Very Very Torn on Lifts! XJ
- Thread starter JohnXDoe
- Start date
katuah
Adventurer
First off, I have to agree with those who are incredulous that you'd buy the tires before getting on the lift. By far, the best thing to do is get the lift you want and then choose the tires to go with it.
I have the 4.5" Rough Country kit. It actually netted more lift than I expected, but I feel sure it will fade off some as it gets broken in. Mine came with full leafs and longer lower control arms, but did NOT come with an adjustable track bar - I bought one and added it, as I didn't want to re-drill the mounting hole. I need to get a SYE. The ride is very stiff, but I've heard if you upgrade your shocks you can improve it greatly, so it's on my list. I don't expect it to drive/ride like a car, though, and am fine with not having long arms, etc. I would not hesitate to buy RC stuff again, as I think I got good value for the $$. Since I've never owned any of the other three I can't tell you more than their reputations among those Jeepers I know.
I was running 32s, but opted for 31s when I replaced them last, for cost as well as for being able to find replacements more easily. Knowing how I plan to use it, I would not want to try to fit 32s under a lift much shorter than this - it would certainly involve trimming for me. However, many folks do run that large & larger on short lifts, and trim, and love it. NAXJA has some great writeups on how to do fender trimming that looks "stock" if you take your time.
Certainly, there are benefits to only running 3" - probably will never need an SYE, lower CoG - and in the end, the combination you select should be based around how/where you drive. I will agree with those who have said NO BLOCKS, though. Blocks on an XJ is just asking for axle wrap. Also to echo others - If you get a 3" lift and discover you want more, you can add shackles & a coil spacer to get to 4"-4.5" pretty fast (and cheap). If you get 4.5" right off the bat, you are stuck with being that tall until you can buy other parts. Just some thoughts. Good luck!
I have the 4.5" Rough Country kit. It actually netted more lift than I expected, but I feel sure it will fade off some as it gets broken in. Mine came with full leafs and longer lower control arms, but did NOT come with an adjustable track bar - I bought one and added it, as I didn't want to re-drill the mounting hole. I need to get a SYE. The ride is very stiff, but I've heard if you upgrade your shocks you can improve it greatly, so it's on my list. I don't expect it to drive/ride like a car, though, and am fine with not having long arms, etc. I would not hesitate to buy RC stuff again, as I think I got good value for the $$. Since I've never owned any of the other three I can't tell you more than their reputations among those Jeepers I know.
I was running 32s, but opted for 31s when I replaced them last, for cost as well as for being able to find replacements more easily. Knowing how I plan to use it, I would not want to try to fit 32s under a lift much shorter than this - it would certainly involve trimming for me. However, many folks do run that large & larger on short lifts, and trim, and love it. NAXJA has some great writeups on how to do fender trimming that looks "stock" if you take your time.
Certainly, there are benefits to only running 3" - probably will never need an SYE, lower CoG - and in the end, the combination you select should be based around how/where you drive. I will agree with those who have said NO BLOCKS, though. Blocks on an XJ is just asking for axle wrap. Also to echo others - If you get a 3" lift and discover you want more, you can add shackles & a coil spacer to get to 4"-4.5" pretty fast (and cheap). If you get 4.5" right off the bat, you are stuck with being that tall until you can buy other parts. Just some thoughts. Good luck!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
RC has been good to me... I don't have a full RC lift, but a mix-n-match that I did myself over time. If I were to do it again, I would opt for the full RC lift and the 2.2 shocks. I am running the short arm X Flex LCA's with BDS 3" coils up front and I replaced the stock isolator with 1.5" energy suspension spacers. I just replaced the steering damper with a 2.2 as well...very nice stuff. I bought some custom leaf springs locally with some extended shackles, I tow a trailer as well and wanted 3.5-4" lift with an overload leaf for towing. Sadly the leafs have sagged a little, and I am sitting lower than I was and should be.
All that said, I would go for the RC 4.5" full kit with the 2.2 shocks which in my opinion ride very nice... or I would up it to the 4.5" Long Arm kit...so nice.
I run the Hankook MT (RT03) in a 31x10.5x15 on 3.75"BS wheels (8" wide) and the rub on the fenders at flex now. I would next time get 4.5" BS wheels at 7" wide, I love the look of my wheels, but I need to bump stop the heck out of it or risk impromptu trail side tire caused body modifications!!
Oh, and you will almost certainly require an SYE. I was sitting at 3" and my drive-line growled like Panzer. I popped in an Advanced Adapters SYE with a rebuilt front DS and it was like night and day.
