BUYER BEWARE of the Rock Krawler kit

GilaMonster · **Posted:** Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:39 pm

Jeepin Al wrote:

Sorry guys, I looked at the kit, and than tried it out.... the prototype on mine. It worked for a while, until at full flex it pinched my boot. I found the problem shortly after, I think it was Gila who contacted me. We discussed the problem, and we decided the best way to solve the problem was to cut the inner lip off the clevis and weld a support on the out side. Something YOU SHOULD NOT DO WITH A BRAND NEW LIFT KIT. I made a mistake, figuring after the 7 up problems, they would have done a little more home work. The kit may work real well on the Chrokee, and Commander do to the longer axle shafts, but not on the KJ.

The clevis is really easy to install, which made me think it would be a good kit for others than mine. This is the second I have heard of that had boot contact. The pictures should be sent to Rock Krawler to show them. They need to widen the clevis opening to OEM size. I have since taken the prototypes off my KJ, and put the OEM clevis back on.

The clevis needs to be 2 inches wider it appears. If the boot is ripped the temp boot or split boot will not work, as I found out, it tears the little tabs off the boot where the screws go.

Guys and Gals we need to chalk this one up to good intentions, but with two problems, mine being the third, I can no longer recommend this kit to anyone. I will need to remove it from my site.

The idea was real good, and it would have worked fine, on 2005 and up, but the clevis is just not wide enough.

As for longer bump stops, I think you would need them. I would not trust the springs or shocks to do the job a bump stop would do. I do not have bump stops on mine, and I think the spring acts as the stop, before the shock does.

Al

Al, I am the one that contacted you and I appreciate you letting others know what is going on with the clevis design problem in their kit.

I thank you for posting your experiance and advice on the matter.

grumppee · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:54 am

This is terrible news. I am scheduled for this thursday to have my lift installed. :cry:

Rockjeep · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:06 pm

Says right on there site. NO CRD.

LIBERTY 3.5 X FACTOR SYSTEM

SKU: RKKJ35XF
Suggested Retail: $899.00
The Rock Krawler 3.5 Inch X Factor System for the Jeep Liberty has been engineered to give you the most ability for your Jeep Liberty with ease of installation, performance and durability in mind. Rock Krawler replaces the factory lower cast factory strut forks with new high quality laser cut steel units that are 3/16 thick and they have a cool aggressive look. This maintains the factory travel range and ride quality from the OEM front strut. Where other entry systems stop is where we excel. Rock Krawler provides high quality extended front sway bar links that puts the front sway bar back in the factory operation position so not an ounce of highway handling is lost. In the rear, harmonically matched long travel rear coils replace the factory coil springs. Double adjustable rear lower control arms with a massive bushing at the frame and Krawler Joint at the axle open up the rear’s travel and articulation range. The rear suspension is completed with a set of Rock Krawler long travel rear shocks that mount can up for exceptional ride quality! This is the best 3.5 Inch system on the market for Liberty’s.

System Benefits:
-Complete Bolt in System
-Excellent Highway Ride and Handling
-Improved Offroad ability
-Allows for 31 Inch Tires with no Fender Trimming
or 32x10.5's (265/70 Series) with Minor Fender Trimming.
-Heavy Duty Double Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms
-Simple 3 Hour Installation
-Limited Lifetime Warranty

System Includes:
(2) laser cut and precision welded new bottom strut forks out of 3/16 thick steel, (2) new front adjustable sway bar end links, (2) harmonically balanced long travel rear coil springs, double adjustable rear lower control arms made from 2 O.D. x 9/16 thick walled tubing, (2) long travel rear shocks, hardware and detailed instructions.

Notes:

* Requires removal of the rear sway bar

** Not Valid for CRD Models

GilaMonster · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:26 pm

Rockjeep wrote:

Says right on there site. NO CRD.

LIBERTY 3.5 X FACTOR SYSTEM

SKU: RKKJ35XF
Suggested Retail: $899.00
The Rock Krawler 3.5 Inch X Factor System for the Jeep Liberty has been engineered to give you the most ability for your Jeep Liberty with ease of installation, performance and durability in mind. Rock Krawler replaces the factory lower cast factory strut forks with new high quality laser cut steel units that are 3/16 thick and they have a cool aggressive look. This maintains the factory travel range and ride quality from the OEM front strut. Where other entry systems stop is where we excel. Rock Krawler provides high quality extended front sway bar links that puts the front sway bar back in the factory operation position so not an ounce of highway handling is L.O.S.T.. In the rear, harmonically matched long travel rear coils replace the factory coil springs. Double adjustable rear lower control arms with a massive bushing at the frame and Krawler Joint at the axle open up the rear’s travel and articulation range. The rear suspension is completed with a set of Rock Krawler long travel rear shocks that mount can up for exceptional ride quality! This is the best 3.5 Inch system on the market for Liberty’s.

