rough country 3" lift

popowiecki · 08-13-2008, 03:26 PM

i just bought a 3" rough country lift. its for my 01 xj. i have never put a lift on before. i was wondering if any one has a few tricks or short cuts that will help me with putting this lift on. also is they any additional parts i should have gotten or is what comes with the kit everything i need. thanks for any ideas or suggestions

hotwiredxj · 08-13-2008, 09:56 PM

the 3" is pretty easy to put on. RC also offers free tech support and when you call you will get a person instead of a machine that makes you regret your purchase. First off, did you buy the add-a-leaf? If so, I cannot help you there. If you bought the full pack, you just take your old springs off, and insert the new ones.

On the front, take your shocks off, unhook your swaybar, and let your front axle hang. Then, use a bottle jack, or a heavy friend, and have them stand on the front brake rotor, or insert the bottle jack inside the spring perch, and make more room. On the XJ you will have to take the retainer loose off the front coils. Once you have clearance, just push the old springs out of the way. To insert the new springs, you need to use more heavy friend, or more pumps on the jack to squeeze the new spring in place.

The only issue I had on my 4" was the control arm bolts. I had a 94' though, so it was a bit more rusty. I also broke the wields in the rear leaf, and had to cut into the uni-body to hold the nut, so I could back the bolt out. Other then that, it took me a Saturday with and tools, a floor jack, and two jackstands.

KKiowaTJ · 08-14-2008, 12:18 AM

The directions are pretty good for most lifts, And do cover most things. Start a week before you are going to install, start spraying PB blaster on all the bolt you will be working with. Makes a lift go much faster. For the front, Id drop the whole axle, Be alot easier in the long run, Hope you have an adjustable track bar instead on the bracket,But the bracket fits good. explorer has a good write-up on alignment for when your done with the front. The back is straight for if you have full packs, If you dont, It would be worth your time and lift life and ride ability as well as off-road. Other than that a good set of metric tools, Air tools if you have them, Some wrenches, Bars, And the ol' BFH and your good to go.
Again, If you can swing it, An adjustable front track bar and full real leafs will be alot better. Even if you got 2inch packs, You can do some cool shackles to gain it back, Revolvers would be sweet. I cant wait to get my hand on my old ladys 97' country classic. I have been doing homework on them for months, And seem to be a easy mix between TJ front and YJ rear, Which I'm very accustom to over the years. But good luck, looks like a good plan for your rig

**RCXTREME** · 08-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Starting to spray PB blaster or any kind of penetrating oil a week before install is the best advice any one can give. About every lift I have put on in the past year this has been a must. OH, and good luck. If you need any thing you can just give us a call.

popowiecki · 08-14-2008, 04:38 PM

is did get new rear leaf springs instead of the add a leaf. i also thought a head and been spraying down the bolts with pb blaster. i did not get the adjustable track bar. they said that what came with the kit was all i needed. i guess ill see how it drives and see if i need the adjustable track bar. im going to try and install the lift tomorrow. i will let you know how it goes.

hotwiredxj · 08-14-2008, 06:03 PM

You will be within tolerances with the 3", I would just drill a new hole. If you start doing more offroad, and go with bigger tires, then start replacing front end parts, tie rod, track bar, drag link. For now, I would put money in tires, then lock the front and rear.

Personal note, when I lifted my rear on my XJ, I removed the rear swaybar. You can do this, and be pretty safe, but if you drive fast on the pavement, you may want to leave yours in. If you spend more time offroad, then take it out. It handles almost the same with it in, but you get a lot more flex.

popowiecki · 08-15-2008, 03:12 PM

i was only able to get the front end part of the lift done. i broke the sway bar links, both side. i need new ones and was thinking i might as well get some quick disconnects. what kind are good ones to get.

hotwiredxj · 08-15-2008, 04:28 PM

There are some threads on making your own, I went ahead and bought some RC quick disconnects, but you may have to modify them a little on less then 4".

KKiowaTJ · 08-15-2008, 09:34 PM

I have Full Traction ones that came with mine, But i read on here and hear that JKS "Quicker" diconnects are one of the best on the market, And look like a fair price as well.