Jeep Gladiator Lift Kit and Leveling Kit Guide

A Jeep Gladiator lift kit can be a set of coil spring spacers, a front leveling kit with new springs, a complete short arm system with new shocks and control arms, or a long arm kit with weld-on frame brackets. What makes sense depends on your trim, your engine, the tire size you want and how much of your driving happens off pavement. This guide covers the JT Gladiator from 2020 on and sorts the lift and leveling options NVMOS carries.

Short answer: For a more level stance and a modest tire upgrade, a 1.5- to 2-inch leveling kit is the simplest choice. For 35-inch tires on a Sport or Overland, or 37s on a Rubicon, several vendors list a 2.5-inch kit. For 37s on a Sport or Overland, or more travel for real trail use, look at 3.5- to 4.5-inch coil spring systems or long arm kits. Check Mojave and EcoDiesel fitment first, because several kits exclude one or both.

Leveling kit, spacer lift, coil lift or long arm: what each one does

The Gladiator rides on coil springs and solid axles located by control arms and track bars, so the bigger the lift, the more those parts need to change. Our leveling kit vs lift kit guide covers the basics.

Leveling kit. Raises the front 1.3 to 2 inches so the truck sits more level. Some use spacers, others replace the front springs and shocks.
Spacer lift. Coil spring spacers on top of the factory springs, front and rear, for about 2.5 inches. The factory springs stay.
Coil spring lift (short arm). New lift coil springs, usually with new shocks, bump stops, sway bar links and an adjustable track bar. Complete systems add adjustable control arms to correct caster and pinion angle. This is where most 2.5- to 4.5-inch Gladiator kits sit.
Long arm kit. Replaces the short factory control arms with longer arms on new frame brackets. Longer arms change angle less as the axle moves, which vendors say gives a smoother ride and more articulation. Install is a bigger job.

Option	Lift (as listed)	What changes	Good fit for
Leveling kit	1.3–2 in front	Front springs or spacers, sometimes front track bar and arms	Level stance, mostly pavement
Spacer lift	2.5 in front, 2 in rear	Coil spacers, bump stop and shock extensions	35s while keeping the factory springs
Coil spring system	2–4.5 in	Springs, shocks, track bar, often control arms	35- to 37-inch tires, daily plus trail
Long arm kit	2.5–4.5 in	Long control arms, frame brackets, track bars	37s and up, serious trail use

Gladiator lift kits by trim, engine and model year

The Gladiator has one generation so far, the JT, sold from 2020 on. What matters for a lift is trim, engine and, for a few kits, model year.

Sport, Willys and Overland

Vendors list smaller tires on these trims than on the Rubicon at the same height. ReadyLIFT's 2.5" SST Lift Kit adds 2.5 inches up front and 2 inches in the rear with coil spring spacers, keeps the factory shocks and springs, and lists 35-inch tires on Sport and Overland trucks. The TeraFlex 2.5" Trail Select Sport Kit is a complete 2.5-inch system with Falcon 1.1 shocks, coil springs, caster-correcting front lower control arms and extended brake lines, and TeraFlex says it clears 35-inch tires. ICON's 2.5" Stage 2 Suspension System uses front dual rate and rear triple rate coil springs with 2.0 Aluminum Series shocks, and ICON lists 1.5 inches of rear lift.

Rubicon

Some kits lift the Rubicon a different amount. Bilstein lists its 2020–2023 B8 5100 front leveling kit at 1.9 inches on most trims but 1.3 inches on the Rubicon. ReadyLIFT lists up to 37x12.50 tires on a Rubicon with its 2.5-inch SST kit and its 4-inch Terrain Flex kits. The Eibach Pro-Truck-Lift Stage 1 kits, in +2.0 and +3.0 inch versions, list Rubicon JT fitment, and Eibach says they need extended brake lines and extended end links. If you have a non-Rubicon truck, confirm fitment before ordering.

Mojave

The Mojave comes with FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks and front hydraulic jounce bumpers, and several kits are listed as not compatible with it, including ReadyLIFT's 2.5-inch SST and both Terrain Flex 4-arm kits. ReadyLIFT's JT Gladiator Mojave Edition 4" Terrain Flex Max is built to keep the factory FOX shocks with heavy-duty shock mount extensions and adds four lower control arms, 4-inch springs, an adjustable front track bar and a rear track bar bracket.

