Stiletto Frequently Asked Questions

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Stilettos are designed with an integrated lift. This is why you choose a 1",1.8" or 2" variant when ordering. Because the lift is built into the control arm, you no longer need your present spacer lift and should completely remove it. You will still have a body lift equal to the variant you chose e.g. a 2" Stiletto provides 2" of body lift.

No. Stilettos are presently available only for the rear of your vehicle. You will retain your current spacers in the front.

If you currently have a lift installed, you should choose the Stiletto variant that matches your current lift. For example, if you have an MFC 2" spacer lift (which is actually closer to a 1.75" lift), get the 1.8" variant of the Stiletto. If you have the 1.5" Hazard Sky lift, get the 1" Stiletto and retain the upper Hazard Sky spacer. Or you could step up to a full 1.8" by getting the taller Stilettos and removing both Hazard Sky spacers. In all cases, if you want to increase your present lift, get the 2" Stilettos combined with our 2" class Core Spacers for the front.

You can purchase one of our complete lift systems that combine Stiletto rear control arms with our Core Front Spacer Lift System.

The Dobinsons springs are taller than the stock Cherokee springs. In order for Stilettos to properly angle the longer springs inward, they need to tilt the spring perch a bit more than the standard 2" variant does.

The bushing in question is used on the hinge-joint between the control arm and the sub-frame. The alignment cam bolt passes through this bushing. The way the Cherokee suspension is designed, the axle hub swings along an arc, front-to-back. The arc is dictated by the trailing arm, which is connected to the vehicle's frame in front of the wheel. When the suspension is at full extension, such as when the wheel comes off the ground, the rear lower control arm is pulled forward. This places a lot of stress on the hinge-joint bushing. 

The HD bushing, which is included with all variants of Stilettos, is about 50% larger than the standard bushing which we used to offer. It is much more flexible, allowing it to deal with frequent, maximum articulation better than the old bushing can. Data from the field suggests you can expect at least 25,000 miles of use if the bushing is properly maintained. 

When it's time for replacement, you can obtain new bushings from us. We even have a YouTube video showing a replacement technique that does not require full removal of the control arms.

The MFC 3" lift is achieved by combining Dobinsons springs with an MFC 2" lift (which is actually closer to a 1.75" lift). The springs are what is providing that extra inch of body lift. Thus you should get the 1.8" Dobinsons variant of the Stiletto.

On our online store, there is a drop-down menu where you have to choose the variant before adding it to your shopping cart.

Not normally, but we presently have a few sets Red Hot Chili Powder available for purchase.. The blue control arms you see in some of our promotional photos are prototypes that were just painted that color for fun. If you really want a different color, you should check out our distribution partner, HyperHero Offroad. They offer Stilettos in "Hero Blue" for a slight extra fee.

Installing Stilettos, or any other similar aftermarket enhancement, won't void your warranty. What CAN happen is that a dealer might refuse to cover a repair under warranty, claiming that the Stilettos caused the damage. Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of skill, competence and simple common sense among dealers out there, so your experience depends entirely on your dealership. Your best bet is to ask your dealership and see what they say. You might want to look at the next question, too.

Short answer, yes. It's the nature of the beast. 

If you lift a vehicle that has CV axles, any kind of vehicle (or any kind of lift), you can expect to reduce the lifespan of those axles. Taller lifts will decrease their lifespan by more than shorter lifts do (which is why the 1" Stilettos are an attractive option). How much shorter the lifespan depends on so many factors that we cannot provide a precise answer.

Other components that may be affected by Stilettos are shocks, bushings and wheel bearings. All of these may experience a shortened lifespan due to the increase in unsprung weight. Again, there are too many factors at play to predict how the lifespan of these components will be shortened. 

As a point of reference, Rocinante (the blue Jeep featured on our home page) has had some form of Stiletto installed for over 68,000 miles before requiring a CV axle replacement. 

All Gleaming Alloy products are warranted to be free from defects, in materials or workmanship, for one year after receipt by the customer. Should any component fail (or begin to fail) due to such a defect, it will be replaced free-of-charge within the one-year warranty period. Defects are not to be confused with damage or normal wear and tear. Determination of such defects is made at the sole discretion of Gleaming Alloy Fabrication, Inc.