- Joined
- Jan 7, 2020
- Messages
- 256
- Reaction score
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- Age
- 29
- Location
- Hickory NC
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
Just trying to figure things out
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Both are really good TTB lifts. I personally like the Skyjacker brackets & springs but prefer the Duffs extended radius arms.Duff vs skyjacker 6 in lift? Both are 2.5k what's the better of the 2?
The duff kit looks more complete to me I wonder how they both do off road. The duff radius arms are definitely more low profileBoth are really good TTB lifts. I personally like the Skyjacker brackets & springs but prefer the Duffs extended radius arms.
Wow. Awesome comparison. Thank you.Having also installed both myself, my overall opinion actually is quite similar for either one.
Both are top-shelf kits (top-shelf as you can get anyway), though neither are without issues and there are other differences between them that will vary my recommendation depending whether you are DD'ing this thing or if it's a 2nd vehicle generally only used for play...
Skyjacker uses linear rate coil springs (good for crawling, trail running), James Duff uses variable-rate (good for higher-speed use).
Skyjacker uses urethane radius arm bushings (good for longevity, noise), Duff uses rod ends (good for very-highly modified setups).
Skyjacker's Nitro shocks are kindof middle-of-the-road... Not bad, but not awesome. Their M95 shock option sounds much more promising for good ride & handling. I've no personal experience with Duff's "30/70" shocks, however I've seen many reports in the past they are very stiff and jarring, especially in a dual configuration, not sure if that's changed (me, I'd throw a set of Fox 2.0s on it, screw that throw-away crap).
BOTH kits' axle & frame brackets are near indestructible.
Issues:
The Duff radius arms have a weak spot right where the angled upper part of the box area meets the lower square area around the tube (I've seen a few broken or cracked there). There is also what I feel is an insufficiently supported spot at the top-front area on their coil buckets where I can foresee a crack developing over time (I'll admit I have not yet come across any reports of it though). A couple gussets welded to these spots would easily prevent any carnage happening.
Skyjacker didn't get it right on their coil spring lengths, so you have to use a spacer under the coil to get the full stated lift height. I have yet to see a broken Skyjacker radius arm (one not having the bolts left loose at the axle anyway), though I have seen the transmission crossmember break the weld at the end of the tube (again, gussets are key).
BOTH kits include an improper drop pitman arm that does not fully correct the steering linkage angle. Skyjacker at least offers a drop arm you can buy separately that can fully correct for a 4" lift (pt# FA600, which they do not include it in their kit box for whatever reason). At 6" lift, the handling literally can be downright scary with the drop arm they normally provide you.
I strongly suggest installing the Skyjacker #FA600 drop arm regardless of which kit you decide on (that, or a K-link setup, either a modified Superlift Superrunner, or build your own. There should be a good bit of info floating around here for both).