In a world where customer service is a thing of the past and has been replaced with automated menu systems and calls routed to India, it's hard to expect much, but even still Full Traction takes poor customer service to a new low. Hopefully hearing of my experience with them will prevent some of you from dealing with them at all and save you a ton of frustration.

I started dealing with Full Traction about 4 months ago when I ordered one of their lift kits. Right off the bat we hit a snag as the shocks were backordered . . . of course I was told at the time of the order that everything was in stock, and they only realized that the shocks weren't in after they had my money. So I get the kit 2-3 weeks after expected and it's missing the rear track bar bracket . . . so now were out another week. After installing the kit and going offroad, I noticed that the steering stabilizer was making contact with the support bar for the drop track bar bracket so I called FT to get different hardware for the stabilizer. I called 4-5 times and finally talked to Patrick who told me he'd get the hardware for me. A week later I call and he tells me that he's got the hardware in his hand and he'd have it in the mail that day. A week and a half goes by . . . nothing comes so I call back and Patrick tells me the same thing . . . he has the parts in his hand and they'll be in the mail that day . . . that was over a month ago and I've still received nothing from them and ended up having to buy a whole new stabilizer just to get the hardware. Now about 3 months in the poly bushing on the front LCAs at the frame are shot . . . I order a new set over the weekend . . . I receive the update from Quadratec showing that FT has them in stock and simply needs to put them in the mail . . . but that is way too much to ask of FT so I have to call Quadratec and have them make several calls to FT just to get someone to put the damn things in the mail. Still haven't got anything, but have been promised (whatever that's worth) that they will be rushed to me and will arrive Monday.

Needless to say, I would strongly recommend avoiding Full Traction unless you absolutely have to.

at least you got yer shiny box with 'the cure for hope' ... :devil:

thanx for the heads up!

I was just looking at the Quadratec website. It LOOKS good... :rolleyes: They have lots of stuff for sale. guess it's all on back order.
Sorry to hear your having bad times with your Jeep Joe. Nothing is worse than having a Jeep that ain't right, and top that with a vendor that sucks, well that just... SUCKS!

Maybe you should just buy a new lift.:gun:

Thanks Schmo,

Full Traction was one of the lifts I was considering.
I may have to scratch them from the list.

Scott

Customer Service has really gotten bad these days. My suggestion is to write a letter to the president of F.T. and give him ONE chance to fix their screw ups, and acknowledge their accountability. Keep in mind he does not know what has happened in your case, so if you can, be calm, concise, informative and helpful you could have a formula for a win win situation!

With the bushings and extreme articulation that we expose those poly or in my case clevite bushings to, we are going to see rapid deteriorating of those parts. May I suggest: that Currie is making a new johnny joint that is a thread in replacement. I will be purcasing those for the front Uppers to start with very soon.

Even thought I am extremely happy with my NTH Degree lift, I have replaced all of the bushings twice, re-welded the skid three times, re-welded the stinger, replaced it once due to cracks,replaced the slider, re-welded seven welds on it, re-welded the trnsfercase isolation plate just last week.

When everything is welded and tight it is an excellent lift. Point is, every kit on the market will have some problems, but customer service should not be one of them.

Best, Max7

that was well written Max.

I didn't think full traction even deals with the public, did you order from Quadratec or FT? Not taking sides just I have dealt with FT quite a few times and they have been nothing but courteous, they did make it a point to assure me that they do not sell directly to the public. It is a bummer to hear about your whoes, it is hard to spend that much coin on something and have a bad customer service issue leave a bad taste.
Good luck!

With the bushings and extreme articulation that we expose those poly or in my case clevite bushings to, we are going to see rapid deteriorating of those parts. May I suggest: that Currie is making a new johnny joint that is a thread in replacement. I will be purcasing those for the front Uppers to start with very soon.


When you say that Currie is making a Johnny Joint that is a thread in replacement, does that mean I'd be able to use it with my FT arms without welding them on? I've seen some Johnny Joints that Currie made, but I'd have to chop the LCA and reweld the new metal sleeve to the end.

When you say that Currie is making a Johnny Joint that is a thread in replacement, does that mean I'd be able to use it with my FT arms without welding them on? I've seen some Johnny Joints that Currie made, but I'd have to chop the LCA and reweld the new metal sleeve to the end.

