i read the directions for the RC..is it REALLY that easy?

how come some other 2.5 inch lift kits talk about removing things like Track Bars for the install & adjusting brake lines?


thanks
Steve

 

Though RC makes durable products, you will find that not many people on this forum like RC (there will also be a few who swear by them). The primary reason is just what you mentioned above. When doing a 2.5" or larger kit you WANT to reloctate your brake lines and adjust your trackbars. If you do any type of moderate to hard wheeling you will quickly find out why as well.
Most of the user on here will stick with companys like TeraFlex, OME, Full Traction, etc, because they tend to offer a much more "complete" kit including those items you need to relocate your brake lines, trackbar, quick-disco's, etc.
Now I am not say RC doesnt make quality products, I have yet to hear of one of their products failing, but you will end up paying extra with them for what comes standard in everyone elses kit.

 

What does the trackbar do & why do you need to adjust?

 

The trackbar centers your axle from left to right. As the factory track bar is a fixed length when you lift the vehicle it will pull the front axle to the drivers side and the rear axle to the passenger side moving them off center. Now we are not talking about feet here we are talking 3/4-1" enough to be noticable but it wont affect the way your JK rides on the road. What it will do though is affect how it behaves off road under extreme suspension compression and cause undue wear on parts and alot of preload on wheels and tires making it behave a little strangley sometimes. When lifting you also change the angle of the trackbar so it is no longer in line (read as paralel) to the draglink. This misalignment can cause bumpsteer (hit a bump and it wants to turn vs. rolling over the bump). With 2.5" the bumpesteer is not really a noticable problem to many, but the axle being off center and the other issues can be. Your best bet is to get an adjustable trackbar and recenter your axles front and rear. If not at least use the brackets provided (or in RC case you purchase seperatley) to bring you back to center.

 

sounds mildly complicated..

 

Not really, just get a good complete lift kit and read the instructions thoroughly front to back before doing anything. Most of the kits make it easy for you, then there are others.................

 

I have had a 2.5" RC kit in one form or another for about the past 20,000 miles...first, a spacer kit with stock shocks and extensions..now the coil kit with 2.2 shocks AND 3/4" spacers front/rear for about 3" total lift.

I've wheeled it, gone on trips, and I drive it everyday to work and back home and haven't had any issues at all...also, I haven't installed any adjustable trackbars or trackbar brackets (although I have one sitting in the floor right now). I have, however, extended the brake lines with some spare aluminum I had laying around...and I've had some Teraflex quick discos for a while now also.

So, yes, some other kits come more complete...but that doesn't necessarily mean you NEED some of those "extra" parts. And, if you do, you can usually buy them seperate and still come out cheaper than a comparable kit from someone else...that's sort of the route I'm taking.

 

I installed the 2.5 spacer lift up front today and that was pretty easy. I couldn't figure out how to get the bolt for the rear spacer to stay in place to it could be bolted on, and I was still had 1/4" nose down rake with just the front budget boost done, so I called it good since I mainly wanted to level it out, and also give me a bit more clearance off road.

 

I will echo JK-KJ's comments.

My RC 2.5 lift shifted my axles slightly, but I didn't have to realign and no bumpsteer. No new trackbar and none planned in the near future.

The rear brake line relocate, however, is recommended. At full flex, the brake line is pulled pretty tight. I bought stainless mending plates at Menards for a couple bucks and cut them to length so the OEM bracket was at the bottom of the frame rail. Piece of cake.

Oh, I also bought the RC swaybar disconnects. At $50 for two, less than half the other guys. I had rear swaybar spacer brackets left over from my Daystar spacer lift and used the disconnects up front to bring the bar back level once the suspension was lifted.

Installing the lift is simple if you take off the wheels. Leaving the wheels on requires some serious jacking height and danger. (What I did when I installed my Daystar pucks. )

 

If you ask for the brake line extensions when you order your RC lift, they will sell them to you for $1 each.