Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: BlackYJ on August 31, 2006, 03:34:12 PM

Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on August 31, 2006, 03:34:12 PM
Well I think my front springs on my YJ are getting a little worn out and I was looking at possibily going to the RE 4.5" ED kit.  Now I am running 33s on my YJ with TJ flares and 1" BL.  I have no plans to go to 35s and I am just wondering how much lift you really get out of this kit because RE says with a 1" BL you can fit 35s.  I want to keep a lower COG.

Also how is the ride?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on September 01, 2006, 01:54:48 AM
HIGH!!!

I'll take a picture of one just installed and post it for you tomorrow.

On 33" swampers and no BL, he has almost 8 inches between the flare and top of the tire. Expected settle is 1-2 inces.


You could easily run 35's with just that lift and TJ flares.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on September 01, 2006, 10:28:55 AM
That is what I am afraid of, especially with the addition of a 1" BL.  I like being low and I still have to fit in my parkade (6'10"), but I am rubbing a little too much in the front and I would like to get rid of the lift shackles in the front as well, but I don't really know who else to go with.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on September 01, 2006, 11:01:38 AM
I would ask around Pirate.

The highest rated spring I always see mentioned there is Alcan, followed by BDS.

I can vouche for BDS, they are a really nice spring. Alcans I've never met anyone running them.

I think Alcan will send you any size you want.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on September 01, 2006, 11:10:57 AM
I am not so worried about spring rate, I would like something that is not a brick and flexes nicely.  I am coming from OME so everything else is probably going to feel like being in a tank
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: midnightcowboy on September 01, 2006, 03:48:08 PM
i dont think he actually means spring rate...think he means best reviews
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on September 01, 2006, 04:37:17 PM
Quote from: "midnightcowboy"
i dont think he actually means spring rate...think he means best reviews


Exactly


Here is the jeep we lifted on RE 4.5

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02594.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02593.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02592.jpg)
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Lugnut on September 01, 2006, 08:44:25 PM
[/quote]Here is the jeep we lifted on RE 4.5
Quote


Thou tires the sh....!
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: born2jeep on September 02, 2006, 01:17:08 PM
I would go with the 2.5" kit. I love mine. It rides pretty good on road, and great off road. I would say that I am pretty hard on my jeep, and I have had zero problems with it. The one thing you can look at also, is with the 2.5" kit you dont need a SYE...it comes with a TC drop kit and some axel shims which works just fine.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on September 04, 2006, 12:36:32 PM
Thats for the pics Billy.  I am not sure that I want that much lift especially since I want to keep my BL.  I have 1" lift shackles right now and I want to get rid of them, but I don't think I want to go that high.  I might take a look at the 2.5" ED or try the heavy duty OME springs as I found out after the fact that I have the light duty ones.  I would like to stay right in the 4-4.5" of lift for my 33s.

Born2jeep, how much lift did you gain with your 2.5" kit?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: redbull on September 04, 2006, 10:26:05 PM
Quote from: "BlackYJ"
Born2jeep, how much lift did you gain with your 2.5" kit?


I have a 2.5" RE kit on my YJ and it barely clears the 31s now that it's settled. When new (like you see above) it was probably 5" over the old stockers. Doesn't stay that way though. With your lift shackles and TJ flares 33s might be possible with the 2.5" kit. Go with the 4.5", it'll be tall as you see above, but will settle to 4.5". Buy some greasable bolts for it too, keeps the ride more tolerable.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on September 04, 2006, 10:45:19 PM
The extreme duty shown above comes with greasable bolts for all the bushings, replacement shackles, a small set of degree shims for the rear, and brakelines all around.

Asking around we were told to expect 1-2inches of settle.

The pictures might thow it off a bit too. The wheel wells are cut to fit the TJ flares.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on September 05, 2006, 07:27:05 AM
I measured the clearance on my Jeep yesterday and I have about 4" between the top of the tire and bottom of the flare in the front and about 5.75" in the rear.  I would like to get the front to about 5.5-6" and maybe another 0.5-1" in the back.  Now I know if I get new OME springs I will probably gain at least 1" back

Does anyone know of any good springs in the 3-4" range?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on October 17, 2006, 08:20:21 AM
I am bringing back this thread.

Is anyone running the standard 4" RE leaf springs?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on October 17, 2006, 08:38:29 AM
I dont believe its the leafs that change Scott. Just the hardware that comes with their kit. The HD gets you the spanky shackles, and all the greasable hardware.

The YJ above is down to about 7 inches now between tires and flares. Pretty sure thats where it will settle out.

I think no matter what you go with, you should definately look into the same type of shackles RE is using.

That YJ up top is more stable off camber then 2 of the 4 runners we wheel with.

When you put it in perspective that Mikes tires are staying on the ground with a 94" wheelbase, and a the 135" wheelbase yota's are lifting them, it says quite a lot.