System Benefits:
-Complete Bolt in System
-Excellent Highway Ride and Handling
-Improved Offroad ability
-Allows for 31 Inch Tires with no Fender Trimming
or 32x10.5's (265/70 Series) with Minor Fender Trimming.
-Heavy Duty Double Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms
-Simple 3 Hour Installation
-Limited Lifetime Warranty

System Includes:
(2) laser cut and precision welded new bottom strut forks out of 3/16 thick steel, (2) new front adjustable sway bar end links, (2) harmonically balanced long travel rear coil springs, double adjustable rear lower control arms made from 2 O.D. x 9/16 thick walled tubing, (2) long travel rear shocks, hardware and detailed instructions.

Notes:

* Requires removal of the rear sway bar

** Not Valid for CRD Models

They didn't have this disclaimer before, they updated their web page after I've contacted them regarding their Bravo Sierra information. Further, they verbally told me it would fit before install and then claimed it did not fit a liberty with a CRD engine after I installed it and told me it was my problem.
Here it is still at discount jeep parts web site, maybe the will update it soon too, at least that way they won't rip off another customer with such fradulent information (http://www.discountjeepparts.com/produc ... s_id/27254):

3.5 Inch X Factor System Lift Kit For 2001-06 Jeep Liberty KJ $779.95

3.5 Inch X Factor System Lift Kit For 2001-06 Jeep Liberty KJ
Click to enlarge
Products Model: RKKJ35XF
Manufacturer: Rock Krawler
Fits Vehicle: 2001-06
Liberty

Rock Krawler 3.5 Inch X Factor System Lift Kit For 2001-06 Jeep Liberty KJ
The Rock Krawler 3.5 Inch X Factor System for the Jeep Liberty has been engineered to give you the most ability for your Jeep Liberty with ease of installation, performance and durability in mind. Rock Krawler replaces the factory lower cast factory strut forks with new high quality laser cut steel units that are 3/16 thick and they have a cool aggressive look. This maintains the factory travel range and ride quality from the OEM front strut. Where other entry systems stop is where we excel. Rock Krawler provides high quality extended front sway bar links that puts the front sway bar back in the factory operation position so not an ounce of highway handling is lost. In the rear, harmonically matched long travel rear coils replace the factory coil springs. Double adjustable rear lower control arms with a massive bushing at the frame and Krawler Joint at the axle open up the rear’s travel and articulation range. The rear suspension is completed with a set of Rock Krawler long travel rear shocks that mount can up for exceptional ride quality! This is the best 3.5 Inch system on the market for Liberty’s.

System Benefits

* Complete Bolt in System
* Excellent Highway Ride and Handling
* Improved Offroad ability
* Allows for 31 Inch Tires with no Fender Trimming or 32x10.5's (265/70 Series) with Minor Fender Trimming.
* Heavy Duty Double Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms
* Simple 3 Hour Installation
* Limited Lifetime Warranty

System Includes: (2) laser cut and precision welded new bottom strut forks out of 3/16 thick steel, (2) new front adjustable sway bar end links, (2) harmonically balanced long travel rear coil springs, double adjustable rear lower control arms made from 2 O.D. x 9/16 thick walled tubing, (2) long travel rear shocks, hardware and detailed instructions.

tarkus · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:34 pm

Rockjeep wrote:

Says right on there site. NO CRD.

Jeepin Al doesn't have a CRD.

I think it is time to dismiss RockCrawler as a reputable manufacturer

Grumpee: I would hold off on your installation until they make some changes to the kit. Maybe we can pressure them into fixing the problem

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:37 am

grumppee wrote:

This is terrible news. I am scheduled for this thursday to have my lift installed. :cry:

Grumpee,
if it's still in the box, you should be able to send it back for a refund.

Note also, that All J's will be testing the new 500 lb. rated OME CRD coils on a heavy gasser. I assume that means one with an ARB/winch combo.

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:01 am

It does look as though someone did a quick update to the RK site and they have left everyone that sells this kit under the bus. In my Dec. Issue (I think) of petersons 4 wheel and off road the RK lift did really well on the Chevy pick-up they put it on and it looked way cool. So, they probably have not put enough thought into the KJ lift.

spencevans · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:47 pm

I think RK are the only people more dishonest than DC.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:52 pm

spencevans wrote:

I think RK are the only people more dishonest than DC.

And that's saying a lot, and all I can do is agree 100%. I just wish that someone from D/C would check these forums occasionally :roll:

But they will probably never get the clue.

grumppee · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:44 pm

I had the Rock Krawler 3.5" lift installed on Thursday knowing that if I wheel my KJ there could be issues. I inspected the Jeep while it was still up on the lift and indeed the strut fork was making some contact with the CV boot when the suspension is maxed out. Nothing like on the CRD but any contact is bad news.

I had CRD coils and Rancho struts installed up front, however the rear of my KJ sits noticably lower than the front, probably due to the CRD coils. If the front doesn't settle within the next few weeks with the ARB up there I will install spacers in the rear to level it out.

We'll see what happens. :roll:

BUYER BEWARE of the Rock Krawler kit

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