rusty's lift

kjsport05 · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 10:30 pm

so the tax return check just came in and i think its about time to order the lift. just looking for some feed back from people with the rusty's 2.5in suspension lift. from what i can tell, its not a bad little setup for the price. any feedback would be greatly appreciated. thanks

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 10:46 pm

I won't even try and tell you that you can get an OME for not much more. You do know that Rustys springs are rated the same as stock I assume, Its a good lift, but others are better IMO!

kjsport05 · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 10:52 pm

so what would you recommend then that is still in the same ballpark price? is there a link for the OME kit with prices?

daspes · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 10:58 pm

Think this should be a sticky....

tommudd wrote:

Just for reference and discussion
OME N132L rear shocks from AllJs 84.99 each
Rancho Rear RSX 17004 Summit Racing 55. each
yes I know The N132L are longer travel but just for comparison pricies

OME Front Struts 151.55 each AllJs
Front Rancho RSXs 85.00 each

You could run to Summit Racing and pick up the shocks/ struts no shipping order the springs from AllJs/ Oklahoma 4WD (I think thats the name isnt it or something like that) RRO (maybe last resort) but you can save geting it here and there, if you want. Ranchos have done me very well for several thousands of miles!

you can call Heather as well, she is very understanding and helpful, no pressure in you have to buy this or that. I bought my springs and struts from them , rear shocks through Summit. You can also get Ranchos through some parts stores and they will price match!

Tom

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 11:05 pm

You can buy 2 sets of OME springs, Rancho RSX17505 struts, and correct rear Rancho shocks ( Rusty's shocks are not correct and have issues) from any of a number of sources. This gets you a really good lift for the money from the reviews on here, but not the absolute best in lift height & flexability. But the best costs more.

EDIT: I guess I should type faster......

Inc · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 12:38 am

I have heard some people had issues with the rear shocks fitting correctly and some springs sag. I'd do like the guys said before me. Go OME and buy the components separately and spend a tiny bit extra and get a sweet lift vs one that might have some posible issues. Then again some people run the rusty's and love it and have zero issues. So, what I am trying to say is I am no help.

I think Neatus runs a Rusty's lift and I think he likes it.

kolesy · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 1:05 am

I have been runnin my rusty's coil lift for over 2 years now and have no dislikes about it except a few minor issues. I upgraded the rear shocks to the ranchos cause I blew one of the ones out that came with the kit after about six months. You can get the shocks to fit properly just use a couple washers costs two bucks.<---- there that problem is solved that people complain about! ;-)

As far as sagging. Mine has sagged maybe a 1/4" in two years, granted I dont have an after market bumper but I hve about 200lbs of stereo equipment and gear in the rear at all times.

Depending on what you plan to add to your rig this kit will do very well, I would suggest he leave the rear shocks out which will lower your price some and then get yourself some of the rancho rsx1704s. The make the ride a lot better IMO.

Mike

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 1:07 am

and if your wanting to save a little money go with Rancho shocks and struts they are great quality and are cheaper than OME, for coils you can also get them from Dirk at DPG Off-Road and they are $72ea if you want the HD coils which is what I would reccomend they are 948 and 927

kj924 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:01 pm **Posts:** 103

OK, I will chime in on this since I run the Rusty's 2.5" coil lift.

First of all you need to ask yourself questions.

1. Where do you drive most of the time?
2. Why are you replacing the suspension system?
3. How much do you want to spend?

I am pleased with my Rusty's kit, for the money it does the job just fine. I bought mine used with 4-5000 miles on it and I have put 2000 on it myself so far. Now the previous owner ordered new OME long travel rear shocks because the Rusty's that originally came with the kit failed. So that is something to think about.

I got a full 3" of lift from my Rusty's kit :shock:

, and if it does sag over the next year or two, then I will swap out the springs for OME and get a Daystar poly spacer kit and I will have the frankenlift when all is said and done. I also don't have any Upper Control Arm issues that some people have, thats another $400 I can put elsewhere (locker) in the future. :twisted:

Ordering just the OME coils will not give you 3" of lift, you need the poly spacers under the springs to get that kind of height. Again it all depends on what exactly you are looking for in the end.

