Is the xtra inch worth 400 dollars?

[l4cl4c]

Maybe it is just me? But I think the 400 is well worth the expense, but remember it comes with more expense if you want over 4inches. (SYE, Rear Drive Shaft (+500) and possibly a pitman arm to do it right.) Your XJ may need this anyway if your xj follows mine. My 89 didn't do well with the 4.5. From what I hear it is a crapshoot some XJ’s are simple and smooth, but others are a bear when lifted above 4 inches. At the time I wanted 4.5, because I didn’t have the money to upgrade the other items to hit 5.5. Once I installed the lift and new 31x10.5x15 tires (w 15x8 wheels) I had it aligned. My XJ experienced Death Wobble, harsh bump steer, but no Driveline vibes. Also the control arm angles made the ride pretty harsh. I added the RE HD Track bar brackets + cross support and then added the RE drop brackets+ supports (NOW it was smooth, stable and drove great.) Soon I added: ZJ Pitman, SYE and rear DS, front 2” coil spacers, longer rear shackles and axle angle shims (short angle blocks to raise the back to level and line up the pinion angle).

If I was to do it again I would buy a RE 3.5inch kit, rock rails, locker and tires (great for muddy trails and small rocks) Then when I could have saved enough (1500-3K) convert to the 5.5 short arm RE kit OR a long arm kit like TNT Customs or RE-XJLA. Don’t get me know I love my RE short arm parts, but now I wish I had the taller front and rear springs (from the 5.5kit). However the TNT is looking to be a great long arm kit. KEY Points: Be careful and don’t suffer from incremental-ism like I did. Make a plan and stick with it. Sorry for the long answer, but maybe it will help in your decision.

 

[carmike692000]

^^ It throws a kink in my plans. I was all set on the RE4.5.

 

[Mercenary]

It throws a kink in my plans as well. I certainly don't want a harsh riding XJ. I find the stock ride bad enough.

Perhaps 4.5 or even 5.5 is too much lift for what I am looking for. As I said, I drive my XJ daily and I have no intentions of turning it into a trail rig. I want the extra clearance for back roads, fire roads, etc,etc. It will take a turn or two on some old deactivated logging roads that we seem to have in abundance around here.

Thanks for the replies folks.

 

[matt6669]

from my personal experience i bought the re4.5. At first i was happy with it but now its totally getting scrapped for a rock krawler 6.5 kit. I already took off re's arms and i've installed the rk long arms and what a difference it made. You never really know how crappy the ride on the road is with short arms untill you go long arms. I'm a firm believer now ill never look back.

I say this if you know your going to like wheeling and you see yourself upgrading do it right the first time and not have to do it again like im doing. With the money i wasted on my lift kit i could of bought atleast my rear locker (ox).

If you think your only going to run like 31's or 33's i'd do the re 4.5 kit and be happy with it. Maybe someday add a set of long arms and you'd be good.

For me i wish i would of just bought the rk 6.5 kit, but im going beyond the rk6.5 kit and doing some special things. Should be some pictures up pretty soon im hoping.

Matt

ps i don't know how much you found your re4.5 kit for but rk's 6.5 kit can be had for somewhere around 1400ish. If you want more information pm me and ill let ya know where.

 

[xjbubba]

My comment regarding long arms just meant that they have their own peculiarity's. When I say long arm, I mean radius arms similar to the old Ford Bronco set-ups. Since I don't have personal experience with them, I can only repeat what I've read.
I have done an extensive search on various forums and have decided not to go that route. Clearance seams to be an issue with all but the TNT kit ($$$), unless you fab your own, integrating the various ideas put forward by those who have done the fabbing and have used them on the trail. I may end up with radius arms because of UCA clearance issues caused by install a small block Chevy. If I do, I'll fab my own and include a limiting strap in the center of the axle assembly.