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RedNBlack77
Guest
so what do you guys think is better to go for, a 4" teraflex long arm kit or a rusty's 6.5" regular lift kit?
6.5 inchs is way to high for a short arm lift. At that point you are going to screw up your entire steering and suspension geometery so bad that you will will constantly trying to correct it not only that you will have massive bumpsteer. Four inches is really the break off point for Short arm vs LA. The newest fade going right now is Low center of gravity lifts also. a 4 inch LA with 35s would work great, keep your COG down low yet maintain a larger tire.
J
jeep.xj.4x4
Guest
What vehicle is it for? I haven't heard good things about rusty's stuff. LA are sweet, go 4 inch LA, or a 6 inch LA!
D
/dev/null
Guest
For a TJ or XJ, anything over 3-3.5" will handle WAY better with a long arm lift (or Currie J arms...). The suspension geometry in the front end just can't handle the angles as well as a long arm setup.
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RedNBlack77
Guest
sorry, i can't believe i forgot to mention that it's for a 98 XJ. rusty's kinda specializes in XJ's from what i can tell and the only negative i've ever heard about them is that their customer service isn't very good. also, the rusty's kit comes with adjustable upper control arms. here are the links to the 2 lifts i'm thinking about.
http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=605K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit
http://www.windrockoffroad.com/PART/TER.S4XL/V/index.htm
it should also be said that this is my first lift and that i may be able to get the teraflex for less than $1000.
thanks,
-red-
http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=605K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit
http://www.windrockoffroad.com/PART/TER.S4XL/V/index.htm
it should also be said that this is my first lift and that i may be able to get the teraflex for less than $1000.
thanks,
-red-
Comparing apple to apples, the Tera 4 for the Cherokee is not a real good deal. They give you LC arms but no uppers, the rear leafs are a add a leaf. Don't get me wrong I am a fan of Tera, but that kit is not a real bang for its buck.
As for Rusty, well here is the thing, they are not the best, and they are not Rough Country :lol: , they are a happy middle of the road. The really specialize in Cherokee lifts, and sell pretty basic stuff. The only good thing is that Rusty's sells a long arm upgrade. The sucky part is with a XJ, unless you cut a lot of crap, you are really limited with tire size. Now XJ people can chime in, but most people go 3 or 4 on an XJ and then upgrade to a 5 or 6 and long arm. For some reason with the longer wheel base, a 5" lift seems to be more up their alley. After wheeling a great deal with Mark K., Mark C and Earle I would say if you are going to spend the money, and don't want to mix and match parts to make a good lift. Then go Rusty's or RE.
As for Rusty, well here is the thing, they are not the best, and they are not Rough Country :lol: , they are a happy middle of the road. The really specialize in Cherokee lifts, and sell pretty basic stuff. The only good thing is that Rusty's sells a long arm upgrade. The sucky part is with a XJ, unless you cut a lot of crap, you are really limited with tire size. Now XJ people can chime in, but most people go 3 or 4 on an XJ and then upgrade to a 5 or 6 and long arm. For some reason with the longer wheel base, a 5" lift seems to be more up their alley. After wheeling a great deal with Mark K., Mark C and Earle I would say if you are going to spend the money, and don't want to mix and match parts to make a good lift. Then go Rusty's or RE.
J
jeep.xj.4x4
Guest
The 6" Full Traction LA is SWEET! :shock:
X
xjmark
Guest
I have 5" of real lift over stock after everything settled out and loaded with spare parts&tools. The steering gets a little touchy on the street with the short arms.
I cut the crap out of the fenders and rear quarters to fit 33's. I wheeled it a lot this year and had no complaints on the way it handles the trails. But do notice the front axle wants to "tuck under" when it's really flexed out on an obstacle. The wheel that's tucked in jets forward, and the dropped side flops to the rear of the wheel well, causing the steering to bind a bit.
A long arm system would help get rid of this characteristic.
