What I've noticed with all these lift companies, is that it's all subjective. One person could have the best experience with say RC but then the next guy could have the worst experience with the lift.
What I am looking for is which lift gives you the best bang for you buck. I'm not too worried about flex, stiffness, or how it performs on the road. But looking at the quality of the shocks, springs, and leaf springs.
I am looking at the Zone 4.5" because I've heard the best stuff about them, but will what comes with the kit be everything I need? Other than an sye

 

I have the Rough Country 3" kit with the AALs in the rear and these are my thoughts:
Pros: price was outstanding $255 shipped with new shocks, front end rides great, components look great, easy install
Cons: Poor rear shackle angle even with AALs, thus limited rear flex, thus incredibly fast bushing wear
If I could replace some of my kit, I would replace everything in the rear with something else. My leaf spring and shackle bushings started chirping within weeks of installing my kit. I would keep the front springs and shocks hands down though.
Overall, the kit was an outstanding deal to get some height and tire clearance cheap and quick. I would recommend the same kit to another beginner.

 

fyi: As I have mentioned many times in the past most of the so called better riding kits by their componets from us. Rough Country is the largest by volume mfg available and private label coils, leafs and shocks to most of the before mentioned companies. I have been working with a few members on here as well as other forums and with our R and D dept to get the rear 4.5 spring pack length worked out. When the fix is available I will let everyone know. Bushings well yes we had some ups and down with a few of our bushings but very very little complaints in the past 6 to 8 months since we switched to the OE style clevite bushings. It only makes sense that anyone will hear more bad about Rough Country then anyone else based on the simple fact that more people run our lifts then any other company and 95% of people only talk about negatives and rarely talk about the positives, take your boss for example how often does he tell you good job vs how quick he is to point out something wrong. Its just the way we are wired.

I am here to help those who want to be helped as I have done for several years on the forums.

thanks again

 

Are you guys planning to fix the leaf spring problem by making the springs longer? If so, how long will that be? Because that is the only thing stopping me from buying from you guys. I'm not in any rush to buy a lift yet so I have some time before I decide.

 

Thank you Jason for your input on the lift i agree that most people talk about negative things for the ones that are satisfied have nothing to complain about.
I had my lift for about two monts now and yes its getting smoother every day. I still can't make enough time to go test it off road but if or when i will i'm sure it will settle.

 

I installed the 4.5" long arm kit with the full leaf packs in July. In addition, ended up also buying the RC steering stabilizer and the tie rod upgrade. I read a fair amount of poor reviews yet I don't plan on any heavy duty off roading. I just needed some more ground clearance and more aggressive tires for camping and hunting. I still need the jeep to run 250 miles up to the mountains so I didn't want anything too crazy. The RC kit seemed the most complete for the money so I went with it.

I went with Mud Claw 32x11.5R15's on steel wheels. I have now over a 1,000 road miles on the kit. The rear springs are stiff yet since I intend to load it up with gear and tow a trailer I think the springs will be just fine. Even with the stiff springs, I think the jeep rides really well. I have had it up to 75 on the highway without any issues, no "squirrelyness" when changing lanes or hitting decent sized bumps under speed. Steering is a little loose but I think it's all in the box.

As for the RC kit:
Components seem decently made, packaged, and shipped.

Watch the fuel and brake lines on the drivers side when installing the crossmember. I installed a piece of slit heater hose to protect them from chafing against the cross member bolts.

leading edge of cross member extends forward of transmission pan so I can't get to the pan bolts. Looks like I'll have to drop cross member to service transmission.

one front shock came with an incorrect washer for the top mount yet just drilled it out to fit.

transfer case skid plate, install the two self tapping screws in the frame before you tighten up the bolts connecting it to the cross member.

I consider it an entry level long arm kit. If the components don't hold up, I'll swap in something more robust yet considering the jeep will only be offroad 15% of the miles driven, I don't see that being an issue.
Overall, I am satisfied so far with the quality of the kit and its components. Only thing RC should do is make a video of the installation procedure on Youtube similar to what AA has for their SYE kit.

My $0.02 (actually only woth $0.01)
DSCF3372.jpg?t=1346980409

 

I've been running the 4.5 Long Arm full packs for a little over 6 months. It is my first lift.

First Drive Impression: The front rides like a Cadillac, way better than stock. Rear rides rough, more like i was expecting from brand new springs.

Install: Went pretty well. Transmission mount in my xj was off center - cost 15 minutes to tap new holes and bolt. Exhaust mount was in the way of the crossmember - cost 15 minutes to trim it back. Instructions could be more detailed but it was also my first install. Option to replace all bolts at extra cost would be good. Torque specs would be nice too.

First trip: Rear rides way better loaded with all my junk but shackle angle could be a bit better (add about 2" to spring length). Front rides great, disconnect setup is awesome and flexes like crazy! (as noted by other jeeper observers).

6 Months: Jeep was stolen and Rat Bagged for 2-3 days then ditched, i recently got it back. Based on body damage the thieves were jumping it. The lift held up Perfectly, the only lift part damage was a bent sway bar disconnect (who doesn't disconnect the sway bar!) The front compressed so hard on landings the sway bar dented the top of the fender well probably causing the bend to the link. Everything else is in great shape. All joints seem to be holding up just fine.

Overall: Really happy with the product and the customer service. Any problems i've faced have been minor. If i could do it all over I'd buy Rough Country again