Topic: Rancho suspension

[99SENewbie]

As I believe I said in my introduction, I'm completely new to offroading. One thing I want to do is get some lift on my stock jeep and put some bigger wheels on... can't afford to spend much now, so I hit craigslist, found this:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/461359135.html

emailed the guy and he said he was lowering the price to $100 dollars because it's missing the shift relocator.

What do I need, don't need, is this even what I'm looking for. (feeling incredibly stupid even typing this, but here I am)

[Jeffy]

Welcome.

New in box Model # RS6505 Jeep Wrangler 2000- and up The Rancho Complete Lift Kit includes the custom-made parts for raising-up the front and rear of your truck or SUV
Provides both aggressive looks and performance on or off road
Complete kit includes a full set of suspension parts—everything but the shocks
The Rancho Lift Kit boasts top-quality part construction for suspension stability and long life
Most kits are anchored by Rancho’s signature one-piece, mig-welded, reinforced sub-frame for total stability and strength
Installation is a challenging project that is typically done by a pro, but can be accomplished at home in 1-2 days
Rancho Lift Kits never need welding and require only minor drilling if any is needed
2 steel part color options for most kits: Outlaw Black and classic Rancho Red
Your Rancho Complete Lift Kit carries a Lifetime Warranty
Description:
Rancho Complete Lift Kits elevate the quality of your truck or SUV with the clearance to power over anything, plus high-flying looks that help you ride roughshod above traffic. You’ll have the room to ditch those stock donuts, too, in favor of a set of asphalt-gnarling knobby treads up to 35” in tire size.

Break open the box, and you’ll immediately notice the Rancho suspension superior quality. Each piece is precision-cut from choice materials, including Rancho’s signature steel one-piece sub-frame that adds strength and stability to your vehicle. And, there’s 2 color options for the steel parts in Rancho’s Complete Lift Kit: Outlaw Black or classic Rancho Red.

Installation is a challenging project usually left to a pro. If you're up for an adventure, though, you can jack-up your truck in a day or two. Rancho Lift Kits never need welding, and most require only minor drilling if any at all... $200.00 Retails for well over 800 elswhere.. Call xxx xxx-xxxx..

I'd be a little suspicious.  Why is it $200?  He gives no description other then the Rancho speel.  No pictures other then what Rancho has.  Is this supposed to be new?

According to Rancho the Standard Comp kit which that seems to be, is limited to 33" tires and is only 2.5" lift.  I don't really understand how they get 35's under their RS6505 kit either.  The little text says the kit was designed to be used with 33's as well.  I would not recommend going with 35" tires anyway.  Too much lift and tires for the Jeep in stock form.

Honestly, I think I'd go with a 2" Budget boost for $200.  Rubicon Express has a 2" lift for $233 with shocks.  There are a few other BB kits out there that won't break the bank.  2" should be enough for 31's.

[Shawn_c]

Even if he is only selling the springs $100 is a good price.  If you can get him to give you a list of all the parts he will give you we can tell you what else you will need.  If it is the Rancho 2.5" kit all you will "HAVE" to have would be the coil springs and some new shocks.  At that hieght you can make the stock sway bar links work.  And with wider wheels with less back spacing you won't have to have a rear track bar bracket.  If it's the newer 4" kit you would need coils, shocks, rear track bar bracket, longer sway bar links, and a x-fer drop.  You would also need to undue the stock front brake hose bracket and move it down an inch or two.

Over all I think Rancho makes a great product.  I am not really impressed by their control arms, but they aren't terrible either.

[chrisfranklin]

The big 33, 35+ inch tire setups look good, no doubt about it.  And they will certainly give you better clearance

But if you're goal is going off road, you'd be surprised with what a mostly stock Jeep can do, especially a TJ with better out-of-the-box articulation than YJs.  I tend to think most guys fail to fully capitalize on the strength of the Jeep without any modification.  This is too bad because they are kind of leaving money on the table.

I've spent 5 years banging around trails on a mostly stock jeep (did throw in a aussie locker which is awesome bang for buck).  You can probably do 60-70% of the trails in the U.S. stock, 80-85% of the trails out their stock if you have a locker.

If I had a TJ and was just getting on some trails, I just buy some good 31" MTs, an aussie, sway disconnects, the usual safety/recovery gear and call it done for about 2-3 years until that rubber wears out.   If you did most of the work yourself that will probably cost you a thousand bucks. Stick with the stock rubber -- which is probably ok -- and you are talking $500

Don't fund the summer homes for the Quadratec and 4WD Execs until you absolutely have to spend the money    (And even then think about what really provides legit cost/benefit given how you use your Jeep).  Enjoy!

