Who Makes The Better Lift?

Explosive · Apr 14, 2010

Who Makes The Better Lift? ~ Also A Question On Shocks

I've been slacking on my B2, wanted it done this month. But it's nowhere close.

Always planned to do the Skyjacker stage II 6" lift, extended arms, leafs ect. But I was browsing James Duff site and I see their 5.5" lift,

Here’s the deal. We’ve been working on our 5 1/2”-6” lifts for several years... but we hadn’t released them because we were unhappy using radius arm drop brackets. So, here they are— available only with our extended radius arms. We feel this is the BEST way to lift a TTB this much for the sake of safety, strength, handling and ground clearance. This means the lifts include:
•5-6” Progressive Rate Coil Springs*
•New Coil Tower Dual Shock mounts
•Rod Ended Extended Radius Arms
•HD Tranny Crossmember
•Extended Stainless Brake lines
•Drop pitman arm (fits PS only)
•Axle pivot drop brackets
•4 front shocks, 2 rear shocks, 6 shock boots
•Urethane coil pads, leveling spacer
•U-bolt kit
•Leaf Blocks, if applicable
•Complete Replacement Leaf Spring Packs
•Spring Eye Bushings
*Lift heights will vary by vehicle configuration.

PART# 5050-3 - Stage 3 Suspension, Bronco II 4WD, 5-5.5 $1829

So who makes the better lift kit ? I'm finally ready to start moving on my B2, first up is the 4.0L swap (motor sitting on stand in garage) Then the lift. Just trying to find the best lift.

4x4junkie · Apr 14, 2010

At this moment in time, I think Skyjacker has the best offering. At least SJ offers a drop pitman arm that actually corrects the steering to an acceptable degree (although they don't include it with the kit, you may be able to get it substituted for the arm in the kit and just pay the cost difference however... pt# FA600).

There's a chance that JD might be coming out with some new stuff in the near future however. From what I've seen they've been doing some product testing recently.

Explosive · Apr 14, 2010

Hmm, I guess we will see. I'll hold off on ordering parts until I am ready to install

Anyone else have an opinion ?

Sasquatch_Ryda · Apr 15, 2010

Skyjacker also gets my vote

Dash71121 · Apr 15, 2010

the duff lift has some cool features like the dual shock mount coil buckets, and the progressive rate coils. i do like the "rod ended" radius arms as well. havent heard of anyone trying the lift yet though. i say you try it and give us a review haha

legoms013 · Apr 15, 2010

I don't have personal experience with James Duff stuff...but I do have an opinion.

Both are good, strong, complete kits, that I think are similarly priced.

Your decision should be based off of whats different about the two kits:

Aspect #1
JD had rod ends (more flex but more noise and vibrations felt in the cab)
SJ has regular style (OEM) doughnot bushings (less flex but less cab noise too)

Aspect #2
JD has a dual shock coil bucket/radius arm (6x shocks total, more expensive when you need to replace them) Probably rides pretty nice tho with the 70/30 valving and a dual setup.
SJ has a single shock setup because it retains the ORIGINAL coil bucket (shorter shocks of the stud type, which means more binding with lots of suspension travel). I've heard SJ coils and shocks make a fairly comfortable ride tho...not the best, but the best out of all the other actual "lift kits".

Aspect #3
Black vs. Blue powdercoating :icon_twisted:

Aspect #4
JD has progressive coils
SJ has linear/single rate coils

Aspect #5
JD axle drop brackets have a single mounting hole for the pivot bolt (another could be drilled tho).
SJ's brackets have two mounting holes already drilled out for you allowing you to reducing/increase/better align your vehicle to better accomodate different nose weights of different BIIs and Rangers.

Aspect #6
It appears that SJ drop brackets are more beefy in construction, however I have never compared them to JD brackets in hand, only in pictures.

Ranger44 · Apr 15, 2010

Skyjacker is better at the 6" level. Those brackets are the same between 4 and 6" lifts. But, the 6" coils almost always align better in the 4" holes.

There is nothing wrong with duff TTB brackets, it's their choice to go to hiems and run progressive coils that turn people off them.

With an rbv, dual shocks aren't really needed, just think..... What type of vehicles are built with dual shocks? Choose a good shock like a bilstien and it'll more than handle the bigger tires.

Like junkie said, duff is working on some pretty awesome ideas and figuring out a way to run the softer EB coils on rbv's.

Explosive · Apr 15, 2010

Hmmm, Well if it helps any, this vehicle will not be driven on the road, I mean I might now and then. But it's not my daily driver, I bought it to build a little trail rig. It's a toy, so really I don't care much as to how it rides, just the function/amount of flex I get from it.

Chance · Apr 15, 2010

I've never seen a point on putting dual shocks on anything.

I'd go for the skyjacker just for that. And I'm not a fan of progressive rate coils either...

But I've ran neither so my opinion is useless pretty much :icon_rofl:

Ranger44 · Apr 15, 2010

The only point of dual shocks would be to control and share the work on a heavy vehicle, with a heavy payload, with a heavy axle.

Now, granted dual shocks may be useful when running a SUPER soft spring on a trail rig, but with stock RBV coils, and most stock ap coils......they are about as useless as tits on a boar. They just "look cool".

You want a good, solid 6" lift, go skyjacker or piece together/make your own.

I'm going the piece together route.

94xlt4.0 · Apr 15, 2010

you also have to remember that jd specializes in the eb and rbv market where skyjacker does just about every vehicle. you would think w/ that in mind they would have a little better idea of the eb/rbv suspensions

bonedoc · Apr 16, 2010

Personally they are both excellent kits, there is someone on here who has worked very closely with James Duff and says there stuff is primo. I'm planning on the James Duff kit. Skyjacker may offer a bigger pitman arm but it isn't the one that comes with the kit...so no kudos for that. The only company that every address the handling issuers was superlift and there handling of it still needed improvement. Now Duff is working with Stone Crusher Steering for an a steering kit, if you contact Anthony at Stone crusher steering .com he will give you all the info. This kit is Awesome, it is Heim Jointed and 1 1/4 in O.D., very heavy and ready to do the job.
As for the comments on the fact the Duff uses Heim joints...well if you look through the threads you will find many that have used them and no complaints of noise or vibration. They hold up better than the doughnuts and have a greater range of motion without binding.
Remember, Duff works with RBV and EB only, period end of story. Skyjacker makes an excellent kit, many people use it, there are pros and cons to both, depending on what your needs are, there isn't any one kit out there that does it all perfectly.

Explosive · Apr 16, 2010

One more thing, skyjacker has a rebate on shocks right now. Whats better for what I'm looking to do, the Hydro's or Nitros ? Off-road ability is my top priority.

dirtcowboy · Apr 16, 2010

Is the stone crusher steering anything like the superlift superruner kit? I've pondered this very question and have decided to go with JD. The JD kit goes on my DD/Dune/Fireroad runner. I may have to powder coat or paint the blue however. Good topic!!

Explosive · Apr 16, 2010

Thinking about doin a D35 swap when I put the lift in.

Who Makes The Better Lift?

Well-Known Member

Forum Staff Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

09/2013 OTOTM

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

RIP - 10/7/2010

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Recently Featured

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad