smoothest riding 4"-6" lift kit

[james69z28]

i need a straight, honest answer on which lift kits feel like they ride the best for 100% highway use? don't tell me what you like or sell, tell me which one rides and handles the best for highway use on a TJ. based on experiencing several of them. i am leaning towards RE 4.5 or 5.5 long arm or an old man emu kit. (they're both pretty pricey though), i just want to be happy with the purchase! other sites responses tend to tell me that i can't or shouldn't run 35's but i am going to!!, and yes i know it will not ride like a lexus, but i don't want it to ride like my backhoe either! thanks in advance for honest responses!

[Schmozilla]

I doubt you will get a good answer to this question.

[Pietro]

if you are doing 100% highway driving, why not buy this lift kit


I hear it will improve gas mileage also

[SmashR]

100% highway use you say. So i take it your building a sissy pavement pounder. In that case 35's are fine with even for a dana 35 as long as you dont go and lock up that pavement pounder or get throttle happy. As for kits i personally HATE rubicon express springs. They are way to stiff but then again i actually wheel so they might be fine for you on the pavement helping keep body roll down. If you are so worried about price get a 3.5" standard lift and put 2" body lift on. save you $1-2k. The smaller the actually suspension lift is chances are you can get a better ride due to the lower angle on the control arms. If you want all suspension lift then you gotta go long arm and there is no cheap way out of that. The best springs i have ever had on my jeep (and are still on) are from rusty's offroad. 5.5" lift springs that kicks all the other companies ive tried (superlift, trailmaster, rubicon express) with RE being the worst springs ive tried. I have not actually had a rusty's kit but i know their springs are great.

[NE-RokToy]

long arms and the shortest lift you can use to clear the tires

[The Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by NE-RokToy

long arms and the shortest lift you can use to clear the tires

X2

Claytons, RE or Black Diamond, and its still gonna be bouncy. Don't worry about the 35 too much, even with a locker it should be ok as long as you don't do abuse it (burn outs/brakestands,) or gear it rediculously low. I'm not sure about the rusty's offroad springs, are they his springs or does he get them from a spring shop and put his name on them?

[5150 Jeep]

I have the 4" Procomp lift and it is a stiff ride on the highway even with MX-6 shocks.

[Rattlecan]

Long arm and RE - RE springs are stiff at first but after they are broken in the ride is pretty nice.

[ACHASE6002]

Use Rockkrawlers Long Arm Stretch W/ Coilovers

[butch6924]

Originally Posted by The Black Sheep

Don't worry about the 35 too much, even with a locker it should be ok as long as you don't do abuse it (burn outs/brakestands,) or gear it rediculously low.

I couldn't disagree with this statement more. If you're planning to run 35's I'd start looking for an axle now. If you're planning to lock it, even with stock gears, I'd start looking for a replacement axle now.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[The Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by butch6924

I couldn't disagree with this statement more. If you're planning to run 35's I'd start looking for an axle now. If you're planning to lock it, even with stock gears, I'd start looking for a replacement axle now.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

You are correct, that didn't come out the way it was intended. I meant to say you can nurse 35s on a D35 and it will last. No bouncing, no burnouts, no slamming gears trying to get over obstacles, just being gentle and smooth. But for what its worth, a Ford 8.8 is still waiting for my locked D35 w/ 35s to break, i got a feeling the new 4:1 kit and T-18 currently being installed might do it in though .

[chadjeep]

my rustys 5.5in springs ride great and the flex is awsome. I don't know if they are made in house or if they just stamp their name on them though.

As for their control arms, they are strong and provide a pretty decent ride for that high a lift with a short arm suspension but I would go with RE or Clayton as a first choice.

And you might as well ditch the D35. Just my .02
good luck.

[xX510 Bay MiNiXx]

RE kits ride really nice. all my friends have them so thats all i can vouch for. i just bought the 5.5" longarm kit for my XJ. the springs in the rear are really stiff so you need to break them in but once they are broken in they ride smooth

[My LJ sux]

RE 5.5 Springs are absolutely horrible it's like riding a pogo stick on a bad acid trip. Check out the Nth degree springs I switched mine for some and the ride is loads better

[butch6924]

Originally Posted by The Black Sheep

You are correct, that didn't come out the way it was intended. I meant to say you can nurse 35s on a D35 and it will last. No bouncing, no burnouts, no slamming gears trying to get over obstacles, just being gentle and smooth. But for what its worth, a Ford 8.8 is still waiting for my locked D35 w/ 35s to break, i got a feeling the new 4:1 kit and T-18 currently being installed might do it in though .

Give it time it will.

Gotta love the 8.8. With out a doubt, the best bang for the buck for a TJ/YJ. You can pick one up for under $200 complete and with a little massaging have it in for under $700 nicely set up. We had a little 8.8 party this weekend. Installed 2 of them in YJ's. My little brother really cut corners and got his in for under $400, mine ran close to $600 but I put a lot more work into it and didn't get as many parts donated.