How do you like your lift?

LIFETIME MEMBER

Status: Offline

Posts: 1579

Date: Mar 13, 2008

How do you like your lift?	Permalink

Just like my tire thread from a few months back, this is a 'GLXJ Reports' kind of thread. Think Consumer's Reports, but minus labcoats and better things to do than test washing machines. Inches of lift (advertised): 2" Type of lift: BB (BB= budget boost, springs= all new springs, homeade=duh) Brand of lift: Rusty's Actual lift (wheel center to bottom of stock fender flare if possible): I'd say 2.5" new, 2" after settling out back, and 2" up front. Price: ~$90 shipped from a fellow ex-XJ owner who never installed it. Kit came with spacers and AALs, no dampers/shocks. Misc. Parts needed: none, had to replace trackbar so I got a JKS adjustable one designed for mild lifts (2-4 inches). How do ya like it? I like it a lot, rides a little firmer, but it's a Jeep, not a Cadillac. Contrarty to the "anti-AAL people" it does not ride like a wagon, just a little bouncier over Michigan Potholes. Also it has been on for almost a year, and has yet to sag. "Star Power" (of 5): ** __________________ My Fleet** 1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods. I hate pegleg rear axles! 1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project. 2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD

threeEs99

Guest

Status: Offline

Posts: 1078

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Permalink

I am currently running a 3" Skyjacker. It was on my rig when I bought it. I've added some Rusty's 3/4" greasable shackels to "Bandaid" fix a sagging problem. Offroad it works great, has good flex and fair control. On road it sucks! bleh

It has the worst WaNdErInG issue I've ever encountered. (My last rig was a full size bronco w/6.5" lift, 36" Ircoks, no sway bars and it handled great). Have you jumped off a roof or any thing over say 8' lately? If you have, you know that jaring feeling when you hit the ground. Every bump feels like that. I know the age of this lift has a lot to do with these issues. I think my only fix is a new lift, or repair what I have at the same cost. Dont get me wrong I am obsessed with my XJ and would never replace it. Just dont want to spend money incorrectly. Until then I'll keep pullen my buddies out when they get stuck following me, but also keep dreading pot holes and speeds over 50mph.

RATINGS Offroad "hero", Onroad "thats funny and dangerous"

-- Edited by threeEs99 at 23:05, 2008-03-13

__________________

99 sport.
rust bucket, DD, 3 car seats
04 wj (w/3 car seats too)
DD duty for the lady

Chris99XJ

LIFETIME MEMBER

Status: Offline

Posts: 904

Date: Mar 14, 2008

	Permalink
Rough Country 4.5 inch lift system OK lift so far, its been on for 1 1/2 years. Shock's suck that came with the lift Looks like rear leaf spring's are already starting to weak N a bit But for 1st lift, its been ok __________________ 1999 XJ SPORT, 4.5'' LIFT, 32'' X 11.50'' TIRE'S " IF IT AINT RUFF IT AINT ME ! "

LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW

GLXJ PRESIDENT

Status: Offline

Posts: 3934

Date: Mar 18, 2008

Permalink

Well I've ran several different lifts on the XJ's/MJ's so I'll do my best to tell what I like/dislike about each one I had.

Rough Country XJ 4.5"
This was the 1st lift on my XJ. It's a good entry leval lift kit but I'd recomend if you do more than just driving it on the street o spend your money on something a bit higher quality. At the time RC was only offering a rear AAL option so thats what I had. The AAL sagged a TON espeically after I started wheeling it a lot more. So if your going to get it, don't get the AAL; get the full leaf packs.

The lower control arms have poly bushings in them and they squeeked a lot. The shocks are cheap. It came with a tracbar drop bracket (not the best option). It also does not address swaybar links or longer brake lines.

I've since replaced EVERY part with something else besides the front coils. I will say I have been happy with the coils but every other part I have not been happy with. I'd recomend spending the $$ only once and get a better lift kit than this; as I've now spent twice as much if I would of just saved and gotten what I originally wanted.

Rubicon Express XJ 3.5"
This is the kit we run on Rebecca's XJ. We've upgraded to the Heavy Duty Tracbar/Bracket and also run the Tracbar brace. We've also added RE's tierod (not the best but oh well). The quality of RE's parts are top notch and we've been very happy with the kit. I would recomend going with the heavy duty tracbar/bracket over the one that comes with the kit (re 1600 is junk). It was money well spent.

Motion Offroad MJ 6.5"
I'm running 90% of this kit as I have not intsalled the longarms yet. Best MJ kit on the market hands down. I've been very happy with the quality of the parts (uses a lot of RE and RK parts) and it performs very well offroad.

My Hybrid XJ 5"
As stated above I've ditched a lot of the RC 4.5" parts on my XJ and have replaced with other parts. I've pritty much peiced togehter my 5" kit I currently have on my XJ. I've used a lot of RE parts (disco's, leafs, control arms, shackels, tracbar, etc.) and have a kit that performs very well. Yes it has cost me a lot more in the long run but I now have a kit that performs very well.

My biggest thing I can advise is that just because a lift kit is cheap does not mean that in the long run it will be cheaper for you. Spend the money on quality parts to begin with and you'll be a lot happier down the road.

__________________

'93 XJ Cherokee Sport - build thread
'89 XJ Cherokee Laredo - build thread
'88 MJ Comanche Pioneer SWB - build thread
'87 MJ Comanche LWB
'94 YJ Wrangler - build thread

Topic: How do you like your lift?