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Got my New RC 4" Lift!
So for anybody who wants to do a 4" lift on a WJ, I'll be going step by step with the install. The kit is the fairly new and cheap Rough Country Jeep WJ 4" lift. I've searched all forums and couldn't find any reviews on this lift, so I decided to try it myself. So stay tuned ;-)
Before https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....&pictureid=343 After https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....&pictureid=873 |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Right on, i'm going to be in the lift market starting at 4" and swap out bits as they break lol, especially since right now i know im not going to need the serious articulation of a long arm setup... so it'll give me that extra clearances i need, and will let me get saving and working my way to something silly like 8.5" of lift when i turn it to the weekend warrior... so let me know how she goes!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Right on.
4" is a nice size if you are also using it as a DD! The only thing I've heard about rough country is that they ride kinda harsh, but that review was for a YJ, so take it for what it's worth. They claimed the ride to be something like this: http://66.7.207.100/~bcjeepcl/Smiley..._jeep_hill.gif So, what does your kit come with, component-wise? (adjustable UCA, LCA, etc?) Later. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Originally Posted by WJCraig
(Post 539744)
So, what does your kit come with, component-wise? (adjustable UCA, LCA, etc?)
Rear: Coil springs, upper control arm bracket, bumpstop extensions, sway-bar brackets, rear shock relocation kit [Keeps shocks clear from tires], and hardware. Shocks: Includes (4) Performance 2.2 series shocks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the big things people forget about lift kits is the spring rate, this is going to directly affect your suspensions ride and articulation. Heavier rigs are going to need springs with higher spring rates, which on a lighter jeep is going to be stiff as can be, but if you throw the weight on it, it'll perform similar, on the same note a heavier rig is going to sag the suspension over time... i think RC springs are like 180lbs per inch or higher I think its a decent starter kit, it will give you the clearance you need, and for $500 you can have more fun while you wait to upgrade the other bits until you get it going the way you want... control arm's, quicker disco's, rear sway bar and new coils if you dont have the weight in your jeep... im planning steel bumpers front and back, and the weight of all the recovery gear... i think they might be right on the money... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Originally Posted by CrazyWJ242
(Post 539747)
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rear shock relocation kit [Keeps shocks clear from tires] That's something I could use too...either that or wheel spacers. I've been putting it off because I want to get different wheels one of these days, but it's been 2 years and I haven't yet, soooo.... Just kinda waiting until the tires are worn before I replace the rims, since I'll be going with something a little smaller then the current 17" wheel I've got now. I should really just get a spacer until then... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Id go ahead and adjust the backspacing on the new rim's... or go get your spacers and keep the stock rims.
im waiting to hear from ulric on the rear shock relocation, it seems like it would be a bit flimsy to me... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Front lower control arms but no uppers, not good. Is the upper control arm bracket an A-arm spacer? If not the lower ball joint is going to be getting torqued around a lot.
Craig, the spacers work well. I've got them (SpiderTrax 1.25") on mine and use the factory alloy's and winter steel with the factory backspacing on mine with no problems, running 265-75/16's in the summer and 265-70/17's in the winter. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
There is an A - Arm Spacer in the kit...
i dont like the idea of using the stock upper control arms either... that hurts the amount of flex for sure, since the uppers have stops on them, its probably getting real close to their limit... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Keep in mind, this is a budget lift. Ideally, you would want long arms, so of course flex will be limited. And yes, the shock relocation bracket seems a little flimsy, but i'll find out soon enough considering I will be pushing this kit to its limits. What worries me the most right now it the track bar relocation bracket. I would recomend getting an adj. track bar for a extra 100 bucks.
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Question...How bad of an idea is it to jack a WJ by the diff..? Are they aluminum? (front vari-lok 30 and rear vari-lok 44)
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
You can do 4" on short arms but you don't want to go much higher than that before you start installing long arm kits.
I've picked up the front left tire using the diff but wouldn't want to be picking both front tires up by it. The 44a is aluminum and isn't supposed to be used to support the back end. I'm sure people do but it's not recommended. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Originally Posted by 04WJGuy
(Post 539842)
You can do 4" on short arms but you don't want to go much higher than that before you start installing long arm kits.
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
the diff cases are aluminum...so i dont recommend it....it could flex or even worse, crack...bad call
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Yeah if you already have the body supported my jackstands, go for it since you'll only be lifting the weight of the tires and axle, and once you get it to normal ride height it'll then start compressing the springs abit.
but as far as jacking the vehicle by the diff is never a good idea... it doesn't distribute the load evenly, so it could bend or crack alot easier than you'd think. especially when all of the weight of the vehicle is on there.. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Thanks for the input!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I HATE F$%?ING RUST! Besides that, this job is going pretty good...just can't get the pitman arm off, even with a puller. Any suggestions? lol
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
get a propane torch and heat up the old pitman arm, avoid heading up the center section. as you want the old pitman arm to expand around the bolt area and help the puller slide it off...
of course penetrating oil is your best friend! |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Thanks! I put some oil on it, I'll let work trough the night!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
And a BIG FRICKIN HAMMER!!! (For when frustration overcomes you) :lol_hitting:
The worst part for me when I was installing my lift was the spacer in the rear...pretty tight back there! |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Escpecially when your trying to get a torque wrench up in there. Was a lot of swearin' going on with that A-arm spacer.
