Rubicon Express Lift Kits - Any Opinions???

hddeuce · 10-27-2009, 05:18 PM

Please post your opinions concerning a 3.5 inch Super-Flex Rubicon Express suspension lift.
Thanks in advance.

IOUnlimited · 10-27-2009, 06:04 PM

Search for RE Bushing and you'll find the major issue with using a RE kit. They go on nice and ride decent but the bushing design wears out quickly.

DevEmp · 10-27-2009, 08:06 PM

I didn't do enough research when I lifted my 06 Unlimited a few years ago with the RE 3.5" Superflex kit. I got tired of replacing the "new" bushings with "new and improved" bushings only to have them fail again and again. My answer is now to just save up for long arms...

2005X · 10-27-2009, 10:31 PM

never once have i had to replace a bushing with my RE lift in the 1 years i had the lift installed, in fact i like my RE lift so much i went with their longarm upgrade kit

**F9K9** · 10-28-2009, 06:50 AM

One man's trash is another man's treasure. I had the RE SF SA kit and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. All that remains of it is my track bar and it is being replaced. I don't know if, it is the type of wheeling or lack of wheeling or what but, I got tired of replacing the bushings too. I am quite happy with my Currie SA CAs, w/JJs on both ends, and replacing the bushings on the axle end of the upper CAs with JJs made all the difference in the world in driving on the street.

Everyone has their own opinion and you will never settle this debate. Join an off road club, drive different set ups, ask questions and decide for yourself. Good luck!

03rubiconMG · 10-28-2009, 06:57 AM

The issue with the RE bushings was originally that they were produced overseas and not made as strong, now they are produced in the US and still seem to have the similar issue of being too soft it seems. My rear axle seems to have more axle wrap than it should.

Pillswoj · 10-28-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

The issue with the RE bushings was originally that they were produced overseas and not made as strong, now they are produced in the US and still seem to have the similar issue of being too soft it seems. My rear axle seems to have more axle wrap than it should.

No, the issue is that it was a bad bushing design from day one! RE's latest excuse was the overseas production.

Loser1 · 10-28-2009, 08:09 AM

I have never had an issue with my RE 4.5" SF kit. I don't beat the hell out of my Jeep (well never any major body damage) when I wheel.

The kit has great on road characteristics and wheels great.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong and usually am.
L1

"Oh ya, looks like I should check my bushings!"

03rubiconMG · 10-28-2009, 08:15 AM

I just looked at currie's control arms and i wish i had those, but i cant bring myself to spend any more money on short arms.

Of the people who havent had any issues what size tires are you running? i have 37s and i feel like the heavier tires wear out the bushings very quickly.

robncar · 10-28-2009, 08:18 AM

One tip with the RE rubber bushings is to torque with the wheels on the ground at static ride height. If you torque them off the ground, there will be a "pre-load" on the bushing that will assist with early failure.

Loser1 · 10-28-2009, 08:22 AM

I am running 33's. I will be checking the bushings later this morning. BTW I have been running the RE SF for 3.5 years. The TJ is not a daily driver, have only put about 10k on it in the 3.5 years I have owned it and lifted it the week after I bought it.

L1

**glockster** · 10-28-2009, 08:53 AM

I'm running 33's.

I have no complaints except that I now wish I had gone long arm. RE definitely had a problem with their bushings. The new bushings, out since may/june are a completely different compound. I even noticed the difference just looking at them.

Zen · 10-28-2009, 11:22 AM

My origional bushings blew out the first trip off-road. The "improved" bushings have survived the same offroad park including more difficult obstacles. I purchased adjustable control arms, so if they blow out again I will install SF joints at both ends of the arms.

Other than that, I love the lift.

03rubiconMG · 10-28-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen

My origional bushings blew out the first trip off-road. The "improved" bushings have survived the same offroad park including more difficult obstacles. I purchased adjustable control arms, so if they blow out again I will install SF joints at both ends of the arms.

Other than that, I love the lift.

I am almost positive that replacing the rubber mount end is not a quick easy thing just because you have the adjustable ones unless you decide to custom fab the bushing end

**Unlimited04** · 10-28-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

I am almost positive that replacing the rubber mount end is not a quick easy thing just because you have the adjustable ones unless you decide to custom fab the bushing end

yea, unless the tube is threaded full length and you manage to cut it in exactly the right place to catch a thread, and have the massive tap required to knock off the burr you'll undoubtedly have on the cut surface, it ain't just plug and play.

realistically you'd need to cut the bushing end off and weld on a new flex joint.