Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: todaysempire on April 10, 2010, 12:51:40 PM

Title: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 10, 2010, 12:51:40 PM
 A number of you on this site recommended northridge4x4 but i noticed the 3.5" superflex rubicon express kit i want to order is $200 cheaper even with shipping if i order right from Rubicon express.  Is there any reason i shouldnt order from RE and save myself $200?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Zombie on April 10, 2010, 01:17:41 PM
would that include any brokerage or whatever fees to cross the boarder?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: OffRoadNewbie on April 10, 2010, 02:34:00 PM
call stan at northridge his prices include shipping if your in Calgary he might be able to bring it down a bit  ;)
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: shayu on April 10, 2010, 07:34:31 PM
call stan at northridge his prices include shipping if your in Calgary he might be able to bring it down a bit  ;)
yes,and also you can request him lower the price cz the current currency rate.no kidding,lots ppl did this.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Bnine on April 12, 2010, 04:04:07 PM
My question is why would you want to buy RE crap anyways.

My suggestion would be to pay the extra money and use stan. That way when the junk bushings fall apart, and the crappy joints seize up, Stan can fight your warrenty battles for you.

People seldomly have good luck trying to warrenty stuff directly from the manufacturer. Where as going through someone like stan, he takes care of you first, then does the fighting for you.

When he calls for warrenty they pay attention because his company does a million a year.

When you call, they ask "who the "F" are you, and give you the run around, usually followed by the "bad batch" line."


Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 12, 2010, 04:10:06 PM
Makes sense. What's wrong with RE? Got another lift you would recommend for $1000?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Bnine on April 12, 2010, 04:41:28 PM
Their bushings dont last because of an inherent design flaw, and their joints are prone to seizing into the mounts due to the wether and enviro around here. Most the RE joint I remove are with a torch and a grinder.

Google RE and bushings. You will finds thread after thread on every jeep board in existance about bushing problems.

1000$ ?? No, but you get what you pay for at the end of the day.

You are better to just not by any arms until you can afford good quality ones.

Do a body lift and ome suspension and run it like that for 1000$ until you can afford good arms.

Do yourself a favor, and do this stuff once.


If you really want RE, bide your time and buy a full set from some poor basterd on here that will sell them to you for 100$ after they are tired with dealing with all the issues I've described.

Happens about 3 times a year. Check the for sale section. RE arms get passed around like a bottle of whine between hobo's around here. ;)
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Rubi03 jef on April 12, 2010, 04:43:05 PM
1000 bucks is hard to beat    but if you want quality then your looking upwards to 2000 - 3000 bucks  all johny joints no bushings and precision brackets that fit like there suspose to

i cheaped out on mine and i did it knowing that ill be changing it in the near future .. for something way better

just wanted mine bigger so i can get out with the bigger jeeps

Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 12, 2010, 05:37:52 PM
yah i would love a $3000 kit but i'm trying to get my rubicon lifted with 33s for may long at mclean creek. I'm already spending more than i have lol

$1300+ for RE superflex and shocks
$1500 for 33x13.5x15 tires (i'm thinkin pitbull rockers)
$800 for install
A guy at one of the shops i called said i wouldnt need a new driveshaft with only 3.5" lift?? I thought i remember reading on here that I should?


$3600 total and i'm sure it will end up costing me more than that.

If you guys can come up with a better lift and install for under $2500 i am all ears.. I've never done a lift myself and i dont really have the tools
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: w squared on April 12, 2010, 06:26:10 PM
Is it  a tj or a jk?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: YoungFluff03TJ on April 12, 2010, 06:34:43 PM
Do it yourself. save money :) I have a BDS 3" which i have no complaints about. friend has the same + coil spacers. inexpensive and good.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Rubi03 jef on April 12, 2010, 07:21:57 PM
install your lift yourself .. save the 800 bucks and ys with a rubicon you can go with 3 inchs no problem .. i have 4 inches and ran my stock drive shaft for 6 months

the pit bulls are bias tires so i would suggest going with something else .. from expeirence if your truck is a dailydriver or a truck that tends to be driven more then just offroading then go with a radial tire



Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 12, 2010, 08:28:04 PM
I thought you can get a pitbull rocker radial?? I was quoted $285 a tire from national
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: w squared on April 12, 2010, 08:34:29 PM
Bias or Radial, I doubt that Pitbull Rockers are something that you want on a DD.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 12, 2010, 09:45:38 PM
yah i wasnt sure about them but i want the look of a really aggressive off road tire without spending a ton of money. these pitbulls look awsome and i've read some good reviews. I guess i was just hoping they wouldnt be too bad on the street.  I used to have 33" Mickey thompson baja claws on my old truck, they were alright. I was also looking at pro comp xterrain also. Any suggestions? A really aggressive off road tire that works well on the street?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: SwampSinger on April 12, 2010, 10:07:37 PM
Quote
A really aggressive off road tire that works well on the street?


Oxymoron ;D


2 different things dude... I would go with an Cooper SS, Mickey Thompson MTZ or a Toyo open Country... the toyos are not cheap but they are a hell of a tire.

For a cheaper tire that is agressive and still quite on the road.... Check out the  Dick Cepek Mud Country. I know a few guys that runs them here on the site and they are happy with trail and road performance.  Modern and National would have them

It's always the same ... you pay for what you get.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: SwampSinger on April 12, 2010, 10:12:20 PM
Bias or Radial, I doubt that Pitbull Rockers are something that you want on a DD.

