than Level 1 but easily doable in a day for someone with average mechanical skills. If you’re not that handy, just let us know and we’ll handle the installation.

A classic example of a Level 2 kit is the Teraflex 2.5” Spring Lift (1351000) combined with Bilstein 5100 shock absorbers.

Level 3: Uncompromising off-road performance and the best possible on-road handling

• Best for: Hardcore off-roaders and overlanders on expeditions.

• Lift height: 3.5" to 4.5"
• Tire size: 35 to 40 inches
• What’s included: In short , the entire suspension is replaced with significantly better and stronger parts. Front and rear track bars, as well as eight new control arms, are included for full adjustability of driveline angles and caster. Suspension geometry and components that far exceed the factory parts. 
• Why you’ll love it: More than one customer has described the experience as “go-kart-like” compared to the old parts. Well-engineered components, such as control arm bushings and shock mounts, contribute to extreme flex for off-road capability and on-road comfort.
• Installation time: Installation is advanced, not because it’s difficult to bolt parts on and off, but because there are several adjustments that need to be set correctly. That said, many of our customers have done the installation themselves with excellent results. Expect to spend two days in the garage. 

There’s really only one brand that checks all the boxes for a Level 3 kit, and that’s Metalcloak. Their Gamechanger kit outperforms the competition by a mile in terms of both how complete it is and the high quality of its parts. We recommend pairing it with Falcon’s 3.3 reservoir shocks, which won’t lose their performance even on the toughest overlanding expeditions.