Thoughts on RK vs. Teraflex
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: CT
Only issue in seeing is MC joints is ran In a custom suspension. Even MC states the DF joints should be ran on both ends of the arm. So somebody running along with another joint. might have issues. I mean MC joints are designed with the stock geometry in mind. There is no long arm kit.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: CT
Here was my setup:
~2013 JKUR
~RK 2.5" springs
~Bilstien 5100 shocks
~Synergy high steer kit
~Synergy front track bar/sway bar end links/steering stabilizer relocation bracket
~RK rear track bracket
~RK front adj. track bar
~RK rear adj. track bar
~RK "Mid-arms" - All 8 of them (really just an adjustable short arm... they bolt to factory locations)
~Teraflex Bumpstops
~Teraflex brake line drop brackets
~RK quick discos
~RK rear extended sway bar links
~Synergy 9/16 bolt kit
The self designed kit worked amazingly well, and everything was dialed in to perfection, however the ride was still pretty harsh.
I then went to this:
~AEV 3.5" springs (replaced RK)
~Stock front track bar (replaced RK adj.)
~Stock rear track bar (replaced RK adj.)
~Stock control arms w/ AEV geo brackets (replaced RK adj.)
All other components the same as the first setup.
The on road ride improved dramatically. Although the numbers don't say so, the lift height was almost identical between the 2 sets of springs. (RK springs were way more than 2.5") With the synergy high steer kit and synergy track bar relocation in the front, and the RK rear track bar bracket, the axles are perfectly centered and the geometry is perfect with no bumpsteer, flighty steering, etc... on 35's.
If I could do it all again, I would go straight to the AEV 3.5" kit with the 9/16 bolt kit from synergy (that's basically what I have now). If something wears out (stock part), you can get brand new take off stuff on craigslist, or on here for virtually nothing. Stock arms flex surprisingly well.
That said - If I used my jeep for extreme offroad trips that made up 50% or more of my total seat time, the RK stuff was awesome - and I would have kept it ALL! It's virtually unbreakable, and does flex a LITTLE more than stock.
I know I am going to get flamed for this post... especially for being a new guy, but so many people go overboard on this stuff with their jeep. Like I said, if you do extreme offroad, then you're on the right track, but if you only do moderate off-roading and want a good road ride, I wouldn't hesitate to get AEV. Just think about it
Don't hate me!
~2013 JKUR
~RK 2.5" springs
~Bilstien 5100 shocks
~Synergy high steer kit
~Synergy front track bar/sway bar end links/steering stabilizer relocation bracket
~RK rear track bracket
~RK front adj. track bar
~RK rear adj. track bar
~RK "Mid-arms" - All 8 of them (really just an adjustable short arm... they bolt to factory locations)
~Teraflex Bumpstops
~Teraflex brake line drop brackets
~RK quick discos
~RK rear extended sway bar links
~Synergy 9/16 bolt kit
The self designed kit worked amazingly well, and everything was dialed in to perfection, however the ride was still pretty harsh.
I then went to this:
~AEV 3.5" springs (replaced RK)
~Stock front track bar (replaced RK adj.)
~Stock rear track bar (replaced RK adj.)
~Stock control arms w/ AEV geo brackets (replaced RK adj.)
All other components the same as the first setup.
The on road ride improved dramatically. Although the numbers don't say so, the lift height was almost identical between the 2 sets of springs. (RK springs were way more than 2.5") With the synergy high steer kit and synergy track bar relocation in the front, and the RK rear track bar bracket, the axles are perfectly centered and the geometry is perfect with no bumpsteer, flighty steering, etc... on 35's.
If I could do it all again, I would go straight to the AEV 3.5" kit with the 9/16 bolt kit from synergy (that's basically what I have now). If something wears out (stock part), you can get brand new take off stuff on craigslist, or on here for virtually nothing. Stock arms flex surprisingly well.
That said - If I used my jeep for extreme offroad trips that made up 50% or more of my total seat time, the RK stuff was awesome - and I would have kept it ALL! It's virtually unbreakable, and does flex a LITTLE more than stock.
I know I am going to get flamed for this post... especially for being a new guy, but so many people go overboard on this stuff with their jeep. Like I said, if you do extreme offroad, then you're on the right track, but if you only do moderate off-roading and want a good road ride, I wouldn't hesitate to get AEV. Just think about it
Don't hate me!
People say how great AEV rides. I'm willing to bet--run without the drop brackets--opinions might be different. I will agree ... Drop brackets do make a huge difference in ride. I run the Rancho's and considering keeping them with a short arm. Other than that ... I totally agree with everything you said
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 1
From: Bossier City, LA
Or choose a decent coil, shock and run Rancho or AEV drop brackets. People say how great AEV rides. I'm willing to bet--run without the drop brackets--opinions might be different. I will agree ... Drop brackets do make a huge difference in ride. I run the Rancho's and considering keeping them with a short arm. Other than that ... I totally agree with everything you said
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: East Bridgewater, MA
I've run both Teraflex and RK. Both a great companies and both make solid, heavy duty components. The difference in joints between TF and RK can be argued all day with no real clear winner. Whichever you choose, follow the maintenance according to directions.
