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Topic: What is the best lift kit for the money?

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tjhawk
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What is the best lift kit for the money?
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I am looking to start project XJ as soon as uncle sam gives me back my hard earned tax money sometime this week. I have been talking to alot of XJ owners about their kits and came up with just one answer. Not all kits are for all people. I like the trailmaster kit but I heard that if you get the 4.5 inch kit the arms they give you are too short and it moves the axle back towards the fender and it will rub. The rough country kit looks promising but I have had no feedback about them. I have heard mixed reviews about the Rustys kit but have no idea where to get them.  The rubicon express and skyjacker kits are way expensive but I did have a skyjacker kit on my old YJ and it was very nice, just pricey.
I am looking to go no more than 4.5 inches and running maybe 33's but probably only going to run 31's. I also need new rear springs as mine are flat worn out. I would love to get a kit that includes new rear springs not just an AAL.  Anyone got a suggestion?

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threeEs99
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I personally think the RE kits , simply because they are some of the most complete ones on the market. Quality is very high also.

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aci4369
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The question is how much money are you willing to spend and how complete do you want your lift to be???

Just from reading your first post it sounds like you are headed in the right direction wanting new leaf packs.  Stick to your guns on that, you will thank yourself later.

I would second the RE lift it I had to pick one from the list you have above.

I have had no experience with Rusty's lifts.  Some people swear by them and other won't touch them with a wooden pole.  I can't say either way, but some of the stories that I have heard about their products failing I would steer clear if I had the oportunity.    Well now that I am thinking about it I have a Rusty's lift somewhat.   My front coils are Rusty's I think and my rear AAL is Rusty's (I bought it with them installed).  I will say that I have no complaints about those 2 items, but I would stay away from their trac bar and steering components.

Rough County lifts, are just that, ROUGH.  They will work fine though you will just suffer with the ride quality, but hey its a jeep... You had a wrangler so any XJ should ride better then that thing.   I have heard of the leafs settling at different hieghts but RC exchanged the parts and made it right.  The first lift that I purchased and installed was a RC lift.  Would I do it again?  No, I would save for a better more inclusive lift.  I think that the RC lifts are the basic lifts.  They will give just enough to get by but scimp on the little things that will make the difference for you in the long run.

Me if I had to choose I would get this one, but that one is pricey too....


Ask more questions if you have them before you buy.  Buy once and then be done, otherwise you will just continue to replace parts that you have already purchased once.... I hate doing that.

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89eliminator
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threeEs99 wrote:

I personally think the RE kits , simply because they are some of the most complete ones on the market. Quality is very high also.


x2.  get the RE kit



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tjhawk
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Yeah I was thinking about the RE kit too. Does anyone here sell them before I buy from ebay? I would rather give a club member money than someone I don't know.


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aci4369
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Motion Offroad is a very active sponser of the site.  I buy everything from them anymore.  You will not be dissapointed going through them.

Here is the link to ALL their XJ lifts.  You will find the RE ones in there amoung them.  I didn't know which exact lift you were looking at so I am just linking all of them.

LINK

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threeEs99
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I bought my RE kit from Motion too. Great service & the best prices. I shopped for a few weeks before laying down my green, and Motion was the best hands down.

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LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW
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I think everyone here are touched on the good points already. My only real advice is spend the money upfront on a good quality lift. You'll thank yourself later. I'm now on the 3rd lift on my XJ and will soon be going to the 4th different setup. If I bought what I originally wanted to begin with, I'd of saved myself a TON of $$$. Cheap lifts are just that, CHEAP! You'll end up replacing a lot of parts down the road (because of failure, and because they are poorly designed).

I'd recomend any Rubicon Express lift. Motion has free shipping and free shocks on all RE kits.

I'd also recomend any Rock Krawler lift. Made out of SOLID STOCK and the best warranty in the industry.


My wife runs the RE 3.5" SuperFlex on her XJ and we're very happy with it.

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dogwonk
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Here is a list of suggestions from me.  They are in no particular order, as in no particular preference.  I also know that Motion Offroad sets up "hybrid" kits for XJ's and MJ's to your specs.  So, if you want to go that route they can help you do that.  Going that way may sound more expensive, but is not necessarily.  You can talk to them and tell them EXACTLY what you want/need and they can probably give you a good idea what kit would work best for you.


http://motionoffroad.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_56&products_id=61

http://motionoffroad.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_56&products_id=64

http://motionoffroad.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_56&products_id=60

http://motionoffroad.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_56&products_id=119



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Chris99XJ
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Don't do what i did and buy the Rough Country 4.5 inch lift system cause it is only like $ 650.00..
You get what you pay for, So pay 1 time by getting the right lift.
The RC lift is not that bad, But it has been on for 2 year's and 2 month's, It is mostly my Daily Driver, Ive been off road with it only about 5 time's. But i have noticed the spring's are sagged a little already, and the shock's that came with the lift in my opinion suck.
So shortly, I am going to upgrade to a better RE lift.

My 2 cent's


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1999  XJ  SPORT,  4.5'' LIFT,  32'' X 11.50''  TIRE'S



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dogwonk
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I agree with those who advise not to "skimp" because something is cheap. I would avoid Rough Country and Rusty's. I am not going to bash them, as I know there are others who have had okay luck with their stuff, but for the long haul to do it once, pay more now and save more later!

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89eliminator
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i agree. a lift is something that you shouldnt skimp on money wise. i've had good and HORRIBLE luck with rustys.

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Chris99XJ
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I really have no prob's with mine, U just get what U pay for.
But i have noticed the rear spring's are not what they were like new.
Im think of going bigger. Now just to figgure out all those details

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1999  XJ  SPORT,  4.5'' LIFT,  32'' X 11.50''  TIRE'S



" IF  IT  AINT  RUFF  IT  AINT  ME  !  "
tjhawk
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I checked out the RE lift and it looks like a great kit but I was wondering if you can omit stuff to help with the cost. Seems like some of this stuff is way over priced. For example the steel braided brake lines I had made for my old CJ were 24 inches long. Brand new from the local 4x4 shop they were $50 each. From the local racecar shop they were $20 each and the inner core was made from teflon not rubber like the other more expensive ones. They swaged on ends for me right there and I had lines that were better and cheaper. I can also fab up sway bar disconnects. I have made those in the past. I got some shocks on ebay that were new just been sitting around for 1/3 price of new. I dont even see shocks in any of these kits.
I priced new spring today and they are 181 each side. So I am thinking can I get an add a leaf set up and save even more. Its been in my experience that sometimes a package deal isn't a deal at all. I am just trying to be frugal and realistic here. I just can't get past that 1400 pricetag and that is for the short arm kit. If you want the long arms that will cost ya extra.

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aci4369
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Ok, that sounded like a challenge to me.  I don't know where you are getting the 1400 from.  On MO I found it for 1160 for the full leaf complete kit.  LINK  Also, I am not sure on this, MO could you comment, but I think that you get shocks with the kit.

Anyways moving on.  Lets piece the essentials together:

4.5 RE Leafs:  $350  LINK
4.5 MO Coils: $160   LINK
RE Control Arms Used: $250 LINK  Might be sold, I don't know
Home made break lines.  You said $20 each.  2 for the front 1 for the rear=             $60
U bolts:         $20 (guessing)
Bump stops:   $15 (Hockey Pucks)
Home made Discos: $15

All that adds up to $890.  Plus you will need shocks.  So depending on what you want for shocks add $100 to $300.

Hope that helps.

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'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
 
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