Review: Installing Rough Country 4" Xtreme lift kit
 

Let me begin by saying %$#!*&^%$#!!!!!!!!!!!

As a whole I cannot compare this kit with any other. I have not ever
installed another lift kit. "Back in the day" my jeeps were already lifted
and my old Chevy just needed blocks.

We drove up about a week ago and picked it up.
Nice facility and the guys there really knew their stuff.
With some recommendations and information, home we went with what looked to
be a fun project...
I was so excited I was nearly ready to piddle on the floor.

This has turned out to be a real learning experience.

Since my hubby's back has been 'out' for about 6 weeks, we knew it would be
slow going since I don't have the muscles to really yank on really tough
bolts. But he was willing to give it a try and he's been doing a great job.
I've been right in there with him cracking knuckles and swearing like the
best of them. It's been a LONG time since I've worked on a vehicle. Damn,
gettin old sucks. We do have good tools, pneumatics and damn near everything
a person could ask for up there.

We bought: the 4" X series kit
http://roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_4x.html
and in addition:
2.2 series shocks (the upgrade, supposed to be a nice ride and good on the
trail)
Winch plate (till hubs can get well enough to build that bumper)
Heavy duty front stabilizer
2 Differential covers
Power steering skid brace

First, I have to say, in all of my frustration that the 'destructions' are
vague. Confusing to say the least and FAR from clear or well detailed.
They ASSUME that someone who knows what they are doing will be installing
it. Ok, so we DO know about mechanics but DAMN it would be helpful if we
knew what the hell they were talking about soemtimes. Things like this
should be written so that the average person can understand it.

Many of you know my hubby is a retired heavy equipment mechanic. He knows
how to turn a wrench and this thing has caused him to have turrets syndrome
more than once. Last night was Wednesday night. There is a little church
across the road from our house. I sure hope they didn't hear us over there.

The boxes that hold the components are not matched to the bags with the
hardware. There is no reference to CLEARLY identify which bag of bolts goes
with which component. You end up measuring bolts and hoping like hell that
you aren't using something intended for later use.
Which we did and had to backtrack a couple of times. When I asked them why
they weren't more clearly identified, in good humor, I was told that it was
because they were lazy. Ok, I get the joke, but it still cost us a lot of
time and kinda pissed me off.

Some of the components are clearly made so that one size fits all. Or none.
In my case we have been really frustrated with fitment. The power steering
guard bolted up but would not go all the way up so it bolted into the sides
of the box. After a phone call I find out that it's the way they are. ok, so
why put the damn holes in it and tell you to bolt it up there if it doesn't
work that way. It will be some protection until something else comes along
and it does look kinda cool. Personally I'd rather ahve ugly that fits than
pretty and doesn't fit.

Hubs is planning to incorporate a front skid when he does that bumper. On
the rear lower control arms there are brackets that are supposed to hold the
brake lines and wiring. Nope, they don't fit. No way, no how. We are going
to have to make an adapter so we can tie them down to keep from ripping them
loose.

Their customer service and tech support is outstanding. I was really happy
to do business with a company whose components are made in the USA and am
glad to help our local economy. Not to mention they're local enough that if
I need something I won't have to wait too long to get it.

Today is our 4th day working on it in a freezing damn shop with just a
little propane heater. All we have left is the upper rear track bar- it's
giving us nothing but trouble - even with a come-along. Then putting the
wheels back on and snugging it up. Then the T-Case drop down then in for
alignment.

I'll let you know the rest of the story after we get 'er done.
Mostly, I just had to vent. Don't worry when it's ALL over, I'm gonna holler
at RC and offer them my opinion.
But I'll be nice.

--
Kate
______
/l ,[____],
l-L -OlllllllO-
()_)-()_)--)_)

The shortest distance between two points,
is a lot more fun in a Jeep!

Re: Review: Installing Rough Country 4" Xtreme lift kit
 

Kate wrote:
>
> Today is our 4th day working on it in a freezing damn shop with just a
> little propane heater. All we have left is the upper rear track bar- it's
> giving us nothing but trouble - even with a come-along. Then putting the
> wheels back on and snugging it up. Then the T-Case drop down then in for
> alignment.
>
> I'll let you know the rest of the story after we get 'er done.
> Mostly, I just had to vent. Don't worry when it's ALL over, I'm gonna holler
> at RC and offer them my opinion.
> But I'll be nice.
>

Good write up, LOL. Now just imagine us poor suckers in the rust belt
trying that job when most of the bolts have the heads round from rust....

I think you also might need to drop the other side down more or even
stuff it up to get that last bar in if I remember right. Others have
had that issue and dropping the other side also works for just doing a
small puck or spring lift to have room to not need a spring compressor.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com

Re: Review: Installing Rough Country 4" Xtreme lift kit
 

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:47a21966$0$15230$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosti ng.com...
Kate wrote:
>
> Today is our 4th day working on it in a freezing damn shop with just a
> little propane heater. All we have left is the upper rear track bar- it's
> giving us nothing but trouble - even with a come-along. Then putting the
> wheels back on and snugging it up. Then the T-Case drop down then in for
> alignment.
>
> I'll let you know the rest of the story after we get 'er done.
> Mostly, I just had to vent. Don't worry when it's ALL over, I'm gonna
> holler
> at RC and offer them my opinion.
> But I'll be nice.
>

-Hey Mike!

