I have read that the 4.5" lift gets better flex and has a nicer ride on road with 3" springs and 1.5" extended shackles.. Is this true? Anyone have experience with either or both of these set-ups?
My Jeep will be 85% daily driver, (to and from work etc), but I do want it to be as capable off-road as I can get it without sacrificing all comfort/safety on-road. It sounds like the 3" set-up with shackles is the best all around way to go.. Yes? or No?
Thanks!!

 

I was going to go with a similar set up on mine for the same reason. I ended up going with 4.5 OME leaves and am very satisfied with them on and off road.

 

your lift will be different then everyone elses cause its all about what you like and how you like it to feel id try both and see which one works best for you

 

I'm interested in this too, I've been looking for some good military wrap leafs but many dont make them and i jump my jeep alot so i dont want to break them. FYI military wrap is when 2 leafs of the pack wrap around the bushings

 

Unfortunately i don't have the cash to try both.. I'm doing all the mods myself and am saving for each piece to the puzzle, so i am kinda in a "get it right the first time" situation cause i'm gonna be stuck with the set-up i choose for a while. I spoke to the place i was going to buy the kit from and they suggested to just go with the 4.5" leafs but get some greasable shackles maybe .5". I am debating it.. It seems to me that the longer shackles might clunk and be kinda loud.
I am in the process of reading Eric Zappe's book. It is giving me some good insight.. That is where i got the idea..

 

i havnt lifted my jeep but what ever you do if there is a block in there take it out they will create axle wrap and can possibly snap your leafs and id just go with a leaf its faster to do and if you dont like it you can always just throw the shackles in lol

 

Yeah, i'm avoiding blocks.. I want to do it the right way..

 

I had 3.5" leafs on my XJ with the stock shackles. I recently went up to 4.5" lift, so I added a 1" shackle and kept the leaf springs. I think the rear rides much nicer now. I bet it will be even better when I get my shackle relocation brackets.

 

RE 4.5" leafs are their 3.5" leafs with shackles.

 

Yes yes yes! Rubicon Express is amazing, outstanding and, unfortunately, out of business. Or "restructuring" the RE 3.5 super flex was what I wanted. The RC 4.5 is the closest thing to it now. Or so I gather

 

You can still get RE stuff from 4x4groupbuy and few other places. Honoring warranty stuff, IDK... I'm pretty sure they'll be back, at least I hope.

 

That'd be nice, but i want to do mt mods sooner than later. 4x4 Group Buy only has a few components. I have called nearly everyone. RC is pretty close in the components offered in their "x-series" kit. But i don't know about quality yet. I am hoping they are close..