Rough Country or Rubicon Express.....
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 436
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From: Bardstown, KY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I didn't want to jack the other thread going on right now "Rough Country or Rusty's....", but it appears that Rough Country is the opinion of most. Now I would like to know what people would say about Rough Country vs RE. I'm looking to get about 4.5" with full leaf packs and run 31s for now. So I guess that would be comparing the RE SuperFlex 3.5" kit (which apparently nets 4.5") to the RC 4.5" kit.
Basically, is the RE worth the extra $$$. I do plan to wheel it, but will spend most of its time as a DD with a 60 mile round trip commute on some rough *** concrete interstate. I'm willing to pay a little extra if the RE will really deliver on the ride. Also, is there a quality difference between the two brands? I plan to keep this XJ for a long time, so I'm willing to pay to a degree if there's really a difference.
I realize that this is very subjective, but appreciate anyone's opinions as well as "facts" if there are any.
Basically, is the RE worth the extra $$$. I do plan to wheel it, but will spend most of its time as a DD with a 60 mile round trip commute on some rough *** concrete interstate. I'm willing to pay a little extra if the RE will really deliver on the ride. Also, is there a quality difference between the two brands? I plan to keep this XJ for a long time, so I'm willing to pay to a degree if there's really a difference.
I realize that this is very subjective, but appreciate anyone's opinions as well as "facts" if there are any.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 404
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
From all of the research that I have done, If you can afford RE, go RE. They are some of the most well put together kits out there.
::CF Administrator::
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
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From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Yep I love my RE lift for sure. Very good parts and well put together and complete kits. Rough Country is good for the money. It all boils down to how much you want to spend. Both companies make good lifts and opinions on them will very but I have yet to meet anyone who has anything bad to say about RE.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
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From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
::CF Administrator::
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 16
From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
That's a mighty bold statement.. Maybe to him RC is better and to you RE is better. You can't just walk in and make a statement of fact like this without valid proof, that's just asinine. When it comes to lift kits everyone has their own opinions and thoughts as to which is better but without proof it's nothing more then your opinion.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,184
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From: Ohio
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1995 ZJ 4.0
Your opinion is wrong RE is not "worlds better" I have owned jeeps with both brands of kits, and they both had many, many of the same features and qualities BUT RE is worlds more expensive which makes it worse for anyone that cares about money(IE. not crazy rich)you could buy the lift wheels and tires from RC and they will mount and balance and send you lug for the price of a comparable lift from RE. RE is a nice lift but I will not buy another till they chop their prices by like 40%
Last edited by bigbadxj; Mar 25, 2009 at 05:08 PM.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 404
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I would go RC over all others because I like their pricing, My rig is a DD/weekend wheeler, and they have their new control arms with rebuildable flex joints now so thats an added plus. My opinion is heavily weighed by cost though. If you were to ask someone who has unltd. funds, they'd probably tell you to go RE.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, read all the opinions given to a thread like this with a grain of salt. Take all the info and try to apply it to your situation and then make a decision for yourself because after all is said and done, its you who has to live with it.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Bardstown, KY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
That's a mighty bold statement.. Maybe to him RC is better and to you RE is better. You can't just walk in and make a statement of fact like this without valid proof, that's just asinine. When it comes to lift kits everyone has their own opinions and thoughts as to which is better but without proof it's nothing more then your opinion.
So maybe the better question is "if they were the same price, which is better and why?"
You are never going to get a straight answer on a question like this as it totally depends on what you use it for, financial situations, etc. Way too many variables.
I would go RC over all others because I like their pricing, My rig is a DD/weekend wheeler, and they have their new control arms with rebuildable flex joints now so thats an added plus. My opinion is heavily weighed by cost though. If you were to ask someone who has unltd. funds, they'd probably tell you to go RE.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, read all the opinions given to a thread like this with a grain of salt. Take all the info and try to apply it to your situation and then make a decision for yourself because after all is said and done, its you who has to live with it.
I would go RC over all others because I like their pricing, My rig is a DD/weekend wheeler, and they have their new control arms with rebuildable flex joints now so thats an added plus. My opinion is heavily weighed by cost though. If you were to ask someone who has unltd. funds, they'd probably tell you to go RE.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, read all the opinions given to a thread like this with a grain of salt. Take all the info and try to apply it to your situation and then make a decision for yourself because after all is said and done, its you who has to live with it.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 404
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
That's what I'm looking for is proof that RE is better, if there is any. Such as, they use such and such process to make their leafs or use this kind of steel or whatever... I definitely don't have unlimited funds, but can swing the RE lift right now if I delay some other things.
So maybe the better question is "if they were the same price, which is better and why?"
So maybe the better question is "if they were the same price, which is better and why?"
A couple minutes on their respective websites and I've come up with this: RE 3.5" SF kit has sway bar disconnects, SS rear brake line, and flex joints on their lower control arms. RC, on their 4.5" kit, provides new sway bar links but as far as I can tell, not disconnectable, Brake line drop brackets, and no flex joints (call them and I'm sure you can get them substituted but probably for more money). If they were the same price, go RE. The prices listed on the sites there's only $100 difference between the kits you are looking at.
The other thing that you should do is talk to Jason at RC. From what I've read, he's awesome to deal with.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
.
::CF Administrator::
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 16
From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Well I can tell you honestly if I hadn't gotten such a sweet deal on my RE 3.5 kit I would have gone with RC. I got the RE 3.5 Super RIde, RE Twin Tube shocks, RE1600 trackbar all shipped to my door for right at $700. Normal price should have been closer to $900+. When I bought my lift I was going to get the RC 4.5" kit but couldn't pass on the RE kit, it rides a little lower which is what I wanted and it's top quality. I do however wish I had gone with the Monotube shocks.


