Zone 3" lift kit reviews? Zone VS RC?
 

Hey guys. I asked a similar question on one of the Facebook groups and most of the people on there are dummies so i'm gonna see what the professionals here think. On my other thread I got mixed reviews on
Rough Country, now I'm interested in Zone. They are about the same price. How is it? Hard to install? Hows it ride? Quality? My jeep is my daily driver, im in high school. The only offroad it sees is the occasional muddy field or snowy roads, but 90% of the time its my DD for getting around town. Don't just tell me I'll get what I pay for, I want some honest good opinions and reviews. Honestly its pretty much just gonna be for looks. So what are you guys thoughts? Anything is appreciated. Thanks.

I started with a Zone 3" several years ago. I ended up replacing everything trying to get a good ride out of it over about 6 months.

Based on reviews and research if I was to start over and go 3" I would buy Rusty's kit and an IRO double shear track bar. Also a transfer case drop and/or axle shims to correct the rear pinion angle. Then you need new sway bar disconnects or links and extended brake lines. Lastly a V8 ZJ tie rod upgrade. This combo will give you a reasonable start. Cheap and good don't go together when lifting.

Have you seen http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...-pack-kit.html

I started with that exact same Rustys 3" lift going on 3 1/2 yrs. ago and still using it for my 4 1/2" lift as a base. No sag and the leafs/coils are VG quality all made in NA not China.

The rustys kit i linked you to is the best budget lift i know of.The cheaper ones use add leaf to the rear which is not the best thing to do.

I have had the zone 3" for a little over a year. I have had zero issues with it but it is very rough riding. The leaf springs are a little short so my shackles were straight up and down. I ended up getting hd shackle box and that helped a little but still pretty rough. Overall for a cheap lift its seems like it is solid but the ride needs improvement.


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I have had a 3" zone lift with full leafs for about two years now. The ride was really rough and super stiff for the longest time. I ended getting a pretty solid roof rack with a tire carrier that put some weight in the rear which seemed to smooth the ride out a lot. If I were to do it again I'd go trailmaster or Rubicon express. Remember suspension is something you want to last for awhile, so if it is possible, save up and get something of better quality. Down the road you'll be a lot happier with your purchase.

I’m in the same position

For the shipping cost you pay for the rustys kit you can get something better for the same price, like Rubicon express.

eh, i think RE is on par quality wise with zone and rustys but they have a premium price. But rustys shipping is kind of crazy. Thats why zone is so popular.

That might be true I have always heard good reviews on the Zone stuff and I have their Nitro shocks on my truck and they work great. I was just saying for the price of the Rustys kit + shipping it isn't the best deal. I am still happy with my 3" Trailmaster kit that has been on for a year and a half, I would recommend it over RC.

I just did a 3" lift to my XJ and helped a buddy do his as well using all Rough Country parts and had no issues with either. Lift is actually higher than advertised and all of the parts were high quality with no fitment issues. I looked at Rusty's as well but the shipping is ridiculous. I did install RE discos , a skyjacker transfer case drop kit , Novak transfer case shifter cable , and IRO front shackle mount as well. Topped it off with a set of 30x9.5x15 Federal Couragia MT's. Very happy with finished product. Heres a few pics.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...698fd6314c.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...96a52e8891.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2deac13aff.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fcbc16c412.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4d302501f1.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f704031b7f.jpg

Its a little stiff in the rear but I am installing a Smittybuilt tire carrier bumper this weekend so that should help it out.

Just a word of caution on those federal tires. Us and most other shops in the area have stopped selling them because the tread /belts were literally coming apart from the casing in a few instances. We even got memos of caution from distributors.

just something to monitor.