XJ lift options

hotrod · 01-03-2012, 06:33 PM

looking into a 4'' lift for my xj but im not real sure who has the "best" kit for what im looking for. This is my first time buying a kit instead of building a kit (like i did with the samis) Street manners is a big part and wheeling ability. Ive heard Rough Country's systems give a rough ride and they have terrible customer service. (hear say) Ive heard good things about Rusty's and Rubi Ex. but I want opinions from locals who have run different kits.

Flxratd · 01-03-2012, 06:51 PM

not sure where your info came from but ive delt with both and can say the exact opposite between rough country and rustys (have never delt with rubi express). as far as the ride on a rough country lift i have there 6" long arm on my lj and i would say the lift is great but there 2.2 shocks do firm it up a bit. i used there 6.5 on a 95 xj i had and thought it rode great and performed very well the couple times i had it off road but that kit used there standered shock. my dad has there 4.5 kit on a 2001 xj and he thinks its great and hes old so

hotrod · 01-03-2012, 07:42 PM

thanks scott, is your dads a long arm? should i spend the extra $$ on a long arm?

sarge · 01-03-2012, 08:18 PM

Rubicon Express is out of business , they priced themselves right out of business. Rough Country of today is not the same as 10 years ago , they have great customer service and IMHO they are the best all around kit out there dollar for dollar , i installed a 6.5 long arm kit on a friends XJ and was very impressed , it does great on and off road.

WrenchMonkey · 01-03-2012, 10:00 PM

RE is back now, but still pricey.

X3 on Rough Country, major improvements in the last few years.

I'd never drop the coin on longarms. I love my RC drop brackets, ~$200.

Robert

cincygman · 01-03-2012, 11:12 PM

I installed the RC budget 3" lift in my old XJ. 2 years later and some mild off road trips,

still rides great on and off road. Just did the RC 4" LA on my ZJ. rides great, works well. It really is about the shocks where the ride is concerned. Spend the extra couple bucks for their better shocks. For the money, Rough Country. My Long Arm kit is well built, excellent fit and finish. As for customer service, sometimes you get what you give....

hotrod · 01-04-2012, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincygman

I installed the RC budget 3" lift in my old XJ. 2 years later and some mild off road trips,

still rides great on and off road. Just did the RC 4" LA on my ZJ. rides great, works well. It really is about the shocks where the ride is concerned. Spend the extra couple bucks for their better shocks. For the money, Rough Country. My Long Arm kit is well built, excellent fit and finish. As for customer service, sometimes you get what you give....

The kit with or without the control arms?

frankensteinxj · 01-04-2012, 06:42 AM

I agree with everyone else.
Rough country is making good products now with great customer service.
I had rough country starting out and changed to bds shocks and mine road fairly well. Now I have their long arms on my offroad only xj and Im impressed.

cincygman · 01-04-2012, 08:38 AM

with out control arms. also, TD performance is the local dealer. they will sell it to you for internet price plus tax but no shipping and if there is an issue, you have someone locally to deal with. I went through them for both kits.

Flxratd · 01-04-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod

thanks scott, is your dads a long arm? should i spend the extra $$ on a long arm?

none of the 5 xj lifts ive done were long arm. ive done 2 long arms on wranglers. been very happy with there product and people.

hotrod · 01-05-2012, 12:26 AM

Thanks everybody.

dan · 01-05-2012, 01:17 AM

i had the rough country 4.5" on my 98 xj and loved it rode better then stock with a set of 33's flexed good to and great customer service i broke a leaf and had a new in 2 days for the price of shiping after the warrenty ran out

hotrod · 01-05-2012, 02:30 AM

What size tires are you running cincygman?

cincygman · 01-06-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod

What size tires are you running cincygman?

ON the old XJ or currently on the ZJ? On the XJ, 31X10.50X15 on the ZJ, 32X11.50X15

hotrod · 01-06-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincygman

ON the old XJ or currently on the ZJ? On the XJ, 31X10.50X15 on the ZJ, 32X11.50X15

I should have specified, I meant the XJ. And thank you! The more I think about it I think I might just go with a 3" not so much bc of the price difference between 3 and 4.5 but all the little extra things.

