Being new to Jeeps, and reading what seems to be a problem with Skyjacker lifts, what are the good, reliable lift kit companies vs. those with either questionable or negative reputations. Like all of you, I don't want to spend my hard earned money on a lift and find out it was the wrong company decision.
Thanks,
Mike

 

I"m extremely happy with mine. Black Diamond also uses the rear track bar relocation bracket that has been troubling Skyjacker but I called the company and was assured they have not had a single reported occurrence of the stock bracket welds breaking with their kit. They also include an adjustable front track bar in the basic price, so it's one of the better values for your money.

 

Well, no matter what, the consenses is to stay away from relocaton brackets and if you use one, use the ones mounted to the frame, not the axle tube. I have a Skyjacker lift. I'm just going to get what seems to be a slightly obvious weak point fixed with some gussetts, adjustable track bar or not. It nevers hurts to reinforce. I believe Skyjacker's problem is that their rear re-loacation bracket is just very long. I just got through looking at a Black Diamond kit ( we are installing one on an Unlimited as we speak) and the bracket for it appears to be much shorter. Aside from the trackbar brakets, lift are all generally the same, depending on how far you want to go with one, from a basic lift (springs and relocation brackets) to the full blown replacement (springs, adjustable track bars, upper and lower control arms, etc) and everything in between. It just depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

dont an adjustable track bar and a a relocation bracket do different things?

My understanding is that the bracket raises up the track bar to make it more parallel with the axle, whereas an adjuastable track bar merely allows you to recenter the axle. Do the kits that use and adjustable track bar also include some sort of repositioning bracket? That would seem to be the best solution.

 

the best re-positioning bracket is the one that lowers the mount point at the frame. The one that skyjacker has (raisinig up from the axle) is NOT a good design. It'll increase the pressure on the track bar bracket weld, hence the failure.

 

Nader,
You are correct that a relocation bracket is supposed to move the track bar to the correct location to achieve proper suspension geometry. Ideally a lift should have a corresctly designed relocation bracket AND an adjustable track bar. That being said I have the 4" skyjacker system and I am very dissapointed in the engineering of the bracketry and the lack of customer support from the company (was missing ALOT of parts when recieved). Wanted Fabtech but nothing available yet- Joe

 

If I am not mistaken, trackbars can also be designed to keep the bar parallel to the axle and provide the adjustment needed. This takes more design effort and work to make since the bars are kind of a Z shape. That would be the ideal setup. However, at three inches of lift I don't think any sort of relocation bracket is needed and really a 4-inch lift probably doesn't need it either but would be pushing the point. I would stay away from the bracket unless you have to get it or are 4" or bigger. Stay away from axle mounted brackets and it still might be a good idea to re-enforce the brackets at the axles.

I think all the lifts can be just fine if you do things right.

Anyone have pics of how they re-enforced theirs?

Bryan

 

is rustys off road lift kit any good?

 

I rarely see anyone even talking about Rancho lifts. Seems like a good lift and is reasonably priced. Any experience with Rancho

 

I had a rancho lift on my cj and it was really stiff and didn't flex well. Still interested in how their news are.

As for the Rusty's, I know several people that have them and are happy with them. I think they seem to be pretty good.

Bryan