But you can really see those shackles do their thing.

That RE kit out flexes the CJ we have on 4" bds springs and tera revolvers in the rear.

Maybe Give RE a call, and see if their HD shackle set up is an option with their 2.5" springs. That would get you a bit lower, but retain some serious stability.

Just a warning though. You would need to bumpstop a lot. Mike has a 1" BL as well, and he rubs hard at full stuff.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on October 17, 2006, 08:46:56 AM
I was looking at the website this morning and the leafs are different, but it says the 4" leafs (actually more 3.5") are based off the ED leafs, and the standard kit does not come with the shackles and stuff.  I was already planning on running the bommerang shackles in the rear to help with flex

7" of clearance right now and those are 33s right?  Wow that is a big lift

Thanks for the advice Bill, it has been a lot of help, and I think I will call RE today to see just what the difference is
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: kevman on October 17, 2006, 09:02:36 AM
(http://images.oldhouseweb.com/stories/bitmaps/13034/sawzall1.jpg)
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on October 17, 2006, 09:09:23 AM
Quote from: "kevman"
(http://images.oldhouseweb.com/stories/bitmaps/13034/sawzall1.jpg)


is that what you unibody guys call a body lift?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: kevman on October 17, 2006, 09:12:14 AM
Touche!
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on October 17, 2006, 11:07:05 AM
Quote from: "BlackYJ"

7" of clearance right now and those are 33s right?  Wow that is a big lift



It is. But, because of that shackle set up the springs stuff like a SOB. Any smaller of spring with that would mean a lot of chopping, more bodylift,  ernormous bumpstoping, or a smaller tire. Which would be a bit of a waste on a leaf spring set up, since leafs can use all the travel they can get.

I would be more inclined to chop the rear and do a high clearence flatfender on the front to maintain low COG, and utilize that type of shackle set up. If thats what you where shooting for.

The rear is easy, the TJ flare swap added another inch of clearence in the wheel well of that YJ. The front is the only spot we're having problems.

We are probably building some high clearence flatfenders for it this winter.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Gearhead on October 17, 2006, 07:05:46 PM
I've got the RE XD 4.5 springs on my 88 , hand crafted boomerang shackles on the rear , hand crafted shackles on the front , neither pair of shackles is much longer than stock. It has 33" tires , rubs at full stuff in the rear only , bad enough that the corners are starting to bend. Not a big deal and nothing that a sawzall won't fix , I'm ordering some bushwacker cutout flares and going with 35" tires next year. More lift is not in the plans , I'm trying to keep a low center of gravity , trimming is all I intend to do to make em fit. The flex isn't all that impressive right now , the shocks are limiting down travel , up travel isn't a concern , even with the rubbing issues , it has daystar extended bumpstops too.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on October 17, 2006, 09:30:19 PM
Here's the one on RE 4.5's, their HD shackles, and OME long travels.

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02777-1.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02778.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02777.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02776.jpg)

Good flex, and really stable in my opinion.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Gearhead on October 17, 2006, 09:38:17 PM
Those shock's , appear to have much more travel than your average shock.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on October 17, 2006, 09:48:22 PM
LORD THUNDERIN' JESUS, THATS HUGE!!!  :shock:  :shock:

Why did you have to show me that, now I want that kit
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: kevman on October 17, 2006, 09:57:36 PM
Look at dem leaves flex...I don't believe it!

Photochop! ;)
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: calltrex on October 17, 2006, 10:29:19 PM
I put the RocKrawler kit on. Pretty good lift kit.

Pic from last winter. Ignore the little body rust.

Cant see much but you can see how much the back lifts up with forklift.

(http://dandy.ca/j/DSC01051_resize.JPG)
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on October 18, 2006, 08:43:07 AM
Quote from: "Gearhead"
Those shock's , appear to have much more travel than your average shock.


Definately. Looking at those shots you posted, you are bang on that its your shocks holding you up.

The rear on that YJ fits perfectly with the trimming we did for the TJ flares. But the front rubs just enough to push the fender up a bit. You can see the fender being pushed in the one shot if you look closely.

Thats petty smokin Dava. Nice choice in shocks by the way.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on October 18, 2006, 08:44:39 AM
Quote from: "BlackYJ"
LORD THUNDERIN' JESUS, THATS HUGE!!!  :shock:  :shock:

Why did you have to show me that, now I want that kit


hehe  :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted:
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: SwampSinger on October 18, 2006, 10:23:59 AM
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02776.jpg)


Wow.. i don't think I've ever seen a YJ flex like that...

but...


