BJ's vs BDS vs Rustys vs Rancho

[TPICherokee]

Anyone in Georgia or Washington have a BDS lift? We could test them side by side and give some results... this could be interesting...

Brent

[Manhattan]

I've had several brands of lifts on several Jeeps. I've had the BJ's Offroad 4" System on Bushwood for a few months now and love it. It just seems to have the perfect balance of flex and stiffness - yes springs can be too soft. On the road, the Jeep's comfortable and handles great. Off road, it twists as well as any Jeep I've had but doesn't bottom out on fast bumps/whoops. Again, it seems like a balanced system. Not just a set of springs that happen to fit the Jeep.

And the customer service from the BJ's guys, well, you've heard enough about that - they're amazing.

Good luck.

[kman458]

Originally posted by kman458:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ryphil:
I have stock gears in it now but was planning on changing to something around 3.50 to 3.75 when I get the big tires. I am also going to put in some type of locking diff when I change the tires.

I checked prices on BJ's and BDS.

BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $120 Shipping = $780

BDS $800 Kit + $0 shipping = $800

BDS includes Pitman Arm.

BDS has a local dealer. BJ's has much more than just lifts.

What to do? What to do?

i am the smae boat here.
BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $130 Shipping = $790

BDS $779 Kit + $0 shipping = $779

BDS includes Pitman Arm.
what to do??????</font>[/QUOTE]i read this again and dont want to come off as being cheap. its just doing this on a budget means watching every penny. if i spent 11.00 extra for everything i buy it could add up to a lot very quick.

[firechero]

i just put on bjs 4" spring lift and for ease of installation it sure wasnt bad, only took my bout 10 hours total with a hi lift jack and jackstands and hand tools, bjs has great service, you cant just call em up like i did when i had a question during the install, i dont know how they ride yet as i am waiting for the drop pitman arm to arrive

[youngjeeper]

my rustys kit is VERY bouncy, could just be the shocks tho...it flexes like id expect 6" springs to flex..crappy..this is all the flex i get if i was to drive up any more my back tire would lift up and id fall over lol

[orangecherokee]

Dan, quit fartin' around and cut those fenders, geez

[youngjeeper]

Originally posted by orangecherokee:
Dan, quit fartin' around and cut those fenders, geez

id cut em' but they dont need cut, the tire stuffs in there perfectly...i guess my bashed in fenders dont think so lol

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by kman458:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kman458:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ryphil:
I have stock gears in it now but was planning on changing to something around 3.50 to 3.75 when I get the big tires. I am also going to put in some type of locking diff when I change the tires.

I checked prices on BJ's and BDS.

BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $120 Shipping = $780

BDS $800 Kit + $0 shipping = $800

BDS includes Pitman Arm.

BDS has a local dealer. BJ's has much more than just lifts.

What to do? What to do?

i am the smae boat here.
BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $130 Shipping = $790

BDS $779 Kit + $0 shipping = $779

BDS includes Pitman Arm.
what to do??????</font>[/QUOTE]i read this again and dont want to come off as being cheap. its just doing this on a budget means watching every penny. if i spent 11.00 extra for everything i buy it could add up to a lot very quick.</font>[/QUOTE]But... going with your 2nd choice in every situation over 1.4% could add up very quickly to a rig you wished you built differently.

[TPICherokee]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by kman458:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by ryphil:
I have stock gears in it now but was planning on changing to something around 3.50 to 3.75 when I get the big tires. I am also going to put in some type of locking diff when I change the tires.

I checked prices on BJ's and BDS.

BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $120 Shipping = $780

BDS $800 Kit + $0 shipping = $800

BDS includes Pitman Arm.

BDS has a local dealer. BJ's has much more than just lifts.

What to do? What to do?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i am the smae boat here.
BJ's $585 Kit + $75 Pitman Arm $130 Shipping = $790

BDS $779 Kit + $0 shipping = $779

BDS includes Pitman Arm.
what to do??????
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i read this again and dont want to come off as being cheap. its just doing this on a budget means watching every penny. if i spent 11.00 extra for everything i buy it could add up to a lot very quick.

Actually I would be cheaper because the price of the drop pitman arm with the 15% discount would be $63.75. Which means BJ's Off-Road would be 25 cents cheaper WOO-HOO!! Budget building is here!

Brent

[will e]

ryphil.
I have a Rusty 4" lift I put on about 13 months ago. I have the rancho 9000 shcoks with the in cab adjustment.

I live in Phoenix too. If you want, we can hook up and you can check it out and take it for a ride/drive. Also, the gang is thinking about wheeling this month, watch the events board. You could join us for a trail run and see how well our different setups work.

You might have to do some serious cutting to get 35" tires with a 4" lift.

[ryphil]

I'm not sure if I even need the pitman arm. I just included it in the price to make an apple to apple comparison. My main concern is ride and flex. I just was hoping to hear from someone that used the BDS system and could give some feedback. The way it looks, I'll be getting a kit from BJ's but I just like to do as much homework as possible. I feel like it's half the fun of a project!

[ryphil]

Hey Will e

What part of town are you in? I'm at I-17 and Bethany. And when and where are you going wheeling? If I can find the time this month, I would like to go.

[partywagon]

Billyrb can you tell us when the 6"lift is going to be available and prices

[ January 04, 2004, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: partywagon ]

[Outback Jeep]

I would assume BJ's has done the research on thier spring and are probably a decent spring.

BDS springs are Engineered specifically to match the load rating of a lifted vehicle. These springs come standard with a OEM style rubber bushing, Teflon anti-friction pads (are a must), spring clamps which provide room for excellent articulation yet, limmit axle wrap, and are the correct length to provide the correct shackle angle for excellent ride quality. Not to mention the full life time warranty.

On a personal note Outback Jeep staff has been using BDS springs on our personal vehicles for years, even when BDS was Big Dick Suspension. We have seen other spring manufactures springs, sag, break springs, and deliver poor ride quality. The choice is clear that BDS is superior to any other spring no the market.
Brian Matthiesen
Outback Jeep---the Leader in Full Size Jeeps

[racer32]

so here's my question....

is it absolutely neccessary to get a drop pitman arm with a 4" lift?