[dodge88]

I bought the 4" Rough Country lift system back in October, and so far, I love it. The system came with everything I needed to install, even new HYDRO shocks, except for two new bolts for mounting the springs to the rear shackles. The geniuses at Chrysler installed the factory bolts so that the head is facing the gas tank. That wouldn't be a problem if there was enough room between the gas tank and the shackle so that the bolt could be removed, but there isn't. The bolts on both sides have to be cut on the rear shackles to complete this install.

The installation went pretty smoothly, and the weather was nice enough to work with us (Ratitude and I). That's a good thing, because we were outside all the time.

The lift has been on for about a month now. The ride was noticeably stiffer, yet the ride was more evened out, so I think it was for the better. I think it's starting to soften up a bit now that the springs are being broken in. There were some annoying squeaks for a little while, but those have gone away with time also. This is one of the cheapest systems that I have ever found anywhere. It was only one month's rent.....$525 + shipping. Another member just informed me that they are buying direct from Rough Country, and they are currently offering free shipping, but their cost is $549. It is still cheaper, since shipping to my place was about $100. It only took three days to get here, however. If anyone is looking for a very good, very cheap 4" suspension lift, I highly recommend the Rough Country System. I also highly recommend getting it from Rocky Mountain Suspension, especially since they are a sponsor of the site

Randall

 

[phoenix827]

This is what I went with also and so far I love it! The only probs that I had were with billing (due to my wife's bank, NOT rocky Mtn. and shipping. Rough country got WAY backed up for a while and it took a while for them to get springs out to other companys. Rocky mtn not only let me know what was going on each day (although I had to call them) they ended up shipping everything out fed-ex 2 day instead of the truck ship I had payed for! (about a week difference) I was very impressed with their service (except one guy) as the woman I talked to called my wifes bank about 3-4 times ALONG with my wife to get the payment straightened out! (BTW, Fleet bank sucks!) Since I got the kit installed my only complaint is a bit of squeaking from the front springs (don't think I greased them enough) I likethe ride (now that the shocks are on right side up!! Thanx dodgeboys!) I like the handleing, just need bigger tires!!

 

[80vwpickup]

I also just got my lift 4in system from rough country and I also love it. I was a little pissed when I was putting it on because I was missing a poly bushing for the front spring but I called them up and they are sending me the bushing and some shims for the rear axle for free. So I am also very pleased with their customer service. I would recommed them to others no problem. http://www.roughcountry.com

 

[badass_dodge74]

hey i was wonderin if you guys had to change the length of your drive shafts with the 4" lift and if you did how much

 

[dodge88]

I did not.



Randall

 

[phoenix827]

mine either, but I think I should, dosn't feel the same now

 

[ramchargertodd]

Just wondering if the kit you guys got eliminates the lifting block on the rear spring? That is the source of axle wrap in my RC.

 

[dodge88]

Yes, it eliminates the rear block. I don't have the wrap anymore


Randall

 

[Trailduster79]

I just installed Rough Country 4 inch springs all the way around on my truck as well. I love it.

I have one question for the other guys who put the kit on their trucks. I have the 2.5 degree shim up front, but I am still getting driveline vibrations, especially under acceleration. Do any of you guys have vibrations? Did anyone put shims in the rear?

 

[phoenix827]

Do any of you guys have vibrations? Did anyone put shims in the rear?

I got plenty ov vibrations on mine, but this d/shaft was also spit out and run over by a camper and 2 cars!LOL As far as I can tell mine are mostly from the driveshaft being old (sloppy) and running in a different spot now. no shims now but when I get the new front axle I am planning on dropping the t/case an inch to get it back in alignment. Imho, the front shims are a crappy design, should be bolted into the spring pack like the rear. I have heard too many storys around here of them being spit out.
ymmv, chris

 

[dodge88]

I shimmed the rear, and I still have a slight vibration at low speeds when accelerating. When I get past 30mph the vibration stops.


Randall

 

[MoparMurdoc]

What all does the kit include again?

 

[Trailduster79]

The kit inclueds new springs all the way around that eliminate the block in the rear. It comes with all new U-bolts, and studs for the front axle, shocks, a 3 inch steering block, and a 2.5 degree shim.

 

[JUNEDICK]

I just put this kit on last week and like it a lot so far. I haven't got it off road yet though. Give me til next week. Anyway, I had pretty bad vibrations from the rear but just replaced all the U-joints in both driveshafts and that eliminated most of the shaking. I still plan on putting 2.5 to 3 degree shims on the rear axle. But you can't beat this kit for the price.

 

[maverick148]

Just got mine today,one front spring is the wrong ,no shims at all.Guess I gotta call and rant..........

 

[HungWeiLo]

Just to add my endorsement for this set up. The springs are tough, that's for sure. I got a load of crushed concrete for driveway gravel from a local crushing and aggregate place. This place will give you all you can haul in your pickup for $10, no matter if its heaping over the edges of the bed or two shovels full. I told the front end loader operator to give me about 3/4 of a ton and stop. Well, I'm no judge of weight, but he just kept pouring it in until I finally told him I thought that was plenty. They weigh you on the way in and out just to keep track of how much they have, and my load was 1.67 tons. That fellow was a worse judge of weight than me! The tires I had at the time were some Michelins rated at 3500 pounds each, luckily. I got it home, although the truck did have a lot more body lean around curves and of course the braking wasn't very fast.

Nothing broke, nothing slipped, nothing made funny noises. I kept the weight ticket as a souvenir and proof that it happened. I don't recommend hauling 1.67 tons in a 1/2 pick up, but its a testimony to the strength of this lift kit and the stock Dodge drive train.

 

[drtbik111]

I have installed the 4” Rough Country lift on my 84 RC with some problems. The kit came with front and rear springs, shocks, all the hardware and 2.5 degree shims to correct the front pinion angle (Rough Country recommended). System was easy to install but, vibration and handling problems were incurred. The vibrations were reduced with new u-joints, 4 degree shims in the rear, dropping the trans case ¾” and balanced drive shaft. The handling improved when the 2.5 degree shims were removed from the front which allowed for proper alignment (4x4 shop said the shims up front caused the alignment problems). RC runs handles great and new suspension allows for 33’s with plenty of room.

 

[dodge88]

Interesting. I had no problems with alignment on the front after using the shims. I did replace the rear u-joints with spicers, because I did have a slight vibration problem. I also got an adjustable drag link to help with the alignment, too. I'm looking at getting new shocks though. I think these are a little too stiff. I'm looking to get a set of Rancho RSX 9000




Randall

 

[DennisH]

Shims throw off the caster angle in the front this makes the truck tend to resist going into a turn and then once in a turn resist coming back out of a turn. In other words in a truck without shims the steering wheel tends to self center when you let go of it. In a truck w/ shims is does but to a far lesser extent. Also a VERY important thing to watch out for is many shims are made of aluminum I cannot enphasize enough how bad, dangerous, stupid, etc this is. Mine crumbled like a ball of dirt after about a year causing my rear axel to migrate to a different location and throw the drive shaft out!
Do yourself a favor and leave the front alone even if you have to get a new drive shaft to do so. www.highangledriveline.com makes a nice one that is all 1 ton rated and who dosnt want a nice strong shaft anyway.

As for driveline vibrations if both angles on the driveshaft are not equal and opposite of each other you WILL have vibrations. Cut the perches on the rear axel off and rotate the pinion to 0 degrees and weld them back on. Stops the vibrations and saves alot of u joints.

 

[Sam Simpson]

I have had aluminum shims in the front that were in there for at least 3 years, and I wheeled the truck very hard and they never crumbled. They were undamaged when I pulled them out.