3.5 rough country lift

[Brahmajoe]

Looking to possibly purchase this kit. Does anybody have any input on them? Also would I need a different drive shaft or any components

Sponsored

 

[MsplcdTxn]

I have it on my JT. Dealer installed it before I bought it. The main thing I'm to excited about is they got the version with shock extensions instead new shocks. It rides ok, not great but ok. As far as extra components you may need I'm not sure. I still need to flex it out and see about brake lines and drive shaft angles. I'm slowly upgrading stuff as $$$ allows, but a regear and front locker soaked up a big chunk for a while.

 

[MsplcdTxn]

*not excited!!!

 

[Panthers65]

The RC Kit is fine as far as the components themselves go, but it does leave you open to do several things to make the kit better.

RC makes 3.5" kits with both new springs as well as spacers. The spacer kit is just like a body lift, gives you room for larger tires but doesn't really give any other offroad benefit, so if you have spacers swapping out to a set of actual lift springs would be better off-road.

Shocks are something that everyone could benefit from. Go with a set of shocks that your budget allows for, there's a big difference between the monotube basic shocks and a set of premium shocks like Fox or Kings, but go with what your budget allows for.

Gears are the next thing you'd benefit from, off or on road. Again, depending on tire size and how you plan on using it.

After the shocks and gears, other components are going to depend on how you use your Jeep. If you're a pavement princess/service road trail rider like most a set of drop brackets will give a better ride and correct your geometry. If you plan to rock crawl/ride out west I'd do a set of adjustable aftermarket control arms over the drop brackets. Pushing the articulation will mean you'll probably need an aftermarket driveshaft for the front, as well as aftermarket brake lines.

TLDR- The RC Kit will get you on the road, it won't be the best ride/performance, but it will allow you to actually see the Jeep and upgrade parts as you find their limits.

 

[Brahmajoe]

The RC Kit is fine as far as the components themselves go, but it does leave you open to do several things to make the kit better.

RC makes 3.5" kits with both new springs as well as spacers. The spacer kit is just like a body lift, gives you room for larger tires but doesn't really give any other offroad benefit, so if you have spacers swapping out to a set of actual lift springs would be better off-road.

Shocks are something that everyone could benefit from. Go with a set of shocks that your budget allows for, there's a big difference between the monotube basic shocks and a set of premium shocks like Fox or Kings, but go with what your budget allows for.

Gears are the next thing you'd benefit from, off or on road. Again, depending on tire size and how you plan on using it.

After the shocks and gears, other components are going to depend on how you use your Jeep. If you're a pavement princess/service road trail rider like most a set of drop brackets will give a better ride and correct your geometry. If you plan to rock crawl/ride out west I'd do a set of adjustable aftermarket control arms over the drop brackets. Pushing the articulation will mean you'll probably need an aftermarket driveshaft for the front, as well as aftermarket brake lines.

TLDR- The RC Kit will get you on the road, it won't be the best ride/performance, but it will allow you to actually see the Jeep and upgrade parts as you find their limits.

So the drive shaft is only needed if you plan on flexing it out to the max? Not typical driving highways etc

 

[Camaroboi13]

So the drive shaft is only needed if you plan on flexing it out to the max? Not typical driving highways etc

That’s correct. Most of the stuff the guy above said isn’t true. I don’t have a custom driveshaft, no adjustable control arms, no extended brake lines, and definitely no geometry brackets. I’m on 4.5” lift with no issues. Don’t let the naysayers fool you, but just remember the RC lift is on the lower end of the quality spectrum.

 

[Brahmajoe]

I think I’m going 6 it comes with a drive shaft and I don’t wanna get a lift and …it doesn’t look lifted I think 6 should do the trick

 

[Panthers65]

So the drive shaft is only needed if you plan on flexing it out to the max? Not typical driving highways etc

Thats been my experience

That’s correct. Most of the stuff the guy above said isn’t true. I don’t have a custom driveshaft, no adjustable control arms, no extended brake lines, and definitely no geometry brackets. I’m on 4.5” lift with no issues. Don’t let the naysayers fool you, but just remember the RC lift is on the lower end of the quality spectrum.

I never said any of the above stuff was required. In fact I said the opposite, that the RC kit will come with the basic/required components. Everything after that is optional parts that can be added over time, as you learn the Jeep. IF you push your Jeep more and more, you'll start to learn the limits of certain components, and once you understand their limits it helps you make a better decision on how to upgrade or replace them.

When you start lifting tires where other people are keeping them on the ground, you'll start looking at ways to increase articulation. As you increase articulation through control arms and sway bar disconnects, you'll start testing the limits of the shock relocation brackets and need longer shocks, Once you get longer shocks you'll find the limit of your break lines, once your get longer break lines and push articulation even more, you'll find the limits of your driveshafts. The point is doing it in stages allows you to learn the suspension and WHY certain parts are needed.

I sold Jeep parts for years, I always tried to push people away from coming in and putting a $5K full long arm kit on their first Jeep with no plans to do anything more than light camping and riding service roads. If you know what your doing and know how your going to be using the Jeep, sure it's always best to buy things the "Right" way the first time, but people that already know their Jeep and exactly what they are going to be doing with it typically aren't asking basic questions on internet forums. (That's not a bad thing by any means, everyone starts somewhere).

 

[Brahmajoe]

I appreciate everybody’s input. Thanks guys ?

Sponsored