I have a 1997 2.5L. I'm looking at lift kits and wondering if you guys could provide any help or insight. I have a budget up to $500. I'm looking for about 2" of suspension lift and a body lift. I'm interested in the RC 3.75" combo kit that has a 2.5" suspension lift with a 1.25" body lift but it has almost no reviews that I could find. I do very minor off-roading, maybe once or twice a year and it wouldn't be rock crawling or anything extreme. Before you go with you get what you pay for I'm a recent college grad that is in process of going to Dental school so money is a problem. The lift is to gain some clearance and to help with cleaning out the salt as I'm from the rust belt. All help is appreciated.

If money is that tight then save it

It's not that tight but tight enough to not spend $1000 on a lift kit

You might look at Zone. They offer some economical systems that I've seen folks speak well of.

Thanks. As of right now I'm looking at the Zone 4.25" combo. I've hear better things about it compared to the RC 3.75" one. Still shopping around though.

You would be better off leaving it stock than sticking an RC lift under it unless you just enjoy a really terrible rough ride.

You will find that the Zone 4.25" Combo is the best value and kit for that budget.

I hear people bashing RC lift kits all the time. I say hog wash, not everyone out there can spend $1000 or more for a kit. I have 4" kit and it rides very well, except for pot hole hit or some other kind of a sharp strike. The shocks are okay for the price, I'd say that's where the harshness comes from when hitting a hole. I would try and find someone with a lift and ride with them it see what your tolerance is.

X2 on the Zone combo. As for RC...the holes and ruts are hard enough on their own without the suspension lift enhancing roughness. The good news is that the new RS 5000 shocks are getting good reviews. Maybe they're listening over there at RC.

I put on a RC 3.25" lift (with premium 2.0 shocks - better for daily driver )and am running 33's on my tj. I know everyone has an opinion but for the money, I would recommend the RC lift. Key is to put good tires on it. Don't go cheap there.