RE 5.5 Questions and Current Pics...

I have been a long time reader of post and questions of other people. First of all thanks, all people have been a huge help with the Jeep. I currently have 3.5 Rough Country lift with 2'' blocks and spacers. I know that this set-up sucks and that's why I am going to a RE 5.5 Extreme Duty. With TeraFelx Revolver Shackles, and Adjustable Coil Over Spacers. I am currently running BFG AT 33x12.5 and plan on keeping them on. Obviously I need a SYE and new Tom Woods CV. I only wheel about once a month so I do not need anything too crazy.

What I was wondering what you would suggest to make this machine complete. I am not a mechanic and because of this I have to get someone else to install everything for me. I would just like to have to bring it in this one time and have everything the way I want it.

Also if you have a better website to buy off of please let me know! Thanks

RE-5.5 http://www.rubiconexpress.com/Products.aspx?Cn=188&Pn=2024&XnPath=173,180,188&Vid=636B77677038

TeraFelx Revolver Shackles
http://www.quadratec.com/products/76050_803.htm

Adjustable Coil Over Spacers
http://shop.aholics.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=2-JKS2200

SYE & Tom Wood CV
http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AACOMBO1&Category_Code=SYE


Thanks for anyone’s help!

I'd skip the revolvers if you aren't wheeling a lot, they arent super bad, but do often cause a lot of "quirky" behavior and don't really give all that much gain without doing a LOT of work to get them going.

What rear end do you have? If your on a dana 35 or 27 spline 8.25, you should look at and budget an upgrade. What gears are in your axles? Also something to consider. If your on 33's and don't have at a min 4.10's, preff 4.56's, your gonna be toasting your transmission and wasting a lot of gas. Gears pay for themselves right quick at the gas pump.

I'd stay away from revolvers, there is a lot of info on here as to why if you search.

The RE 5.5 with the ACOS will give you WAY more lift than you need. You can fit 33's with a good 4.5" just fine.

Plus this would save you money for other mods

cal said:

I'd skip the revolvers if you aren't wheeling a lot, they arent super bad, but do often cause a lot of "quirky" behavior and don't really give all that much gain without doing a LOT of work to get them going.

Click to expand...

Beat me to it!

First of all I honestly do not know what axle I have in the back, is there an easy way to tell. I will skip the revolvers, but do you think it's worth it to go alittle longer than the ones in the kit?

I know there has been a huge argument in the past about gearing. Becuase i'm not doing alot of wheeling, I was wondering what would be the best for fuel consumption?

Thanks for answering so fast!

Take a picture and we'll start from there.

As far as gearing, you want your RPM's on the highway to be ~2400-2600, give or take some. 4.56's will give you the best mileage. I ran with 4.56's and 32's for a while, at 3,000 RPM's and got 19 mpg. Now I have 4.88's and 35's and get closer to 17, running around 2650 rpm's.

Going with higher gears and lower rpm's makes the engine work harder, so causes a net loss in economy.

Same price but free shipping could make a difference.

http://www.offroadtoystore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=JK2200&Category_Code=

that XJ is beautiful man! just wanted to say that.

you might think about tranny coolers if you do some offroading, killing your tranny would suck... not to terribly expensive IIRC

From the pictures, I can see you have the 29 spline 8.25, so your good for 35's. I recommend www.jeepinoutfitters.com. Skip the ACOS and the revolvers. The RE 5.5" kit starts at 6.5" front and 7.5" rear fresh out of the box. Here is a picture of one of my customers rig right after I put on the RE 5.5" kit with bumpstops, trimming and 35" MT/R's, and it is way too tall.




On my 97 XJ, I ran this kit with 37" MT/R's. On my current XJ, I have this kit, but swapped the 4.5" ZJ coils that come with the kit to the 3.5" ZJ coils, and ditched the extended shackles from the kit and put the stock shackles back on. My center of gravity is much lower, especially now that I am settled at 5" lift, and I'm running 35" MT/R's with no rubbing. My fenders are trimmed, but not even past the pinch welds in the back, and I am properly bumpstopped. I am also running 15x10" rims with 3.5" backspacing, which is the same width as running 15x8's with 1.5" backspacing, so I'm pretty wide, with a 77" trackwidth, and no rubbing whatsoever. I have tech articles on fender trimming and bumpstopping if it will help:

http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/fender_trimming.htm
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/Adjusting_Bumpstops.htm

Here are a few pictures of my XJ with the lower springs on the 5.5" kit. My stability on the trails is awesome, and the ride quality is so much better than it was at 6.5" lift.

"From the pictures, I can see you have the 29 spline 8.25, so your good for 35's."

Sorry for my ignorance, but what does 29 spline 8.25 mean? And why am I good untill 35's?

D35 (weak) 35's bad Vs. 8.25 29 spline (better) 35's okay.

I have the same 8.25 29 spline and run 33's with the RE 5.5 Extreme Duty and it cleared the tires until I adjusted the front axle froward to a 100" wb. It rubs as I turn into a curb now, go figure.