[AV8R]

I'm about to do a 2-3" lift and I've narrowed things down to either the nearly complete kit from Rubicon Express (plus shackles), or a Zone kit plus adding on 1" shackles, extended brake lines, and shackle bushings. I'll probably need a tcase drop with the zone, too, and I like the bar type instead of individual spacers.

The costs between the two options above are similar. I guess it comes down to spring and shock quality.

What's your opinion? Am I overlooking another brand that fits a budget of $800?

 

[95YamJam]

RE has a great rep but bad customer svc. Thats just what i have heard/read.

 

[rykemc]

I got the RE 4.5 E.D lift and although I have not ran the jeep yet with it on, I must say I am very impressed with the quality.

 

[Tarby]

I have had the RE 2.5 lift, and I copied the same setup as the old extreme 2.5 (they don't make it anymore) that JP magazine did...3 years have gone by and not a problem and smoother than stock ever was. I got my kit when they were still independent...before the buyout from 4WD...and had no problem with customer service with questions me and my friend had putting it together. Totally happy with RE...

 

[DirtyRob]

I have installed both. I have the Zone 2" on mine. No transfer case drop as the springs come with tapered shims. You can get the Zone lift shipped for under $500 and comes with cheap shocks. They still ride good and are what comes with most lifts without upgrading.

RubiconExpress makes some great stuff, and I have always been happy with their quality. But the Zone fit my budget better this go round on my YJ

 

[AV8R]

I'm leaning towards the RE kit. I've read several accounts of how their shocks are too fat and rub the axle tube in the rear. But, they have brackets to fix/relocate.

Hopefully I can do the 2.5" lift plus RE 1" shackles and not have to worry about getting a SYE/CV setup.

 

[amerdt4]

I had the RE5520 on my last jeep , quality kit ! Springs rode real nice and NEVER had a problem . The directions were straight foward , but I did have to call for a few questions . The rep was helpful (to me ) . That kit is 4.5" of lift and I NEVER installed sye or cv shaft . I wheeled it hard and never has any issues . If you install degree shims with a tc drop no need for sye/cv . Saves alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[AV8R]

I had the RE5520 on my last jeep , quality kit ! Springs rode real nice and NEVER had a problem . The directions were straight foward , but I did have to call for a few questions . The rep was helpful (to me ) . That kit is 4.5" of lift and I NEVER installed sye or cv shaft . I wheeled it hard and never has any issues . If you install degree shims with a tc drop no need for sye/cv . Saves alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$

That's good to hear!

I think 31" tires are going to look goofy with a 4.5" lift, though. With my stock d35, I don't want to go larger. In a year or two, I plan on going SOA with a Ford 8.8 or d44 and a regear. Then the 35s go on. unk:

I'm running a 4banger 5 speed and it's my DD for now, so big tires without a regear will suck.

 

[banks316]

Im running the RE 1.5" SOA spring they are awesome. RE makes good springs, Ill be using a pair of them when I start my off road trailer build. When you do your SOA later check them out.

 

[TRM627]

I had the RE5520 on my last jeep , quality kit ! Springs rode real nice and NEVER had a problem . The directions were straight foward , but I did have to call for a few questions . The rep was helpful (to me ) . That kit is 4.5" of lift and I NEVER installed sye or cv shaft . I wheeled it hard and never has any issues . If you install degree shims with a tc drop no need for sye/cv . Saves alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$

just a question why lift the jeep then lower the tc?

 

[banks316]

just a question why lift the jeep then lower the tc?

TC drop cause your cheap and just want your Jeep to look cool with big tires.

 

[TRM627]

TC drop cause your cheap and just want your Jeep to look cool with big tires.

ahhh sounds smart.... haha

 

[amerdt4]

That's good to hear!

I think 31" tires are going to look goofy with a 4.5" lift, though. With my stock d35, I don't want to go larger. In a year or two, I plan on going SOA with a Ford 8.8 or d44 and a regear. Then the 35s go on. unk:

I'm running a 4banger 5 speed and it's my DD for now, so big tires without a regear will suck.

Understandable , I had a 2.5l with 33's on that setup . It was my dd and yes it was a dog on the highway , I eventually re-geared to 4.88

What are you going to do with the springs once you decide to go soa?
3"springs on soa? HUGE !

Quote:
Originally Posted by banks316
TC drop cause your cheap and just want your Jeep to look cool with big tires.

ahhh sounds smart.... haha

1" tc drop doesn't kill your ground clearence and doing a cv shaft gives you more moving parts to break and fail . So yea Im cool cause saved $800 .

 

[AV8R]

I'm leaning towards the RE kit. I've read several accounts of how their shocks are too fat and rub the axle tube in the rear. But, they have brackets to fix/relocate.

Hopefully I can do the 2.5" lift plus RE 1" shackles and not have to worry about getting a SYE/CV setup.

Damn, someone else just posted a review of his RE lift, and the shocks are too fat. http://www.wranglerforum.com/f8/yj-lift-reviews-25156-4.html#post2921076

I wonder if those relocation brackets are beefy, or will it be a very weak link in the whole scheme of things?

 

[amerdt4]

I just flipped mine and was all good . No bracket

 

[AV8R]

I just flipped mine and was all good . No bracket

I've seen folks do that. RE doesn't recommend it (not sure why), but I also read that their shocks aren't all that great anyway. I guess I could run them upside down and when they shit the bed go get some real shocks.

 

[amerdt4]

btw my avatar is bald 31" tires on 4.5 lift

 

[tigerblood]

I have the RE 2.5 in my garage waiting to go on when I have some free time, I did order the shock relocation brackets and they are pretty beefy, dont know if Im going to need them or not, but I didnt want to get to that point, need them, but not have them.

 

[bdavid]

Had RE on my tj. To be honest I was not impressed with the quality. The bushings were toast in a short time and all the heim joints were seized after a couple good winters. I greased them but they still went to poop.

 

[Gunz n tractorz]

Heard good stuff about the rubicon express, but I went with rustys offroad and got mine. Love it! No sagging and comes with everything u need. All of the other people that I jeep with have a rustys lift and $17000 or more in their jeeps and have tryed many different lifts.