Rough Country 2.5” level vs. Ready Lift 3” lift

[DMac]

all,
After the debacle with the Rough Country leveling kit, I chose to replace it with the Ready Lift 3” SST lift. In doing so I have leave learned so things and wanted to share them here.
First, after the initial install of the Rough Country level the first thing I noticed was that with the level stiffening the front and the rear being factory, I could feel the road a lot more in regard to dips, holes, etc.
After the tie-rod came loose (see warning thread), I had it repaired and gave it some more time but the ride still seemed “less” than it was when it was factory.
I got mad and pulled it off and installed the ReadyLift SST 3” lift, which includes rear blocks which preserve some rake and they advertise will preserve the ride.
After I got it installed I took it for an alignment and man, the difference is daylight to dark on how much it improved the ride. It feels the same as when I drove it home from the dealership.
I will update once I get the rims and tires on it Saturday, but as for right now I’m more pleased than I can say and I recommend the lift over the level hands down

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[Randy2400h]

all,
After the debacle with the Rough Country leveling kit, I chose to replace it with the Ready Lift 3” SST lift. In doing so I have leave learned so things and wanted to share them here.
First, after the initial install of the Rough Country level the first thing I noticed was that with the level stiffening the front and the rear being factory, I could feel the road a lot more in regard to dips, holes, etc.
After the tie-rod came loose (see warning thread), I had it repaired and gave it some more time but the ride still seemed “less” than it was when it was factory.
I got mad and pulled it off and installed the ReadyLift SST 3” lift, which includes rear blocks which preserve some rake and they advertise will preserve the ride.
After I got it installed I took it for an alignment and man, the difference is daylight to dark on how much it improved the ride. It feels the same as when I drove it home from the dealership.
I will update once I get the rims and tires on it Saturday, but as for right now I’m more pleased than I can say and I recommend the lift over the level hands down

I had a similar positive experience by putting a preload on the stock FX4 front struts. The ReadyLift 3” kit completely replaces the factory top hat to give it both more preload by compressing the spring and extra thick mount to accomplish the lift; I think that’s a pretty cool design. The 2” BDS kit uses a preload spacer on the bottom of the spring, uses the factory top hat with a thin (1/4”) steel spacer on top. Although I will say that reassembling the strut to be perfectly aligned to be reinstalled was an absolute PITA, I’m happy with the better mannered front struts.

 

[DMac]

I had a similar positive experience by putting a preload on the stock FX4 front struts. The ReadyLift 3” kit completely replaces the factory top hat to give it both more preload by compressing the spring and extra thick mount to accomplish the lift; I think that’s a pretty cool design. The 2” BDS kit uses a preload spacer on the bottom of the spring, uses the factory top hat with a thin (1/4”) steel spacer on top. Although I will say that reassembling the strut to be perfectly aligned to be reinstalled was an absolute PITA, I’m happy with the better mannered front struts.

I couldn’t agree more. Getting that strut back together was a strain on my limited “old man patience”,,, it was at times a colorful conversation between me and the truck about why I started all this in the first place

 

[Viator092]

Pics or it didn’t happen.

 

[DMac]

Pics or it didn’t happen.

Pics of the lift, or the problem with the leveling kit? I have pics of the lift and a video of the level issues with the Nyloc nut coming loose. Not sure if the video will upload but I will try. It’s not very educational, mostly just me being p*#^ed.
The video is apparently too big for the site to allow me to upload.
And by the way, as far as “pics or it didn’t happen”, you can believe it or not, that’s on you. At first I was wasting time trying to figure out how to post the video or a still shot and then I realized, “wait, I’m a grown man trying to help folks and share info, slow down, drink your coffee and go to work.

 

[Viator092]

And by the way, as far as “pics or it didn’t happen”, you can believe it or not, that’s on you. At first I was wasting time trying to figure out how to post the video or a still shot and then I realized, “wait, I’m a grown man trying to help folks and share info, slow down, drink your coffee and go to work.

Not calling you out. Was just using some millennial speak for "pics please". These suspension setups post are informative and more so with pics. Thanks.

 

[LightningBlue]

Maybe I'm just a dumbo, but I have yet to notice a difference in ride quality after my 2.5 RC level kit. I guess YMMV but it feels stock to me.

 

[DMac]

Not calling you out. Was just using some millennial speak for "pics please". These suspension setups post are informative and more so with pics. Thanks.

No worries,,,Rough day and pre-bourbon response. I was so spun up the day it happened I didn’t take pics, just a few videos on the roadside and as I put it back together.

 

[DMac]

Maybe I'm just a dumbo, but I have yet to notice a difference in ride quality after my 2.5 RC level kit. I guess YMMV but it feels stock to me.

It wasn’t a terrible difference, just different. I could feel the stiffness in the front vs. the rear because of the angle change. It’s not bad, I just really noticed a change to smoother ride once I put the lift on it. Now all that changed once I put those 10 ply’s on it. Now it rides like a truck and I am pleased as hell.

 

[FlRanger]

Can the Ready Lift SST 3” kit go on a 2wd?

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