4bangerjp.com
General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: sharpxmen on August 09, 2009, 09:12:38 AM
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I was looking at their 4'' lift kit and i'm wondering if anyone has any experience with their leaf springs, mostly interested in flex and ride quality and if they sag of course. Any info would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
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A guy I know has a RC 4" lift on his YJ. He hardly ever takes his rig off road (don't ask me why :puzzled:). But on the road its pretty stiff. The guy I bought my hard top and full doors from had the same lift on his son's YJ and said other than the stiffness, it performs pretty good on the trails. I'm looking into buying an RC lift for my YJ too. I've been looking at 2.5" to be more practical, but I might go with 4" because really, who needs practical?
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tx for rhe info. i watched the video on their website and those 2 YJs have hardly any flex and bounce around pretty bad, but the price is way below anything else i've seen and includes everything. oh well, was too good to be true :)
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I've had mine for about 2.5 years now and the front hasn't really sagged but the rear did BAD... Twice. I added an add-a-leaf the first time and it didn't effect ride quality or flex but still sagged out. I got new leafs under warranty back in January and with not even 2k miles on them and no wheeling they sagged out. I recently did an axle swap and got some Rubicon Express 4.5" leafs for the rear and they made a HUGE difference. My rig sits much better now, can't speak for their flex but they should flex fine. Rough Country leafs do flex very, very well but the sagging issue sucks. I'm running the shocks still and they're about beat now. I'm gonna swap them out for either Bilstiens or Ranchos soon.
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I've had mine for about 2.5 years now and the front hasn't really sagged but the rear did BAD... Twice. I added an add-a-leaf the first time and it didn't effect ride quality or flex but still sagged out. I got new leafs under warranty back in January and with not even 2k miles on them and no wheeling they sagged out. I recently did an axle swap and got some Rubicon Express 4.5" leafs for the rear and they made a HUGE difference. My rig sits much better now, can't speak for their flex but they should flex fine. Rough Country leafs do flex very, very well but the sagging issue sucks. I'm running the shocks still and they're about beat now. I'm gonna swap them out for either Bilstiens or Ranchos soon.
was reading something about the new ones having an improved design, maybe they don't sag anymore but they looked extremely stiff in the video i mentioned. I'll wait till i catch up with the spending and buy a set of REs i think. the shocks i got on now came with the 2.5'' lift (bought it that way) and they are still great, unfortunately there stickers are long gone, i wish i knew what brand they are. I'm wondering if i can reuse them in case i relocate the monting tabs is the rear and find a solution for the front.
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The "new and improved" springs came out right when I bought my kit in January 07, so I've had two new and improved sets and they still both sagged. Ride quality was good when they were new, but the shocks are just way too stiff. Plus with the way I mounted my rear shocks they're now too long, so I've got a good excuse to get new ones :thumbsup:
I paid like $137/ea for the RE's at the 4WP here in town. For the price I couldn't pass them up :beers:
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The "new and improved" springs came out right when I bought my kit in January 07, so I've had two new and improved sets and they still both sagged. Ride quality was good when they were new, but the shocks are just way too stiff. Plus with the way I mounted my rear shocks they're now too long, so I've got a good excuse to get new ones :thumbsup:
I paid like $137/ea for the RE's at the 4WP here in town. For the price I couldn't pass them up :beers:
How's the ride with the REs? My leafs are pretty stiff so i'm trying to address that at the same time, i would love a softer ride (i know it will never be perfect with a lift kit but hoping for better than what i have today).
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I also run those RE 4.5 rear springs and the ride is very good. Might even be better than the stock ride.
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I also run those RE 4.5 rear springs and the ride is very good. Might even be better than the stock ride.
what do you have in the front?
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The same... it just seemed the discussion had focused on the rear springs. They work very well in general, good up travel, not impressive for droop but acceptable. An SOA with stock springs flexes better but the SUA seems to be a more reliable setup in general, you get some tie rod protection and the rear axle wrap is kept well under control.
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Now that they've broken in they ride way better than the Rough Country springs. They were a bit rough at first but I've been on the road a lot this past month and have put close to 2k miles on them so they've definitely broken in by now. I think once I get some decent shocks on my rig it should ride pretty darn good :thumbsup:
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Just wanted to bring this thread back up for a quick update on the RE springs. Now that they've had plenty of time to break in, they ride WAAAAY better than the Rough Country springs. I honestly can't wait to do the front and swap out shocks to something softer, my rig will ride like butter after that :hump:
If you haven't purchased anything yet, definitely go with the RE when you do...
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decided to wait and get the RE. Seems to be the consensus that is the best kit at 4'', they are pricey compared to RC, but i guess you get what you pay for :)
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Hey check out BDS suspensions they have a very good rep and lifetime replacement. No ? asked they will swap them 10 yrs from now if anything goes wrong!
Most co. wont do that and will blame you for having to big of tires or to much loaded front and rear.
