So I'm planning on lifting my XJ in a few weeks, I was gonna go with the RE 3.5 super flex kit, but it's over $1000, then I found the rustys 3" for $438...but it doesn't have control arms...how important is it to replace the control arms when lifting

 

Will you wheel it or is it just for looks? At 3" you don't need control arms but they are recommended. RE 3.5 is a more complete kit and will give you more lift than advertised. Also if you want to upgrade later down the road you wont have to upgrade as many parts.

 

Stay away from add a leaf kits, a full new leaf pack will serve you better in the long run.

As for the RE 3.5 super flex kit, it is a very solid well built complete kit for the price. Ive been running mine for awhile now no complaints.

 

XJmember how would you say the ride quality on the road is? Comfortable or stiff ride?

 

I ask because I am looking at getting the same kit for my 00 XJ

 

I have the same kit and its a little stiff. Nothing too bad but stiffer than stock. CAD brackets helped out a lot with the stiffness on my xj. Also a lot depends on what shocks you end up with. White body shocks wont be as nice of a ride as say a good set of Bilstein's.

 

The spring rate of the 3.5" kit it apparently the highest out of all the RE kits for XJ's that being said, it is stiffer than stock. A set of CAD brackets or long arms will be a world of difference though. Pretty much short arm kits will be rougher than stock.

 

The RE 3.5" coils are stiff. No beating around the bush there. I think I read their spring rate is around 250lbs. I've had them for a few years now. I noticed a difference in ride quality for the better when I had my heavy front bumper on.

 

That's why they lift so much more than advertised. Rusty's standard coils are rated at 180lbs, its a softer ride and doesn't settle easy but won't give you that 4.5-5"s most RE "3.5"" lifts give.

 

The Rustys full leaf/coil kit has better leafs/coils both are American made the other one is not and the ride is better on both ends. He offers a 180# coil for a std. ride and a heaver one for a winch/bumper setup. If you have the correct wheel size and BS stock U/LCA's will be fine, but you will need an adj. track bar and a TC drop kit.


The nice part about his is that its easy to upgrade to a higher lift if you wish I did and with a 3" leaf using a 1 1/2" Boomerang Shackle you get more flex than with a 4 1/2" leaf alone.


My Rustys kit have been over 3 yrs. and zero sag so far the 3" then up to 4 1/2"'s.