Looking to put together a 3-3.5" lift over this winter break, but at the same time don't want something that's ghetto rigged or rides like crap.

Any advice?

Buy a rough country 3 inch series1 its cheap and bone basic or series2 with extra useful stuff and pay $100 more.

Buy a set of adjustable control arms and front coils. Should run about $200-250 for those two and then build a bastard pack rear with another set of leafs. You could move the tracbar over or run an adjustable one of those aswell.


I run a pack of Ford heavy 3/4 ton and XJ leafs and it rides smooth as glass. Most kits run a bit more than and use an AAL which normally rides ****ty.

My original 3.5" lift was rusty's 3" coils, JK shocks and s10 bastard pack in the rear. It costed my about $200 and did well, the shocks were alittle too short but were free and rode great.

I run just s10 packs in the rear with a shackle and shackle relocation boxes to get ~4.75" and I love the way it rides. If i were to build another lift, I would skip the bastard pack and just run the s10 leafs. It did move my axle back 1"

RC series II with full leaf springs.

When doing this is it better to lower the transfer case ot to do the SYE. What has the better potential of no vibrations?

You can do the TC drop as a temp fix until you can install a SYE, but I suggest you do the SYE.

Keep in mind when you drop the TC, you're also changing the angle the motor and tranny sits. While this isn't that big of a deal in an automatic, I found that when I dropped the TC in my manual shift TJ, the flywheel/PP made chattering because the engine was sitting at a different angle all the time. Once I installed a SYE, the noise went away. I'll always support a SYE + proper rear drive shaft over a TC drop for long term use.

To get back on topic:
I picked up some Rugged Ridge HD OEM springs and it gave me 1" over stock lift in the rear. So that changed my plans to leave it stock. I'm not a fan of the hotrod rake(ie nose down) look. So my plan has changed to net myself around 3" of lift and run 31s.

My parts list is:
HD rear springs (1" of lift)
2" rear shackles (1.5-2" lift)
3" front coils (2.5-3" lift)
Rocker protection/sliders
HD front bumper with winch
HD rear bumper with swing away tire carrier and jerry can holder.

I've read that you shouldn't need a SYE or TC drop until you approach 4" of lift but I'm sure each rig is different, so I would go ahead and lift it the 3-3.5 you want, and if you notice vibes, put in a TC drop until you can get a SYE installed.

Kind of what I figured.There's never a cheap way out when modding things is there....lol

thanks for all the advice guys, I'm very seriously considering the Rough Country 3" series II lift kit

I have the RC Series II with the AAL and think its great... doesn't ride like a caddy but handles well and doesn't beat the crap out of you. Great option for the money.

Rustys is affordable and rides well. Love my kit

I have the RC Series II 3 in. too. The shocks that come with the kit are harsh, real stiff. Other than that, I'm satisfied. Great kit for the money.

Perfect I need HD shocks that ride hard and flex I'm getting that