Topic: BDS or RE lift? (If you have other suggestions, please comment.)

[Colin]

So if you need to read about my rig, it's near the last page of the introductions w/ pictures.

I'm looking into getting a lift kit in the near future, (just waiting on my finances) and I've been told a few different things.

I don't want a cheap lift with a crappy ride basically. My YJ is my DD, and I drive with my fiancee at times as well and she's already giving me enough trouble about making it higher up.

I've heard BDS (good ride quality and lifetime replacement on leafs) and Rubicon Express (top notch ride on and off road).


I'm basically looking for a 3.5" right now. That's the max I can go without installing a SYE kit and CV driveshafts, which in itself would cost even more money which I don't have. I eventually want to go that route, but I'm taking it slow and steady.

Just wondering what you guys had for opinion's on these lifts, or if you have any other suggestions for top-notch lift kits?

(I'm planning on upgrading my tires from 31x10.50's to 33x12.50's after I get the lift as well, then replacing the rear axle with an 8.8.... then regearing... then adding lockers. It's a snowball effect and I want to make sure all parts are done right and top quality. I don't want a stiff or sloppy ride. It's not all going to be instant, but this is where I want to build my DD rig up to at this point... and go wheeling whenever I can with the club.)

[lanulos89]

with a 3.5" lift and 33's your going to rub at flex.  unless you get tj flares.  ii hvae a 3.5" and 31's and at full flex my smal 31's almost rub.  i am in the process of going to 33's, gonna do a 1" body lift and tj flares.  bt i have the black diamond 3.5" lift nd well i like it a lot, just took some time for the springs to actually wear in.

[cmgorman94]

Would you consider going SOA, you could retain the stock springs and put on some Old Man Emu shocks. Soft ride and fairly inexpensive. Just a thought.

[Jeffy]

Even with 3.5" you'll either need to add some transfer case lowering shims and shim the axle pinion up.  The limit on the driveshaft without any shimming is around 2.5" of lift.

[lanulos89]

well yea but most lift kits come with t case drops

[Jeffy]

Did RE ever change their leaf supplier for their 4" Standard?  Before their supplier was McCoy Brothers up in Canada, who also makes many other off the shelf leafs.  The 2.5 and the 4" standard leafs used to be the same as the Pro-Comp Explorer 2.5 and 4" leafs.  I know the Procomp leafs suck even for a 4.0L.  They're really stiff leafs and unless you're really weighted down, they don't flex very much.  RE's 2.5 and 4.5" Extreme Duty leafs on the other hand are much better.  In fact, I'd even go as far to say that the 4.5" is probably the best conventional lift for a YJ.

[might4banger]

I have the RE std. 4"

I just wasted my Monday swapping springs around to even out my ride. Driver side sag by about 1" +...

RE says no warranty, but you can buy another pair of leafs. No thanks! They are less than 1yr. old.

Go for the BDS for the warranty alone !!!

Over all the RE is not bad... but time will tell about the sag.