Rubicon Express vs Clayton Longarms

[xX510 Bay MiNiXx]

I dont know what to get. I want the longarm kit either way. which is the best for the money? is one more expensive than the other? i see clayton has a lifetime warranty on their parts, does rubicon express? what are the pro's and con's of either?

i might only need the front kit cause i found someone with some springs for like 200 bucks new (he just never installed them, they are rough country but leafs are leafs right?) but when i look on claytons site the front kit is basically just hte arms and the crossmember. what about the track bar, coils, ext steel brake lines, etc.

Please help. I have 2 friends with Rubicon Express Longarm kits and they work great but they always say if you find something better then go for it. Any info would be great. Oh and the post that just say, "this one sucks get this one instead" are pointless. I would really like some experience with them, and facts if possible.

Thanks a lot!

-Kevin

[jeepin_psymon]

what is the vehicle?

[xX510 Bay MiNiXx]

very sorry...its an 88 xj

[XJ_ranger]

id be willing to bet that no one person has run both and can give you a valid comparison

I dont like RE as a company, but that is just me...

[DarkEternal]

I am kind of bias to RE because we deal and instal alot of it at where I work - its a complete kit unlike clayton. They do make good arms though.

Leafs are NOT just leafs, and rough country laefs pretty much such. I would get some good RE leafs or a custom pack from alcan or deaver. Where are you located?

[xX510 Bay MiNiXx]

i live in the bay area. hayward to be exact.

[Peter_C]

RE does not have a warranty against damage and will not replace a bent arm, which does happen to their arms. Clayton will no questions asked.

The Clayton kit for the rear is a four link and will improve your rig. He makes custom brackets that are level with the axle not below. As far as I know he sells complete lift kits. Call them and talk to them about what they have to offer to you and why.

Here is one thread from searcing for the words "Long Arm".

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356841&highlight=long+arm

[trailkiller25]

I'm using an RE kit on a '95 Wrangler, i like it a lot, but i'm in Louisiana, all we have is mud and hurricanes, no rocks and such that would do much damage to a lift, Thier lifts are not the strongest, but there is a lot to be said for a complete kit... square headlights kick much ass

[jeepin_psymon]

i agree with darketernal. i am a big fan of re i ran their 4.5" and loved it they shiped me every thing i needed minus shocks and sye. there arms are great. i was recently in a head on with a drunk driving a 3/4 ton dodge doing apx. 50 :mad3: and it only bent 1 control arm. thats prity damn good! imo

[bigredjeep1]

I really like RE, they are also 5 miles down the road from me so that helps. I pop in there alot and know the guys there pretty good. I have RE adj upper and lower control arms with their drop brackets and it works good for me with 7-8" lift, but I'd suggest the Clayton's LA because it is a very well though out kit with strong control arms. The RE LA is kind of hookie, but the rest of their stuff I'd go with, but not their LA XJ kit. You can always use everything else RE, except for the Clayton LAs and crossmember. Even RE's upper adj CA would be o.k. with the Clayton kit.

Troy

[NothernAZxj]

I dont know what to get. I want the longarm kit either way. which is the best for the money? is one more expensive than the other? i see clayton has a lifetime warranty on their parts, does rubicon express? what are the pro's and con's of either?

i might only need the front kit cause i found someone with some springs for like 200 bucks new (he just never installed them, they are rough country but leafs are leafs right?) but when i look on claytons site the front kit is basically just hte arms and the crossmember. what about the track bar, coils, ext steel brake lines, etc.

Please help. I have 2 friends with Rubicon Express Longarm kits and they work great but they always say if you find something better then go for it. Any info would be great. Oh and the post that just say, "this one sucks get this one instead" are pointless. I would really like some experience with them, and facts if possible.

Thanks a lot!

-Kevin

The pros are the same , both are long arms. Both also cost you about 2 to 3" of ground clearance at the frame.........poor design for both

The best LA system on the market today is TNT. has a built in TC drop and is the only kit that you actually gain ground clearance with. It surpasses anything out there for qualitya nd design. PM me if you want mroe info

[Beat95YJ]

I cannot speak for clayton, however I can give my opinion of RE. I have personally installed 9 RE kits in the last 7 years. 5 of which were on my personal vehicles, 1 ended up on my company truck, the rest friends. If I were to buy another Jeep lift kit they are the first company I would visit. I have never had a bad experience with them in all of my years of buying product. Even when I bought blems and seconds for my first TJ lift kit they worked great. I see a lot of RE bashing on the BB's and it seems that most of it is petty bs.

I also like the FT kit for the TJ. I am tempted to try one when I get a chance as I like the true 4 link front. bonus on the triangulated rear.