4.5 inch rubicon express

Very good choice and I love mine. Good choice on Jason too.
 
is there any special tools i'll need? maybe something for compressiong the springs? as you can tell this is my first time putting a lift on, but my stepsisters dad is letting me use his garage at his house and said he will help, he has never done one, but he knows how to do new suspensions on older cars and drag cars
 
I'd spray your stock bolts with some liquid wrench, a few days before you start the lift. It'll help loosen the stock bolts. You shouldn't need a coil spring compressor. You'll have to remove the track bar, and control arms, and shocks anyway.
 
Great lift. Can't go wrong with RE. You will need an SYE and CV driveshaft and probably some 4* Shims as well. Other then that - No "special" tools needed. You can rent a spring compressor but I just used a ratchet strap to compress. Probably not the best / safest thing to use but it did the job.

Make sure the rig is well supported and blocks under the tires. Wear a good set of goggles and gloves :)
 
IMO i would upgrade to the HD trackbar, get a lot of pb blaster, airtools, and beer. Cant forget the beer
 
rangerjoe2001 said:
IMO i would upgrade to the HD trackbar, get a lot of pb blaster, airtools, and beer. Cant forget the beer
Click to expand...

AGREE 150%. You will end up buying a Track Bar later so might as well get it done now. Get the HD Track Bar AND Bracket.

Oh yeah - and don't forget the Beer :)
 
I have to agree with all of the above, especially the hd track bar and mount. Had nothing but problems with the tb that came with the 4.5, just like Jason and Dirk said I would. Just installed the HD set up with no problems. You cant go wrong buying from Jason or Dirk, and PB Blast everthing many times! Oh and upgrade to the OME shocks if you can.
 
definately upgrade to the hd track bar with mount, well worth it. Also, like everyone said, PB blast everything everyday for a week or two in advance. Plan on breaking all four of the upper rear shock bolts off, so go do a search on how to fix it. Not all that bad to do. Also, be prepared to fight the front and rear spring bolts in the back, they can be kind of stubborn. As someone else said, the SYE is prolly going to be necessary. Overall, its a great lift, flexes real well, and you can run 35's on it if youre not afraid to cut.
 
If your bolts are rusted be prepaired to cut them off. I had lots of problems with the bolts on my leaf springs. If you dont already have a floor jack i would suggest getting one, they are alot of help. This kit is awsome, you should be very happy.
 
what type of problems. Do realize that there is caster adjustment built into the stock mounts, but IMO, you shouldn't have to mess with them at all. I have zero vibes, and I have rarely heard of anyone else having to mess with caster when they swap in both upper and lower RE fixed arms. And, why would you need adjustable upper and lowers just for caster, wouldnt that be used for lengthening your wheel base? I would say stay with the standards, I havent found a need for adjustables. Just my .02
 
I have an Re 4.5 and love it. Like you mine was my 1st lift. I went through 4 + cans of PB lube etc. I just kept spraying over a couple weeks and all went well except for the upper rear shock bolts. Just about everybody has problems with them. There are a number of ways to fix them after they break. Search. If like most you decide to drill out the broken bolts, have new bits, tap, and bolts ready to go. Wont hurt to have a torch handy - even a little propane or map torch is better than nothin and can make the difference when taking it apart. Also a piece of pipe to put over your breaker bar if you dont have an impact wrench that will generate enough leverage.. Heres a link about changing coils without a compressor. Thats how I did it. Good luck and have fun.

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoFrontCoils.htm
 
Jason (and RE) work with you if you want to upgrade or change any components in their kits. I'd definitely recommend getting a credit for the trackbar that's included with the RE6130, and adding the following:
RE1660 Extra H.D. Track Bar
RE1665 Trackbar Bracket
RE1670 Trackbar Brace

Likewise, ditch the RE disconnects and order a set of JKS Quicker Disconnects. At least one set of adjustable control arms will help with fine-tuning the suspension too.

PB Blaster - definitely.

Additional reading: http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/45lift.html
 
Oh yeah...if you really had a good year and want the ride to improve a bit along with a tad more flex, don't forget to look for a good deal on RE Drop Brackets. That's when adjustable LCAs come in really handy, because you use near-stock-length arms with the DBs.

http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/re_db.html
 
Excellent choice... I just put the same kit on mine 2 months ago and love it.... The only thing I wish I would have got was the complete spring pack instead of the AAL as it is way stiffer than the front and I am now looking for a solution for this. I also did a couple of upgrades, that is the HD track bar and HD bracket, and the adjustable lower control arms. The sway bar disconnects are the second generation version and are perfect, I don't think I would change them, but I don't have any experence with other brands. The first generation disco's I would not recommend though. It is fairly easy to put on and set up if you have a good set of tools, perferrably air tools, but allow a complete weekend and a helper. If I remember right, I paid just over $900 for this kit from SAM's Off Road in Tulsa with upgrades and free Rancho 5000 shocks... Let me know if you have any other questions about it,,,,, it is a great kit with excellent flex....
 
how are the virbrations on yours? do you have a sye, or an exstended yoke? new gears? also what size tires do you have? i would like to run 33's, and im willing to trim, i just do not know what size rims or what size 33's to run with it. Thanks Matt.
 
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