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What do you all think of Rusty's offroad lift kits?

Metalhead

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Shopping for lift kits and came across rusty's offroad. Looking at 2 inch full kits(no spacers). Rusty's seems to include all you need at a pretty good price. They do claim made in USA. So far I have the mopar kit, AEV 2.5 inch kit and now Rusty's 2 inch kit on the list. I have also looked at clayton's and metalcloak kits but they are a little expensive for me. My Gladiator is going to be for overlanding so no serious rock crawling. Looking for a kit that includes everything I need. Only going to run 35 inch tires on stock wheels.
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Gizmo

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I have heard more bad than good about Rusty’s in general over many years.
 

Gasman

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I put one of their lifts on a 2018 jl and had a front end high problem and they sent me new springs I was very pleased with them .
 

Hootbro

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I looked at Rusty's pretty hard when I was building up my 2022 Rubicon. Kind of got the impression that they really are not the customer service type oriented should you have a problem. Also, there control arm bushings seemed a bit cheap.
 

DanJT

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First time dealing with Rusty's was in the late 90's when I ordered a lift for my sons YJ' , At that time He was working of of his home garage.
 

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Stan H

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First time dealing with Rusty's was in the late 90's when I ordered a lift for my sons YJ' , At that time He was working of of his home garage.
Dunno never bought any his stuff
 

Wheelin98TJ

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Metalhead

Metalhead

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You mentioned Clayton is too expensive. They are currently about the same price as Rusty's.

The Clayton 2.5" Ride Right is comparable to the Rusty's 2" basic. Coils, track bars, sway bar links, and a set of arms. Clayton is $1,394.10, Rusty's is $1,366.00.

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-25-ride-right-lift-kit-2020-jt-1
Add another $800 or so to the claytons kit for shocks. Rusty's basic kit comes out to $1622 with shocks plus has a frame side track bar reinforcement bracket.
 

ShadowsPapa

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People compare only list prices, but ignore R&D, support, finish, gauge of steel used, QC, and other things.
I'll pay more for tried and true, great support, and perhaps heavier parts construction or better finish.

If all else is the same - then go to price, IMO.


Add another $800 or so to the claytons kit for shocks. Rusty's basic kit comes out to $1622 with shocks plus has a frame side track bar reinforcement bracket.
Which shocks....... quality?
 

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Wheelin98TJ

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Add another $800 or so to the claytons kit for shocks. Rusty's basic kit comes out to $1622 with shocks plus has a frame side track bar reinforcement bracket.
You can pair those same cheaper shocks from Rusty’s with a Clayton kit. You don’t have to use $800 shocks.

The track bar bracket might be helpful to you. I don’t have one and haven’t needed one so I can’t say.
 

Stan H

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People compare only list prices, but ignore R&D, support, finish, gauge of steel used, QC, and other things.
I'll pay more for tried and true, great support, and perhaps heavier parts construction or better finish.

If all else is the same - then go to price, IMO.




Which shocks....... quality?
The importance of good quality shocks IMO can not be understated.
Ex: bilstein 5100's good shocks last a year or 2 depending on use. Rebuildable???
Higher end Falcons, Fox etc.. guaranteed 3 yrs. And can be rebuilt !
 

Camaroboi13

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I have Rusty’s 4” diesel springs up front on my JTOD. I loved them to death up until about a month ago when I noticed significant sagging from them. They have been nothing but impossible to get ahold of, haven’t returned emails, and I don’t want to replace springs every 18 months. That’s all I can say about them.
 

Wheelin98TJ

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The importance of good quality shocks IMO can not be understated.
Ex: bilstein 5100's good shocks last a year or 2 depending on use. Rebuildable???
Higher end Falcons, Fox etc.. guaranteed 3 yrs. And can be rebuilt !
I've had Bilstein 5100 shocks for almost 4 years and 60k miles. They are still working well.
 

Blade1668

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Late response, I've used Rusty's stuff on my XJ and now on my JT the caveat is the springs for the rear were not up to the job on mine a Max-Tow package. So factory with spacers are in the rear on mine. Until I decided to order a set from some other company with higher spring rate too.
BTW: The springs are from a known company.
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