What is the best bang for your buck 4.5 inch lift iv been looking at a rustys 4.5 and a rough country 4.5 but i was woundering what you guys prefer, i see on the rough country site it has a list of recomended parts but i dont want to spend 1000 on just s lift kit... What do yall think?

Rough coubtry seems to be way more popular these days because they have such a great website and amazing customer service! As far as other things you will NEED at that hight. Nothing really. BUT if you plan to do any kind of offroading you should get an adjustable trackbar, break lines, control arms, and possibly a slip yolk eliminator or trasfer case drop. The pre97 models seam to only need a tcase drop.
The brake lines you can get at napa for $45. The rest you can get from rough country if you need it.

Okay thanks and do they have a difference in ride comfort? Or are they all pretty much the same? The kit im looking at on both sites comes with everything you listed

I have the RC 4.5" kit on my Comanche and it rides great. I have not had to get longer brake lines or track bar yet. The only problem I've had is I've blown out 2 sets of there front shocks.

Brandon

Dang 2 sets? Were you driving on the road or wheeling?

I have the RC 3" kit...and it rides like crap! It handles well(not a whole lot of body role in the corners) but it makes you feel every hole and bump in the road! If i were to do it again i would have ordered the kit without the shocks and gotten some bilstiens. Or atleast made sure i got the performance 2.2 shocks.
And as far as ride quality goes... Getting a long arm or a control arm drop kit would help a lot too!

i bought my 4.5in RC kit used with like 1k miles its great. rides not 100% smooth. But hey its a cherokee. i used the T case drop and i dont have any vibes. ITs fine. Go with rough country. I dont even have an adjust. track bar! Just need an alignment.

It's been 4 months since I put the kit on and have done mostly on road driving but yeah so wheeling. Thank god there under warranty but it's still a real pain in the *** to keep replaceing them.

Brandon

RC with full leaf packs is a solid lift kit. Very happy with it.

If you stick with 32" tires you will have zero to very minor trimming.

well for a budget kit there is a few ways to go...

Rough Country has a 4.5" Add A Leaf kit for $460 (on sale, normally $499)

lets look at what it includes

-4.5" Front coil springs
-front lower control arms (fixed length)
-transfer case drop kit
-swaybar links (not disconnects)
-brake line relocating brackets
-(4) RC Hydro 8000 series shocks
-rear add-a-leafs (3")
-1.5" lift shackles


they also sell a MUCH more complete kit for $829

Front 4.5" coil springs
-upper AND lower adjustable X-Flex control arms
-transfer case drop kit
-adjustable track bar
-stainless steel brake lines
-sway-bar disconnects.
-Rear 4.5" leaf springs (I would rather see 3" leaf springs with 1.5" shackles, but oh well)
-u-bolts
-Shocks (4) Nitro 9000 shocks.

this kit has the adjustable upper and lower control arms as well as the stainless steel brake lines, the adjustable trackbar, better shocks, and sway bar disconnects... not to mention a brand new rear leaf pack...


---------------------

another option for under $1000

is Rusty's 4.5" kit for only $670

lets look at what it includes

• Front 4.5" coil springs (super soft 150 LBS)
• Rear 4.5" leaf springs (brand new pack
• Fixed front lower control arms
• Front hydro preformance shocks
• Rear hydro prformance shocks
• Adjustable trac bar
• Front Sway Bar Drop Kit
• Transfer case drop kit
• Brake line extension kit
• Grade 8 U-Bolts
• 6 degree shims

you can upgrade to adjustable control arms with rubber ends for $60, OR with FLEX ends for $80

for another $40 you can upgrade to 3" rear springs and a 1.5" Heavy Duty shackle... this will ride better and flex better too


-------------------


Zone also has a kit the is similar to Rough Country's 4.5" Add a Leaf, however they want $495 for it... it comes with the same options


-----------

you really NEED a kit that includes brake lines and an adjustable trackbar, BUT you can just redrill your trackbar mount

for the money the Rusty's kit, with the 3" rear springs and 1.5" lift shackle is the way to go, you might consider upgrading to the adjustable control arms too

also for a $100 or so less Rusty's has a 4.5" kit that is pretty much the same, but comes with a 3" Add A Leaf and 1.5" shackles... everything else is the same as the other Rusty's kit

I kind of understand why it flex better, but would you care to explain how will it ride better pls?
Thx....sorry for the hijack OP.

well a 4.5" leaf spring has a really aggressive arch...

a 3" does not...

that extra arch will make the ride rougher

another thing i have noticed it that when they make taller leaf springs they tend to end up with a crappy shackle angle... this also causes a harsh ride

Thx eric!

You said the rustys has super soft 150 lb coil springs, im sorry to sound dumb but is this a good or a bad thing?

trade up to a ZJ