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Rough Country Lift Kit?... Do or Don't??

Wheelin98TJ

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Spot on man, well said.
Literally most of it is 90% vanity, cool kids hate on it so I will too or read it 14,000 times on the internet its bad so me say bad too. Most of those claims go without a cause. I’ve run IRO stuff on my Grands, put together kits from parts everywhere and RC over the years and most isn't any better or any worse than the next. I’m definitely burnt out hearing it though. Never a fitment issue and never had a catastrophic failure with RC lift with few the installed.
One thing about RC, I would think they are improving. They use to put out some junk and they probably learned from that. Springs that sag early, shocks that leak early, arms with stiff poly bushings that would rip brackets off axles. They had a somewhat popular 4" TJ kit that came with a drop pitman arm, but no relocation for the track bar. People would install the drop pitman arm and wonder why they have bumpsteer. Cause you bought a kit from a manufacturer that didn't understand the importance of the relationship between the draglink and track bar.

They earned a bad reputation from things like this and you know how that goes with forums.
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Panthers65

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Spot on man, well said.
Literally most of it is 90% vanity, cool kids hate on it so I will too or read it 14,000 times on the internet its bad so me say bad too. Most of those claims go without a cause. I’ve run IRO stuff on my Grands, put together kits from parts everywhere and RC over the years and most isn't any better or any worse than the next. I’m definitely burnt out hearing it though. Never a fitment issue and never had a catastrophic failure with RC lift with few the installed.
Third this- I sold kits and worked on some awesome Jeeps in a pervious life, everything from custom tuned KOH cars to rockwelled bouncers to your college kid with a brand new chevy and daddy's credit card.

RC is what it is, their components are fine, but their kit is incomplete. When a 3" Metalcloak kit has 2x the parts that a 6" RC Kit does, you have to step back and ask why.

I"ve got a RC Track bar and shocks on my Gladiator. The track bar has given me no problem and everything is still nice and tight. The shocks do their job, not the best but my previous truck was a '92 F150 so this rides like a dream compared to that. I used other components in other areas because I actually took the time to look at them and pick the company that I liked (Teraflex springs, Metalcloak Sway Bar disconnects, ect...)
 

GI Grandpa

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Talked to two different local, reputable shops about lifting my 22 JT.
Both said I need the Rough Country 6" (part # 91250).
Both shops sell lifts from other manufacturers so they have no reason to push this one.

Reason I'm hesitant is because I know some local Jeep guys that are about as hardcore off-road as Jeep guys get....
They all unanimously said DO NOT use the Rough Country suspension systems.
These guys have offered different advice on which suspension I should go with but again are unanimous on not using the RC stuff.

I'm kinda torn between listening to shops I trust or listening to the off-road guys I also trust..
Anyone here using or have experience with Rough Country?
RC lifts are accurately named, but some people like it rough...why a 6" lift, are you swapping in tons and 44" tires?
 
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Heavy D

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RC lifts are accurately named, but some people like it rough...why a 6" lift, are you swapping in Tom's and 44" tires?
14.5" wide tires on a wheel with a -48 offset.
Gonna be as much meat sticking out of fender as will be inside.
 

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Rzrhawg

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Some shops probably push RC lifts because of margin.
 
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Heavy D

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1 step up from carolina squat. but exactly what u think. enough lift that you almost need climbing gear to get in, and then the largest deepest black, andonized or machined wheels u can fit wrapped in Mud terrain rubber bands.
I always enjoy others set-ups and whether its my thing or not I either compliment em on their ride or remain silent if its wonky.
There's a pic in my signature of my JT and nothing about it says 'Carolina Squat' nor has any of my input here suggested thats what I'm going for.

You like tall n skinny. Go for it.

I like a wide foot print.. Am trying to achieve it with the least amount of lift I can get away with and still have a functioning Jeep that I dont have tire clearance or turning radius issues with.

Would love to run 15 or 16" wheels but had to go to the 20" because I wanted 10" wide. I don't like the look of my 33's on the 20s because I want some sidewall... for no other reason than aesthetic.
 
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Green_Gladiator

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Talked to two different local, reputable shops about lifting my 22 JT.
Both said I need the Rough Country 6" (part # 91250).
Both shops sell lifts from other manufacturers so they have no reason to push this one.

