rubicon express vs clayton off road

[xjjeeper]

Hey every one sorry didnt know were to post this so i put it here. Im looking for a 4.5 inch lift kit with full leaf packs for my new xj. So far i think im going with rubicon express or clayton off road.   But need some help the clayton kit its a bit more and i dont know much about them but there products look great and super heavy duty can you guys help me out on which to get lol rubicon or clayton both looks great help me out please lol. i want the better one for the money i want to build my xj right and heavy duty.

[Flex]

are either of those long arms if not u may want to think about it. i know if i had it to do again i would have bout a long arm kit the first time around now i have to go back and get them. As far as offroad performance they will allow ur front axle to flex like crazy.

[xjjeeper]

nope they are not long arms i wish but i cant offord to go with a long arm as much as i wish i could the clayton lift with out shocks is $1395. the rubicon express with shocks is $1380 and i wont spend over $1400 i cant im still saving for one of these lifts lol.

http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info.php?cPath=18_67&products_id=109&osCsid=36c793a8cf99ad5097e4b2252aec363a

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/basket.asp

[xjjeeper]

And i will be running 33s. I would prefer not to trim alot untill i get bushwackers.

[calvynandhobbs]

Both companies make quality kits. I've never had Clayton stuff, but I've never heard anything bad. I've had RE lifts on a couple of my Jeeps and currently have a RE lift on my TJ and it does really good.

[reptile610]

And i will be running 33s. I would prefer not to trim alot untill i get bushwackers.

don't waste your money on those bushwacker flares. im triming alittle bit of my flares on my xj off and putting on tj flares. alot of tedious dremel work but i think it'll pay off. and i just installed a 4.5" lift from rough country and it's not bad at all. from what im told though clayton is one of the best out there.

[PaulW]

I like the clayton hard arm kit myself.  Itr pretty much indestructable.  Plus theyre local.  Its all in what you can afford.  RE also makes good products as does Rustys.

[xjjeeper]

I think im going with RE alittle cheaper thanks for the help every one as soon as its done hopefully by november some time hope ill be able to meet you all and wheel with you soon.

[Sandbox Sailor]

If you aren't going lomg arm you should be fine with the RE kit. I do wonder about your decision for 33's on a 4.4" lift with no trimming. Be prepared for A LOT of rub. I have a RE 4.5" kit on my 90 XJ with 31's and when I disconnect my sway bar, I can stuff the tires into the fenders, so 33's would be worse...

[Flex]

bump stops ull be fine.

[calvynandhobbs]

bump stops ull be fine.

x2 Bump stops will work wonders. I rubbed my 33s with 6.5" of lift, but it was because I didn't have bumpstops at all.

[Flex]

i have heard of guys running 37s on 3 inchs of lift. massive bump stops.

[xjjeeper]

i already have bump stops for the rear and i am going to trim alittle of the stock flares im still looking around for good ideas.

[reptile610]

bump stops ull be fine.

x2 Bump stops will work wonders. I rubbed my 33s with 6.5" of lift, but it was because I didn't have bumpstops at all.

that makes me scared considering im about to go get some 33's for my 4.5" with my trimmed flares... buy bump stops?

[calvynandhobbs]

Doug, you'll probably want bumpstops if you're doing any crawling where you'll be flexing hard. One of the cheapest ways is to just buy a few hockey pucks and put them in the center of your coils with a bolt into the spring buckets.