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RE 4.5 short arm vs Teraflex 4" Full flex vs Rock Krawler 5.5 mid arm.

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Old 02-05-2014, 08:35 AM
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Default RE 4.5 short arm vs Teraflex 4" Full flex vs Rock Krawler 5.5 mid arm.

Let me start of by saying that Ive searched and searched and still havn't came up with an answer on which lift to order. The suspension system will be going on 2010 4 door jk sport unlimited and my plan is to run 37x12.50x20 tires. The jeep is on the street 85% of the time so I want the best lift for handling yet performs great offroad. The plan is keep factory fenders and trim a little if needed. I have seen some 3.5" lifts with 37s and the tire seems a little tight in the wheel well, I dont prefer that look. So hopefully you guys can help me with a few questions.

-How much lift should I expect out of the following lifts on my particular jeep? Ive heard some get 4" out of a 3.5" ect.
-Does RE still have the bushing issues?
-Is there one lift that will perform better on street than off road and vice versa?
-Does one of these lifts stand out over the others?
-Is one going to be easier to upgrade to long arms down the road?
-Im planning on running bilstein 5100 on either three of the lifts below...is there a certain valving that I want
-is there a difference between springs on these lifts? progessive vs standard ect.

4.5" Rubicon Short Arm
Rubicon Express Part RE7144M - 4.5 Inch Super-Flex Short Arm Lift Kit with Mono Tube Shocks - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler - 4 Wheel Parts

Teraflex 4"
TeraFlex Part 1156400 - 4 Inch Lift Kit - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4 Wheel Parts

Rock Krawler Mid Arm
Rock Krawler Part JK5583 - 5.5 Inch X Factor Mid Arm Lift Kit - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler, Rubicon and Unlimited - 4 Wheel Parts

Thank you for your help.
Old 02-05-2014, 08:42 AM
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Not that I know much about the other questions there but, if I were to run any of those on my jeep it'd be hands down the rock krawler kit.

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Old 02-05-2014, 09:43 AM
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37"s will be fine on 3.5" or more of lift. You'll run the fenders off road but not a big deal.
IMHO, Rock Krawler is the best of the bunch. I ran the 3.5" max set up for 30k miles on and offroad.
With all that being said, the ride quality differences between short arm and long arm are very significant. If there is any way you can save up a bit longer and go straight to a long arm lift you won't regret it and your wallet will thank you.
Old 02-05-2014, 11:07 AM
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I can only speak on behalf of the RE control arm bushings. Year old and going strong. I grease them every oil change with synthetic grease. They are a solid bushing and provide good flex for a DD jeep. They have no play in them and look new still. Ive flexed my jeep, washboard roads and lots of DD. Great arms for the price! I think overall the RE lifts are pretty decent. Yes rock krawler uses a triple coil and provides slightly increased flex, but a 3.5RE is a great bang for the buck lift. Full mid arms, monotubes ( 5100's ) and brake lines plus pretty much everything else you need. $1600
Old 02-05-2014, 12:32 PM
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It will be easy to swap out the short arms to a long arm upgrade kit. Just keep in mind that your only removing the short arms and cutting off the stock brackets, then welding in new brackets for the long arms.
Old 02-05-2014, 12:44 PM
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Not to mention 4.5 and 5.5 is a tall lift. 3.5-4" is plenty of lift for 37's. Any clearance issues can be fixed with flat fenders. Heres my JK with a 3.5 and flat fenders. Tons of room for 37's and flex.

Click image for larger version

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Old 02-05-2014, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Marley77
Let me start of by saying that Ive searched and searched and still havn't came up with an answer on which lift to order. The suspension system will be going on 2010 4 door jk sport unlimited and my plan is to run 37x12.50x20 tires. The jeep is on the street 85% of the time so I want the best lift for handling yet performs great offroad. The plan is keep factory fenders and trim a little if needed. I have seen some 3.5" lifts with 37s and the tire seems a little tight in the wheel well, I dont prefer that look. So hopefully you guys can help me with a few questions.

-How much lift should I expect out of the following lifts on my particular jeep? Ive heard some get 4" out of a 3.5" ect.
-Does RE still have the bushing issues?
-Is there one lift that will perform better on street than off road and vice versa?
-Does one of these lifts stand out over the others?
-Is one going to be easier to upgrade to long arms down the road?
-Im planning on running bilstein 5100 on either three of the lifts below...is there a certain valving that I want
-is there a difference between springs on these lifts? progessive vs standard ect.

4.5" Rubicon Short Arm
Rubicon Express Part RE7144M - 4.5 Inch Super-Flex Short Arm Lift Kit with Mono Tube Shocks - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler - 4 Wheel Parts

Teraflex 4"
TeraFlex Part 1156400 - 4 Inch Lift Kit - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon Unlimited - 4 Wheel Parts

Rock Krawler Mid Arm
Rock Krawler Part JK5583 - 5.5 Inch X Factor Mid Arm Lift Kit - Fits 2007 to 2014 JK Wrangler, Rubicon and Unlimited - 4 Wheel Parts

Thank you for your help.
1. Depends on the weight of your jeep.
2. Time will tell, but I doubt it due to the design.
3. No.
4. Yes, the rock krawler addressed the steering issue with a drag link flip.
5. Any kit is upgradeable.
6. You might but the 5100's only come in two different valving options that I know of. The standard throw-a-way and the AEV tuned.
7. Yes.

Last edited by TheDirtman; 02-05-2014 at 02:53 PM.
Old 02-05-2014, 03:27 PM
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I'm running the RockKrawler 5.5" mid arm kit with RRD reservoir shocks on 37" Cooper STTs. It handles and drives beautifully. Has a ton of flex!
I'll answer a few of your questions
1. You will get a solid 5.5"
2. It has linear springs not progressive, I personally see nothing negative about them.
3. The joints used by Rock krawler are their Pro Krawler joint, it is fully serviceable and rebuildable if needed.
4. The 5.5" kit uses Rock krawler's ultimate steering kit, this kit contains their bombproof front tracbar, tracbar bracket, H.D. draglink and flip kit. This kit works great. Ran my JK for quite sometime without the steering stabilizer because it wasn't needed. ZERO bumpsteer.
5. All kits are upgradable but Rock Krawler has both long arm and the triple threat options to upgrade to if desired.

here are a few pics of mine.
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Old 02-05-2014, 03:39 PM
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Thanks for all the help with answering my questions!



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