As Damon said, go with a quality name system if you are going to buy a kit. I run the RE 4.5" lift with rear shackles and 1 3/4" spacers up front to take up the weight of the winch. Other than a rubber bushing in the upper control arm that shifted,had no problems and I think my money was well spent.
I cut the crap out of the fenders and rear quarters to fit 33's. I wheeled it a lot this year and had no complaints on the way it handles the trails. But do notice the front axle wants to "tuck under" when it's really flexed out on an obstacle. The wheel that's tucked in jets forward, and the dropped side flops to the rear of the wheel well, causing the steering to bind a bit.
A long arm system would help get rid of this characteristic.
As Damon said, go with a quality name system if you are going to buy a kit. I run the RE 4.5" lift with rear shackles and 1 3/4" spacers up front to take up the weight of the winch. Other than a rubber bushing in the upper control arm that shifted,had no problems and I think my money was well spent.
beaker
Active member
I got the 4.5" rusty's kit on my truck. The front end works fine. I've driven it to colorado, utah and back. All standard steering parts. The rear leafs are crap though. Supposedly he has better leafs now. Mine have been on for a couple years now. No front end sag (atleast none noticed). I got a 776 (I believe) on the rti ramp with that setup.
I'd say the break point is about the 4.5" mark. More lift, get a long arm setup. 4.5" and below just run the standard setup. Go 4.5" and cut the crap out of the fenders and you will have room for some good :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: tires. Then add a pop in locker in the rear.
xjmarks setup is nice but I don't think I'd like to drive that as a daily driver. Yours is still going to be a DD right? I think 6.5 would be a bit much to drive to work.
If you go with the rusty's kit watch out on the rear sway bar. If you leave it on it may make for serious oversteer. The rusty's springs are not balanced front to rear for a rear sway bar.
I'd say the break point is about the 4.5" mark. More lift, get a long arm setup. 4.5" and below just run the standard setup. Go 4.5" and cut the crap out of the fenders and you will have room for some good :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: tires. Then add a pop in locker in the rear.
xjmarks setup is nice but I don't think I'd like to drive that as a daily driver. Yours is still going to be a DD right? I think 6.5 would be a bit much to drive to work.
If you go with the rusty's kit watch out on the rear sway bar. If you leave it on it may make for serious oversteer. The rusty's springs are not balanced front to rear for a rear sway bar.
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jeepgod
Guest
I have 6.5" on my xj. rides drives good, trialsallday aka artie has close to 7 and is his dd, no complaints, both xjs' 2 years of hard driving, beating, winching,etc,
in terms of offroad, everything xjmark says i would agree with
in terms of offroad, everything xjmark says i would agree with
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CJKarl
Guest
Steve said:The Teraflex long-arm is not a true long-arm, it uses stock length upper control arms. If your willing to spend $1,206 for a couple hundred more you can have this.
http://www.mad4wd.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jqlmprh8
:twisted: Start saving NOW! Do it once. :twisted: Maybe Santa will bring you some gold ingots. :shock:
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RedNBlack77
Guest
i am looking into the full traction kit. the biggest reason i asked this question is that i found a teraflex long arm kit for close to half its normal price. otherwise i was just going to go with the rusty's 6.5" kit. but if i can find a good deal on a long arm, is it possible to add height to it later?
-red-
-red-
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toyworx
Guest
RedNBlack77 said:
Yes. Most of the long arm kit would stay, and you will add taller coils springs/leaf packs.
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jon
Guest
If you are gonna drop 1200, might as well go and do a clayton kit.
I have witnessed that setup in action and it is awesome.
I have witnessed that setup in action and it is awesome.
K
KLank
Guest
The price on the Clayton Kit on the site doesn't come w/ everything you need, but he will build the rest according to what you want. If you can find a better price than he can on the parts he doesn't mind if you get them yourself. He was great to work with! I would at least give him a call and get some prices / info from him before you make your final decision. What can it hurt?