Yes, check out this link: http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/johnnyjoints.aspx and scroll down just below "Forged Johnny Joint® 2" & 2 1/2" Rod Ends" looks like they are making 3/4", 1" and 1 1/2" ends left and right hand thread. Hopefully unscrew yours screw in Currie's!
Best, Max7

Yes, check out this link: http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/johnnyjoints.aspx and scroll down just below "Forged Johnny Joint® 2" & 2 1/2" Rod Ends" looks like they are making 3/4", 1" and 1 1/2" ends left and right hand thread. Hopefully unscrew yours screw in Currie's!
Best, Max7

Bummer . . . not going to work on mine as they are all one piece and just have the press in bushings on each end. I'm leaning toward going with the JKS adjustable LCAs at least in the front to see if they hold up. Hopefully the new bushings last more than 3-4 months, but it just doesn't seem to be a design that will last if flexxed much.

Companies continue to use poly bushings but they are the crappiest. If Joints aren't used then rubber is by far the superior bushing. They at least will last longer than 1-2 outings.

Bummer . . . not going to work on mine as they are all one piece and just have the press in bushings on each end. I'm leaning toward going with the JKS adjustable LCAs at least in the front to see if they hold up. Hopefully the new bushings last more than 3-4 months, but it just doesn't seem to be a design that will last if flexxed much.

Currie also sells their own adjustable arms with Johnny Joints already in em. I am replacing mine because I continue to replace the rubber bushings. If JKS has rubber bush you may have the same problem, just a longer interval between service replacements than poly. I'd try to get the least service attention possible?
Best, Max7

I think you arms Joe are kinda small. Cuz you could get the weld in JJ's.

Might I suggest ROKMEN they use JJ/Clevite or a JJ/JJ short arm system. I an running the JJ/Clevite LCA's and love them. I will be purchasing their UCA's soon.
http://www.rokmen.com/products/suspension_systems/rokmen_control_arms/rokmen_control_arms.html

I own a full traction lift, and would say it performs great. I think as long as it is installed properly you have a great lift kit for the money. I have heard of alot of horror stories about do it yourselfers installing it incorrectly and blaming the lift company. That is why i paid one of FT dealers to install mine and would say it was a great system.
I did destroy all my bushings, but maybe i have pushed the limits of what a lift kit should be capable of. If i would have known what kind of things i was gonna do to my Jeep, i would have just made a kit and built it. I would not have bought a ready made generic kit.But they do sell a newer joint version that is a direct replacement for the poly bushing. I have called and spoken directly to the owner ( he answered the phone) he will stand up for his product as he should. I know that stuff happens and we all get upset, and i am really bad about that type of stuff. i have flown off the handle to a company and then realized it was no big deal.

You can always try Jim at JC Fab in Sylmar he is thier number one guy, he knows thier product and can help you out.
Jim is extremely knowledgable and can steer you to the right person, or set you up with the part you need.

Might I suggest ROKMEN they use JJ/Clevite or a JJ/JJ short arm system. I an running the JJ/Clevite LCA's and love them. I will be purchasing their UCA's soon.
http://www.rokmen.com/products/suspension_systems/rokmen_control_arms/rokmen_control_arms.html

That's a really great option for short arms, but I think Joe has a Long Arm kit?
Best, Max7

That's a really great option for short arms, but I think Joe has a Long Arm kit?
Best, Max7

Joe has the basic FT short arm kit. We pulled off the bushings yesterday and they were tore up. The barrel is smaller than the bushing and is binding and cutting the bushing against the bracket.

I have heard of alot of horror stories about do it yourselfers installing it incorrectly and blaming the lift company. .

It also has to do with the customer service each person gets. Not everyone is gonna get the same treatment or speak to the same person. And you really cant get installing the arms incorrectly, they only go one way.

I own a full traction lift, and would say it performs great. I think as long as it is installed properly you have a great lift kit for the money. I have heard of alot of horror stories about do it yourselfers installing it incorrectly and blaming the lift company. That is why i paid one of FT dealers to install mine and would say it was a great system.
I did destroy all my bushings, but maybe i have pushed the limits of what a lift kit should be capable of. If i would have known what kind of things i was gonna do to my Jeep, i would have just made a kit and built it. I would not have bought a ready made generic kit.But they do sell a newer joint version that is a direct replacement for the poly bushing. I have called and spoken directly to the owner ( he answered the phone) he will stand up for his product as he should. I know that stuff happens and we all get upset, and i am really bad about that type of stuff. i have flown off the handle to a company and then realized it was no big deal.

You can always try Jim at JC Fab in Sylmar he is thier number one guy, he knows thier product and can help you out.
Jim is extremely knowledgable and can steer you to the right person, or set you up with the part you need.


My complaints are almost entirely around the customer service vs. the product. In hindsight, I should have went with the other kit that has the adjustible arms where I could have put the johnny joints in to replace the bushings as many have mentioned that the bushings simply will not last if you are off road or flexing a lot . . . I'll take the blame for buying the wrong kit and replace the parts as needed. But for a company who expects to get repeat or referral business in a tight nit community like the Jeeping community, they need to take a look at the service side of the house. Missing parts and delays on shipping things that they have sitting in the wherehouse are an annoyance, especially when you want to get out wheelin' . . . but for them to tell you on more than one occassion that the parts are in their hand and will be in the mail that day, just to recieve nothing is in no way acceptable.