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Hey check out BDS suspensions they have a very good rep and lifetime replacement. No ? asked they will swap them 10 yrs from now if anything goes wrong!
Most co. wont do that and will blame you for having to big of tires or to much loaded front and rear.
tx for the tip, i'll check it out
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I have the 4 in rough country kit and they ride fine to me same or better then stock. I have 33's 12.5R15. with no other lift other then the spring lift. didn't like the rear track bar drop it made it hit my shock and busted it so I just ran it in the stock location it's on a bit more of a angle but not that bad!!
had not problems with it and get way more flex then I did stock.
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I have the 4 in rough country kit and they ride fine to me same or better then stock. I have 33's 12.5R15. with no other lift other then the spring lift. didn't like the rear track bar drop it made it hit my shock and busted it so I just ran it in the stock location it's on a bit more of a angle but not that bad!!
had not problems with it and get way more flex then I did stock.
how long have you had it on? same thread here someone mentioned sagging. i am also looking for somewhat a softer ride, how do you find them.
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had it 1-2years now no sag yet!! rides not to bad. but some people get really picky with aftermarket parts i'm not that picky it worked and I got 33's under it so its fine
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I have the 4" RC, with 1" shackles, 35's, left the rear track bar out (dont need it unless ur ripping down the highway all the time which i stay away from) and i like them. The greasable shackles i got from 4WD.com helped like crazy with the flex. Hated the shocks, bought skyjackers. Also have a smittybuilt spare tire carrier with a 35" Pro Comp X-Terrain and a steel wheel, Warn m8000 winch on the front, not getting any sag. Installed the kit back in 07, with the nitro shocks they supplied, with 31's, then added the shackles bumpers and weight about a year ago. For a $400 kit they are great.
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i run the 2.5" rough country lift. love it. handles the road well and off road does fine as well. but i have a TJ so my lift will be completely different then yours. but as far as satisfaction with the product/company i can say that i am very satisfied-though i recently found that they offer a 3.25", 3.50" and 3.75" lift instead of just 2.5" and 4" and these are all under $400...had they offered the 3" series when i was shopping i would have gone for that rather than 2.5". i can always get it later though.
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any spring will sag with enough time. my stocks were getting pretty bad. but they were from 95' lol. even if you think there to soft and are really worried about sag you could ad a leaf later on to stiffen it up!!
we added a leaf to a chev S10 today at work gave it prob a inch lift just cause it made it stiffer and it's under slung to. we dialed up the front torsion key's for the front so he could clear bigger tires.
hope it helps any.
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any spring will sag with enough time. my stocks were getting pretty bad. but they were from 95' lol. even if you think there to soft and are really worried about sag you could ad a leaf later on to stiffen it up!!
we added a leaf to a chev S10 today at work gave it prob a inch lift just cause it made it stiffer and it's under slung to. we dialed up the front torsion key's for the front so he could clear bigger tires.
hope it helps any.
you make a good point about how any spring will sag. But I'd rather pay more and have to replace them every 4-6 years instead of months :ass:
Just throwing that out there, lol. But I'm sitting in a coffee shop in San Francisco wasting time so :weee:
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i have the RC 4" kit, with 1" shackles and a 1" hockey puck BL.
I Love my RC kit - flexes great. just ditch the track and sway bars. :D ;)
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so i think i'm going to go ahead and order one. I know is probably not a great kit but it comes with lots of things for the money:
4 shocks
steering stabilizer
u-bolts for front and rear
angle shims for rear axle
pitman arm
bumpstops
EDIT: looks like they also come with poly bushings for the leafs.
t-case drop kit and sway bar links as well - but since i don't need these i'll try to sell them to offset some of the cost.
i took my rear axle off and what do you know, my shocks are busted, probably the same for the front - so rather than going to buy shocks and u-bolts i'm thinking that will get this kit (these will add up to about $200 on their own).
thanks all for your replies.
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Why get one when you're not convinced with the quality? If it comes with lots of things but doesn't work well then the money is not worth it.
I think you should decide wisely cause you might find your self spending more than you expected...
it's cheap, so if the springs wont last i'll just buy better replacements later - they can't be worst than what i have right now.
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I'd just go BDS or Old Man Emu and enjoy the superior ride and flex. :wave:
I'm ordering one of them for next summer.
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I'd just go BDS or Old Man Emu and enjoy the superior ride and flex. :wave:
I'm ordering one of them for next summer.
old man emu (arb) does not have anything over 2.5'' of lift
BDS has 3.5 and 4.5, the 3.5 is $1000 vs $450 for the 4'' RC kit and contains the same items.
looked at others as well, so here's the list with the minimum of 3.5'' of lift
RC 4'' - $450
BDS 3.5'' - $1000
BDS - 4.5'' - $1400
black diamond 3.5'' - $670 (no pitman arm so that's another $50 let's say)
superlift 3.5'' - $500 (no shocks and no pitman arm, another $250)
fabtech 3.5'' - $900
RE 4'' - $820 (no pitman arm, +$50, also no bump stops)
skyjacker 4'' - $820 (no pitman arm, +$50)
Warrior Products 4'' - $690
Rugged Ridge 4'' - $970 (no pitman arm, +$50)
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decided to bite the bullet and order it, comes with the steering stab as well - i'll post feedback once is installed
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For the BDS you are much better off just buying their springs and bushing seperately from the kit. Costs about $120 per spring for a lifetime warrantied spring. Most of the stuff in the "kits" is throwaway if you intend to lift properly - meaning by adding an SYE and proper driveshaft.