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
use a good puller and an air hammer, a good air hammer, if you have one...i would never heat up the pitman arm, you risk melting the seal in the steering box!! its a tough job...brute force and ignorance lol...at the shop it took us 2 guys usually, one holding the impact wrent on the puller, and giving her ****, while the other one either holds an air hammer to it, or smacks it with a big friggin hammer....
what ever you use...you have to shock it with a hammer, i am a lisenced tech and i would not recommend heating up the pitman arm! |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I left it over night with the puller on it and lube, came back the next morning, smack the poop out of it a couple of times and "shot" right off! Question, I broke the bolts of the front bumpstops, do I really need them, or are the bumpstops on the shocks good enough (I mean, are the shock mounts strong enough?) Now I'm scared of breaking the bolts off of the rear sway bar mounts...For the back A-Arm, I guess I should mentally prepare myself rigt now lol!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
If I can give anybody some advice who's doing a lift for the first time, Put some "loose-nut" on all bolts you'll be working on at least a day in advance. The rest is pretty simple and stupid, just brute force and a BFH. So far I've put in 3 hours total on the front end, and I just have the dropped pitman arm left to install. And that's with all the F***ing around with seized bolts and the pitman arm. I'm also cleaning off some rust and undercoating the frame while I'm down there. So far so good!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
All Done!!! Pics to follow
First Impressions, get the Adj. Track Bar!!!!!! Why? 1. Rough Country drop bracket is crap! 2. You won't have to F$^^ around for hours trying to get the dropped pitman arm installed. Which you do not need to replace if you get the Adj. Track Bar. Ride, Nice and Solid. Less body roll than stock, I guess until springs settle in. I also had DW before, and now its gone... Total build time, about 7hrs Mechanic skills, Avg Know I'm waiting on the Adj Track Bar, which was Back Ordered, thus why I installed the bracket...should of just waited, could of shaved two hours off the build. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
got the pics together ulric? looking forward to seeing it...
It would be cool if you edit your first post and put the pics in there, that way anyone just coming to the thread will be able to see them aswell. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Pics on there way, I`m just waiting for the track bar!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Well, I give Rough Country 2 thumbs down for there shitty and slow service. I'm really disappointed. I'm still waiting on the Adj. track Bar to see how it really handles, and now that the snow is here, I won't try it until Spring because I store it in the winter.
Anybody else have any experiences with RoughCountry?? I would recommend IronRockOffroad just for the service a had before while getting price estimates and there product quality, even if its a little more expensive..I guess I will be getting my Long Arms from IRO.. ;-) hinthint to any RC vendor who might come across this.. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I've never used Rough Country personally, but I know a couple of people who weren't all that happy with them either. I second your vote on IRO though, as well as add Kevin's to the list of vendors with great customer service.
I know a few people who have bought from Quadratec, but they are often a little on the pricey side. For Canadian vendors, I know a lot of people around here like Jeep Thrills (But being Canadian, they are often higher priced then some American places... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I got my parts from 2KOOLPERFORMANCE 10min from Kingston, ON
Amazing Service, Great Price, and close enough to Ottawa, so it saved me the shipping..For People in the Ontario region, I highly recommend! |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Sorry for the hold up, it was stored for the winter. Here is a picture with the lift installed, and 265/75r16s
More pictures to follow! https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture.php?albumid=55&pictureid=873 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....&pictureid=873 |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
By the way, I'm looking for some nice trails in the Kingston areato try out my new lift. If anyone know of any, it would be great!
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
By the way, my old 17'' mags are for sale....
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
we need some in action pics ulric :-p
how is it performing for ya? any issues from it yet... it definitely makes it stand out more... |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I have some flex pics coming, but I never installed the A-arm spacer...but for what I've done so far, it's performing very well. I didn't install the front bump stop spacers either, but the rubber stops on the 2.2 shocks are doing a very good job for now. I just wont be taking any major jumps until I install the new bumpstops.
I have minor rubbing in the front with the 265/75r16s and rubbing in the rear, in the fender well, and on the shocks..so I might need spacers (I have the stock JK rims with little offset) I didn't do a TC drop because i wanted to see how it reacted first...I get a small Frt DS vibe between 80-85kmph... Overall, I'm very satisfied with the kit, but like I said, get the Adj. Trk Bar.. |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
i am thinking of this kit as well or the zone 4" kit undecided at the moment. just picked up my grand last week so i have to get it on the road first.. needs a bit of work but i picked it up for a bucket of pucks so cant complain.
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Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
Here are a few more pics, So far it's great! And I didn't have to trim anything. I rubs a little in the rear, but thats it, not enough to cause damage.
[IMG]https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1036[/IMG] https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1033 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1032 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1031 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1030 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1037 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1036 https://www.jeepscanada.com/picture....pictureid=1031 |
Re: Got my New RC 4" Lift!
I just installed the RC 4" X-series, I didnt use the rear shock offset just bought my rims with -50mm offset, 265/75's fit nice, the ride is a little rugged, but looks good
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