Lift kits
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JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9
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From: Auburn, kentucky
Lift kits
I am looking to put a lift on my 4door jk in the spring. I think I have talked myself into a 3.5 in Rough Country lift coupled with a leveling kit. Any reasons I should avoid either? Or does anyone have a better pairing or idea? I am not wanting to exceed $700, I found this lift for $500 on the rough country website.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Niagara, New York
Personally i wouldnt bother with a leveling kit until after i had my primary lift installed and let it get settled into place for a while because you have no idea where it would wind up. It might be a waste of money.
I have no issues with the RC lifts at all. I dont remember seeing anything on the 3.5 kits that i am aware of, lots of guys running them so I am sure you'll get some good replies. I think you where looking at the Series II? that kit looks to have most of the issues I am aware of addressed. (control arms, rear correction of driveline angle of some sort, etc.) You would likely be very happy with it.
This isnt against Rough Country by any means so dont read it that way, It is simply the same thing I say to anyone who asks: do your reserch first to make sure you get everything you need to get it set up and functioning for you. Write things down, take notes, ask, ask, ask, ask. Lots of info here on most kits. The good and the bad about each in many cases. Get informed. I hate to see people go and spend a bunch of money only to have thier Jeep wind up handling & driving horribly and them regretting ever doing anything to it. This is supposed to be fun, not a hair pulling troubleshooting nightmare. There are tons of threads on what should be used to go 3"+. Keep in mind that anything over 3" is where you start getting into driveline problems, There is a good chance you may need to upgrade the front driveshaft. Rear should be fine on a 4dr. Opinions and results vary on this, but I had to do it as my stockers started to fail at under 100miles after installing my lift. I had planned for it though thanks to this forum and had already ordered new Coast shafts. They went on the following week.
This isnt a sales pitch as you should buy whatever you want, I just happen to have a 3" TeraFlex with all the flexarms and i think it is fantastic. I wound up with about 4.25" total and i needed no leveling anything, the Jeep settled out perfectly. I couldnt recommend it more highly. The flex is great, i love the spring rate, easy to get set up, it dialed in perfectly, it handles like a dream on the road, Tech support is amazing and nearly always available on short notice, It is easy to maintain (greasable) It isnt the cheapest one & it cost me plenty but IMO it waas completely worth it for the results I recieved, I would definetly buy the same kit again. It is quality and VERY complete & that counts to me. I didnt need to start buying pieces/parts after the fact like you need to do with some "complete" lifts. The only thing i needed extra, where aftermarket shafts & I knew that going into it.
The new Full Traction kits look impressive to me too, If i was getting a '12 i would likely go that route for a change-up to a longarm. (because i like to try new things)
Just check all your options, compare many brands/kit contents, prices etc. (cheap up front can kick your ass in the end, tons of horror stories on that scenario around here.) review the FAQ's and other posts of this nature and get the stuff you need to do it right, the first time. It will save you money in the long run.
I have no issues with the RC lifts at all. I dont remember seeing anything on the 3.5 kits that i am aware of, lots of guys running them so I am sure you'll get some good replies. I think you where looking at the Series II? that kit looks to have most of the issues I am aware of addressed. (control arms, rear correction of driveline angle of some sort, etc.) You would likely be very happy with it.
This isnt against Rough Country by any means so dont read it that way, It is simply the same thing I say to anyone who asks: do your reserch first to make sure you get everything you need to get it set up and functioning for you. Write things down, take notes, ask, ask, ask, ask. Lots of info here on most kits. The good and the bad about each in many cases. Get informed. I hate to see people go and spend a bunch of money only to have thier Jeep wind up handling & driving horribly and them regretting ever doing anything to it. This is supposed to be fun, not a hair pulling troubleshooting nightmare. There are tons of threads on what should be used to go 3"+. Keep in mind that anything over 3" is where you start getting into driveline problems, There is a good chance you may need to upgrade the front driveshaft. Rear should be fine on a 4dr. Opinions and results vary on this, but I had to do it as my stockers started to fail at under 100miles after installing my lift. I had planned for it though thanks to this forum and had already ordered new Coast shafts. They went on the following week.
This isnt a sales pitch as you should buy whatever you want, I just happen to have a 3" TeraFlex with all the flexarms and i think it is fantastic. I wound up with about 4.25" total and i needed no leveling anything, the Jeep settled out perfectly. I couldnt recommend it more highly. The flex is great, i love the spring rate, easy to get set up, it dialed in perfectly, it handles like a dream on the road, Tech support is amazing and nearly always available on short notice, It is easy to maintain (greasable) It isnt the cheapest one & it cost me plenty but IMO it waas completely worth it for the results I recieved, I would definetly buy the same kit again. It is quality and VERY complete & that counts to me. I didnt need to start buying pieces/parts after the fact like you need to do with some "complete" lifts. The only thing i needed extra, where aftermarket shafts & I knew that going into it.
The new Full Traction kits look impressive to me too, If i was getting a '12 i would likely go that route for a change-up to a longarm. (because i like to try new things)
Just check all your options, compare many brands/kit contents, prices etc. (cheap up front can kick your ass in the end, tons of horror stories on that scenario around here.) review the FAQ's and other posts of this nature and get the stuff you need to do it right, the first time. It will save you money in the long run.
Last edited by HappyCurmudgeon; Oct 28, 2011 at 04:20 AM.