True... may be for heavy big diesel truck but you won't like them on the road. I've been running  the 37"/13.5 " bias ply  for 3 years now.  I think they are killer on the trail at 3 or 4 lbs but it's a battle to get the Jeep to the trail.

Would I buy them again?.. Hell Yah! but  my Jeep is a trail rig.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Rubi03 jef on April 13, 2010, 03:32:45 AM
i had 33 inch boggers .. fun when i had them but i wouldnt do it again

running on 35 MTZ and i love them great on the road quiet smooth and pretty decent wear.   and at 8lbs on the trail they are awesome bit in everything

and they are a agressive looking tire  maybe not pit bull aggresive but at least i can drive my jeep to work


Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: shayu on April 13, 2010, 08:44:22 AM
Then i have to say:NITTO
But sounds like a helicopter on road.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: BlackYJ on April 13, 2010, 08:53:37 AM
A really aggressive off road tire that works well on the street?

Check out Interco's Thornbirds
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Bnine on April 13, 2010, 09:25:43 AM
If you guys can come up with a better lift and install for under $2500 i am all ears.. I've never done a lift myself and i dont really have the tools

I already told you how to do it, and you wouldnt need a driveshaft either.

Call Stan and tell him you want the OME jz/TJ 2.5" spring lift, and a jks body lift and motor mount lift. He will set you up with those for right around 1000$.

That way you arent spending money on junk.

You dont have to do your driveshaft or drop the t-case.

You can upgrade later to adjustable arms that arent sht

You have enough lift to run 35's.


If you need it installed, you can get ahold of me. I build a lot of jeeps for people.

And the procomp xterrains are probably about the best choice for your budget and application.

If you can afford a bit more, Nitto's or Toyo's are a good choice as well.

If you are going to drive on the road, pitbulls would not be a good idea.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Bnine on April 13, 2010, 09:31:41 AM
$1500 for 33x13.5x15 tires (i'm thinkin pitbull rockers)

Also, I can do 35 x 13.50 R15 toyos for you for 1700 all in. Taxes and everything for 5 tires.

Like I said, if you can afford a bit more on the tires, you can get a superior tire for the money.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 13, 2010, 10:30:10 AM
Wouldn't I need to regear if I go 35? And arnt 35s bad for a dd? And I didn't really want a body lift cause they look abit cheesy and don't give u more ground clearance.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: BlackYJ on April 13, 2010, 10:43:37 AM
Wouldn't I need to regear if I go 35? And arnt 35s bad for a dd? And I didn't really want a body lift cause they look abit cheesy and don't give u more ground clearance.

1" body lifts you don't even notice, but the 2" and 3" ones are ugly.  

As for gearing 3.73 can be done with 33s, but I would say 4.10s are a minimum for 33s with a 4.0L.  4.88 for the 4 banger
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Joel on April 13, 2010, 11:39:52 AM
Call Stan and tell him you want the OME jz/TJ 2.5" spring lift, and a jks body lift and motor mount lift. He will set you up with those for right around 1000$.

x2.  I ran this setup for a couple of years when my jeep was dd w/ 33's.  Highly recommend this setup for newbies until you get experience wheeling and figure out what direction you want too go.  

All around better handling/ride while on the road compared to stock suspension, and flexed nicely off-road.  If your concerned with bending your stock arms, just carry spare arms, their cheap and easy to change on the trail.
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 13, 2010, 01:12:02 PM
So does everyone here agree that the ome 2.5" with Jks body lift is a better idea than the rubicon express 3.5 superflex?
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Rubi03 jef on April 13, 2010, 01:56:51 PM
YESSSSSSSSSSSS   

and youll be able to turn 35's with 4:10    i did it . but if you want to be able to still drive 110 on the highway you mine was well stick with the 33's and still have highway speed as well as off road ability

remember a 35 only has 1 more inch of clearence then a 33

so your not going to be loosing very much .     and 35's tend to wear out the front wheel bearings pretty fast  and even faster with boggers/pit bulls/ and any other bias tire   

Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: todaysempire on April 13, 2010, 02:57:58 PM
Ive got an 05 rubicon 6 speed. That should help with the 35s. Still thinkin 33x13.5 though
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: Rubi03 jef on April 13, 2010, 05:16:49 PM
ull be good with either 35 or 33

my brother runs 33 with 3:73 and 6 speed and its good

i was running 35 with 4:10 and 6 speed and it was good   but just recently regeared to 5:13


so thats your choice
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: 4Banger_madness on April 13, 2010, 08:00:57 PM
1" body lifts you don't even notice, but the 2" and 3" ones are ugly.  

As for gearing 3.73 can be done with 33s, but I would say 4.10s are a minimum for 33s with a 4.0L.  4.88 for the 4 banger

i have 33's on my 97 tj 4banger 4.10's i can still use 5th gear and cruise at 115km/h no problem (at one point i was doing 130) and hit the top of scottlake hill at 95km/h in 4th i didnt think it was possible but a few upgraded parts could help
Title: Re: northridge4x4 vs USA
Post by: FiEND on April 13, 2010, 08:08:35 PM
tire weight makes a huge difference too.  4.10 and 33 on 30lbs tires no problem.  4.10 on 33 weighing 100+ lbs per tire = not much 5th