Rubicon Express
- Thread starter Sporadic
- Start date
mkjeep
Junkyard Dog
Most likely, prolly a dealer for RE and are famiar with their kits which makes install alot quicker for them aswell to charge labor time and they actually get it done quicker.I would choose RE over Skyjacker though, but I'd choose other kits over RE aswell. What kit are you looking at?
piginajeep
The Original Smartass
depends on where you are going.
You can't just compare brands, you need to compare what each lift kit provides you for the $$$ .
What both of these guys said. I would definitely go RE over Skyjacker but, I would most likely go with a different kit than RE especially depending on what RE kit they're trying to sell you on.
Sporadic
New member
I appreciate the feedback - thank you. I obviously have some more homework. I was told '3.5" Rubicon Express kit with shocks'. After looking on RE's website it doesn't appear that is enough info to determine exactly which kit I was quoted but I'm guessing it was one of the standard coil kits. Price was $804 uninstalled.
As far as application, this is my daily driver but I want to be able to take the family to the OHV trails throughout GA and possibly join a local jeep club, etc. I also plan to change the tires to 34's or 35's.
Thanks,
Ty
As far as application, this is my daily driver but I want to be able to take the family to the OHV trails throughout GA and possibly join a local jeep club, etc. I also plan to change the tires to 34's or 35's.
Thanks,
Ty
Torrin
Member
I have owned Jeeps for 6 years and I have never heard a good thing about Skyjacker, I would do more research and look at RE or Teraflex.
mkjeep
Junkyard Dog
Well, the standard RE kit uses front(castor) and rear(pinion) cambolts for castor and pinion angle adj. Cheap way of doing these things but not the best. In fact most people who use these end up having to weld up these holes afterwards and get adj CA's anyway. The superflex kit($1650 no shocks) uses fixed arms. While this may seem like an easy way to get proper angles thats not always the case depending on how much extra weight you can end up running on your jk( bumpers,winch, armor, etc) so that if these things are added over time you can adjust accordingly ewith adj arms to fine tune your set-up. With fixed arms your stuck with what you get. IMO there are better kits out ther for the $. Do some more research, call Off-Road Evolution and tell them what your looking for and they will get you into a set-up that you'll end up being happy with and that you can add components as you go along. If you go too cheap in the beginning you end up double spending later cause your not happy. JMOHO.
Good luck with your build.:thumb:
Good luck with your build.:thumb:
If you lift your Jeep, your suspension and steering geometry will change but, with just a 2.5" of lift, it will not change enough to really matter. So long as you trim your fenders or run flat fenders, you should be able to clear 35's without too much fuss. If you like the ride you have now and prefer to keep it, I might recommend that you just install a 2.5" spacer lift and run shock extensions. Doing this will leave your ride just as it is. If you don't have a Rubicon, I would recommend that you at least get better shocks as the Sport/Sahara shocks are a bit too mushy - or, at least for my taste. Being that you have a 3.6L motor, you will want to make sure that you calibrate your speedometer but otherwise, your performance shouldn't be effected too much with the addition of 35's. Going this route can be done for less than $1,000.
Another option is to look into the Rancho Sport kit. If they have a rebate going, you can get it complete with shocks for about $500. It's a bit taller than what you're looking for but, it's a great kit that comes with really strong and well designed relocation brackets to correct your suspension geometry. With that much lift though, you will need to get a new front drive shaft. But, if you can get the kit for about $500 or so, you'll still be ahead as a drive shaft will only set you back about $450.
1yellowjk
New member
I'm running the RE on my 2 door and have been really happy with it....the kit I bought came with a very nice HD adjustable track bar and no shocks. I found that the rear bump stops were to big and went another route with those but all in all the kit flexed up well and rides nice. I did go with the new Pro Comp Pro Runner shocks which I love, maybe even more than my previous Bilstien 5100's.
All these kits are easy to install, I have riden in a few JK's with the Skyjacker, Rough Country and Superlift kits and IMO the RE rides way better than those.
Make sure that what ever kit you get you get GOOD shocks and check the bump stops out.
All these kits are easy to install, I have riden in a few JK's with the Skyjacker, Rough Country and Superlift kits and IMO the RE rides way better than those.
Make sure that what ever kit you get you get GOOD shocks and check the bump stops out.
What makes you so sure that the bump stops were too big? Typically, they should be about as tall as the amount of lift you install and more than preventing rubbing, they help prevent the over compression of your coils.
As far as good shocks go, they can only do as well as the coils they are paired up with. Coils will make up the bulk of your ride comfort and the shocks will just dampen hits.
1yellowjk
New member
They wouldn't allow enough compression of the spring before they "bottomed out" it had way more in her.
I agree springs are important but I would say they are 50/50 more or less. I have had rear shocks go on good springs and the ride went to pot.
Sporadic
New member
Eddie, what shock would you recommend to compliment the Rancho sport kit? I've read quite a few posts that say to be sure to upgrade to the RS9000. Also, does the RS kit come in anything lower than the 4" lift? I have the painted flares and am somewhat hesitant about getting them trimmed. Anything I can do such as spacers, ect. where I can avoid modifying the flares but allowing full function of 35's? Also, which drive shaft do you recommend?
Thanks much!
Ty
Sporadic
New member
Thanks for your input! I'm still mulling over if I want to try and install the lift myself.
Rancho has a 3" option now too. The 9000's are good shocks but I would be willing to try out their new monotube shocks.
Trust me, it's easy and I've got a few write-ups that can help you out. For the cost of labor, you can buy all the tools you need with change left over and, you get to use them again and again. :yup:
1yellowjk
New member
I agree!
The bolt on kits are simple to install, the allignment is probably the hardest thing. Also make sure if you do it yourself that you center the steering wheel before driving orr you will break the clock spring (thankfully we have a good Jeep Dealer in our club or I would have had to pay for my broken one
Spring Compressors will be your friend, everything else is basic tools....oh and good jack stands or frame lift.
Once you start doing things yourself you will find you can afford more toys, plus all your buddies will need help thus bringing you free beer to use your tools.
...the allignment is probably the hardest thing. Also make sure if you do it yourself that you center the steering wheel before driving orr you will break the clock spring (thankfully we have a good Jeep Dealer in our club or I would have had to pay for my broken one
Hardest thing? Clock spring? I'm not sure what you're referring to but, depending on what if any adjustable components you install with your kit, there really isn't a whole lot for you to align and none of it would involve the potential for damaging your clockspring. Recentering your steering wheel just requires a 15mm wrench and a couple of minutes of your time - you don't even need to lift your Jeep off the ground. :yup:
Spring compressors are totally NOT needed to install a lift. If you're installing the kit right, absolutely ZERO effort is needed to remove and install coils. This is a shot of me installing a 4" TF lift coils (more like 5") with ease and NO spring compressor. :yup:
