Rustys lift 6.5

[BattyBlueXJ]

Im looking at the Rustys 6.5" lift and i was wondering what you guys think. I have a 94 XJ. It's my daily driver and i live in Albany, NY. Lots of mudd and some rocks. Ill probably get the AA SYE and im looking to put on 33" MTR's. I have no problem with triming the fenders and even if i dont have to im going to anyway because when i get more money during summer im going to bigger tires and gears. Any help would be great. Thanks a bunch guys.

[XJ_ranger]

you'll hear it a billion times -

DONT BUY RUSTY's

get tires and gears at the same time

[xjj33p3r]

I have a combination lift of his, but I just use his springs. They ride fine and flex well enough. You'll be able to fit 36's if you want to trim and bumpstop it correctly.

[MachineMan]

Im running the Rusty's 6.5" spring pack with 35's. No problems..

[BattyBlueXJ]

Why shouldnt i buy rustys????? So far you're the only one ive heard bad from. I appreciate the advice but if you could elaborate. The only thing ive heard bad was the spring packs which is a big deal but ive only heard that from one guy. And Machine Man are you running the long arm? Im looking at the cheaper one wo/the long arm http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=605K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit how much triming did you have to do??

[BattyBlueXJ]

Oh yeah machine man do you have any picks of your rig???

[flexj]

I put Rusty's long arm on about 2 yrs ago and it worked well. I've had one control arm failure but that was because I was using it the way it was NOT meant to be used...as a single upper in a 3 link set up. For a dd and moderate trail rig, he's got good stuff. I have a bunch of pics at http://community.webshots.com/user/hamyscj

I have since removed most of his parts and went 4 link in the rear. I am still using the xmember, modified lca's, one modified uca and coils with nothing bad to say about them.

[MachineMan]

And Machine Man are you running the long arm? Im looking at the cheaper one wo/the long arm http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=605K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit how much triming did you have to do??

Im running a Long Arm kit by RockControl, not Rustys.

Heres the Rusty's stuff I have: Front coils 6.5" and rear Leafs 6.5", HD trac bar and mount, Tie rod and drag link.

Front has 1.5" spacer and rear has 1.5" Teraflax greasable shackle. Fenders are trimmed and fits 35" easily.

Not sure how to post a pic..

[DaffyXJ]

I have Rusty's 6.5 long arm, pushed to 8+. Settling a bit in the rear after 2 years. I run 35 TrXus, d-44's, Detroits, 4.88's and there is nothing lacking in Rusty's stuff. Granted, mines not a daily driver (by choice) (cut up and heavily bashed) but it will go where I point it. Check out the last page of the tellico run my group made in Nov. www.hardrockcrawlers.org A couple of great pics coming down trail 11. Also went up lower two as well as school bus. 2 TJ's blew axles on lower 2, tough trail.
I replaced the bushing on the uppers and lowers after about 18 months of hard use. (Made 10 runs last year). the package seems to hold up if I stay on top of it. No different than anything else, inspect it, lube it and tighten it every so often.
It took a solid 8 runs to get it to loosen up, but it flexs great now. Heading to Crozet this weekend (competition site for VROC) in Va. If it holds up, gonna enter. See the site www.xjsrule.com

Derik

[Sterling90XJ]

.
I have Rusty's springs only on mine... soft ride. For 6", I would recommend 4,5" springs and long shackles, instead of the 6" leafs. The 6" leafs don't flex as good. Yeah, shackles will tend to wear the springs faster than without. You'll have to weigh the different choices... more flex and somewhat shorter life versus little flex longer. I chose more flex.

.

[XJ4playin]

I installed Rusty's 6.5" LA-Kit last summer. I've wheeled it 4 or so times since the install and haven't had any issues. I don't care what people say about Rusty's stuff, I've always had good luck with his product and service. I also decided to run the 4.5" rear spring and the 1.5" shackle, like Sterling90XJ said the 6" rear spring doesen't flex all that well. I have yet to see a 6" leaf spring for the XJ that does! I run 33's and have some minor trimming, though I could fit 35's with out an issue.

[TomH]

you'll hear it a billion times -

DONT BUY RUSTY's

get tires and gears at the same time


Does this mean you are going to post 999,999,999 more times how bad Rusty's is?

[BattyBlueXJ]

Ok guys after all your great advice im thinking about the Rustys 4.5 kit http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=405K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit It comes with 4.5" leaf packs. Ill trim the fenders and through 33's under it. Then i dont have to buy a SYE right away too :). And if the 4.5 isnt enough after a while or i just want to go bigger and flex more (and of couse i will) ill install some 1.5" shackles, coil spacers and a SYE.

What else might i need with just the 4.5 kit????

My Question now is do you think i will get good enough felx wo/the shackles right away and also when i do install the shackles am i going to need all new control arms and stuff.

[jrsxj98]

I run Rusty's 6.5" springs frt and rear with RE drop brackets and Super Flex arms and love it. nice ride I fit 35's with no problem.......

[kme743]

Ok guys after all your great advice im thinking about the Rustys 4.5 kit http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=405K&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit It comes with 4.5" leaf packs. Ill trim the fenders and through 33's under it. Then i dont have to buy a SYE right away too :). And if the 4.5 isnt enough after a while or i just want to go bigger and flex more (and of couse i will) ill install some 1.5" shackles, coil spacers and a SYE.

What else might i need with just the 4.5 kit????

My Question now is do you think i will get good enough felx wo/the shackles right away and also when i do install the shackles am i going to need all new control arms and stuff.
I installed that same kit approx. 2 years ago. Kit comes with everything you need. Installation was pretty easy with a helper. I have to say that it does flex quite well!! You don't need shackles.

[BattyBlueXJ]

Kme what size tires do you run???? Also do you still run the same lift and have you done any mods to your lift now? Thanks..

[kme743]

Kme what size tires do you run???? Also do you still run the same lift and have you done any mods to your lift now? Thanks..
I'm runnin 32X11.5X15 on 4.5" BS. The only upgrade I did was gettin rusty's HD trackbar end and HD trackbar mount. The TRE that comes with the kit your talking about wore out within 7 or 8 months. The HD trackbar kit is worth every penny. It really gave the front end a "tighter" feel. I'm planning on going up 2 more inches with spacers and shackles. I'm still gettin more parts here and there, like brake lines,sye and probably long arms. The inch bug started to bite me!!

[BattyBlueXJ]

So if i trim my fenders do you think i can clear 33's comfortably. And also do you have any pictures of your jeep BattyBlueXJ@msn.com. Thanks a lot man.

[kme743]

So if i trim my fenders do you think i can clear 33's comfortably. And also do you have any pictures of your jeep BattyBlueXJ@msn.com. Thanks a lot man.
I don't have any pics of my jeep (no digital camera or scanner) but there should be some around NAXJA if you do a little search in the jeep show case. You can fit 33's on your jeep easy with some trimming. If ya really wanna go nuts with the sawzall... you could go to 35's with some bump stops.

[BattyBlueXJ]

What really are bump stops where do they go and what do they do...lol

[jrsxj98]

you'll hear it a billion times -

DONT BUY RUSTY's

get tires and gears at the same time

Hmmm I count 8 for the lift and 1 against....

[olivedrabcj7]

make it 9

[fireLt.]

One more for Rusty's. Good product, great service.

[BattyBlueXJ]

OH yeah how much should i calculate for Shipping around?????

[nuttinbuttmudd]

i run rustys 9 inch lift pushed up to 12 inch on my 89 cherokee and run 39.5 txrus's no pics of the 39.5 's yet will post some today on Cardomain

but rustys is king of XJ parts/suspensions IMO

fully and 100% happy with my dealings with rustys

[BattyBlueXJ]

OH yeah how much should i calculate for Shipping around?????


Anyone......

[kme743]

Anyone......
I think I payed around $100 or somewhere around that. This was shipped to PA though. I ordered it on a Monday and it was at my house on a Friday! Fast shipping!

[XTrmXJ]

I bought his 6.5 LA and put the BB on top of that so I net around 8+ inches with 35 BW fenders and no rubbing, Soon to be 38s.. I didnt have a problem with service at all And I like there Ideas, Good prices, and I got the kit in 3 days.. Had it on for 2 years now

[ckh550]

BattBlueXJ

I have the 4.5" kit from rusty's and so far so good. I've only taken it on mild trails so far, but around town its not bad. I run 33x12.50's baja claws and there was mild rubbing up front at first, but i got ACOS installed since i'd soon be adding a winch and bull bar. Now, the height of the tires is fine but the tires rub the control arms when you turn all the way. If i had to do it again i'd get the tire width a bit narrower, probably 11.50s, but with trimming and/or ACOS you'll be fine.

overall a good kit at a bargain price, no other kit like it on the market for all that you get with it.

[mknack]

I have the Rustys 6.5 inch long arm kit, 4.5 inch spring packs with 1.5 inch HD shackles. I have taken it on several hard trips and have had no problems at all. It articulates crazy, you may have to but extended brake lines due to this. I also several other Rustys parts, and I have been satisfied with all of them. Oh, I am also running his 6.5 inch springs too.

I would recommend buying both the front and rear bump stops, as they will help with the rubbing until you fix your clearance issues.

Overall, everything is very strong and no complaints here.

[Fore Wheeler]

you'll hear it a billion times -

DONT BUY RUSTY's




just cuz on JU you've heard bad things about rusty doesn't mean you have to repeat it here. Rusty has a great product and the cost is even better. Have you had any personal experiance with his product?? hummm, didn't think so.

Rusty happens to be a great sponsor of these boards, a great contributor for all NAXJA events, produces a great product for a great price, and he's also a hell of a great guy.

please tell me what you personally don't like and the problems you've had that he personally has not taken care of. please.

you can PM me with your answer if it's too hard to do it on the public boards.

thank you
dan

[BattyBlueXJ]

I asked ranger danger the same thing..... Hey guys thank you for the advice...if anyone else wants to put there two cents in id love it. So far only ranger danger has said anything bad about rustys. I think im most def going with the 4.5 for now and 33" tires.

[kme743]

I asked ranger danger the same thing..... Hey guys thank you for the advice...if anyone else wants to put there two cents in id love it. So far only ranger danger has said anything bad about rustys. I think im most def going with the 4.5 for now and 33" tires.
You're makin a good choice!

[BattyBlueXJ]

thank you and thank you guys for all your advice....its really appreciate everything im sure ill have a 1000 more questions.

[morten]

I have been running Rusty's 6.5" front and rear springs since december 2002, and I love them. Almost no sagging, and they flex well. With Bushwacker cut-out flares I'm running 35" tires with loads of clearence.

Here are some pictures of the installation when I upgraded from OME 2":

http://norxj.com/gallery/rustys_and_jks

Username: naxja
Password: xU084

with regards,

Morten A. Middelthon
http://NorXJ.com/

[BattyBlueXJ]

looks great morten. Are you running 35's in the pictures???

[morten]

looks great morten. Are you running 35's in the pictures???

Those pictures are with 33" MTRs. I later upgraded to 35", as seen here:

http://norxj.com/gallery/2004-08-08/dscf0183

http://norxj.com/gallery/2005-03-13/CIMG0640

Now I'm thinking about getting 36" Iroks :)

[BattyBlueXJ]

real sweet rig!!! Thanks for the help.

[jeepinandy]

I'm running RUSTY'S 4.5 spring pack kit with SYE and CV drive shaft. and only have good things to say about it http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=529567

[XJ_ranger]

look, based on all that I have heard about failures of individual parts by his products - i choose not to run them.
A good friend of mine who i hung out with every day and wheeled with almost every month had rusty's full spring packs on a 3" or 3.5" lift dont remember what, but after 20,000 miles it was at about 1/2" lift.

I do run Rusty's skids (engine tranny and t-case) but if they werent nearly free - i wouldnt be running them - the install was terrible with the bolt holes in the skids (that you drill the X-member) being right below the exhaust pipe.
I have bent the engine tranny skid in a slow decent onto a rock - however both of the skids have done thier jobs and protected the stuff.

I do have expierence with his products and choose not to run them - however im not saying that he is a bad guy.
I have called him twice and he is a great guy to talk to - and very helpful. I had an issue with the engine tranny skid plate hoop and my front driveshaft connecting at full stuff - and he and i deduced the problem and found a solution (my ax-15 tranny pushed the t-case back and makes hte front DS longer - meaning that the arc of the more common shorter DS was fine and clearanced - in the end i shaved the x-member)

all in all - i will not run his suspention components (except maybe coils one day - have yet to hear / expierence anything bad with them)

I dont like the design of his trackbar (neither the HD nor the NON-HD) with the non-hd using the stock TRE which wont allow for the angle placed on it and the HD using a bushing at both ends and the new frame bracket being a drop bracket (drops the mount point lower than stock and throws the stock steering [which is similar to the currie system that i run] and all the angles out of whack - causing more bump steer than i would like to deal with)

I dont like his UCA's and thier absence of Jam nuts to keep the threads from taking the force of stoping and accelerating

the way i see it - there are many other companies that make just as fine parts, and i can choose from any of them - and choose not to run Rusty's stuff based on expierence and yes - a little hearsay - but most hearsay has a little truth behind it.

if anyone else out there wants to tell me im wrong, go ahead - i still wont buy from him (with exception to coils that i may someday run - i currently run RE 3.5's)

sorry to have pissed everyone off-

also - i hadnt responded till now beacuse spring break was last week and i dindt have much time to look at NAXJA

[jmop]

I had the Rusty’s 6.5" short arm lift. Not a bad lift. I am still running the springs and they are still giving me 6.5"+ of lift. I don't like how the main leaf in the pack isn’t long enough. At rest the shackle on my XJ would be straight up. This limited downward flex, also the leafs are pretty stiff so I wasn't impressed with the up flex either. I have since added a 2wd ranger main on top of that pack to get a better shackle angle and am much happier with the setup.

I thought that the sleeve used to hold the bushings in on his short arms were a little thin. I also didn't like the track bar. I am still using the HD mount but I broke threaded end of the track bar 2 or 3 times and decided to build my own. All in all I was happy with the lift. I am much happier with long arms but who isn't.

Both times that I broke the track bar a new part was sent out free of charge the next day. I called up other times with issues and concerns with the lift/parts and almost always ended up talking to Rusty and was always happy with the service.

All in all I think the lift had problems but I liked the service I got from Rusty’s and would buy from them again.

[Richdaman]

I understand the concerns you have (XJ_Ranger) and although I am a full supporter of Rusty's, I don't disagree with what you have to say. There are some definate weaknesses in some of his products and some of the designs are in process, but from my experience their products are great for the normal wheeler. I have had no real problems with his stuff but I am not puting it to the extreme test. It is all functional for me and I am very impressed with how rugged the parts are.

Early versions of his springs will sag... FACT
The heim joint design limits extreme droop... FACT
BUMP steer issues with HD Track bar... FACT
Problem with Bushings on track bars... FACT (Which reminds me I need to fix that before the next run! =) )
Skids? No issues yet!
BUT for most applications I am extremely pleased.
Thanks for explaining your rationale. It is easier to hear where you're coming from than just, "DON'T BUY RUSTYS" Good guy, good products.

Happy wheeling!
_______________________________________________
90 XJ 4.0L I6 Auto
11" Lift, Rustys Longarm Kit, OTK Steering, 4.56 Gears, D30/Ford 8.8, Eaton E-Locker (rear), K&N Cold Air Intake, 35X12.50 BFG MT KM's on Eagle Alloy 15X10's, 6-States Driveshaft, Cracked Windshield, tree damage, oxidation...
Inland Northwest Adventures.com (http://www.inwadventures.com)