Here's the 4" "kit" that most of the guys in my club use to run 33-35" tires:
3.5" BDS lift springs $480
Good U-bolts from local spring place $60
New shocks of your choice $140
SYE $190
Cherokee front shaft $20 - shortened at home
Boom type shackles with 5/8" lift - $80
Goferit flip inserts - $40? (Drop pitmans suck)
TJ Flares
Take off track bars and throw away
Take off sway bar and throw away
old man emu (arb) does not have anything over 2.5'' of lift
BDS has 3.5 and 4.5, the 3.5 is $1000 vs $450 for the 4'' RC kit and contains the same items.
looked at others as well, so here's the list with the minimum of 3.5'' of lift
RC 4'' - $450
BDS 3.5'' - $1000
BDS - 4.5'' - $1400
black diamond 3.5'' - $670 (no pitman arm so that's another $50 let's say)
superlift 3.5'' - $500 (no shocks and no pitman arm, another $250)
fabtech 3.5'' - $900
RE 4'' - $820 (no pitman arm, +$50, also no bump stops)
skyjacker 4'' - $820 (no pitman arm, +$50)
Warrior Products 4'' - $690
Rugged Ridge 4'' - $970 (no pitman arm, +$50)
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I don't know what you guys have against the rough country kit? I'm running it and it's been great. and also a guy with a CJ-5 also is running it we have both had them a year or two and have had not problems.
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I don't know what you guys have against the rough country kit? I'm running it and it's been great. and also a guy with a CJ-5 also is running it we have both had them a year or two and have had not problems.
i started the thread asking everyone on their opinion about the RC lift kit for YJs - got a lot of good feedback - made my decision a bit harder but since you can't beat that price i decided to go for it anyway (somebody said it sags in time, also that is a bit stiff) but even if it will sag i am going to replace those leafs and still get my money's worth if it lasts 1 year, if not is in warranty and will get replacements.
since i ordered it i am happy to hear that you had a good experience with it - how long have you had it on? I ordered mine on sale directly from RC and got the complete one including the heavy duty steering stab, pitman arm, bushings, t-case drop, shocks, bump stops, u-bolts and a few other little things.
what is your experience with it and is it a 4'' or different lift?
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ive seen nothing but good reviews with the recent RC kits. ive heard that earlier in their career their kits were junk but recently they've made vast improvements. i can only speak for my RC kit which is for a TJ, but im more than satisfied. a full spring and shock 2.5" kit with t-case drop for under 300 bucks when the nearest competitor was selling at more than $750...ya can't beat the price. What size did ya go for?
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I'm on my second year with mine already and had no problems. and the CJ-5 is pretty much the same as the yj there both leaf applications and have worked great for the both of us.
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ive seen nothing but good reviews with the recent RC kits. ive heard that earlier in their career their kits were junk but recently they've made vast improvements. i can only speak for my RC kit which is for a TJ, but im more than satisfied. a full spring and shock 2.5" kit with t-case drop for under 300 bucks when the nearest competitor was selling at more than $750...ya can't beat the price. What size did ya go for?
4'' - came to little under $500 shipped
I'm on my second year with mine already and had no problems. and the CJ-5 is pretty much the same as the yj there both leaf applications and have worked great for the both of us.
thanks for the info, good to hear that you had a good experience with it.
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4'' - came to little under $500 shipped
nice. what size tire are you running now? are you upgrading size?
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nice. what size tire are you running now? are you upgrading size?
i'm at 33x12.5x15 with a 2.5'' lift, 1'' shackles and 1'' body lift. i'm thinking of going to 35s when the time comes for new tires.
actually i just received the kit (2 days, that was pretty quick shipping) - looks nice and has all the hardware needed. I'll take some pics of it in the weekend and post them.
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here's a pic of the kit - looks nice, arrived safe with no probs and has everything you need to install it - hope that will behave well on the road, i won't find out too soon as i got a bunch of things to finish first before my Jeep is alive again
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Drivetrain_Upgrades/Lift_Kit.jpg)
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you get that lift on yet?
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you get that lift on yet?
nope - have other stuff to complete first (rear axle rebuild) - and it's been raining here almost every day so i kinda feel like playing indoors for now :)
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I found a stock yj in town here. for the lift difference. I even have stock size on for the winter cause i picked them up for free!!
(http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz239/Torch_Ind/random/SSPX0968.jpg)