BDS vs. Rubicon Express

Ben824 said:
I have no personal experience with the BDS or RE 4.5" kits but I do have experience with the BDS 3" and RE 3.5" kits and hands down the RE kits is far superior. From ride quality to performance on and off-road and quality of parts.

As far as the shocks go I would go with the 9500 shock if you really want the BDS shocks. The gas charged monotube design is much better.

But all the BDS stuff is overpriced and you can get better stuff from RE for cheaper.
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Thanks for the input but I have a follow up question. Are you comparing the BDS AAL kit to RE's full spring pack?

I wonder if ride quality changes from Jeep to Jeep...seems like YJ guys LOVE BDS over RE.
 
RE is awesome for their coilsprings and control arms. their leafs are pretty good, too, but they focused their energy on making good coilspring setups. since yj's are all leafs, other companies probably do that a little better.
 
I don't have the RE 4.5" but I do have the 5.5" and it rides like a dream on the road and flexes too much offroad, so I had to get limiting straps. I have loved all of my RE lifts.
 
I have the RE 3.5" and am beginning to love it now that things are breaking in, however, I'm having an issue with the driver side leaf pack fanning (need to buy some clamps)... Even with Bilstein 5100s, beware that the ride quality will be significantly different from stock. I can no longer trust myself to drink from an open cup while driving.
 
Have been running the RE 3.5" Super Ride kit with Full Packs for over 2 years now with zero complaints. I went with Skyjacker Nitro shocks and can't believe how well it rides on the road. Pretty much everybody who's a fellow Jeep enthusiast that has ridden in my Jeep almost immediately notices the ride. I'm also extremely impressed with the off road performance. Compared to other kits of comparable height, it out performs them all.

I've heard rumors that RE's quality has been slacking lately though. Again, just rumors...have yet to see any information to support it.
 
keep0njeepin0n said:
Thanks for the input but I have a follow up question. Are you comparing the BDS AAL kit to RE's full spring pack?

I wonder if ride quality changes from Jeep to Jeep...seems like YJ guys LOVE BDS over RE.
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I did have the the AAL BDS kit which was fine but sagged out which all AALs will eventually and they wont ride as good as full leaf packs. Its a cheap way to go ahead and get your Jeep in the air if you are on a tight budget but full leaf packs are what you are going to want long term. RE also offers AALs in their kits too to keep cost down.
 
Ben824 said:
I did have the the AAL BDS kit which was fine but sagged out which all AALs will eventually and they wont ride as good as full leaf packs. Its a cheap way to go ahead and get your Jeep in the air if you are on a tight budget but full leaf packs are what you are going to want long term. RE also offers AALs in their kits too to keep cost down.
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Then that's not a fair comparison. You can't say "well the BDS AAL rode stiffer than the RE full leaf pack, so I recommend getting RE over BDS."

Well yeah I would expect so!
 
They are a fair comparison since they are two different forms of lift methods. Also if you re-read what I said I stated I personally had BDS AALs on my Jeep BUT all AALs will ride stiffer and sag out eventually and some RE full leaf packs would be better if someone had the money. I have installed Pro-Comp, RE, Rustys, and BDS ALLs and they all rode stiff and all have sagged out. I did not then go on to say ALL full leaf packs would be a better option because that is not necessarily true since not all full leaf packs are made equal. There are all different levels of Jeep experience on here from noobs to the highly experienced so I was recommending full packs over ALLs if they have the money in case they didn't know better.
 
Ben824 said:
They are a fair comparison since they are two different forms of lift methods.
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I must be misunderstanding what you're saying. What I'm getting from you is "It is a fair comparison to say that RE's full leaf packs ride better than the BDS AAL because they are two different lift methods."

IF this is what you mean, then no, it is not fair. I'm looking for a comparison between the SAME method of lift, from both companies, preferably the same lift height too!
 
I've never owned anything BDS but I must say, I loved my RE 5.5" Kit. Very flexy but great road manners.
 
BDS - BIG DICK SUSPENSION.. ever wonder why they got a name like that?
 
keep0njeepin0n said:
No I have not, But I would bet it has something to do with the owner being named Richard.....what were you trying to get at?
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Dude stop being "that guy" thats got an attitude. If you don't have any advice then don't waste our time thinking there is an intelligent comment and helpful waiting for us to read when we get a notification. Guys like you are very irritating in these online forums that the rest of us try to use to talk Jeep with other Jeep guys.
 
Ben824 said:
Dude stop being "that guy" thats got an attitude. If you don't have any advice then don't waste our time thinking there is an intelligent comment and helpful waiting for us to read when we get a notification. Guys like you are very irritating in these online forums that the rest of us try to use to talk Jeep with other Jeep guys.
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WHAT?!?! I am the one trying to get the advice. I'm not the one who randomly said..."BDS - BIG DICK SUSPENSION.. ever wonder why they got a name like that?"

Why are you busting my chops?!?!
 
OMG! you guys are killin me.

i've never run a full leaf pack but have ridden in jeeps that have had them. my XJ with a Rough country 3.5 AAL and 2 inch blocks rides better than all of them.

my cousin had a procomp lift on his TJ and i was surprised that his fully 4 linked wrangler would ride worse than my old XJ.

the only lifted vehicle i've been in that has ridden better than mine was my cousin's XJ waggy with a 5.5 OME kit i call it a kit because it was offered by a company selling the 3.5 inch lift with 2 inch spacers front and rear.

very soft. and OME's nitro charger shocks are great also.

i have been toying with the idea of ditching my kit with the spacers and getting a 6 inch longarm and full leaf pack but i'm skeptical on what brand to get because i've been disappointed with so many other's lifted jeep's ride quality.
 
when i was looking for a lift i was stuck with the same options. i went with the BDS 4.5" lift with the full leafs and adjustable uppers and lowers. i love it. the only reason that tipped me over to the BDS vs the RE was there warrenty. no matter how long you own it, get in a accident, destroy or even if the springs start to sag they will replace it no questions asked. i liked that and is the only reason i went with them instead of the RE.
 
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