[Ejunior2]

Hey all,

He took our stock 06 Rubi up the John Bull run in Big Bear over the
weekend. While we made it we did get hung up a few times which
required the placement of a few rocks under the tires to get us going
again and the bottom got pretty scafred up. So we decided it's time (while sitting there high-centered on a
rock) to go for a little lift.

My goal is 4" with 33's but I want to maintain good road manners as
it's a DD. So, the first major question is long or short arm? I'm
leaning towards long as I've heard the on-road ride is better. What
are some otheradvantages or dis-advangtages?

Erik

[chainsaw620]

Basically if you can afford it go long arm...

[05moabTJ]

I agree with the LA for a DD, I have a lifted SA set up and it is a rough ride, luckily its only a weekend or trail toy at this point. Full Traction has a nice LA.

[otisdog]

RE long arm with 3.5" coils is one option.
http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/2972.html
Jim

[Crashnburn80]

You probably got high centered due to the Tcase skid 'shovel' under the center of your Jeep. You can fix this without a lift by doing a TT. Since you have a Rubicon no CV driveshaft would be required to do a TT with the stock suspension. Check out the 'Nth TT' link in my sig for pics and an install writeup.

Instead of this (stock skid):


You could have this (TT):


If you went with a suspension lift, I'd recomend doing a 3" lift and 1" body to stay closer to factory geomerty for better handling, it would also likely keep you out of CV driveshaft territory. At 4", even with your LJ you may need a cv driveshaft, which is an additional $500 or so for the driveshaft and upper adjustable control arms. Theres nothing cheap about lifting your Jeep 4", so dont opt for the cheapest 4" lift you can find if thats the route you choose to take.

[PhulesAu]

On a LJ any short arm kit will work. the ride will be much bet than the regular TJ's. BUT you must get GOOD Shocks!!!!! Bilsteins or adjustable Ranchos like I run, with them set at #3 (soft).

[Mud Machine]

I run a 4 1/2" BDS short arm lift and 33" on my LJ which is my daily driver. Can't say enough about BDS Suspensions. Excellent ride on road, equally great ride off road, outstanding articulation, quality manufacturing and a lifetime no questions guarantee on all of the suspensions parts excluding shocks and bushings. Really, as good as this suspension works it should be more than adequate for you without spending the additional money on a long arm. Ultimately this will be your choice but I can tell you that you will not be disappointed with this suspension.

I also run BDS on my CJ and am equally impressed with that as well.

[Ejunior2]

Thanks for all the input. Descisions, decisions

So far I'm leaning towars the 4" FT LA kit with the tri-link rear. Anyone have direct experience with this kit?

Looked at the RE kits also but I'm just not as impressed.

[ccoor]

Erik,
I was with you in Big Bear. I have a 4" full traction with 33" tires. you can test drive mine any time. i'm in Simi. with the Full Traction you will need the exhaust redone to clear the tri link and a new drive shaft but not the SYE. let me or garth know if you want to test drive. My only complaint with the FT is the front track bar does make a little noise off road. If you can, I would see if you can get the kit without the track bar and buy the Clayton track bar (welding is needed for Clayton track bar) I also added the m-force shocks and rear anti-sway bar. bob

[snowking]

i just put a 4" long arm teraflex with Bilstein 5150 shocks and teraflex tummy tuck. just point and shoot she'll go there. My jeep is a 04 rubi.

[06flex]

I have a LJ just not a rubi. That being said I installed by myself in two days the RE 4.5" superflex with all adj.control arms and adj. trackbars and swaped out the 4.5" springs for the 3.5". I also have a 1.25" bl and a 1"mml. This combo clears my 33's very well. I have no vibes at any speed.(I have not been over 75) I have not done a tummy tuck but that is my next build with an SYE and new cv driveshaft. I did the toe in myself and it tracks well and rides almost like stock. The LJ's tend to ride a little better anyway. My LJ now drives like my wifes JK 2door. Its just a little different but still smooth. I went with the monotubes.

[edmond]

I have had both the RE and FT kits, both are very good, but I prefer the FT kit due to the size of the arms and heims. If you will only be running 33's, you will not need the BL if you go with the FT 4" or the RE3.5" kit.

[Ejunior2]

Originally Posted by ccoor

Erik,
I was with you in Big Bear. I have a 4" full traction with 33" tires. you can test drive mine any time. i'm in Simi. with the Full Traction you will need the exhaust redone to clear the tri link and a new drive shaft but not the SYE. let me or garth know if you want to test drive. My only complaint with the FT is the front track bar does make a little noise off road. If you can, I would see if you can get the kit without the track bar and buy the Clayton track bar (welding is needed for Clayton track bar) I also added the m-force shocks and rear anti-sway bar. bob

Hey Bob - Small world (on-line). I got the DVD from Garth last night. Looks great. My stock Rubi didn't do to bad after all. Would love to take yours for a spin just let me know when and where. Garth has my CELL.

I ordered the 4" FT LA kit and got their eshaust with it. Did you check out there Engine skid for the kit?

[N4x4M]

I put the RE 4.5 LA Extream Duty on my 06 Rubi LJ, also running 33"......what a great set up. The stability at highway speeds is perfect. I do agree if you go with a short arm kit buy good shocks......lots of good SA kits out there. The only disadvantge I know of for LA kits is the cost.

As far as the triangulated ( tri-link) rear goes.....great for off road articulation but will wonder/drift considerably more on road. I had a tri link set up on a 99 TJ and it was tough to keep between the lines at 65 mph.

[Ejunior2]

Originally Posted by N4x4M

I put the RE 4.5 LA Extream Duty on my 06 Rubi LJ, also running 33"......what a great set up. The stability at highway speeds is perfect. I do agree if you go with a short arm kit buy good shocks......lots of good SA kits out there. The only disadvantge I know of for LA kits is the cost.

As far as the triangulated ( tri-link) rear goes.....great for off road articulation but will wonder/drift considerably more on road. I had a tri link set up on a 99 TJ and it was tough to keep between the lines at 65 mph.

That's the opposite of what I've been told as far as road manners go. Bob - You have the tri-link rear. What do you have to say about road manners?