RE 3.5 lift questions

SpecialSause2 · 11-11-2008, 09:59 PM

1. should i get adjustable track bars (front, rear, or both)?
2. should i get adjustable control arms (rear, or front and rear)?
3. should i get OME shocks?
4. should i upgrade the jeep from stock rubicon status or upgrade my 4wheeler even to even more of a beast that it is (meaning i already have ALOT of stuff + money into it and yes it is my 1st hobby)? (kind of a question of opinion)

thanks in advance

SS

LJameson · 11-11-2008, 11:56 PM

1. Yes-both
2. Not sure, I think the ones with the kit are fine
3. If you want to spend your money, yes. I'm really happy with mine
4. BUILD THE JEEP!

deltabravo · 11-12-2008, 03:23 AM

adj control arms are typically only needed to dial in the pinion angle on the rear when doing a TT/Belly up skid or an SYE and CV driveshaft conversion, which is done to eliminate driveline vibes that may occur

never monday · 11-12-2008, 05:13 AM

adjustable control arms are needed to reset your wheel base so it doesn't pull the wheels together

**mrbates** · 11-12-2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

adjustable control arms are needed to reset your wheel base so it doesn't pull the wheels together

so where would you put the adjustable control arms on that jeep? his wheel base is off i agree; however, it must be do to something else because i am sure that particular jeep does not have control arms. i have a 3" lift on mine roght now and i wish i had adj. control arms to set my wheels back out to where they should be, it doesnt look that bad, but 1" wouldbe nice in the front and maybe 1.5 in the rear.

never monday · 11-12-2008, 06:02 AM

lowers set the wheelbase and uppers aet the pinion angle. Replace them all and do it right.

DaOne · 11-12-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

lowers set the wheelbase and uppers aet the pinion angle. Replace them all and do it right.

x2

03silversport · 11-12-2008, 10:29 AM

I installed this kit this past july and wish i would have bought the upper control arms and adjustable track bars. My rear axle now is now about 1-1 1/2 inches to the drivers side and my front axle is about 3/4 inch to the passenger side. even with RE's track bar relocation bracket (rear). I went with the ome shocks and couldn't be happier. Also get the upper adjustable control arms. I now have to come up with another $500 for these parts and have them installed. I wish i would have done it all at once.

SpecialSause2 · 11-12-2008, 11:37 AM

so just go all out get the track bars control arms and ome shocks right. so basically the kit is useless without these additions. and upper arms are not an option. also deltabravo i have no need for a sye its a rubicon. and should i even be worried about wheel base since its an unlimited?

SS

97casteeltj · 11-12-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecialSause2

so just go all out get the track bars control arms and ome shocks right. so basically the kit is useless without these additions. and upper arms are not an option. also deltabravo i have no need for a sye its a rubicon. and should i even be worried about wheel base since its an unlimited?

SS

Not useless by any means, the RE kits come with everything they need to be ran properly, the additions you're talking about just make it better

-John

**jbramble24** · 11-12-2008, 01:00 PM

Let's put it this way.

I got the 3.5" SF kit that included the fixed lower control arms, brake lines, springs, etc. When this kit is installed, you have to drill a new hole in the axle mount for the factory front track bar in order to center your axle. Now I have two holes next to each other in that bracket, which I don't like having. The rear track bar was a PITA to get into the bracket on the axle an it looked like it was trying to twist the frame side mount.

Also, a TC drop did not work to get rid of my vibes, some people get lucky and can get away with just a TC drop. So I had to get an SYE and CV shaft before my whole ride vibrated apart. Along with the SYE and CV shaft, I needed the adjustable upper arms. Then I swapped in the rear track bar bracket that is meant for the CV shaft setup and I couldn't get the rear track bar in. So I got the adjustable rear track bar and it went right in.

You're lucky since you have a rubicon and do not need the SYE. You can probably get away with just the TC drop since it is an unlimited. I wouldn't worry about using fixed lower control arms. My wheelbase doesn't seem to have been noticeably affected.

I guess the point is, yes you can get away without the adjustable upper arms, adjustable track bars and any modifications to the CV setup. IMO, if you want to do it right, skip the TC drop and get the extra goodies. That way it is done right and you will not have extra holes in your Jeep. And if you are installing it yourself, the adjustable track bars are SO much easier to deal with.

Patton · 11-24-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

adjustable control arms are needed to reset your wheel base so it doesn't pull the wheels together

Everyone does realize that this is a YJ with leaf springs right. J/K

I would guess this jeep has cheap brand leaf springs and adding longer shackles made it worse

**RedRubiconLJ** · 11-24-2008, 10:57 AM

Get the 4.5 kit and swap out for the 3.5 springs. The 4.5 kit comes with adj uppers, fixed lowers, and adj front tb. You can add the adj rear tb and upgrade the lowers to adj.

This will save you money over buying everything individually.

If you get 3.5 springs you will need to cut down the rear tb about a 1/4" to make it short enough for proper adjustment.

Having a RE adj front tb eliminates the drilling of the axle side bracket but requires the drilling of the frame side mount. Once this is done your pretty much stuck with that.

There are other tb on the market that do not require drilling either end and are adj.

The adj ca's as mentioned do two things, reset wheelbase (lowers) and set pinion angle (Uppers). I prefer to have both and have bought both with each lift I have installed.

On both lifts I also bought the adj Rancho 9000x shocks. I really like them, Thats just me.

4 wheelers are fun but you can have more fun in your Rubi if you ask me.

deltabravo · 11-24-2008, 11:04 AM

I went with a JKS adj front track bar and installed at the time I installed the lift. I didn't want to mess with drilling a hole in the lower TB bracket on the front axle to relocate the stock track bar

tnjeep03 · 11-25-2008, 11:09 AM

RedRubiconLJ (and others): I've been reading up on the RE SA lifts as I am (slowly) converging on this lift for my 2003 TJ Rubicon. I'm leaning towards the 4.5" SF kit with the 3.5" spring swap. I would like to do this once and with as quality of a setup as possible (just my obsessive compulsive side). I have several questions and would appreciate direction to any sites that describe implementing this setup (it seems reasonably popular):

1) Sounds like the JKS track bar is a good upgrade from the RE one. Although I've heard that this can cause some rubbing on the D44 on Rubicons. Should I worry about this?
2) Is the rear adjustable track bar / adj lower control arm recommended?
3) I've heard the RE bushings tend to wear quickly ... also something to worry about / look for different part?
4) Can I get away with the stock driveshaft on the Rubi or should I upgrade (if I upgrade how would a TT down the road affect this?)
4) Is there a place I can piece together what I need instead of buying a kit with parts I won't end up using?

Thanks!!