Bottom line, buy a good quality lift, get the height you need for the way you drive and where you drive it. I think RC has come a long way, and IRO is also a good choice, you likely couldn't go wrong with either of those.
For reference...
All that said, I would go for the RC 4.5" full kit with the 2.2 shocks which in my opinion ride very nice... or I would up it to the 4.5" Long Arm kit...so nice.
I run the Hankook MT (RT03) in a 31x10.5x15 on 3.75"BS wheels (8" wide) and the rub on the fenders at flex now. I would next time get 4.5" BS wheels at 7" wide, I love the look of my wheels, but I need to bump stop the heck out of it or risk impromptu trail side tire caused body modifications!!
Oh, and you will almost certainly require an SYE. I was sitting at 3" and my drive-line growled like Panzer. I popped in an Advanced Adapters SYE with a rebuilt front DS and it was like night and day.
Bottom line, buy a good quality lift, get the height you need for the way you drive and where you drive it. I think RC has come a long way, and IRO is also a good choice, you likely couldn't go wrong with either of those.
For reference...
So I've emailed IRO and Rough Country to see if they can "tailor" a lift to my needs. Haven't heard back yet. I'm thinking of just going with a 4.5" kit with full leafs, adjustable track bar, and a SYE right off the bat. Both of their kits come with Lower Control arms and I'm thinking of upgrading the shocks to either Bilsteins or OME. We'll see what they say when I hear back from them. Also really been looking at the RE lifts but don't know the difference between their Super Flex and Super Ride? I'm still torn it'll probably end up being just whatever company can give me the best overall deal. If I order from IRO I can get everything from them: Lift, SYE, RHD track bar. Where as everyone else I'll probably still Buy the SYE and RHD track bar from IRO. Let me know what you guys think!
Manufacturers sell "kits" for which you pay for inches. They have a vasted ($) interest in selling inches. All vehicles are somewhat different, so you may not get the inches you pay for. It will also likely take a set (sag) after a few months, the amount most likely dependent on the quality of the parts. Vehicle mods and load will result in different heights than advertised. A "3.5" kit" may give you 3.5, 3.0 or even 4.0" and the front or rear may change after a few months tilting the vehicle.
As you have probably figured out, I am generally suspicious of "kits" results. I'd contact T&J Performance and see what they can put together. They know what works and use quality stuff. I dont go cheap on brakes or suspension, quite literally have lives riding on it.
As you have probably figured out, I am generally suspicious of "kits" results. I'd contact T&J Performance and see what they can put together. They know what works and use quality stuff. I dont go cheap on brakes or suspension, quite literally have lives riding on it.
wonderfulremark
Observer
I have 3" lift with 31's 4"BS.
It rubbed in the front wheel(in the rear part) with the slightest flex..
I would stick with 4.5" BS
It rubbed in the front wheel(in the rear part) with the slightest flex..
I would stick with 4.5" BS
Does anyone know anything about http://www.rocky-road.com/xjtrailblazer.html these lifts? Very well priced for an OME lift and they seem pretty complete!
Search about rockyroad, some people don't like them.
With as much lift in that link, you're going to need lower control arms which aren't included in that lift. It looks like the included shocks aren't OME, as it is a $225 upgrade to get the OME sport shocks. Who makes the track bar included in the kit? Looks like the kit uses lift blocks in the rear....why not get a leaf pack that will give the desired lift? Ubolts? Quick disconnects? Bumpstops?
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I have used Rubicon Express in the past and have been happy with how it turned out, the shocks seem to be a big factor in the ride quality. My TJ used to run 3.5" RE coils and OME shocks and I thought it was a good combination.
I've also lifted a few XJ's and from my experience going from 3.5" to 4.5" is pretty expensive. The extra angle of the lca's with the 4.5" make it more difficult to get the alignment back into spec and the ride seems to suffer. I think drop brackets or long arms are a must when going over 4.5", IMHO. But yes, I don't think 3.5" would be enough for the size tire you want to run without some trimming and proper bumpstops.
Really this is the only way to go :ylsmoke: http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info.php/cPath/18_66/products_id/113
I've also lifted a few XJ's and from my experience going from 3.5" to 4.5" is pretty expensive. The extra angle of the lca's with the 4.5" make it more difficult to get the alignment back into spec and the ride seems to suffer. I think drop brackets or long arms are a must when going over 4.5", IMHO. But yes, I don't think 3.5" would be enough for the size tire you want to run without some trimming and proper bumpstops.
Really this is the only way to go :ylsmoke: http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info.php/cPath/18_66/products_id/113