Yes, another thread.

I was looking at Rustys and RC due to cost. Kinda looking at RE (I know they are good, but dont want to drop all the $$ on a 15 year old rig with 140k).

Anyway, I spoke to a local shop today about kits and he did not really like either kit (Rustys or RE). He especially did not like RC stuff, basically said its no good.

He is a dealer for RE and it sounds like he really wants to push me in that direction.

While I didnt take everything he said too seriously, it was a little concerning.

Both Rustys and RE have such great prices, I dont know .

 

if that's all he's selling you better believe he's gonna tell you everything else is crap. dont listen though, just do some research, let people on here who are running all different lifts give their opinions. RE is a good product, but it is expensive. and even though thats one of the more well known names, it's not to say the others are bad. i think that rusty's makes a pretty good lift, RC has a pretty good reputation too.

 

I run RE so I am a touch bias but I wouldn't hesitate to buy an RC lift kit. Rusty's coils are from what I have read a bit soft so I shied away from them. The primary reason I got my RE kit is well I got the 3.5 SR kit, re track bar and shocks to my house for $700ish.. Now if I hadn't gotten that deal I was going to get the RC 3" kit. I know a number of guys who run RC kits and love em.

 

I see RE is expensive too but I'm ordering a 2" lift for 250 bucks. It's a add a leaf, coil spacers and shocks by Rubicon Express.

 

I would go with the RC
the only thing with RC is there are some things that you need that do not come with the kit
but it is still cheaper than the RE and just as good

 

What additional things need to be done? I assume the brake lines need to come down. Sway bar extensions possible....

 

I have a Rusty's 4.5 and Daystar 2" BB on my XJ. I would go with the Rough Country 6.5" (full spring pack) kit if i had to do it over.

 

how much lift are you going with that should have ben the first thing we asked

 

if your going for a quality lift its gonna cost ya, i found rustys shipping to be kinda high...... i would buy from ebay, just a lil time and you can find what ya want....shipping is way better too..rough country is not a bad option, and you can get more bang for your buck....

 

or another route would be find one used on a local cl deal and then you can spend money on all the other important things. But ebay is good for rc lifts to

 

Lift update -

I've narrowed my choices down to 2 lifts. Kinda opposites but here they are:

Zone offroad - newer company somehow tied in with BDS at a lower cost (spoke to rep) $290 including shocks, springs, AAL (I know, I know), Ubolts, and shipping. Compares to RC, but is supposed to be a step up?

RE - local shop selling the 3.5" superride for $335 w/o shocks. In stock so no shipping. Figure another $100 for shocks (Procomps, at least this much if not more) Total $435 - $485.

My main concern is cost here. The Jeep is 15 years old and has 140k on it, dont want to dump a lot of money into it. The Jeep is mainly a pavement princess (daily driver). Planning to go with a 30 or 31 inch tire.

I like the price of the zone kit, but was suprised at the local price of the RE kit...

What do you guys think?

 

The RE 3.5 will be closer to 4-4.5" after all is said and done. Well being it's AAL I dunno, which is why it's cheap... Just know that RE lift are always taller then advertized. I bought the 3.5 with new leaf packs and back sits at 4.5" and front at 4.5 with a spacer added.

The Zone I dunno anything about but it's probably a good kit for the money and will likely sit right at 3". So unless you want more lift then 3" go with Zone.

 

I don't see any XJ stuff on Zone's website? Nevermind, found them!

 

obviously you dont wheel in competition or you wouldnt be asking this ...there is no name brand lift like rough country rustys skyjacker...etc that is just junk and no good or it wouldnt selll. he is just trying to make money. THe only difference in re 4.5 and otheres is where they buy there steel. what spring rates they use and to tel you my opinion i have a rough country 4.5 lift on my 87 xj with 175,000 miles paid 449.00 shiped for 24.95. and ive had this lift on two xjs so far and it flexes very well and rides just as smooth as a brand new stock suspension. WHat alot of guys dont mention is they trow a lift on and dont worry about changing all bushings, and other suspension components. there is no lift that will make an xj ride like a cadillac BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD DONT LISTEN TO SALESMEN IN YOUR DECISION GET WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH AND IF YOUVE HEARD THE BRAND FOR YEARS ITS PROBLY WORTH BUYING> FOR ANY ONE WHO THINKS A CERTAIN LIFT KIT IS JUNK PLEASE EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT MAKES IT JUNK LIke what part of it is junk the springs, control arms or brackets? dont call it junk because your fabtech or skyjacker cost 800 more than it lol

 

re lifts set higher for a while depending on what you do to them as far as hard wheeling or loads....only thing i guess is they are one spring rate not progressive spring rates