Any thoughts on my lift?

[Schmo]

After going back and forth for months now, I think I'm finally close to deciding and wanted to see what you all think about the direction I'm going. I'd also love to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about the products I'm thinking about. Ive got an 06 Rubi with a 6 speed manual, 4.10 gears, 4:1 trans case, 2" BB and quickly balding 31's . . . my Jeep is my daily driver and I'm not looking to run JV or take the hardest line on every obstacle, but I want to be able to run areas like John Bull, Doran, etc, without dragging everything over the rocks . . . so I was thinking about 33's. I've got my list and estimated prices (mostly from the 4WheelParts catelog) below . . . If anyone knows how I can get a better deal on what I'm looking for or a better product for the price, let me know.

Thanks Everybody!!!


Lift Kit - Full Traction 4" Flex Arm ("Performance") Short Arm Lift - $880

Shocks - The Full Traction ones that go with the kit are 85 bucks each . . . I'd love to hear from you all as to which shocks would work well without breaking the bank - $200-$350

CV Driveshaft - The Rubicon Express one is $400 . . . Again your input is appreciated - $400

Rear Bumper w/ Tire Carrier - Rock Hard w/ TJ Frame mount - $725

5 x 33" Tires (16" or 15" see below)- Goodyear MTRs or BFG MTs - I like both and would go with whichever I can find the best deal on . . . HELP!!!

Wheels or Spacers - Not sure yet . . . I like my Rubi 16" wheels and lean toward saving some dough and going with the spacers, but then again, if there's a sweet deal, I might go with 5 new 15" wheels - Spacers=$110

[Shadly1]

Looks like a solid plan for a dual purpose vehicle.

Check out the sales at Costco, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart for your tires. Sometimes they have some deals that are too good to pass up... as long as you stick to the name brands.

[medicmahem]

if you use the factory wheels you will probably need wheel spacers also. As for your drive line check out Tom Woods, his drivelines are the best in my opinion.

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by medicmahem

if you use the factory wheels you will probably need wheel spacers also. As for your drive line check out Tom Woods, his drivelines are the best in my opinion.

What are the benefits/cost of the Tom Woods and where do you get one? I'll probably keep my stock wheels and go with the wheel spacers, unless I see some really sweet 15" wheels that are offered as a package deal with the tires . . . seems like those come around once in a while. Thanks Guys!

[womb raider 940]

You can't beat 4 wheel parts prices. just stay away from there service. they can have some killer deals. march I think the have something going on.

[swbooking]

Originally Posted by calduc

You can't beat 4 wheel parts prices. just stay away from there service. they can have some killer deals. march I think the have something going on.

HA! Are you kidding? 4WP is ALWAYS overpriced.

Find everything you need through the forums. You can easily get everything for a better price just keep your eyes peeled. I just got my bros RE CV DS for $300 shipped. Full Traction is good. Get your shocks used. Find some Bilstiens 5100s or 5150s. I wouldnt buy a bumper for $725 seems a little much. Find your tires on craigslist and get 15" wheels with 3.75" Back Spacing and forget the spacers.

[flatpoint]

Own an 06 Rubi (LJ) myself, my thoughts; Went with a RE.sf 7000 kit w. 3 1/2" springs. Dont know much about the FT. short arm kit, but the RE. kit is GREAT. 15"s give you more of a tire choice, more sidewall,(flex),and more load range "C" tires to chose from,(back to choice).MT. MTZ. 33/12" tires work great in the desert,and aired down,they BITE! Just my 2 cents.....

[womb raider 940]

Originally Posted by swbooking

HA! Are you kidding? 4WP is ALWAYS overpriced.

Find everything you need through the forums. You can easily get everything for a better price just keep your eyes peeled. I just got my bros RE CV DS for $300 shipped. Full Traction is good. Get your shocks used. Find some Bilstiens 5100s or 5150s. I wouldnt buy a bumper for $725 seems a little much. Find your tires on craigslist and get 15" wheels with 3.75" Back Spacing and forget the spacers.

jeez bud relax. go thru there online 800 number and they can make you a deal with all the parts you go inside the store they will charge you the retail. it doesnt make sense why they do business that it is shady. but they can cut you a deal that way.