BTW . . . I have spoken with the owner and pretty much found him to be a jerk. I wasn't calling to complain but rather to get some advice when I first got the kit and CV DS just to realize that I needed more parts if I didn't want to drop the belly. All he wanted to do was bitch about the vendors and wouldn't even tell me that I could use Adjustable UCAs to get the pinion angle up . . . you see they don't make rear UCAs, so unless you plan to buy thier Tri-link, you're just wasting their time.

I had a problem with a certain lift company's steering stabilizer mounting system once. The mounting bracket would fail to hold tight on the tie rod, and the stabilizer shaft would bend breaking the seal each time, inevitably destroying the stabilizer. This happened twice.

I then spoke to the engineer at that company and suggested a solution.

Eventually I gave them back their parts and received my money back for lack of response or solution. I just walked away from the whole thing.

In a parking lot six months later, I saw my solution implemented by the aforementioned company.

Funny how that works ain't it?


Any way Joe you have two problems:

(1) Customer service
(2) Parts Failure due to excessive use.

You have the ability to address both and find solutions.
FT deserves to know that you are not happy.
If you have the patience to write that letter generally you will get their undivided attention to your points, especially if you Cc it to ALL the concerned parties within the Company. When everyone at the Company including the owner gets the same letter expressing your concerns about their customer care they will usually take it seriously. Express to them that you are trying to be helpful.
It's always fulfilling to get a response.

Good luck, and let us know what the outcome is!

Best, Max7

Looking at the rockmen prices for their control arms you might as well support a So Cali company (curry)
They charge about the same as rockmen.
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/currie-enterprises-johnny-joint-lower-front-arms-free-shipping-p-504.html
Or you can spend a lot more and be forever happy
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/currie-enterprises-complete-johnny-joint-arms-free-shippin-p-503.html
That way all the bushing woes are once and for all taken care off. I bought my front currie arms used for a song, one of the best deals I came across in a long time but it made me buy rear ones new without any regrets for the cost

I Any way Joe you have two problems:

(2) Parts Failure due to excessive use.




This doesn't sound like a problem to me!!! I certainly didn't buy the Jeep for it's on-road capabilities. If I'm wearing things out purely from excessive use, it seems to me that I'll be having a good time while I'm at it . . . no problem. Hopefully I'll get out enough to wear a bunch of other stuff out too . . . good excuse to upgrade that too:D

Art- Currie products are great, but 4x4 Group Buy prices are the same as Currie's. For that, I'd rather drive down, see all the cool goodies they have, talk to John directly who is a super nice guy, come home with my box of goodies ready to install. I've been down there and it is a pretty cool facility.

Joe - Don't know what your plans are, but if you are considering replacing all the arms, PM mrblaine either here on on JeepBBS. I talked to him a couple of days ago and he had a complete set of RE Superflex short arms.

Art- Currie products are great, but 4x4 Group Buy prices are the same as Currie's. For that, I'd rather drive down, see all the cool goodies they have, talk to John directly who is a super nice guy, come home with my box of goodies ready to install. I've been down there and it is a pretty cool facility.

Joe - Don't know what your plans are, but if you are considering replacing all the arms, PM mrblaine either here on on JeepBBS. I talked to him a couple of days ago and he had a complete set of RE Superflex short arms.



Where is Currie located? And when you say all the arms . . . do you mean uppers and lowers?

Where is Currie located? And when you say all the arms . . . do you mean uppers and lowers?
Currie is in Anaheim. It is a bit of a drive but I wanted to buy their 4" springs. So I went down there and spent a couple of hours with John. He looked at my Jeep, gave me advice, showed me around, had me look at some of their projects, etc... Very cool time.

Yep, uppers and lowers, complete set of 8.

EDIT: You'd have to work it out with him if interested, but I have to go down to his place soon to pick up some parts, so I could bring them back for you.

Joe - Don't know what your plans are, but if you are considering replacing all the arms, PM mrblaine either here on on JeepBBS. I talked to him a couple of days ago and he had a complete set of RE Superflex short arms.

Damn Joe, That sounds like a deal there. I'd get with Blaine and do some horse tradin...

Damn Joe, That sounds like a deal there. I'd get with Blaine and do some horse tradin...


