Offroad-Express

Who out there is running a rough country lift in there xj ? been reading lots of US forums with mixed results.

Whats your exprience with them ?

Trying to decide on a rough country 3 inch lift versus the Old man emu lift. only ever going to fit 31 inch tyres so no need for a bigger lift... I use old man emu in my work hiluxs with great results so tempted that way..

any thoughts comments welcome

I'm wondering the same.

I read that if you get the kit without lower arms it will mess up your castor.

my mate is running that kit, he said shocks are shit, flexes good, had to make a custom panhard rod and mount.

I have the 6.5 Long Arm on my XJ. I have only had issues with the older style flex joints, but the newer kits have the X-Flex Joints.

Had rough country in my ZJ, front right coil sagged after the second outing... what can ya do when you're on the other side of the world.
An XJ will go good with 3 inches, If I were you I'd price up some old man emu front coils and shocks, make up/get some spacers made for the rear leaves with longer U bolts, drop the transfer case 1" and leave her at that. At a guess that will set you back 1 grand, which is a cheap lift.
You could also go for extended rear brake line (or just bend the steel line before the hose downwards), a panhard rod drop bracket or adjustable road out of the states, depends on how fussy you are.
My old XJ had 2'' OME lift in it (shocks and springs), I added 2'' spacers under the leaves and ontop of the coils (without changing the panhard rod or track arms) and she drove and handled like a new one, couldn't fault it. After the lift and abuse it would still the the best handling and riding XJ I've driven, but you wouldn't think it.

Thanks coop, great reply..

ive been thinking about new rear leafs as well. happy to pay to replace the old tired ones..
Will have a look into the coil spacers and drop brackets for the rear leafs, seems like a good option. it would be a bit tight to fit the 31's without the spacers i think.

Well just ordered the rough country 3inch lift kit.. Will post some before and after pics once installed etc.

hoping to get it installed next weekend... will be my first time having a crack at this sort of thing

Where did you get it from and how much did it set you back? Meaning to get mine lifted but I've put it on the back burner for now.

Got it from Scott in christchurch. he is importing them and selling them on trademe. The old link is below. I have spoken to him a few times on the phone and he has been very helpfull. my kit hasnt arrived yet, hopefully being sent today in time for weekend.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =462477932

Will post info on the install etc

Scott or rakaia service centre sell iron man , rough country and micky t tyres, wee pitch for him since he my mechanic

i'm running the 4"5 with full leaf pack and front drop box kit , short control arm with the standard shocks RC and 33" mickey thompson MTZ tires. Scott installed it last year so far so good , the ride is good , i need to trim back a bit more and install a quick disconnect of some kind...
http://www.roughcountry.com/images_large/jeep_1627.jpg
http://www.roughcountry.com/images_large/jeep_1190.jpg

i dont like there control arm as they smash into the shock housing and bend it up make if your getting a lift get the bend control arms

4x4part wrote:i dont like there control arm as they smash into the shock housing and bend it up make if your getting a lift get the bend control arms

Care to elaborate?

All major manufacturers make straight arms. Never been reported as an issue. Have a look at Currie, Rokmen or Savvy. Bent arm design changes the angle for impacts how they transfer at chasis or frame side.

i have a 6.5 inch lift when flexing the control arm hits where the shock is mounted just on top of control arm mount with the lower control arm bent just at that point it will stop this from happening they do make them for some kits
i am going to throw the strate control arm away and buy the bent one. because over time it will make manger damage as it has made a bit all ready

4x4part wrote:i have a 6.5 inch lift when flexing the control arm hits where the shock is mounted just on top of control arm mount with the lower control arm bent just at that point it will stop this from happening they do make them for some kits
i am going to throw the strate control arm away and buy the bent one. because over time it will make manger damage as it has made a bit all ready

Well, in your specific case of an XJ running 6.5 inch lift with short arms is a bit extreme. At that high lift its much better to go long arms. Short arms even with a bend will do damage for you.

For anything normal like a 2.5 to 4 inch lift, straight short arms are fine on any of the Jeeps.

sweet

Wellyranger wrote:Got it from Scott in christchurch. he is importing them and selling them on trademe. The old link is below. I have spoken to him a few times on the phone and he has been very helpfull. my kit hasnt arrived yet, hopefully being sent today in time for weekend.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =462477932

Will post info on the install etc

Was it you I saw this morning around Moonshine? Red with a lift and Rough Country across the back window?

nope im green, with white rims.. Based in town..

Will sort out a pic soon !

I have the 4.5 lift full leaf kit. Flexed it a bit, so far so good but its currently 2wd because the front drive sharft needs shortning

That will be me on a red xj doing the flares, RC bumper and winch , i should have it back soon on the road..