Texasrugby911 wrote:
I've seen the pictures of your JBA lift. I have to say, it make the KK look awesome. How much total was the entire lift. Did you have to buy anything extra that didn't come in the kit? How difficult was it to install? and How satisfied are you with it? Any problems? Sorry for the million questions.
See the thread I referenced above on my JBA lift install. After installing a couple extra rear spring isolators per side and my front settling, I wound up with 2-2.5" of lift before adding my larger tire size (more lift at front, less at rear).
The JBA lift came with everything for the lift, although I did also purchase and install at the same time the UCAs (upper control arms). Figured while everything is apart, might as well do them both at once.
I think my thread listed the time it took for the front (hardest) and rear (easiet) lift. If you're comfortable with hand tools and working on vehicles, you can do it yourself. Someone like Digger has all the powered tools and experience to do it dramatically faster, but I tend use just hand tools, take my time, check each item mutliple times and my dad harasses me about taking too much time taking photos as I go. The worst part of the front is the replacement of the UCAs I also did at the same time as the rear bolts are really a hassle to get to.
I am extremely satisfied with my JBA (original) 2.5" lift and the experience. I've done all types of things in my KK and it handles well both off and on the street. Unfortunately Marlin came out with his adjust-a-strut lift design well after I had been using my lift. I envision I'll eventually upgrade to it for the flexibility it offers but that will be after some other mods to my KK. I've had zero problems with my JBA 2.5" lift and would highly recommend it and Marlin/JBA to anyone considering a true suspension replacement lift kit. I had contacted Marlin before installing my lift and asked what to do if I had questions over the weekend and he gave me his personal cell phone number to call him even though one of the two weekends was Mother's Day weekend. I did wind up with a small question, called him and he called me back promptly and answered my question (had to do with a recent change he'd made to UCA boot versus how the instructions were worded).
In my personal opinion, I would recommend anyone considering a KK lift evaluate all the options and figure out which lift you feel is best as well as most appropriate for how you may ever use your KK (since most people don't redo their lifts often). In my personal opinion, you'd be happier with the end results to buy the lift you decided upon, even if it meant putting off the purchase until you had the funds. Just my
Hope this helps.
Glad we could help.
