unidentifiedbomb

So I am about to be on winter break from college and would like to lift my jeep 3"s from RC but am also thinking about buying RC's budget lift kit with the spacers and shackles. What should I consider about combining the two?

Donnie_K

That you can get the same height with real springs rather than spacers and shackles for not much more money... Call Rough Country, ask for jason, mention this forum, get a discount on a 4.5" with full leaf packs. Spacers on top of a 3" lift makes for a lot of body roll since the spring rate is lower. 4.5's are stiffer to accomodate the raised center of gravity.

unidentifiedbomb

But I am wondering about sye transfer cases and other extra things I will need to buy on top of the lift. and the full leaf packs are over $800 with the combo i'll just be spending over $400, not going to double the costs

unidentifiedbomb

Now I am thinking about just getting the 3" lift without lower control arms with the AAL but buy shackles to even out the ride. Does this sound like a better plan for a full 3"s of lift and does anyone have pictures of 31in tires on a 3" lift. I appreciate all the help and am really pumped to lift it soon

BlackXJLimited

I would get the 4.5 if you can. I have RC's series II 3in. AAL kit w/ 31's. Mine settled down after 6 months.

Donnie_K

so you're telling me a 4.5" lift is going to need an SYE and a 3" lift with 2" added on top of it doesn't? you are mistaken my friend. And like I told you, call and ask for jason, it won't be 800 dollars..

djlarroc

i second calling rc and mentioning the forum.

i would say to go w/a 3" lift though. that seems to be the sweet spot lift before having to do a bunch more work and money. if you are willing to trim, you can run 33s w/a 3" lift. plus, i've never been a fan of 4.5" leafs. it's better to go 3" leafs and a longer shackle. the more curve in the leaf needed to get the higher lift, also affects flex and ride. a flatter leaf will ride and flex better.

robwaz98xj

i wouldnt even do the 3 inch or 4.5 . i did a small lift first then realized i wanted a larger lift and went to rustysoffroad.com to purchase the long arm 8.5 lift kit. i can tell you that all my friends w/ cherokees in the area are saving up to get that kit or building their own to compete with mine. its def a great kit to get and a few friends had it done in a weekend

unidentifiedbomb

I would just set the shackles to 1.5" just to even out the ride since my jeep is an 88' and even though the leafs aren't sagging badly there still is slight sagging going on. So i would get the shackles to even it out

Donnie_K

lol, he's already talking about going higher than 3" before he's even got his 3" lift... I'll tell you what... I was originalyl torn between the 3 and the 4.5". I ended up going with the 4.5" based on advice from members here on this forum and I'm glad I did. A buddy of mine got the 3" just a couple months later and I'd have been very disappointed if I had went that route, his looked stock next to mine. His springs are alot softer so it leans alot more in the corners. And now, because he didn't go the height he wanted to in the first place, he has added shackles and spacers and it just drives like crap... flexes good, but has no street manners at all. Just go with the 4.5", you'll be glad you did.

robwaz98xj

1.5 is a waste of time.. 1.5 inches still looks stock. check out rustys offroad and look @ the 8.5 long arm. mine drives as it did stock

unidentifiedbomb

ha thanks guys, sorry if i am being stubborn I just have to think about the money especially being in college in all.

2trackin

What I've learned so far is.
Don't short yourself just because of your budget.
Set yourself a goal. And work towards it. In other words don't settle for less than you want just because you don't have the cash for it right now.
Save up till yiu can afford exactly what you want. You will be much much happier.

Donnie_K

The price difference isn't that much. you can get the 4.5" with add a leaf just like you can the 3". it's just that add a leafs suck and you'll wind up replacing your leaf packs eventually anyway. Why burn through more money by not doing it right the first time?

unidentifiedbomb

How much did you pay for your lift and get your jeep to stay running smooth? I would love to get the 4.5" and I know AAL's suck from what everyone says but what if your like me and never has anything in the back of the jeep and just wheels around at most with one person in the passenger side so there is virtually no extra weight in the back