Reason I'm hesitant is because I know some local Jeep guys that are about as hardcore off-road as Jeep guys get....
They all unanimously said DO NOT use the Rough Country suspension systems.
These guys have offered different advice on which suspension I should go with but again are unanimous on not using the RC stuff.

I'm kinda torn between listening to shops I trust or listening to the off-road guys I also trust..
Anyone here using or have experience with Rough Country?

If you are willing to drive .. I have had work done at this shop and extremely satisfied!

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bblan

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You can easily get by with a 2.5" or even a 3.5". I'm running a MC 3.5" with 38's and can get away with 1" bump stop but its in my fenders. You could easily clear that tire with minimal lift. I'm not advocating for a brand because in the end it is your vehicle and you have to ride in it. I chose MC due to my use case.

You will not need driveshafts due to your limited flexing. You will at minimum want to due lower control arms in the front to adjust your caster.
 

JT1

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I always enjoy others set-ups and whether its my thing or not I either compliment em on their ride or remain silent if its wonky.
There's a pic in my signature of my JT and nothing about it says 'Carolina Squat' nor has any of my input here suggested thats what I'm going for.

You like tall n skinny. Go for it.

I like a wide foot print.. Am trying to achieve it with the least amount of lift I can get away with and still have a functioning Jeep that I dont have tire clearance or turning radios issues with.

Would love to run 15 or 16" wheels but had to go to the 20" because I wanted 10" wide. I don't like the look of my 33's on the 20s because I want some sidewall... for no other reason than aesthetic.
What size and offset are the wheels and tires in your profile pic vs the new ones?

If you are only going from the 33s you have now to 35's on the same wheel, it doesn't look like you need much if any additional lift. Where are you close to rubbing now? Rear edge of the front fender and the front bumper?
 

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I always enjoy others set-ups and whether its my thing or not I either compliment em on their ride or remain silent if its wonky.
There's a pic in my signature of my JT and nothing about it says 'Carolina Squat' nor has any of my input here suggested thats what I'm going for.

You like tall n skinny. Go for it.

I like a wide foot print.. Am trying to achieve it with the least amount of lift I can get away with and still have a functioning Jeep that I dont have tire clearance or turning radios issues with.

Would love to run 15 or 16" wheels but had to go to the 20" because I wanted 10" wide. I don't like the look of my 33's on the 20s because I want some sidewall... for no other reason than aesthetic.
Im not dogging on ur build, just saying what the style is. I didn't pay for your truck, idc what ya do with it. one step up from means its missing the squat but has everything else usually associated with southern pavement princess builds. I don't mean anything with the naming, its just what is generally accepted as a description.
 

aceinfinity

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Talked to two different local, reputable shops about lifting my 22 JT.
Both said I need the Rough Country 6" (part # 91250).
Both shops sell lifts from other manufacturers so they have no reason to push this one.

Reason I'm hesitant is because I know some local Jeep guys that are about as hardcore off-road as Jeep guys get....
They all unanimously said DO NOT use the Rough Country suspension systems.
These guys have offered different advice on which suspension I should go with but again are unanimous on not using the RC stuff.

I'm kinda torn between listening to shops I trust or listening to the off-road guys I also trust..
Anyone here using or have experience with Rough Country?
Depends on what you plan to use it for ? If you plan to stay on road it will be fine with some squeaking at some point but if you plan to go off roading in the truck you should look at a nice kit with some reservoirs and a better warranty.
 

mtoddsolomon

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Not trying to be a D*@K, but (proceeds to be a D*@K) I don't understand the point of doing that to a gladiator. A Ram, F150, or Silverado will all be a much more comfortable ride for about the same amount of money and will give you the look your going for at a lower price than a gladiator. I'm not a fan of the look but that doesn't matter. The solid Axle and 3.6 engine and gear ratio of the gladiator is aimed at people to off-road and the people who don't but like the overland rock crawler look. The full size trucks ride a lot better with the IFS and are less expensive and a lot easier to lift the 6" required for the goofy wheels. You might be better off trading in for something like that.
 

MudderNuker

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