John T

• Fixed lower control arms
• Sway-bar brackets

Are these necessary?




I bought the rough country 630N2 lift... comes with front / rear springs and shocks.



but I just noticed for $100 more, I could have bought the 630XN2 kit with control arms and brackets for sway bar..



I don't offroad anything serious... My jeep is basically a dog hauler and secondary vehicle... street use mainly.



planning to run 31" tires when my 235's need replacement..



thanks for any input.

93_xjcherokee

The stock control arms will work but I would upgrade to tubulars. And not rough country's. Stock control arms are weak and the more you lift, the more your front pinion angle changes. Longer control arms fix the pinion angle and make your suspension stronger

John T

Thanks.

But I have NO plans to go with more lift... Ever.

3" Lift and 31" tire is all I'm after.

Like I said, it's basically a street vehicle.


So, I guess I'm good with the cheap kit.

Tsaani97xj

The other side effect of pinion angle is caster. The longer lowers compensate for this. Your road manners will suffer without them. Will it be tolerable? Yes. Fun? No. I would recommend the arms more on a mostly street Jeep versus a heavier off roader except for the strength increase. And seriously if handling is important get some adjustable arms. Ive been down that road. I use control arm drop brackets to correct for the lift. I hated lifted with stock arms.

John T

Thanks.

I will look into that.

Fred/N0AZZ

Upper CA's adjust the pinion angle that's why most use adj. arms there. I run adj. U/LCA's for strength. But for a 3" lift not a must have deal if only a DD but need the correct BS on the rims on a 15x8" rim a 3.75-4" of BS is required for proper fit of wider tires.

John T

Thanks.

I got the front done today and left spring on the rear...

should be done tomorrow and post a few pics.
(If the spring bolts don't give me grief like the left side)
I soaked them best I could with PB blaster.... through the holes in the frame...

Oh, and Yes... I have 15x8 / 3.75 BS wheels.

Tsaani97xj

What Fred says is accurate but for clarity it is recommended to use adjustable uppers for axle rotation, effecting caster and pinion angle. Lowers are to position the axle in the wheel well. Saying this if you use longer lowers and stock uppers you will push your axle forward and rotate the pinion down. This compensates for the lift and at 3" is ok but not perfect.

Lift it, drive it. Correct it if you arent happy. Without any sarcasm I hope it all works to your liking.

John T

Got the lift installed.

Test ride: rides nice. much better than cheap air shocks....
Handles good, pretty much like stock... nothing funky.

I DO have a slight driveline vibration...
I will probably try a TC drop. see if that helps...

Rocker panel repair is NEXT.

Bustedback

Why the hate for Rough Country?

Bacon' n eggs

I have the same set up on my xj except I went with the kit with control arms and sway bar drop brackets. How do you like yours? I'm thinkin maybe I could have saved 100 bucks lol

93_xjcherokee

Do not, I repeat do not install a transfer case drop. It changes the complete angle of everything and causes more problems than it fixes. Save your money and do it right. Get a sye.

John T

Seems to be fine. besides the slight vibes.

despite 93_xjcherokee's stern warning, I did order a TC drop.

This jeep is a street driver, I don't beat the ***** off it.

I understand the TC drop is not perfect, but it makes good economic sense for me right now.


Concerning a TC drop on a 3" lift, I'd love to hear comments pro/con from people who have actually done it. (long term review if you will)

Not someone with a 4" or more lift and does serious off roading...
(or someone who is just repeating what they read elsewhere)



How to I start a poll?

4cyturbowrx

In the lift world RC just doesn't last... You will need to replace parts with in very few miles .... I've only owned my xj 2 months ... I did a 4.5 lift noticed a lot of vibration did the Tc drop just to get me by .... It made things worst .... I've order a sye kit with a drive shaft ( not installed) ... Granted I've only put 500 or so miles on her.... It just doesn't run right .... With. 15 pulse year old jeep it will ware parts out fast ???? Just my 02

Bustedback

I have 6000 miles on my RC long arm lift without a hint of wear or Looseness. A lot of the problems people have are caused by improper install methods, like tightening stuff at full droop.