Jakes Lift Kit Review

Quick verdict: Jakes is one of the oldest and most respected lift kit brands, American-made since 1997 with a reputation for quality welds and strong designs. Its A-arm kits in particular are well-liked. The honest caveat is that some owners have reported issues with the budget drop-axle kits — notably tie-rod problems — so choose the right Jakes kit for your build and follow the install carefully.

01 // What Jakes offers (and costs)

Jakes Lift Kits has been making bolt-on lift kits for Club Car, EZGO, and Yamaha since 1997, using ductile iron and known for clean welds and solid engineering. The lineup spans drop-spindle/drop-axle kits and premium A-arm kits, roughly 3–6 inches. Pricing typically runs $300–$800 depending on type and model. Model-specific fitment matches the exact bolt pattern and geometry of your cart, which keeps alignment in spec after install.

Jakes’ long history and American manufacturing are genuine selling points, and its A-arm kits are widely regarded as among the strongest available.

02 // What owners actually say

Most Jakes owners are satisfied, citing quality welds, durable A-arm kits, and good fitment. But honesty requires noting a documented complaint: an owner who installed a Jakes 5-inch drop-axle kit on a 2004 EZGO reported the tie rod snapping after only about 30 miles. The criticism is that the wider lift axle should ship with a longer tie rod, but owners are left adjusting the short stock tie rod with almost no thread engagement — a real safety concern if overlooked.

The practical takeaway from Cartaholics forum discussion is to favor the stronger A-arm kits for serious use, double-check tie-rod thread engagement on drop-axle installs, and not cut corners on steering components after lifting. Done right, Jakes kits perform well; done carelessly, the drop-axle steering geometry is where problems show up.

03 // The honest trade-offs

• Heritage & build:  American-made since 1997, quality welds, strong A-arm kits.
• Fitment:  Model-specific kits keep alignment in spec.
• Drop-axle caveat:  Reported tie-rod thread/length issues on some drop-axle kits.
• Install care needed:  Verify steering components after lifting.

04 // Choosing the right Jakes kit for your build

Jakes splits cleanly into two families, and matching the right one to your use is the whole game. The drop-spindle/drop-axle kits (typically 3–5 inch) are lighter, cheaper, and fine for a mild street or turf lift where you just want clearance for slightly larger tires — but they alter steering geometry, which is exactly why the tie-rod thread engagement matters. The A-arm kits cost more but add real suspension travel and articulation, making them the right call for off-road, hunting, beach, or any aggressive build that will see ruts and rough ground.

A simple rule: if your cart lives on smooth surfaces and you want looks plus a modest tire bump, a drop kit installed carefully is enough; if it will work for a living off pavement, spend up for the A-arm. Either way, pair the lift with sensibly sized tires — oversizing both the lift and the tires compounds the center-of-gravity and steering-effort downsides that owners most often complain about.

04 // Is the Jakes lift kit worth it for you?

Worth it if: you want a proven, American-made lift — especially one of Jakes’ stronger A-arm kits — and you will install it carefully with attention to steering components.

Be cautious if: you are eyeing a budget drop-axle kit; verify the tie-rod fitment and thread engagement, or consider an A-arm kit (Jakes or MadJax) for a more robust steering setup.

Compare lift types in drop spindle vs A-arm, size tires with the lift & tire fitment chart, and weigh the alternatives in our MadJax lift kit review.

05 // The bottom line on the Jakes lift kit

Jakes is a heritage lift brand with genuine strengths — decades of American manufacturing, clean welds, and A-arm kits that owners trust for hard use. The fair, honest caveat is the drop-axle line, where reported tie-rod issues mean you must verify steering fitment carefully during install. Choose the stronger A-arm option for serious builds, pay attention to the tie-rod thread engagement on any drop-axle kit, and Jakes is a quality, worthwhile lift; treat the steering components casually and the drop-axle kits are where trouble can appear.