My KJ is a daily driver with the weekend off road capabilities that I want. I still need to install my rear bumpstops (sitting in the garage waiting) and order some front extended bumps from Terraflex( $20 each).

So far I have tested my lift in my driving conditions and it works great. I don't and won't be wheeling in the same stuff as TJKJ or Tokyojoe for example, sooo I don't need the same set up as them. With the money I saved on my lift, I was able to buy a set of Moab's. Thats how I look at things, save money here and get some more stuff there

.

I did alot of reading and question asking on this and other forums, and listened to what everyone told me. In the end I posed the same questions I asked earlier and made my decision from those answers. I just didn't want to order from 3-4 diffrent suppliers and wait for it to come.

The way I look at it is A) I have my KJ lifted and useable now B)Ordering new springs and Daystar poly pieces ( I have Daystar upper strut plates in the garage waiting also) over the next year will be easier on the pocket book than dumping a bigger load of cash at once C) If I don't have to replace my spring later--> BONUS!!

Derick

Hey kolesy, a 1/4" over two years, thats not bad at all. Time to do a cleavis to gain back all that lost height.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 10:52 am

dang forum either doesn't post due to time or does ten in a row

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 10:56 am

whoops

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 10:56 am

kj924....so much so wrong

first your questions
1. where you drive , whats makes the difference you want to UPGRADE your suspension and make it better, Rustys only gives you some heighth, you do not gain anything else like a better ride or better control
2. why are you replacing...hopefully to make it better, if not why do it, just to drive to the mall? So again you want to upgrade the suspension
3. How much do you want to spend? when you can upgrade to a better suspension system for a few dollars more than the same spring rate of the stock suspension why would you not want to do it???????
Getting new JBA upper arms , I have driven mine with an OME lift for 65000 miles with no problems AT ALL and no it does not Mall Crawl. I put the arms on just last week because again its an upgrade and makes it better, you do not need them to run
You DO NOT need the poly spacers under the OME to get 3 inches, I know as I don't have them and I sit higher than a friend of mine with a Frankenlift! I also am within less than an inch of what JeepinByAls 4 inch is! Now do I have a 2 inch lift, I think not.

NO ONE said you had to dump a load of cash at once I bought all of my stuff over two months time, and its rides great and has done well over the past three years. Now after you get another 60,000 on your Rustys come back and see how its doing.
Don't get me wrong Rustys has its place but its not the end all of lifts and there are way better out there for almost the same money. Oh and in case you think I haven't seen a Rustys I have installed two in my garage along with a Frankenlift and another OME so I have experience in them all. I still can not beleive my ears when if you were lifting anything else a good lift would sit you back 1500/2000 but here no one wants to spend 500, just amazes me.
Just my 2 cents and a lot of miles with lifted vehicles since 1973 :wink:

Tom

let the flaming begin :twisted:

Simon says :wink:

daspes · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 11:29 am

Honestly, I would recommend a Daystar puck lift before the Rusty's lift... Same ride height, Same spring rate, 1/3rd the price.

kj924 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:01 pm **Posts:** 103

Now, I am not saying Rusty's is the "end all" of lifts...never said that at all!! Just saying there are diffrent ways of doing things. My case, Rusty's is the sh&t for me and mine.

Now, as far as why you want to lift, is a question only answerable by the one doing the lifting. Some just want bigger tires, some just want a better ride, some just want to pose for pics. Whatever the case, makes no diffrence.
Just remember, WANT OVERPOWERS NEED!! Do I want an ARB bumper? YES!! Do I need an ARB bumper? NO!! Just because I want an ARB bumper doesn't mean I am going to step out and buy a $ 1000 bumper. I just don't drive in conditions that warrant such a purchase. So questions need to be asked before forking over my money.

So, OME coils alone will give you 3" of lift?? Then why does the Frankenlift
have the poly spacers (which compress your springs all the time) used in that kit? They must be in there for a reason..........spacer =height, right?

