2.5" Lift Info

[shvlhd666]

I am planning on installing a Rubicon Express Extreme Duty2.5" lift in my 95 YJ next spring and I was wondering if anyone has used this kit. Is there anything major I should know going into this project? I am an experienced mechanic, but have not installed a lift before. Any opinion pro/con is welcome.

 

[TWDJ]

I put that lift in my 93 YJ last summer. Install was straight forward.

At the same time, I installed aftermarket, one-piece spring shackles with greaseable polyurethane bushings ... only way to go.

Get replacement front brakelines and SYE/driveshaft installed as soon as $$$$ and time allows.

 

[TWDJ]

OH ... the ride was so solid, I removed the front panhard bar without issue. Keep the swaybars, though.

 

[shvlhd666]

Have you had any trouble with drive line vibrations?
I am assuming that you had to install tapered shims on the rear axle.
Did you have to lower the transfer case?

I don't really want to spend the money on a SYE unless I absolutely have to.

 

[shvlhd666]

When you say the ride was solid, did you mean the ride was stiff and hard?

 

[TWDJ]

No, ride was excellent. The polyurethane gave it a good solid ride with no side-to-side movement. The panhard bar not needed.

Yes, I went with the stainless brakelines as that is what was available when I went to replace them. The lift kit came with extenders for both front and rear. Go with what is readily available when the replacement is at hand.

Yes, definitely use the axle shims and skid pan spacers ... both will come with the lift kit. You will have axle shims for both front AND rear. I had no vibrations at all after installation.

Recently the transmission needed to be rebuilt so I took the opportunity to put the SYE and new driveline in place. When I did so, I removed the skid pan spacers. NOW, I need to get the pinion angle adjusted properly.

 

[shvlhd666]

Thanks for all the advice. That is exactly what I was wanting to know. I really appreciate the quick replies.

I plan on doing the lift next spring. The weather is starting to turn cold already here in Kansas. Jeep won't fit in the garage, so I'll have to do it in the driveway!

I am new to this site and so far I have been very impressed with the expanse of available knowledge from a lot of the members.

 

[KrazyJeeper]

What year is your hog?

 

[shvlhd666]

1975 Superglide. I built it from scratch in 1981. 88ci, 550 lift cam, dual plugged , Dyna single fire ignition.

 

[TwistedCU]

I have the Standard Duty version in my YJ. It has the shims and transfer case lowering kit installed. Both came with the kit.

You will definately have to modify the driveline to avoid vibration. You can either use the kit provided or go the more expensive (and better) route with the SYE. I have had no issues with just the TC drop and shims, but your X Duty kit will be a bit higher than mine.

 

[dandoc]

I've got the RE 2.5" standard kit, like TwistedCopper has. The only problem I came across was when I went to install the rear shock absorbers.... the axle tube was at too shallow of an angle to install the shocks, as the RE kit shocks are much larger in diameter than the factory size. I ended up having to order the version of shocks that can be mounted piston-down until I can get a bracket for the shock mount on the axle tube.

The included 2.5 degree shims were installed with the springs, per installation instructions. I called up Rubicon Express in California and they said that the problem I described above occurs with a few YJ's. (I got one of those special ones) Earlier this summer RE was supposed to release an extention bracket for the rear axle lower shock mount, but I have yet to see anything from them.

 

[Red Neckerson]

1975 Superglide. I built it from scratch in 1981. 88ci, 550 lift cam, dual plugged , Dyna single fire ignition.

I know this is Jeepz, but... Pictures?! p0p

 

[Red Neckerson]

dupe

 

[shvlhd666]

so you are saying that even though the kits are both 2.5 lifts that the extreme duty will actually be higher that that? By how much?

 

[shvlhd666]

Red, I'll post a pic when I can track one down. Had to have my hard drive reformatted so everything is on CDs right now.

 

[jfrabat]

I've got the RE 2.5" standard kit, like TwistedCopper has. The only problem I came across was when I went to install the rear shock absorbers.... the axle tube was at too shallow of an angle to install the shocks, as the RE kit shocks are much larger in diameter than the factory size. I ended up having to order the version of shocks that can be mounted piston-down until I can get a bracket for the shock mount on the axle tube... I called up Rubicon Express in California and they said that the problem I described above occurs with a few YJ's. (I got one of those special ones) Earlier this summer RE was supposed to release an extention bracket for the rear axle lower shock mount, but I have yet to see anything from them.

I had the same problem with my 4" lift, and I just installed the rear shock absorber upside down... RE siad the white deutchtech absorvers can be run upside down no problem, though.

Felipe

 

[shvlhd666]

I wonder what is different about the rear ends that your Jeeps have that are causing the shock mounting issue.

 

[jfrabat]

I wonder what is different about the rear ends that your Jeeps have that are causing the shock mounting issue.

I hear it is a common problem with the YJ's...

 

[dandoc]

so you are saying that even though the kits are both 2.5 lifts that the extreme duty will actually be higher that that? By how much?

From what I understand, the RE leaf springs may give you 1/2 to 1 inch of lift ABOVE what they're listed as. Example: a 2.5" lift kit may yield 3" on installation of the kit. I'm not sure if that's exclusive to the extreme duty kit, or if it's true for the extreme duty and the standard duty. Either way, over time the springs should eventually get down to the point of actually providing the 2.5" of lift, after a break-in period. It seems like my YJ has been lifted a good 3.5" after swapping out the 14-year old sagging factory springs with the Rubicon Express standard duty kit. Regardless, you'll be pleased with the results. I got my kit through Quadratec and they were more than helpful when I had any problems.

 

[dandoc]

I had the same problem with my 4" lift, and I just installed the rear shock absorber upside down... RE siad the white deutchtech absorvers can be run upside down no problem, though.

Felipe

That's true, depending on the style of shock absorber. The shocks that come with the RE 2.5" standard duty kit CANNOT be flipped upside down. Perhaps the extreme duty kit's shocks can be flipped.

I called Rubicon Express and Quadratec about the problem (ordered the kit through Q-tec)... Q-tec sent me two Skyjacker hydro-shocks at no charge to be mounted piston-down. That setup works for me, but I'm still waiting on those shock relocation brackets to be released by Rubicon Express.