Is that a PINK stripe on the side of Mike's Jeep? :lol:

I coudn't resist anymore  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: ramitkamloops on October 21, 2006, 01:07:08 AM
i have the 4.5 lift in my yj with a 2" bl and the bottum of the jeep under the door is 27" off the ground with 35" on it
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Mac13 on November 19, 2006, 11:03:55 AM
Sorry to bring back an old toic, but I'm also looking at some different kits.  I'm running a 4" Procrap and I hate it.  I've been looking a some coil conversions but they are big $$$, SO the RE XD is looking pretty good.  My Yj is is my daily driver, so I'm wondering how this lift is on road too?  Does it ride like a tank like my current lift does?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on November 20, 2006, 09:11:28 PM
Your ride is definately going to be a function of the springs and shocks combined.

That said, Mikes (the one in the pictures) rides pretty good on that 4.5 RE with OME long travels.

If you end up coming down for those axles (should be out not this weekend but next btw) you should take Mikes for a ride and see what you think.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Mac13 on November 21, 2006, 06:56:34 PM
Yup I'm still interested in the axles, the 3.07's with 33's just aren't cutting it for me.  That would be great if I could try a jeep with the kit already installed
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Trainwreck on November 23, 2006, 11:06:18 AM
I'm considering this kit for my Heep.  Can someone measure the highest point on the roof from the ground?  I still want to park in my garage, and am pretty sure it will still fit, but want to know for sure.

This thread really helped with my decision!  Thanks for posting this!
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: kenny kustom on November 23, 2006, 03:05:32 PM
are the ome shocks long enough for the 4.5 kit ?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on November 23, 2006, 03:07:55 PM
Quote from: "kenny kustom"
are the ome shocks long enough for the 4.5 kit ?


This is with OME's

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02776.jpg)

Any longer of a shock and you need a lot more bumpstop, or custom shock mounts.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Trainwreck on November 23, 2006, 05:50:22 PM
Did you add an SYE to yours???  Did you run it at all without it? Vibes?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: kenny kustom on November 23, 2006, 05:52:13 PM
Quote from: "bnine"
Quote from: "kenny kustom"
are the ome shocks long enough for the 4.5 kit ?


This is with OME's

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/xbninex/Mikes%20Jeep/DSC02776.jpg)

Any longer of a shock and you need a lot more bumpstop, or custom shock mounts.



Id say that would be a yes ! Wow.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on November 24, 2006, 03:57:38 PM
Quote from: "Trainwreck"
Did you add an SYE to yours???  Did you run it at all without it? Vibes?


This is a freinds jeep we built in my garage. The amount of lift, combined with that travel makes a CV a must. Took us 2 different shim angles, and then finally cutting and making new perches (ditched the shims), to get the axle to run smooth.

And thats with a super short sye.

You'd probably need a t case drop with anything longer like a standard advance sye.

If you want the travel that is.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on November 29, 2006, 11:36:37 PM
ya i was looking at getting this lift myself and I was eyeing up the supershort sye but i wonder if the regular sye will do if i am not flexing it out right away.  (well not till may)
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on November 30, 2006, 12:18:52 PM
If you can afford the extra 150$ for the supershort, go with that. It will just make your life easier in the long run.
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on December 01, 2006, 12:25:55 AM
k sweet it's made bu JB right?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on December 01, 2006, 09:10:37 AM
Roger that.

I think someone else is doing one now, but JB is the original and proven version.

HTH
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: BlackYJ on December 01, 2006, 10:55:26 AM
Tera Flex has one now too
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on December 01, 2006, 03:30:29 PM
thx
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on December 04, 2006, 06:00:03 PM
can i just use a CV driveshaft for 3-5" of lift with the supershort sye or do i need to get a different driveshaft?
what driveshaft did u use bnine
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on December 04, 2006, 09:39:16 PM
We had DSI build a CV after we had everything dialed in.

Oh, and I'd avoid generics like "3-5" inch lift. For the extra 50 bucks it is at DSI by the time you mail order those ones out of the states, you get a shaft that fits your rig perfectly, and easy to sevice in town.

Are you looking at one of those supershort with shaft deals, and thats why you ask?
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on December 04, 2006, 10:12:04 PM
no.  I was just thinking that a cv driveshaft would fit on a supershort the same as a standard sye with a little less room for play.  But I wanted to make sure before i go ordering my parts.  I wanna get it right the first time and if that means spending a little more cash then owell.  Where is that company located, that u got the driveshaft made by?

Thx
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: Bnine on December 05, 2006, 09:11:23 AM
A super short is almost 4 inches shorter then a standard SYE. The shafts definately dont fit between one another. They are the exact same shafts, just different lengths.

DSI is located right here in Calgary. Awsome guys to deal with, and they stand behind their work 100%.

If you take the turn in the middle of the hill to go to modern, instead of going down the service road right to modern, go straight through, up the hill. Past the first stop sign, DSI is just on the right.

You can look them up under Drive Systems Inc in the phone book.

hope that helps
Title: RE 4.5" Extreme Duty Kit
Post by: murdajeep on December 05, 2006, 08:26:15 PM
thank you very much!!!