All I am saying is there are choices, and thats what was asked at the first of this post.I am not knocking OME at all, I am just giving my experience with the Rusty's kit. For the money, it's worth it, plain and simple.
As far as ride and handling goes, the KJ rides 10x better and handles great now over the stock crap-spension.

So Tom, what are your measuements then?? Just give me the front from ground to fender flair.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 12:02 pm

I honestly would never reccomend rustys lift the only thing you would gain by getting it is a slightly better ride b/c the coil ratings arethe same as stock but you would have to replace the shocks and struts

so like daspes said you might as well as get the daystar 2.5" lift for $155, its pretty much a cheaper version of rustys

Inc · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 12:39 pm

With the Frankenift II I gained just over 4" front and rear from stock height. So I would say the OME coils will get you 3" if you just go that route.

I agree with Tom, if you want to spend over $400 and lift your vehicle, why not upgrade? The Rusty's isn't a bad lift, I am not saying it is. It is just that why not upgrade and get better springs than run slightly longer versions of the stocks p.o.s.'s. If you are looking for an upgraded suspension system for a great price, go with the OME. If you are only looking to gain some height and look good. Then you might as well run the super cheap Daystar. That way you save a crap load of cash and can put that money elsewhere. Like wheels and tires or other accessories.

When I owned my TJ, the lift I wanted to buy was the top of the line Rubicon Express. It is like $3,000. Since I sold it when I got married and bought the KJ I looked at what the best, top of the line kit was for the KJ and saw the Frankenlift for around $1,000. That is a savings of $2,000 and I still have what most people agree as the best lift available for the KJ. I couldn't be happier that I saved 2 grand and still have a really nice set up. I can't see complaining about spending $500 on a really great lift lift like the OME. If I wasn't going to wheel it and just wanted to look bigger and run some more aggressive tires I would run the Daystar. Drop the $200 and be done. Sure money doesn't grow on trees and everyone's situation is different but you should really think twice, I think, about what major modifications you do to your vehicle. Like suspension, engine and drivetrain mods. Those areas are too important for me to go cheap I think. If I plan on using my KJ in tough off road situations I want something I can rely on. If I can't afford the best, I try and wait until I can, or I do without and avoid abusing my KJ in areas that it isn't ready to go. I owned my KJ for almost 3 years before I put the lift on it, because I did way too much research, saved up the $$, and wanted to do a lot of mods all at once. Let me tell you it sucked waiting that long until I found the setup I was looking for but I feel the wait was way worth it.

So bottom line, kjsport05, you need to decide how you will be using your jeep.
DD with upgraded ride and handling and great off road use= OME
DD with taller stock ride and handling and lower off road ability= Daystar
DD with taller stock ride and handling and good off road use= Rusty's

kj924 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:01 pm **Posts:** 103

I would not recommend a spacer lift on any stock suspension system, your just looking for trouble there. When you alter a springs deflection by compressing it before actually loading it, then you don't get the proper travel designed into the steel spring. Esentially you are only using half the spring rate. This would be hard on front end pieces like bj's.

kj924 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:01 pm **Posts:** 103

Thank you incubusmike......you have to ask ?? of your situation before dumping cash out on stuff, that only makes sense.

I also got 4" lift from my set up, the 1" of original sag from stock suspension and 3" from the coil lift. The only way to know for sure how much lift is gained would be to measure from the factory the day the KJ was assembled.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 1:25 pm

not really the way I see it is if Im going to spend $500-700 on a lift Im going to get the top of the line which is simply OME and I dont have to worry as much about sagging, everything Ive bought for my KJ Ive gone all out b/c I dont want to replace it again parts are not cheap!

but this is just my own opinion

Inc · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 1:26 pm

kj924 wrote:

Thank you incubusmike......you have to ask ?? of your situation before dumping cash out on stuff, that only makes sense.

I also got 4" lift from my set up, the 1" of original sag from stock suspension and 3" from the coil lift. The only way to know for sure how much lift is gained would be to measure from the factory the day the KJ was assembled.

What makes sense is getting the OME setup. :wink:

rusty's lift

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