3.0L EcoDiesel

The diesel adds weight up front, so it often needs its own springs. TeraFlex sells its ST, CT and RT systems in 3.6L and 3.0L diesel versions, and Clayton Off Road sells separate DIESEL kits, most of them listed for 2021–2023, so confirm the year range on the product page. ReadyLIFT's Terrain Flex kits are listed as not for the diesel, and the Bilstein 2020–2023 leveling kit lists the 3.6L V6 only.

2020–2023 vs 2024 and newer

Most kits here list 2020 to present, but a few split by year. Bilstein sells separate B8 5100 leveling kits for 2020–2023 and 2024–2026, and the ICON 2-inch Stage 1 system is listed for 2020–2023. Confirm your model year on the product page.

Tire sizes as the vendors list them

These are the vendors' numbers. Wheel width and backspacing change what fits, so read our wheel offset and backspacing guide before you buy wheels.

Kit	Trim	Listed tire size
Bilstein B8 5100 leveling kits	2020–2023 3.6L; 2024–2026	Up to 35 in with stock fenders
Clayton Off Road 1.5 in short arm kits	Rubicon/Mojave; non-Rubicon	35 in; 33 in
Clayton Off Road 2.5 in short arm kits	Rubicon/Mojave; non-Rubicon	37 in; 35 in
Clayton Off Road 3.5 in short arm kits	Rubicon/Mojave; non-Rubicon	39 in; 37 in
ReadyLIFT 2.5 in SST	Rubicon; Sport/Overland	37x12.50 on 10 in wide, -18 offset; 35 in on 10 in wide, 0 offset
ReadyLIFT 4 in Terrain Flex and Terrain Flex Max	Rubicon; Sport/Overland	37x12.50; 35 in
ReadyLIFT 4 in Terrain Flex Max, Mojave	Mojave	37 in on 10 in wide, 0 offset
TeraFlex 2.5 in Trail Select Sport	All JT	Up to 35 in
TeraFlex 3.5 in Trail Select Performance	All JT	Up to 37 in

Clayton Off Road says its lifts gain about half an inch to an inch or more over the advertised height, and that actual height varies with weight and accessories. TeraFlex says its 2.5-inch Performance Spacer Lift Kit needs aftermarket wheels with 4.75 inches of backspacing or less, or wheel adapters on stock wheels. On plastic-bumper models, TeraFlex says the bumper-to-fender wind deflectors need to come off to fit 35-inch or larger tires.

What else changes: track bars, caster, driveshafts and steering

Track bars. Lifting the body pulls the axles sideways. An adjustable track bar re-centers them. The TeraFlex HD Forged Adjustable Track Bar - Front is recommended for 2.5- to 6-inch lifts and adjusts from 0.5 inch shorter to 1 inch longer than stock.
Caster and control arms. Lift tips the front axle back and reduces caster, which can make steering feel light. Clayton Off Road says factory caster is about 4 degrees, that it targets 5.5, and that some setups need adjustable front lower arms to get there. TeraFlex lists caster correction as recommended on its 2.5-inch spacer kit and required on its 3.5-inch spacer kit.
Driveshafts. More lift means steeper driveshaft angles. TeraFlex's Trail Select Adventure and Performance kits include a JT driveline spacer kit to correct rear driveline angle, and ReadyLIFT recommends an aftermarket CV-style front driveshaft with its Terrain Flex kit under heavy off-road use. ICON's 0–6" Lift Front Driveshaft, w/Yoke Adapter is a double cardan shaft listed for 2020–2026 Gladiators with 0–6 inches of front lift.
Steering. Bigger tires load the drag link and tie rod harder. The TeraFlex HD Forged Drag Link Kit and HD Chromoly Tie Rod Kit pairs both for stock height up to a 6-inch lift.
Brake lines and links. Many kits over 2 inches include or require longer brake lines, bump stop extensions and sway bar links.

What to check before you order

Trim. Mojave and Rubicon fitment differs on several kits, and the Eibach Stage 1 kits list Rubicon JT fitment.
Engine. Pick the 3.6L or 3.0L diesel version where a kit offers both, and check for diesel exclusions.
Shocks included or not. Many TeraFlex kits are sold without shocks. TeraFlex says its 1.5-inch spacer leveling kit works with stock-length shocks, while its 2.5- and 3.5-inch spacer kits need longer shocks.
Base kit or full system. TeraFlex says its Coil Spring Base Lift Kits do not have the drivability of a full system and need geometry parts sold separately.
Welding and cutting. Clayton Off Road's long arm kits use weld-on frame brackets, and the TeraFlex long arm bracket kits require cutting or removing factory brackets and are not compatible with all rock sliders. The TeraFlex Alpine RT Coilover system installs without frame welding.
Weight. With a steel bumper, winch or loaded bed, look at heavier springs. Clayton Off Road offers optional HD rear coil springs for heavier gear.
Adaptive cruise. ReadyLIFT says trucks with adaptive cruise control need a zero-point calibration at the dealer after installing its Terrain Flex Max kit.