Good write up, LOL. Now just imagine us poor suckers in the rust belt
trying that job when most of the bolts have the heads round from rust....

- Luckily ol Ajax only has 15k miles on him. Looking from the underside
though I sure can tell that I live in the rusty Bible belt!

I think you also might need to drop the other side down more or even
stuff it up to get that last bar in if I remember right.

- That's EXACTLY what hubs did this afternoon. PHEW! What a pain in the
butt.

Others have
had that issue and dropping the other side also works for just doing a
small puck or spring lift to have room to not need a spring compressor.

- The front springs were miserable SOBs but the rears just popped in and
out.
Luckily Kristen and her buddy were there for the fronts. *WEG* We put them
to work with the spring compressors. You should have heard her reaction when
I told her that the rear springs were a piece of cake. It sounded something
like "YOU SUCK!!!!!"

Hubs is up in is insulated Carharts tightening it up right now. Hell, I
didn't get very many pictures, maybe I should run back up before I cook
dinner and get a couple.

Kate

Re: Review: Installing Rough Country 4" Xtreme lift kit
 

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:57:00 -0600, "Kate"
<svtkate@behindyourears.selby.ws> wrote:

>Let me begin by saying %$#!*&^%$#!!!!!!!!!!!
>
[snip]
>
>I'll let you know the rest of the story after we get 'er done.
>Mostly, I just had to vent. Don't worry when it's ALL over, I'm gonna holler
>at RC and offer them my opinion.
>But I'll be nice.

I was given a Rough Country 4.5" kit for my XJ.

I plan on paying a mechanic friend to install it ;-)

....

Update
 

Got it all in, ran it in to Serra Jeep and they aligned it. Took them lees
time to do it than it took me to have breakfast at IHOP.
$59.95.

It rides a little rougher but is smoothing out after the first couple of
hundred miles.
It has a distinct HOP in the rear end that I wasn't expecting, when I go
over things like speed bumps.
It pulls the steering wheel about 10 degrees on accelerate and decellerate.
The guys at Jeep told me it would. Nothing detrimental to driving it though.
I think it has something to do with the oversized DS rear spring.

Oh - nunyabidness - check those rear coils. One IS larger by design to
combat what is (I am told) a common problem with that spring going soft
sooner than the other.
The bigger one goes on the driver's side rear.

Had a chance yesterday to just run off the freeway, through a ditch and up
an embankment. So far, so good. Didn't find the cache thoug- dang it!

So.. a few little touch ups and I guess I'll be pretty happy with it. The
guys at MidSouth Jeep Club had less trouble than we did. It might be because
they have done it several times before. Or maybe I'm just blonde.

Re: Update
 

Isn't that steering issue called 'bump steer' which means the drag link
is on too much of an angle?

Mike

Kate wrote:
> Got it all in, ran it in to Serra Jeep and they aligned it. Took them lees
> time to do it than it took me to have breakfast at IHOP.
> $59.95.
>
> It rides a little rougher but is smoothing out after the first couple of
> hundred miles.
> It has a distinct HOP in the rear end that I wasn't expecting, when I go
> over things like speed bumps.
> It pulls the steering wheel about 10 degrees on accelerate and decellerate.
> The guys at Jeep told me it would. Nothing detrimental to driving it though.
> I think it has something to do with the oversized DS rear spring.
>
> Oh - nunyabidness - check those rear coils. One IS larger by design to
> combat what is (I am told) a common problem with that spring going soft
> sooner than the other.
> The bigger one goes on the driver's side rear.
>
> Had a chance yesterday to just run off the freeway, through a ditch and up
> an embankment. So far, so good. Didn't find the cache thoug- dang it!
>
> So.. a few little touch ups and I guess I'll be pretty happy with it. The
> guys at MidSouth Jeep Club had less trouble than we did. It might be because
> they have done it several times before. Or maybe I'm just blonde.
>
>
>
>
>

Re: Update
 

On Feb 3, 12:57 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Isn't that steering issue called 'bump steer' which means the drag link
> is on too much of an angle?
>
> Mike
>


Thats what I had when I went higher in my YJ Installed a drop pitman
arm and it want away

Re: Update
 

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:47a60043$0$5064$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com...
Isn't that steering issue called 'bump steer' which means the drag link
is on too much of an angle?

Mike


Uhh....
You - are - asking .....ME ??????
I'll ask around.
Film at 11.

Re: Update
 

Kate wrote:
> "Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:47a60043$0$5064$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com...
> Isn't that steering issue called 'bump steer' which means the drag link
> is on too much of an angle?
>
> Mike
>
>
> Uhh....
> You - are - asking .....ME ??????
> I'll ask around.
> Film at 11.
>
>

Just tossing out the idea. At some point when lifting, you need a
lowered pitman arm to stop this from happening. It can be a bit dangerous.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com

Re: Update
 

I was having a brain fart..
the kit came with a drop down pitman arm... It's already on.

Any other suggestions?

It's been a long day, what can I say. It's hard to think when you have a 4
year old pestering you every second.

K.

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:47a63608$0$1416$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com...
Kate wrote:
> "Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:47a60043$0$5064$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com...
> Isn't that steering issue called 'bump steer' which means the drag link
> is on too much of an angle?
>
> Mike
>
>
> Uhh....
> You - are - asking .....ME ??????
> I'll ask around.
> Film at 11.
>
>

Just tossing out the idea. At some point when lifting, you need a
lowered pitman arm to stop this from happening. It can be a bit dangerous.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com