[flatpoint]

Tire carrier/Bumper, Ive had GREAT luck with my LOD EXT. bump./tire carrier. Price is right,and, so far,NO RATTLING, NO PROBS. with this prod. Worth looking into...

[swbooking]

Originally Posted by calduc

jeez bud relax. go thru there online 800 number and they can make you a deal with all the parts you go inside the store they will charge you the retail. it doesnt make sense why they do business that it is shady. but they can cut you a deal that way.

haha that was me relaxed. But trust me you can get it WAY cheaper through forums etc...

[Shadly1]

Originally Posted by swbooking

Get your shocks used.

WHAT?!? Who sells used shocks that are worth a damn? Actually, who buys shocks that are used? Well, except...

Originally Posted by swbooking

Find some Bilstiens 5100s or 5150s.

I have 5100s. While they are an excellent shock, I have the longest ones and they are still too short. I have a foot of travel now but I'd have about 18" with longer shocks.

Originally Posted by swbooking

Find your tires on craigslist

WHAT?!? Get them from a shop with a warranty. You'll have to get them mounted at a tire shop anyway. Is it worth all that risk and shipping and lugging around to save a few bucks?

Obviously, my opinion differs from yours and that's OK. Used hard metal parts are great, but used wearable parts are just generally a bad idea.

[swbooking]

haha a few dollars? I bought my last pair of 35s Xterrains BRAND NEW never mounted for $400 Thats about $500 less then i could get them for almost anywhere else and had them mounted for $40, i couldnt even by two tires from 4WPs for that price (they're $214.99 a piece in the ORA Mag). Jimmyrig got his Baja Claws with less the 50 street miles on them $550 for all 5 (35's as well; those are about $240 a piece). We just picked up another set of 4 35" BFG MTs (for the CJ) for $60 with about 50% tread life.

Shipping, no ive never had tires shipped that would be a pain. All the ones ive found were with in 30min driving distance. Ive always just called the guy, told him id be there with cash at a certain time and picked them up, no hassle, no pushy salesmen, and ive even gotten to talk to some cool wheelers.

I have actually driven over a giant steak knife which punctured my tire (welcome to Rivercide), but $10 later at the local tire shop and it was good to go. Besides then ive never had a problem with tires without a warranty. Anyways, most places void your warranty when they see they've been ruined by offroading.

As far as shocks go, LOTS of people by and sell used shocks that are worth a damn. Just cause theyre used doesnt mean they're no longer good. Plus just cause they're "used" doesnt mean they have actually even been run on a rig. They could have not fit someones application and still be practically brand new.

As a matter of fact i have 4 sets of shocks in the shop that have never been run and theyre perfectly fine but if i wanted to i would have to sell them at a "used" price.

[womb raider 940]

some things I would buy used some things I wouldn't. But you can't find everything on there sounds like you got lucky on the tires though.

[womb raider 940]

Originally Posted by Shadly1

WHAT?!? Who sells used shocks that are worth a damn? Actually, who buys shocks that are used? Well, except...
I have 5100s. While they are an excellent shock, I have the longest ones and they are still too short. I have a foot of travel now but I'd have about 18" with longer shocks.
WHAT?!? Get them from a shop with a warranty. You'll have to get them mounted at a tire shop anyway. Is it worth all that risk and shipping and lugging around to save a few bucks?

Obviously, my opinion differs from yours and that's OK. Used hard metal parts are great, but used wearable parts are just generally a bad idea.

well put

[mrchips]

I would look @ America's Tire for good tire prices, and there off road warranty,as I have heard very good things. I run 33's on my LJ and you need a 1" spacer, as for shocks, go with Bilstein 5100, all around good shock, and within your price range.
Rest of your build sounds good.