3" Lift Advice

[jscusmcvet]

I had a BDS lift on the TJ I just recently gave to my son. It rode way better than the Rubicon express lift on my last TJ. I now have a bone stock 2001 XJ and am also looking into small lifts, looking to run a 3" lift, 33x10.50's with some trimming.

It is hard for me to argue against the BDS ride. Price, yes, Ride, no. I think your wife will recognize it as a more car like feel. Best of luck.

John

 

[Logans91XJ]

I don't care what brand of lift you put on the Jeep but if your wife is gonna drive it or anyone for that matter spend the extra cash and go long arms! Go with a 4.5" long arm kit and call it a day. The ride is night and day and won't beat the crap out of you like short arms do. If you are just gonna street drive it go with Rough Country it's good quality and for the price it's hard to beat.

Rough Country http://www.roughcountry.com

Rubicon Expresshttp://rubiconexpress.com is a solid company based out of Sacramento, CA. Quality lift kits with decent CS from my experience.

Rusty's http://www.rustysoffroad.com makes a solid product but from what you will read on here they have a lot of mixed reviews. I have had plenty of friends with there lifts and no complaints.

Iron Rock Offroad http://www.ironrockoffroad.com is another solid company that offers a big choice on selection of lifts and has amazing customer service from all the reviews I have read on them. Also there pricing is hard to beat.

Claytons Offroad http://www.claytonoffroad.com offers top notch high dollar lift kits that are damn near bomb proof.

Full Traction http://www.full-traction.com/

TnT Customs http://www.tntcustoms.com/

BDS Suspension http://www.bds-suspension.com/

 

[Logans91XJ]

Shocks will play more of a part then the suspension lift.

 

[MaxxXJ]

I don't own a BDS suspension but i do own a lifted rig so i feel qualified to tell you that your shocks will have a huge impact on ride quality.

Even the "best" lift kits will ride like crap if you don't run a quality shock.

Shocks will play more of a part then the suspension lift.

I have a cheap s-10 bastard Pack on the rear(4") a dn 2" coils and 2" coil spacers on short arms... Bottom line is Im running bilstein 5150's front and rear and my jeep rides amazing... IMO shocks mean alot in ride quality

 

[Ben824]

I have some real world experience because I had both the BDS 3" AND the Rubicon Express 3.5" lifts on the same XJ. The BDS shocks were completely worn out after 3 1/2 years and they DO NOT warranty them like the rest of their parts which is understandable since they would be screwing themselves if they did. The BDS add-a-leaf was toast and my back tires were rubbing on the the fenders in 4 years. The coils sagged some but out of the whole kit they were the only thing worth the money. I replaced everything with Rubicon Express coils, full leafs, and Monotube shocks and LOVE the way my Jeep rides now and sits a good bit higher. The RE lift cleared the 31x10.50r15 BFG mud tires I had MUCH better than the BDS kit. BDS isn't bad by any means and is much better than other kits out there but for what you get and the performance I HIGHLY recommend the RE over the BDS.

 

[Tim_MN]

Given the choice between a free RE lift kit and a free BDS lift kit, I would take the BDS.

If given a free SkyJacker, Rusty's, or Rough Country lift, I would sell it and use the money buy a real lift kit.

BDS shocks are good quality, smooth riding, and are specifically valved for Cherokees, unlike the cheap and stiff riding generic Skyjacker or Rough Country shocks. Your choice of shocks will have greater effect on the ride quality/stiffness that your choice of lift kit parts.

I have a mostly RE 5.5" lift kit, but I bought it slightly used for less than 1/2 of the new price. I run Doetsch Tech DT3000 shocks and the bushings have never failed.

My old RE AAL never sagged with 3 years of use on the 4x4 trails and regularly hauling 300+ lbs of cargo. When removed, the stock leaf pack had a broken leaf but the RE AAL was fine.





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