The Gladiator JT shares its front suspension architecture with the Wrangler JL/JLU — which means many of the same lift kits and shocks apply. If you're building out your JT Gladiator or a Wrangler JL/JLU, these are the suspension upgrades worth your money.
6 Best JL/JLU/JK/JKU Suspension Upgrades Available at Bull Strap
B8 5100 1.5in Suspension Lift Kit — Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 4DR (2018–2023)
A complete 1.5-inch lift kit engineered for JL/JLU 4-door Wranglers. Bilstein's monotube design delivers consistent damping on and off road. Includes front and rear shocks sized for proper JL/JLU geometry.
4.5in Lift Kit with RRD Shocks — Jeep Wrangler JL 2DR / JLU 4DR (2018+)
Rock Krawler's full 4.5-inch kit covers both JL 2-door and JLU 4-door. The RRD shocks are specifically tuned for this lift height — geometry is correct, not an afterthought. Designed for 35-37" tire fitment.
3in Lift Kit — Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 4dr (2018+)
Zone Offroad has built a loyal following for their straightforward, well-priced lift kits. This 3-inch system for JL/JLU 4-door is everything you need, nothing you don't. Great for 33–35" tires.
2.5 Performance Series Front Shock — Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 3.5–4in Lift (2018+)
Fox's 2.5-inch Performance Series shocks are the upgrade of choice for Wrangler builders who already have a lift and want to dramatically improve ride quality. The IFP design runs cooler on long trail runs.
RS7MT Shock — Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU (2018–2021)
Rancho's RS7MT shocks are tuned for the on-road/off-road balance most JL and JLU owners actually need — not pure rock-crawling, not pure pavement. Great fit for DD Wranglers that see occasional trails.
1000 Air Spring Kit — Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 2WD/4WD (2018–2025)
Air springs for the JL/JLU that keep your Wrangler level when towing or loaded down. Air Lift's 1000 series is the entry point — simple helper springs that prevent squat without destroying ride quality empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between JL and JLU suspension upgrades?
- The JL is the 2-door Wrangler, the JLU is the 4-door Unlimited. Most lift kits list both — the geometry is similar but wheelbase-specific spacers or length-matched shocks are sometimes different. Always verify the kit specifies your configuration. All products on this page cover JL and JLU unless noted.
- Do these kits work on JK and JKU Wranglers (2007–2018)?
- The JK/JKU (2007–2018) use different suspension geometry than the JL/JLU (2018+). Products listed here are verified for JL/JLU. Many brands have separate JK/JKU versions available at Bull Strap — search your year/model directly.
- What tire size can I run with a 3-inch lift on a JL or JLU?
- A 3-inch lift on a stock-width Wrangler JL/JLU will typically clear 33-inch tires with minimal trimming. 35-inch tires usually require 3.5–4.5 inches of lift plus some fender trimming. The Rock Krawler and Zone kits on this page are sized appropriately for their recommended tire ranges.
- Why buy suspension from Bull Strap instead of a parts warehouse?
- Bull Strap is an authorized Turn 14 distributor carrying 96,000+ performance parts. Turn 14 is one of the largest performance aftermarket distributors in the USA — you're getting real, warranted product (not gray-market) with knowledgeable staff who actually build Jeeps.
- Does Air Lift work on a 4WD Wrangler JL or JLU?
- Yes — the Air Lift 1000 kit listed here is confirmed for JL and JLU in both 2WD and 4WD configurations for 2018–2025 model years.