After the install: alignment, warranty and legal questions

Alignment. Any lift or level changes front geometry. Plan on an alignment soon after install, re-center the axle with the track bar first, and have the headlight aim checked.
Factory warranty. A lift does not automatically void your whole warranty, but a dealer can deny a claim on a part it believes the lift affected. Ask your dealer before you install and keep your paperwork.
Towing and payload. A lift does not raise your factory towing or payload ratings.
State rules. Lift height, bumper height, headlight height and tire coverage rules vary by state. Check yours before you go tall.

For bumpers, bed racks and the rest of the build, see our Jeep Gladiator accessories guide.

What NVMOS carries

Our Gladiator suspension comes from TeraFlex, Clayton Off Road, ReadyLIFT, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Bilstein, Eibach and FOX. A few to start with:

Leveling kits

2.5- to 3-inch lifts

3.5- to 4.5-inch lifts and long arm kits

Browse by category: Jeep Gladiator, Lift Kits, Leveling Kits, Complete Suspension Systems, Track Bars, Control Arms, Driveshafts and Steering Components. You can also shop by vehicle, check current lead times and read our vendor warranty policies.

Shop Jeep Gladiator parts →

Shop lift kits →

Frequently asked questions

What size lift do I need for 35-inch tires on a Gladiator?

It depends on the trim. Rubicon and Mojave trucks start with more fender room, so Clayton Off Road lists 35-inch tires with its 1.5-inch kits on those trims, while it lists 33s on non-Rubicon trims such as the Overland, Willys or Sport at the same height. Bilstein lists up to 35 inches with stock fenders for its B8 5100 leveling kits, and ReadyLIFT lists 35-inch tires on a Sport or Overland with its 2.5-inch SST kit. Wheel backspacing and bump stops matter as much as lift height.

Is a leveling kit or a lift kit better for a Gladiator?

A leveling kit is the simpler choice if you mostly drive on pavement and want a more even stance with a slightly larger tire. A 2.5- to 4.5-inch lift makes sense if you want 35- to 37-inch tires or more travel for trail use. Clayton Off Road says its 1.5-inch leveling kit is meant for owners who mainly stay on pavement.

Will a Gladiator lift kit fit the Mojave?

Not always. The ReadyLIFT 2.5-inch SST and Terrain Flex kits are listed as not compatible with the Mojave Edition, while ReadyLIFT's 4-inch Terrain Flex Max for the Mojave keeps the factory FOX shocks. Clayton Off Road gives Mojave tire guidance alongside the Rubicon in its short arm kits. Check the product page for your trim.

Do I need a different lift kit for the EcoDiesel Gladiator?

Often, yes. TeraFlex sells its spring-based systems in 3.6L and 3.0L diesel versions, and Clayton Off Road sells separate diesel kits, most listed for 2021-2023. ReadyLIFT's Terrain Flex kits are listed as not for the diesel, and Clayton's gas Ride Right kits say they are not intended for the diesel.

Do I need a new track bar after lifting a Gladiator?

On most lifts above about 2 inches, plan on it. A lift moves the axles sideways relative to the frame, and an adjustable track bar lets you center them again. TeraFlex recommends its HD forged adjustable track bars for 2.5- to 6-inch lifts, and many complete kits already include one.

Do I need an alignment after lifting my Gladiator?

Plan on one. A change in ride height usually changes caster and toe, so schedule an alignment soon after install and have the headlight aim checked. TeraFlex lists an alignment as required on its 2.5- and 3.5-inch spacer lift kits.

Will a lift kit void my Jeep warranty?

Not automatically, but a dealer can deny a claim on a part it believes the lift affected. Ask your dealer before you install and keep your receipts and install records.

Not sure what fits your truck? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.

October 29, 2026 — NVMOS

Tags: Bilstein Buying Guide Clayton Off Road Eibach ICON Vehicle Dynamics Jeep Gladiator Leveling Kits Lift Kits ReadyLIFT Suspension TeraFlex

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Jeep Gladiator Lift Kits and Leveling Kits: JT Buying Guide