Yeah . . . I think I might have to check into this. I've already got the RE rear UCAs, but was planning to replace the rest eventually. Figured I'd replace the Front LCAs first as those seem to be the most problematic, then the rear LCAs, and finally the stock front UCAs, but if there's a deal to be had, it might be worth while to bite the bullet and do it all at once. Still haven't got the credit card bill for the engine skid or bushings so it "looks" like I've still got some cash:D

This doesn't sound like a problem to me!!! I certainly didn't buy the Jeep for it's on-road capabilities. If I'm wearing things out purely from excessive use, it seems to me that I'll be having a good time while I'm at it . . . no problem. Hopefully I'll get out enough to wear a bunch of other stuff out too . . . good excuse to upgrade that too:D

That's fantastic. You truly have a great attitude! Happy off roading!
Best, Maxwell

My reason for buying curry [arts online was simple no sales tax, no money spend on gas and free shipping saved about 35 bucks. In this day and age we need every buck we can save

My reason for buying curry [arts online was simple no sales tax, no money spend on gas and free shipping saved about 35 bucks. In this day and age we need every buck we can save

yeah but I would rather go and see all the toys and products. You can never seen them unless they are online.

I agree with saving all the money you can.

Joe has the basic FT short arm kit. We pulled off the bushings yesterday and they were tore up. The barrel is smaller than the bushing and is binding and cutting the bushing against the bracket.

I had a Rough Country Lift on mine and had the same result with the bushings. They failed after 6 months. The arms were too rigid for the bushings and cut them.

Looking at the rockmen prices for their control arms you might as well support a So Cali company (curry)
They charge about the same as rockmen.
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/currie-enterprises-johnny-joint-lower-front-arms-free-shipping-p-504.html
Or you can spend a lot more and be forever happy
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/currie-enterprises-complete-johnny-joint-arms-free-shippin-p-503.html
That way all the bushing woes are once and for all taken care off. I bought my front currie arms used for a song, one of the best deals I came across in a long time but it made me buy rear ones new without any regrets for the cost
I bought from ROKMEN after holding their product in my hand and meeting the Owners. There are none better than what these guys make, their quality is premium and flawless. But I agree with your buy local theory.

currie website been down all weekend.

My draglink joint at the pitman arm is broken. Gotta see if they will warranty it or have to buy a new one.

I have two words to fix all of your problems (rubicon express)
I have never had a problem talking to them or getting parts . never even had a problem with my long arm kit

I have two words to fix all of your problems (rubicon express)
I have never had a problem talking to them or getting parts . never even had a problem with my long arm kit

yeah but I am poor...


I called currie today to see if they will warranty the joint. they said no so I emailed them. The replacement part is $109. If they wont warranty it will just take it off and put stocker on it.


But RE might be the way I am heading.

I have two words to fix all of your problems (rubicon express)
I have never had a problem talking to them or getting parts . never even had a problem with my long arm kit

I've got some RE stuff on my jeep now and have been happy with both the products and the service. In hindsight, I should have just bought the RE kit with the adjustable CA's all around. I'm leaning toward RE or JKS for the LCAs.

I'm leaning toward RE or JKS for the LCAs.
If you're happy with it, go with RE for simplicity. That way all your suspension components are the same.

I have a FT Long Arm suspension, yesterday I ordered 2 new bushings from Patrick, and I recieved them today UPS. Great service I have to say.

I called 4-5 times and finally talked to Patrick who told me he'd get the hardware for me. A week later I call and he tells me that he's got the hardware in his hand and he'd have it in the mail that day. A week and a half goes by . . . nothing comes so I call back and Patrick tells me the same thing . . . he has the parts in his hand and they'll be in the mail.
Needless to say, I would strongly recommend avoiding Full Traction unless you absolutely have to.THAT SUCKS,... thanks for the info.... Hey, call Patrick and tell him if you don't have your parts in one week you will go to his house and kill his family and leave him to live with it. Most likely you still will not get the parts instead get a visit from the cops for making "terrorist threats" ...ANY company like that should be shut down. Ill bet they don't sell on ebay....Matt

I had a Rough Country Lift on mine and had the same result with the bushings. They failed after 6 months. The arms were too rigid for the bushings and cut them.I have there series 2 lift and when the bushings got loose I called and talked to them and they sent me some new (upgraded) poly bushings and all I paid was a few bucks for shipping. So far I have had good luck with Rough Country and have bought from them several times....That is my experience with them...MATT

THAT SUCKS,... thanks for the info.... Hey, call Patrick and tell him if you don't have your parts in one week you will go to his house and kill his family and leave him to live with it. Most likely you still will not get the parts instead get a visit from the cops for making "terrorist threats" ...ANY company like that should be shut down. Ill bet they don't sell on ebay....Matt

wow you have some anger in your life

Just call and talk to Steve. He is the owner. He will make it right!