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I do a lot of off roading in the California desert. (Ocotillo specifically). I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited w/ 4.0 I6. Anyway, I have been wanting to do a lift for a while and did a lot of research. I wanted to add as much travel as possible without having to do driveline work. Eventually I decidd on Rusty's because a friend pointed out that they do pretty much Jeeps exclusively. So I looked at thier 3" basic lift and decided it looked like what I wanted.
Boy, what a mistake.
First, the instructions need work. I mean a lot of work. I think they may have actually made the project harder.
Second, the rear trac-bar bracket they include with the kit is nothing short of a disaster. The instructions tell you to hog out 2 holes that were used for the plastic cover, and guess what? There are no holes. Next, they tell you to use the new 7/16 bolt provided in the original mounting bolt location, and use the original 5/16 bolt in the new mounting location on the bracket. Well....one little problem, the original nut that goes to the original bolt is welded to the bracket. So no go. Oh, and by the way, the 7/16 that now has to be used for the new trac-bar mounting location because the original nut is welded......does not fit through the trac-bar !!!
Sounds confusing I know, but trust me, it was/is a cluster.
Third, what Rusty's does not mention on the webpage for the ZJ 3" Basic Kit, and what they fail to mention when you order it is that if you dont also buy an adjustble front trac bar, the front of the Jeep sits atleast 2" off center of the front axle housing. So you have the drivers side tire sticking out 2", and the passenger side tire sucked in 2". Sweet!
So I called Rusty's and went through the whole deal over the fact that the instructions say to hog out 2 holes that dont exist. It tokk forever for the guy to understand what I was saying. Eventually, the answer I got was, "I guess you'll just just have to drill 'em."
So then I asked about the provided bolt not fitting in the orginal trac bar bracket location, and also not even fitting through the trac-bar itself, and the answer I got was, " I guess you're gonna have to go get a bolt."
Last but not least, I asked about why no one said anything about the front trac-bar pulling the body off center, and the answer I got was, " That doesnt always happen, but if it does, I guess you're gonna need a front trac-bar."
So now, the Jeep sits in the driveway, on jack stands, waiting for the front and rear trac-bars I ordered (not from Rusty's) to arrive. I went ahead an ordered one for the rear too just because I dont feel like screwing around with drilling holes and trying to locate a bolt that will fit.
Wow.........thanks Rusty's.
Boy am glad I picked you over Rubicon or Pro Comp.
To be honest, if I didnt have so much time invested in the install, and I wouldn't loose my a$$ on shipping, ....... I would love to just box this mess up and send it back to them. (Not that they would take it.)
p.s. - The Rusty's website says they suggest 32" tires with this lift. The guy at 4wheel Parts says NO WAY - 31" MAX ! At this point, its safe to assume who I am going to trust when I buy my wheels and tires.
Boy, what a mistake.
First, the instructions need work. I mean a lot of work. I think they may have actually made the project harder.
Second, the rear trac-bar bracket they include with the kit is nothing short of a disaster. The instructions tell you to hog out 2 holes that were used for the plastic cover, and guess what? There are no holes. Next, they tell you to use the new 7/16 bolt provided in the original mounting bolt location, and use the original 5/16 bolt in the new mounting location on the bracket. Well....one little problem, the original nut that goes to the original bolt is welded to the bracket. So no go. Oh, and by the way, the 7/16 that now has to be used for the new trac-bar mounting location because the original nut is welded......does not fit through the trac-bar !!!
Sounds confusing I know, but trust me, it was/is a cluster.
Third, what Rusty's does not mention on the webpage for the ZJ 3" Basic Kit, and what they fail to mention when you order it is that if you dont also buy an adjustble front trac bar, the front of the Jeep sits atleast 2" off center of the front axle housing. So you have the drivers side tire sticking out 2", and the passenger side tire sucked in 2". Sweet!
So I called Rusty's and went through the whole deal over the fact that the instructions say to hog out 2 holes that dont exist. It tokk forever for the guy to understand what I was saying. Eventually, the answer I got was, "I guess you'll just just have to drill 'em."
So then I asked about the provided bolt not fitting in the orginal trac bar bracket location, and also not even fitting through the trac-bar itself, and the answer I got was, " I guess you're gonna have to go get a bolt."
Last but not least, I asked about why no one said anything about the front trac-bar pulling the body off center, and the answer I got was, " That doesnt always happen, but if it does, I guess you're gonna need a front trac-bar."
So now, the Jeep sits in the driveway, on jack stands, waiting for the front and rear trac-bars I ordered (not from Rusty's) to arrive. I went ahead an ordered one for the rear too just because I dont feel like screwing around with drilling holes and trying to locate a bolt that will fit.
Wow.........thanks Rusty's.
Boy am glad I picked you over Rubicon or Pro Comp.
To be honest, if I didnt have so much time invested in the install, and I wouldn't loose my a$$ on shipping, ....... I would love to just box this mess up and send it back to them. (Not that they would take it.)
p.s. - The Rusty's website says they suggest 32" tires with this lift. The guy at 4wheel Parts says NO WAY - 31" MAX ! At this point, its safe to assume who I am going to trust when I buy my wheels and tires.