So to start off I'm sure this has been posted some where on here but i have used google and looked through some threads and it was hard to find a straight answer or review. I bought my first jeep a 1996 5 speed and every thing is in mint condition besides the sagging leafs. So i figured i will just do a 3" lift. I have looked at rough country ( which seems to be a good lift for the money), Rustys offered (which i still haven't made my mind up about since its hard to find reviews), zone ( looks to be a little better than the rc and rusty lift for close to the same price), and finally the iron rock off road- They have a standard 3" lift kit that it really looked nice but they also have a 3" premium kit that comes with just about anything i would ever want (control arms,track bar, etc). (all kits I'm doing full leaf springs) So in your guys/gals opinions which do you think would be best. I daily drive it and don't want to go over 3". I don't do very much extreme wheeling just some trails and mud. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

The Rustys is the highest quality made in NA springs leafs/coils out there for a starter lift and it can be built on if you wish. Mine has been on for going on 4 yrs now and the last 1 1/2 yrs was increased another 1 1/2" in lift using all the 3" parts.


Many people on here runs his lifts because of the quality springs he has and the only one made in NA. Here is mine with the old 3" lift and 33x12:50x15" tires, fenders are trimmed for them. Your best bet is buying a basic kit and then buying the other parts you need one at a time like a Dbl. Adj. Track Bar and a transfer case drop kit if needed. In this photo those were the only 2 extra items used other than the basic kit.

 

Doublepost :/

 

Misspost5 delete

 

I have the IRO 3" premium kit in my xj. I got the 3.5" leaf packs and boomerang shackles. The kit is very nice quality, rides and drives nice even with the hydro shocks. The only issue that I have is that the front sits about 3/4-1" lower than the rear due to the full leafs and new shackles. If I were to do it again I would just get the 4" premium kit because I am going to need to get 4" springs now to even out with the rear. If the "raked" look doesn't bother you then the 3" will be fine. Overall though I highly recommend their kit.

 

I have also heard good things about rustys coils and springs. I am going to be purchasing his 3" HD coil springs to help level my jeep up front. It is definitely a good priced kit for what you get especially if this is your first jeep/lift.

 

I'd recommend IRO. Many people run away from RUSTYS because his shipping is outrageously high priced

 

I've got the Zone 3" kit with full leaf packs. I'm happy with Zone, although I don't have anything to compare it to as its my first lift on my first Jeep. Good quality, good ride, good flex. Shipping direct from Zone is ridiculous, ordered mine through Morris. The kit is far from complete as far as everything needed, but a lot of people tend to piece their lift together anyway since some complete kits cut costs by using less than ideal parts (I see the IRO kit charges extra for full packs, and JKS discos). I did end up getting the JKS discos and IRO double shear track bar to supplement my Zone kit, and just bought some used Rustys LCAs. Zone is surprisingly not well known but those that use Zone seem pleased, and their parent company is BDS which receives good reviews for the most part.

 

I installed the IRO premium 3.5 kit, track bar, adj control arms, IRO rear shackles and Bilstein 5100's with an IRO hack and tap.Finished with Eaton Tru-Trac posi's front and rear with 4:56 gears and new 31 KM3 tires. All parts bought thru KOLAK PERFORMANCE in Arizona,Nick is a knowledgeable guy that knows his parts and gave me a killer deal, and shipped to Iowa no charge. I wouldn't buy from anyone else. Couldn't be happier. Rides fairly well,, new gearing is great, no vibrations and killer traction. By far not the cheapest parts out there, but very complete and no surprises.Top notch quality, everything built very good, no fitment issues. Defiantly recommend.(Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Lake Michigan)

 

Is your door eating your back wheel in that picture? Looks like it's moved forward quite a ways, hopefully it's just the angle of the photo.

 

 

Ah, glad to see. I've heard of quite a few door monsters out there. Good to see you don't have one of those guys.

 

Nick at Kolak addressed that symptom up front before recommending the lift for the XJ, he recommended the IRO kit and shackles to prevent any of that. He's been involved in a fair amount of lifts over the years and steered me the right direction. Kits out there for much less of course, but results aren't always good,, ya get what ya pay for in most instances.

 

Very cool. You and I have almost the same setup but I'm just a hair over 4" of lift (2.5" springs with 1.5" spacer up front) with Bilstein shocks with reservoirs and I'm on 32s. I'd like to do something with the gearing and lock it at the same time. Also, if you have the IRO adjustable track bar, it's got an enduro joint on the end of it... if that puppy ever goes bad it's literally 8 dollars to rebuild the whole thing, so that's a plus. Ive got all the parts to rebuild mine, just haven't had any time to do so yet.

 

I'm thinking this may be the 4.5 kit,, getting old and have a bad case of CRS ("cant remember shi#") I did buy the IRO locating bar, steering box stiffener, steering stabilizer, adjustable control arms most everything Nick discussed with me. I'm not Mr money bags, and I understand budgets, but learned years ago to do it right the first time if you can, and that was my goal. I envy you west coast guys, lots of 4 wheeling, without drowning in mud. I dont do mud, so it sits in the garage most time, unless trailer-ed to somewhere out of state.