The coils are the biggest difference. TF coils usually give you much more than stated lift and eventually will settle a bit. Unless they changed them, they are all linear coils. Some people complain that they sag but I really never noticed mine other than what was probably a bit of settling over time. The RK coils, depending on what you get shipped to you, are prorgessive or triple rate. The coils I have are the original progressive in the front and linear in the back. The "progressive nature" of the front coils are simply 3 or 4 tight wraps that the top that bear the weight of heavy bumpers. Most people with 4 doors will see those 3 or 4 wraps completely compressed when Jeep is at rest. If you have a 2 door and stock front, you end up with a reverse rake because there is not enough weight to settle the top part of the coils. So I am not exactly sure if that means they are progressive or simply dual rate (maybe it's the same thing). The new triple rates look to give a better progressive ride but I don't have those coils....yet
From a ride standpoint, I found the TF to be better for daily use. It just felt better. The RK is stiffer and I feel a lot more on road. The RK is also noiser. My joints are the "maintenance free" ones so I can't grease them. I find I have to spray them frequaently with wd40 or other lubricant to get rid of the squeaks.
Off-road, the RK probably has the edge because it is a bit stiffer and I feel more response but it's tough to really tell since my TF was a smaller lift.
Either one is a great choice. From a price comprison, the RK is probably a little cheaper but both are less that MC. Hopefully this helps give you some real world comprison of the two brands you are looking at rather than spitting out 10 other lifts to consider..
The coils are the biggest difference. TF coils usually give you much more than stated lift and eventually will settle a bit. Unless they changed them, they are all linear coils. Some people complain that they sag but I really never noticed mine other than what was probably a bit of settling over time. The RK coils, depending on what you get shipped to you, are prorgessive or triple rate. The coils I have are the original progressive in the front and linear in the back. The "progressive nature" of the front coils are simply 3 or 4 tight wraps that the top that bear the weight of heavy bumpers. Most people with 4 doors will see those 3 or 4 wraps completely compressed when Jeep is at rest. If you have a 2 door and stock front, you end up with a reverse rake because there is not enough weight to settle the top part of the coils. So I am not exactly sure if that means they are progressive or simply dual rate (maybe it's the same thing). The new triple rates look to give a better progressive ride but I don't have those coils....yet
From a ride standpoint, I found the TF to be better for daily use. It just felt better. The RK is stiffer and I feel a lot more on road. The RK is also noiser. My joints are the "maintenance free" ones so I can't grease them. I find I have to spray them frequaently with wd40 or other lubricant to get rid of the squeaks.
Off-road, the RK probably has the edge because it is a bit stiffer and I feel more response but it's tough to really tell since my TF was a smaller lift.
Either one is a great choice. From a price comprison, the RK is probably a little cheaper but both are less that MC. Hopefully this helps give you some real world comprison of the two brands you are looking at rather than spitting out 10 other lifts to consider..
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: CT
I think a 2 door--especially lifted--will handle better with drop brackets then a 4 door.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 1
From: Bossier City, LA
I've run both Teraflex and RK. Both a great companies and both make solid, heavy duty components. The difference in joints between TF and RK can be argued all day with no real clear winner. Whichever you choose, follow the maintenance according to directions. The coils are the biggest difference. TF coils usually give you much more than stated lift and eventually will settle a bit. Unless they changed them, they are all linear coils. Some people complain that they sag but I really never noticed mine other than what was probably a bit of settling over time. The RK coils, depending on what you get shipped to you, are prorgessive or triple rate. The coils I have are the original progressive in the front and linear in the back. The "progressive nature" of the front coils are simply 3 or 4 tight wraps that the top that bear the weight of heavy bumpers. Most people with 4 doors will see those 3 or 4 wraps completely compressed when Jeep is at rest. If you have a 2 door and stock front, you end up with a reverse rake because there is not enough weight to settle the top part of the coils. So I am not exactly sure if that means they are progressive or simply dual rate (maybe it's the same thing). The new triple rates look to give a better progressive ride but I don't have those coils....yet From a ride standpoint, I found the TF to be better for daily use. It just felt better. The RK is stiffer and I feel a lot more on road. The RK is also noiser. My joints are the "maintenance free" ones so I can't grease them. I find I have to spray them frequaently with wd40 or other lubricant to get rid of the squeaks. Off-road, the RK probably has the edge because it is a bit stiffer and I feel more response but it's tough to really tell since my TF was a smaller lift. Either one is a great choice. From a price comprison, the RK is probably a little cheaper but both are less that MC. Hopefully this helps give you some real world comprison of the two brands you are looking at rather than spitting out 10 other lifts to consider..
Now with the MC and synergy comments above I'm interested in that. lol.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 1
From: Bossier City, LA
That's the thing though. Keep in mind. A 2 door is not going to handle as well as a 4 door. The wheelbase alone allows the suspension to work more independently front to rear (if that makes sense) I think a 2 door--especially lifted--will handle better with drop brackets then a 4 door.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 1
From: Bossier City, LA
That's the thing though. Keep in mind. A 2 door is not going to handle as well as a 4 door. The wheelbase alone allows the suspension to work more independently front to rear (if that makes sense) I think a 2 door--especially lifted--will handle better with drop brackets then a 4 door.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto, CA
What problems? I've bashed the sh!t out of mine on the Rubicon, and my jeep is my daily driver. I have not heard of any MC problems. Maybe you can elaborate and people w/ any of those problems can chime in.