if you could start over......what lift kit would you pick?

I'm trying to figure out what kit we want, we do know we want either 2.5 or 3 in lift. because we have a set of Rubicon take offs (the 16" Moab wheels with the Goodyear MT/R's 245/75/16's) and i want thoes to fit without rubbing. We are trying to stay around the $300.00 mark for the lift.

Anyone have a kit they are selling?

Ideas? suggestions? comments?

_________________
Craig and Elizabeth - ASE Certified Professional
07' KJ , 2.5" lift, Al's arms, Rubicon 16's w/MTR's, skids n' hooks, Safari Rack, 4 PIAA's, AZ Pinstriping
AKA: "MacGyver, The Mechanic"

While I like my Daystar lift, if I had it to do over again I think I would have saved up for either the Rusty's suspension lift or the Frankenlift. There are folks on here that run both with good results.

Craig,

I still run the Daystar 2.5" with Rancho struts/shocks with no real problems with the lift itself.

However, you will probably go through upper control arms consistantly since they will contact the coils at full droop and tweak the upper ball joints. The upper ball joints are non replaceable and non-greaseable - so you are stuck with getting new arms. I went through 2 1/2 sets before getting Al's Uppers. No issues since then.

Now, if you plan on loading the front end with a bumper and/or winch, the OEM coils will not cut it. Mine are sagging (plus they are 6 years old and have 95K miles on them). I'm debating biting the bullet and getting the Frankenlift fronts with HD coils at least. It is clearly the best set-up...

Also recommend replacing your lower ball joints with Moogs immediately.

My dos centavos...

Todd

_________________
95 YJ 2.5" RE lift and 32's, Posi-Lock, 4.10's with a Tru-Trac up front, M8000 winch, CB, gear and what have you...
RIP: 02 KJ LE

We ran our '06 stock for about nine months, doing such trails as the back way to Crown King and Chivo Falls, before we went to a Frankenlift. We just went out to AllJ in Big Bear and had them do it - lift (with the Heavy Duty OME struts and shocks all around), Al's upper control arms, Rubicon wheels & tires. We are both extremely happy with it and would do it again, although we did have to save our pennies. A lot of pennies.

Note that there will probably have to be some cutting and pounding in the front wheel wells to prevent rubbing even with the lift. I still need to trim a little of the inner plastic well in front of the wheels where they rub approaching full turn lock, and going in reverse the tire lugs can catch on the plastic and make a heck of a noise.

See

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... 647#238292

for some idea of the air dam trimming that was done on mine.

My 1/50 of a buck - there's no rush, unless you really want to do some really difficult trails RIGHT NOW! Montana Mountain is easy enough stock, for example, depending on what the washes on the east side look like.

Russ

i am happy with the frankenlift. i run 245/75/16 no rubbing at all. the only thing i would have done differently was get Als arms when i got the lift so i did not have to take the front end apart twice.

_________________
'06 Renegade Jeep Green in color
Frankenlift with heavier rate springs for bumper/winch applications
ARB, Warn Winch, full set of factory skids, JBA gen 4.5 A-Arms, LT245/75 R16 Michelin LTX AT2
Arizona Pinstriping, and desert dust custom paint overlay

I have run my Rusty's suspension lift for over three years now with zero problems. I would definitely choose it again. I don't have any experience with the frankenlift but plenty of people like that as well. Neither is available for $300 but you get what you pay for. Do it once, do it right and be done. It will be cheaper in the long run.

_________________
2011 Nissan XTerra

Had the Daystar, it was good, just a bit rough of aride, or so i thought. Switched up to the Frankenlift. I like the ride quality more. Like M&P40 said, better to get the a arms with it now than do it later. Many people have been happy with Rustys, Daystar and Franky. As we talked about in fits stay away from the RRO OTT.

later, mike


ps there's a frankenlift front end for sale right now in the sale section for 500.

I have an oppertunity to buy a Rockfather II for 500.00 from a guy who bought it and the wife said no, brand new, never installed. NOTE: im not buying it from RRO, i see all over this site that they are a nightmare to deal with. Im buying it from a person not RRO. What i want to know is, should i grab it or save up for the franklift and spend 600 MORE...

Is the Rockfather II a good or bad setup? worth 500.00? seems many people have it and are happy with it...

thoughts...?

_________________
Craig and Elizabeth - ASE Certified Professional
07' KJ , 2.5" lift, Al's arms, Rubicon 16's w/MTR's, skids n' hooks, Safari Rack, 4 PIAA's, AZ Pinstriping
AKA: "MacGyver, The Mechanic"

I'd save up. Check the board. I don't recall hearing good things about the rockfather.

_________________
2011 Nissan XTerra

I decided to pass on it... we will save up for the Frankenlift and do the A-arms at the same time

_________________
Craig and Elizabeth - ASE Certified Professional
07' KJ , 2.5" lift, Al's arms, Rubicon 16's w/MTR's, skids n' hooks, Safari Rack, 4 PIAA's, AZ Pinstriping
AKA: "MacGyver, The Mechanic"

great choice

_________________
On the Road to No Where.......
KE7QOR
Certified Tread Lightly Trainer

LIFETIME KJ MEMBER.....and dang proud off it !!!

OK then which kit to choose? what are the advantages of the OME shocks over the ranchos? thoughts?

Standard Frankenlift I: $835.53
The Standard Frankenlift Kit uses Pre-Assembled Rancho 17505 Front Struts, OME927 H/D Front and Rear OME948 H/D Coil Springs, Rear Rancho 17004 Shocks, All J Products Proprietary Poly Parts, Left and Right Daystar Upper Strut Plates, All Hardware and stem cushions needed, Rear Bump Stops. Also included with each kit is an original artwork Frankenlift Decal!

Frankenlift I Premium: uses OME132L Long Travel Shocks and Rancho 17505 Struts: $875.39.

Frankenlift II: Uses OME NS131 Front Struts instead of the Rancho struts - uses Rancho shocks: $956.61

Frankenlift II Premium Kit: Uses OME NS131 Front Struts and Uses OME132L Long Travel Rear Shocks instead of the Rancho counterparts: $996.59

_________________
Craig and Elizabeth - ASE Certified Professional
07' KJ , 2.5" lift, Al's arms, Rubicon 16's w/MTR's, skids n' hooks, Safari Rack, 4 PIAA's, AZ Pinstriping
AKA: "MacGyver, The Mechanic"

The OME coils and the other items are the key to the lift. The struts can always be replaced or upgraded down the road. I'd think if you were going to save any $ off the bat, then go with the Rancho's to start...

_________________
95 YJ 2.5" RE lift and 32's, Posi-Lock, 4.10's with a Tru-Trac up front, M8000 winch, CB, gear and what have you...
RIP: 02 KJ LE

what about the A-arms?? are they needed? recomended? I have heard some other folks say they wish hey had done both the frankenlift and the Al's arms at the same time...

_________________
Craig and Elizabeth - ASE Certified Professional
07' KJ , 2.5" lift, Al's arms, Rubicon 16's w/MTR's, skids n' hooks, Safari Rack, 4 PIAA's, AZ Pinstriping
AKA: "MacGyver, The Mechanic"

The replacement A-arms have a greasable ball joint, plus they make it easier to align the front end post-lift. Otherwise I think you're close to the extreme of the adjustment. Just remember if you want to upgrade the shocks/struts or A-arms you will have to take the whole thing apart again...