[chardrc]

offroading in a stocker is always fun with the extra challenge.

[oldjeep]

If you are lucky maybe you can make a deal for his other stuff too
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/clt/453630165.html

[gomi]

If you are lucky maybe you can make a deal for his other stuff too
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/clt/453630165.html

Haaa! HAaaaa!

[lanulos89]

barbies make grill ornaments, my friend has a hulk on his yj's grill but heck barbie would work tooo

[99SENewbie]

OOOO barbies... what did I ask about again?

[Jeffy]

OOOO barbies... what did I ask about again?

Shoes...   

[gomi]

OOOO barbies... what did I ask about again?

Shoes...   

Haa! everything is funny too me today. All I could think of was the old "Nice shoes........" joke.

[jagular7]

If you were searching the KC area CL, can I assume you live in the area?

I'm in Lenexa and member of 2 wheeling clubs, KC4WDA and KCJeep. KC4WDA is a smaller group of great people with lots of knowledge and experience to help out. Its not a vehicle specific club. KCJeep is another club of great knowledgable people specifically for Jeep owners. Both clubs have meetings and a trail ride once a month. I wasn't able to make KC4WDA's trail ride this month, but I will for KCJeep. Both were headed to Disney, OK. KC4WDA the 10th, KCJeep the 17th.

Being a 17 yr old (saw on your newbie intro), you may want to get involved in an organized wheeling group. Not only do you learn and get to understand your vehicle better, you can wrench on it at other people's places and/or help wrench on others. Another bene is the comraderie. Its for the fun and responsibility of wheeling with a TREAD LIGHTLY attitude. I can understand that driving a Jeep and having the pere (sp?) pressure to do what is not necessary always the right thing to do. That kind of road will always tend to lead you astray.

As for costs, keep it simple stupid (KISS) is probably the best thing to do till you have a steady income and actually have some cash to spend. I certainly didn't at your age.....good luck. If you need a hand in wrenching let me know. If I don't have the tool, I know where to get it.

[gomi]

If you were searching the KC area CL, can I assume you live in the area?

I'm in Lenexa and member of 2 wheeling clubs, KC4WDA and KCJeep. KC4WDA is a smaller group of great people with lots of knowledge and experience to help out. Its not a vehicle specific club. KCJeep is another club of great knowledgable people specifically for Jeep owners. Both clubs have meetings and a trail ride once a month. I wasn't able to make KC4WDA's trail ride this month, but I will for KCJeep. Both were headed to Disney, OK. KC4WDA the 10th, KCJeep the 17th.

Being a 17 yr old (saw on your newbie intro), you may want to get involved in an organized wheeling group. Not only do you learn and get to understand your vehicle better, you can wrench on it at other people's places and/or help wrench on others. Another bene is the comraderie. Its for the fun and responsibility of wheeling with a TREAD LIGHTLY attitude. I can understand that driving a Jeep and having the pere (sp?) pressure to do what is not necessary always the right thing to do. That kind of road will always tend to lead you astray.

As for costs, keep it simple stupid (KISS) is probably the best thing to do till you have a steady income and actually have some cash to spend. I certainly didn't at your age.....good luck. If you need a hand in wrenching let me know. If I don't have the tool, I know where to get it.

That's great of you, I wish some of you boys lived in CT.

[Mozman68]

If you were searching the KC area CL, can I assume you live in the area?

I'm in Lenexa and member of 2 wheeling clubs, KC4WDA and KCJeep. KC4WDA is a smaller group of great people with lots of knowledge and experience to help out. Its not a vehicle specific club. KCJeep is another club of great knowledgable people specifically for Jeep owners. Both clubs have meetings and a trail ride once a month. I wasn't able to make KC4WDA's trail ride this month, but I will for KCJeep. Both were headed to Disney, OK. KC4WDA the 10th, KCJeep the 17th.

Being a 17 yr old (saw on your newbie intro), you may want to get involved in an organized wheeling group. Not only do you learn and get to understand your vehicle better, you can wrench on it at other people's places and/or help wrench on others. Another bene is the comraderie. Its for the fun and responsibility of wheeling with a TREAD LIGHTLY attitude. I can understand that driving a Jeep and having the pere (sp?) pressure to do what is not necessary always the right thing to do. That kind of road will always tend to lead you astray.

As for costs, keep it simple stupid (KISS) is probably the best thing to do till you have a steady income and actually have some cash to spend. I certainly didn't at your age.....good luck. If you need a hand in wrenching let me know. If I don't have the tool, I know where to get it.

That's great of you, I wish some of you boys lived in CT.

No decent clubs in CT??  I guess there's not that much wheeling in your part of the state....more on the east side??