I would lift it, then drive it and see how the steering wheel feels when turning. The brand or design of lift has no effect on wether it is needed or not, just lift height. The only thing you might experience without one is a progressive rate in your steering wheel when turning. It won't be any more or less difficult to install after the lift is on and it wouldn't hurt anything to try it without one.

Well i would. Every complete kit over 4" usually has one. Also i would like to point out shipping on that kit will be high since they are located in MN i think. I actaully was planning on an IRO kit at first but plan to go Rough Country since i would be helping out local business. You know there home office is in dyersburg is about a 20-30min drive from you.

Yeah, and to start out with my intention was to grab the RC 4.5 or 6.5 Long Arm kit, but I'm hearing too many negatives about RC to feel completely comfortable.

I keep hearing things like "They're ok for an entry level lift" and "well, if you really just have to have a lift and don't have the money for a good one". Also hearing about bushing issues, and their warranty isn't as good as some others.

Something in their favor is the fact that all 4 CA's are redone in their LA kits.

Get new joints for the rc kit and it works great. I don't care how people feel on rc's performance in the past couple years its come back from crap

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but if something happens to a part on your RC lift, they'll replace it. I had an upper joint go bad and I had a new one in my hands 3 days later no questions asked.

you can get free shipping on iro's stuff over 199 at xtremeterrain.com and I would rather support a private shop in MN then a huge company that's located near me. just my .02

I contacted IR, asked a few questions, they never contacted me back. If you want me to spend a few thousand dollars, you should be willing to answer a question or two; and literally, I only asked two.

my other concern is the XJ has 4 control arms. 2 upper and 2 lower. IR's lift changes that to a 3 arm. 2 lower, 1 upper. I'm not sure how that will effect handling characteristics or how much weaker that is than the original 4 point design.

I had a 4 hr email conversation about iro coils. Maybe you picked the wrong guy to email lol. Look up 3 link its not weaker.

just throwing in my experiences: ive had the Rc 4.5" standard kit with full leafs. onroad it was rough, no body roll whatsoever. the ride was so stuff i avoided any bumps, dips and potholes at all costs. i can take some mean corners at 45mph+ and feel safe.
offroad: little to no flex, swaybars connected and disconnected. i can feel every pebble i touched. at one point i almost fliped cause my kit wasnt giveing me enough flex.
the 2nd lift i currently have: 6.5" iro LA 3Link. onroad: sturdy as hell, highway driveable.. gone 90 before with out problems. i can still take whicked corners at high speeds but it has some bodyroll. really smooth and nice ride i love it. offroad: it flexes like a ****, still really smooth. i can crawl up just about anything and or go anywhere.
the kit is solid and i dont think id ever break it if i tryed.

overall the iro 3link is a sexy kit. the Rc kit is an ok starter road kit.
imo id go with iro. but its up to you bro.

Here is my .02cents like everyone elses. Now is the time to grab a beer and a cigarette as we are gonna be here awhile.

I've read bunches of tests on kits and what not trying to figure out "the perfect" lift for me. From what I have seen, everyone elses comments are right. What you personally need to do, is determine what you want outta your lift for both on-road and off-road and choose which one works best for you. Ping-pong has mentioned before that BDS and Rock Krawler are the best. He is correct. Rock Krawler makes some very nice 4 link suspensions. However, this is not the kit for you if you don't want 4 coils and to do some decent modding to your rear. Synergy Suspension makes a nice 3 link. Again, you will need to mod the Jeep to make it work. BDS suspensions are nice cuz they have lifetime warranties. I have personally seen a BDS 6.5"?? in action and it performed well. With all of that said, the previously stated kits are expensive...you get what you pay for...but personally I don't have the need or the cash for those suspensions. Now IRO has their kits...Front flexes like crazy but you still have a downside, your still running rear leafs. RE makes some pretty nice lifts. Problem there is their bushings give out pretty easy. Next you have RC. I have their 3" lift currently installed and as stated before it seems they don't have the flex like IRO or RE have...and I personally think their springs are a little soft.

Now will all that mumbo jumbo outta the way...

I have currently been thinking about stepping up my 3" to LA's. First thought in my head is "Do I do enough offroading to need LA's?" Answer was no. About 75% of my travel is on-road. (go ahead and insert any comments at this time) Second thought is, "Do I need 4 - 4.5" lift for what off-roading I do do?" Answer is yes. I do quite a bit of "high centering" (if you will) travel that 3" just can't cover. About this time I get your typical RE 4.5" LA-IRO 4" LA-RC 4.5" LA kits going through my head. I don't need 5"+ kits as I am running on road and gas would kill me. So i begin to break down what I know. RE kits have bad bushings...hmmm...RC has soft springs...hmmm...IRO uses AAL to make 4" of lift...hmmm...I have a 3" lift now, but if I upgrade I'd like to sell the kit instead of keeping it...hmmm...So this is what I came up with....

I can acheive 4" of lift with no spacers or shackles by using RE 3.5" springs. (They net you like 4.1" of actual lift) I have heard they are some of the best springs in the business. OK. Well they won't allow use of LA's through RE or RC, plus IRO is known for their massive flex their lifts give, and their LA are compatible with 4" of lift so WTH IRO it is!

Basically what I am saying is purchase a lift for what you would use it for and not cuz Ping-pong can climb mount everest in his or Jusper88's looks stock, or cuz you'd pick up more babes with 10" of lift than with .5"...(even though we all know this to be true)

I agree on the IRO as I also have it.

Sounds like who ever you talked to had nothign to do lol. Ive exchanged a few email with IRO. Always reply back but usually take about a 2 day turn around.

Not sure about RC standard but i know first hand there LA kits flex big with sway disco. Ive also looked into IRO because i like the idea of the 3 piece crossmember. Just curious how many miles do you have on the original flex joints on your IRO kit?

To be fair, someone claiming to be from RE contacted me via this website asking me to forward him a copy of the e-mail I sent to RE.

If he really is from RE, that makes them the ONLY company to contact me back.

Do what I did, do the 3" BDS then add spacers and shackles... thats what im in the process of now... the lift was totally worth it and looks like 4" lift sitting on meaty 31x10.50's .... add some OME shocks. rides like a dream oh and make sure you go ome steering stabilizer too

Not sure if they have a longarm kit, but Bigoffroad is a good company. They have hybrid kits that use some OME parts.