Flxratd · 01-06-2012, 10:19 AM

remember its cheaper to do what you want the first time than settle and then do it over.... just saying cuz thats never happened to me

smokinsrt · 01-06-2012, 10:58 AM

Iron Rock makes great kits and have great customer service, I've been seeing alot out of Zone Off Road also but not sure how good they are.

Coppertop · 01-06-2012, 04:02 PM

I have run all three (RE,Rough Country,and Rusty's) with good results.I have always been a fan of the Rubicon Express products.I ran their 4 inch super flex kit on my xj for years with very little issues.Since ,they went out of busness and was bought and reopened,I'm not sure if they are the same.

I installed a Rusty's 3.5 inch lift on my son's 99 xj about 4 years ago.He has only wheeled it a few times.It's been a good kit with only trac bar joint issues..

I'm currently running the Rough Country 6 inch long arm kit on my xj.I beat the crap out of it,with only a few issues.The rear springs packs would not hold up to my abuse after going though two different sets ,I replaced them with Rusty's .The front long arm bushings and flex joints have failed once.Since,They have completely redisigned their flex joint and lower control arm bushings.Make sure you get the new stuff if you buy this kit...I'm gonna have to upgrade at some point this year.Rough Country's customer service has been the best,with no issues on warranty items.

Hope this helps.Good Luck

Nick
WHO-DEY

hotrod · 01-07-2012, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinsrt

Iron Rock makes great kits and have great customer service, I've been seeing alot out of Zone Off Road also but not sure how good they are.

A few months ago four-wheeler magazine did a short article on a 3" Zone kit on a Cherokee. Its a little more expensive than RC but comes with new rear ubolts.

underpowered · 01-07-2012, 08:54 PM

Iron Rock Off road really impressed me with their products and customer service. had some of their stuff on the rear of my old XJ.

reformed · 01-08-2012, 04:36 PM

I ran a RE 4.5 super flex kit on my TJ years ago. 0 problems over 5 years of hard wheeling. I don't think their prices are all that bad when you look at what the kits come with. They are very complete. 4.5 inch skyjacker on the XJ I just bought. It's an older kit but I will see how it does. At least one of the front shocks is worn out.

01-03-2012, 06:33 PM	#1
hotrod Diesel guy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bridgetown Posts: 241	XJ lift options looking into a 4'' lift for my xj but im not real sure who has the "best" kit for what im looking for. This is my first time buying a kit instead of building a kit (like i did with the samis) Street manners is a big part and wheeling ability. Ive heard Rough Country's systems give a rough ride and they have terrible customer service. (hear say) Ive heard good things about Rusty's and Rubi Ex. but I want opinions from locals who have run different kits. __________________ 2013 RZR S

01-03-2012, 06:51 PM	#2
Flxratd Retired Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hamilton/Ross Posts: 645	not sure where your info came from but ive delt with both and can say the exact opposite between rough country and rustys (have never delt with rubi express). as far as the ride on a rough country lift i have there 6" long arm on my lj and i would say the lift is great but there 2.2 shocks do firm it up a bit. i used there 6.5 on a 95 xj i had and thought it rode great and performed very well the couple times i had it off road but that kit used there standered shock. my dad has there 4.5 kit on a 2001 xj and he thinks its great and hes old so __________________ One of these days Zuk 2.0

01-03-2012, 07:42 PM	#3
hotrod Diesel guy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bridgetown Posts: 241	thanks scott, is your dads a long arm? should i spend the extra $$ on a long arm? __________________ 2013 RZR S

01-03-2012, 10:00 PM	#5
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	RE is back now, but still pricey. X3 on Rough Country, major improvements in the last few years. I'd never drop the coin on longarms. I love my RC drop brackets, ~$200. Robert __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger

01-03-2012, 11:12 PM	#6
cincygman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pleasant Run Farms (near Fairfield) Posts: 378	I installed the RC budget 3" lift in my old XJ. 2 years later and some mild off road trips, still rides great on and off road. Just did the RC 4" LA on my ZJ. rides great, works well. It really is about the shocks where the ride is concerned. Spend the extra couple bucks for their better shocks. For the money, Rough Country. My Long Arm kit is well built, excellent fit and finish. As for customer service, sometimes you get what you give.... __________________ Romans 7-8

01-03-2012, 08:18 PM	#4
sarge Pure Bacon Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trenton, Oh Posts: 1,098	Rubicon Express is out of business , they priced themselves right out of business. Rough Country of today is not the same as 10 years ago , they have great customer service and IMHO they are the best all around kit out there dollar for dollar , i installed a 6.5 long arm kit on a friends XJ and was very impressed , it does great on and off road.

01-04-2012, 06:42 AM	#8
frankensteinxj Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goshen Posts: 336	I agree with everyone else. Rough country is making good products now with great customer service. I had rough country starting out and changed to bds shocks and mine road fairly well. Now I have their long arms on my offroad only xj and Im impressed. __________________ BYAAH!!!

01-04-2012, 08:38 AM	#9
cincygman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pleasant Run Farms (near Fairfield) Posts: 378	with out control arms. also, TD performance is the local dealer. they will sell it to you for internet price plus tax but no shipping and if there is an issue, you have someone locally to deal with. I went through them for both kits. __________________ Romans 7-8

01-05-2012, 12:26 AM	#11
hotrod Diesel guy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bridgetown Posts: 241	Thanks everybody. __________________ 2013 RZR S

01-05-2012, 01:17 AM	#12
dan gotta love middletucky Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middletown Posts: 106	i had the rough country 4.5" on my 98 xj and loved it rode better then stock with a set of 33's flexed good to and great customer service i broke a leaf and had a new in 2 days for the price of shiping after the warrenty ran out __________________ 98 xj 4.5" lift

01-05-2012, 02:30 AM	#13
hotrod Diesel guy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bridgetown Posts: 241	What size tires are you running cincygman? __________________ 2013 RZR S

01-06-2012, 10:19 AM	#16
Flxratd Retired Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hamilton/Ross Posts: 645	remember its cheaper to do what you want the first time than settle and then do it over.... just saying cuz thats never happened to me __________________ One of these days Zuk 2.0

01-06-2012, 10:58 AM	#17
smokinsrt Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hamilton Posts: 12	Iron Rock makes great kits and have great customer service, I've been seeing alot out of Zone Off Road also but not sure how good they are.

01-06-2012, 04:02 PM	#18
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	I have run all three (RE,Rough Country,and Rusty's) with good results.I have always been a fan of the Rubicon Express products.I ran their 4 inch super flex kit on my xj for years with very little issues.Since ,they went out of busness and was bought and reopened,I'm not sure if they are the same. I installed a Rusty's 3.5 inch lift on my son's 99 xj about 4 years ago.He has only wheeled it a few times.It's been a good kit with only trac bar joint issues.. I'm currently running the Rough Country 6 inch long arm kit on my xj.I beat the crap out of it,with only a few issues.The rear springs packs would not hold up to my abuse after going though two different sets ,I replaced them with Rusty's .The front long arm bushings and flex joints have failed once.Since,They have completely redisigned their flex joint and lower control arm bushings.Make sure you get the new stuff if you buy this kit...I'm gonna have to upgrade at some point this year.Rough Country's customer service has been the best,with no issues on warranty items. Hope this helps.Good Luck Nick WHO-DEY __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille ..

01-07-2012, 08:54 PM	#20
underpowered They call me......Scuba Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Burlington, KY Posts: 292	Iron Rock Off road really impressed me with their products and customer service. had some of their stuff on the rear of my old XJ. __________________ beat up rusted out k5

01-08-2012, 04:36 PM	#21
reformed Too many projects Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maineville, OH Posts: 42	I ran a RE 4.5 super flex kit on my TJ years ago. 0 problems over 5 years of hard wheeling. I don't think their prices are all that bad when you look at what the kits come with. They are very complete. 4.5 inch skyjacker on the XJ I just bought. It's an older kit but I will see how it does. At least one of the front shocks is worn out.