James Duff vs Skyjacker

[Ryannn]

I searched this and didnt really find an answer as to which is better... Im looking at a Stage 3, 3" lift from James Duff, or a Skyjacker Stage 2 4" Lift, but they both seem to have advantages and disadvantages and its a hard call. I saw there are some things people dont like about James Duff same with Skyjacker... So overall what is worth the money and which one out performs the other?

Thanks Ryan.

EDIT: Also Im only going to be running 31's and Using it as my Daily Driver and Doing Mostly Trails, not really rock crawling. I Like the idea of having Dual shocks also. I also read that the James Duff Coils suck?

 

[Surrey]

Those are your two best brands in Ranger lifts. Both are very well made, and I dont think you will hear much complaint about either.

The James Duff setup uses variable rate coil springs, while the Skyjacker does not. For off-road purposes, variable rate coil springs are not ideal - they get too stiff on compression and limit your up-travel. Duff claims they use variable rate springs because it is designed for application in a Daily driver, basically.

edit - skyjacker 4" brackets are the same as 6" brackets(there are two holes), so you could upgrade your coils at a later date for more lift. Im not sure if Duff has that option.

 

[Ryannn]

Those are your two best brands in Ranger lifts. Both are very well made, and I dont think you will hear much complaint about either.

The James Duff setup uses variable rate coil springs, while the Skyjacker does not. For off-road purposes, variable rate coil springs are not ideal - they get too stiff on compression and limit your up-travel. Duff claims they use variable rate springs because it is designed for application in a Daily driver, basically.

edit - skyjacker 4" brackets are the same as 6" brackets(there are two holes), so you could upgrade your coils at a later date for more lift. Im not sure if Duff has that option.

So basically it comes down to the coils?
Cant I just use Skyjacker Coils instead of the James Duff?

 

[Surrey]

You could use 4" Skyjacker coils, sure, but Im not sure how much the James Duff brackets drop your pivots... probably not as much as the 4" Skyjacker ones, almost definately not if you consider the 6" holes that are there on the same bracket...

 

[Ryannn]

You could use 4" Skyjacker coils, sure, but Im not sure how much the James Duff brackets drop your pivots... probably not as much as the 4" Skyjacker ones, almost definately not if you consider the 6" holes that are there on the same bracket...

Pivots? Im not super great Mechanically yet. Sorry.

 

[7.5L_STX]

i would go with the SJ just for the fact that you can go with more lift later on down the road and all ya gotta do is get the taller coils and the bigger drop pitman arm. ya know, itll just be easier when you go full retard with the truck lol. just my .02

 

[Ryannn]

i would go with the SJ just for the fact that you can go with more lift later on down the road and all ya gotta do is get the taller coils and the bigger drop pitman arm. ya know, itll just be easier when you go full retard with the truck lol. just my .02

I have a 2-3" body lift now... not sure which one it is haha. So I dont planning on going crazy with a 6" Lift.. or a 5", 4" is pushing it, I like the idea of a 3" lift.

 

[7.5L_STX]

come on now, when i got my truck it had 10 Inches of lift......its fun, and i never even came close to tippin it over off road. but to each there own though!

 

[Ryannn]

come on now, when i got my truck it had 10 Inches of lift......its fun, and i never even came close to tippin it over off road. but to each there own though!

Haha To Tall for me... I like being around a Total of 5" of lift. haha.
Anyway, back to the Topic at hand. JD? or SJ?

 

[legoms013]

Both are great kits and for what they cost, produce comparable results.

However, skyjacker has the advantage of drop brackets that could be used with taller coils later down the road if you decide you want to be taller. And personally i think they would have more resale value because of this dual use aspect.

I'd go for skyjackers class II 4", unless you are dead set on dual shocks (though dual isn't really all that beneficial).

 

[Surrey]

I agree with him, get the skyjacker 4" lift. You say you only want a bit of lift, but if you are going to spend all that money, might as well get the one that has flexibility down the road. Plus you could always remove that body lift if its too high.

Nothing is worse than spending a bunch of money and not being satisfied down the road. You say you only want a bit right now, but once you get that lift on there and get her dirty, you might realize 3" just isn't enough anymore.

 

[Surrey]

I'd go for skyjackers class II 4", unless you are dead set on dual shocks (though dual isn't really all that beneficial).

Kind of irrelevant, you can buy just the coil buckets from Duff anyways, if he was really dead-set on it...
Plus, the simple fact that the F250 shock mount mod gives you longer shock travel that the duff, its hard to justify the money on 'em.

 

[Ryannn]

Hmm, Im Kind of set on Duff for the Price. I will pry swap out for SkyJacker Coils though.
As for the height, I think Ill be good around 5" with everything. I also dont like How super lifted Rigs look. Im leaning towards James Duff.

 

[legoms013]

Correct, James Duff coil buckets can be purchased separatley so thats sorta a moot point.

however, Skyjacker still has my vote since it has more flexibility built into it in case you change your mind or sell it to someone else......I'm also not a fan of heim bushings, which is what James Duff uses on their long arms. They flex more yes, but heims are noisier and wear out faster than the stock style doughnut bushing that the Skyjacker kit retains.


Replacing one of the James Duff heims on their long arms isn't cheap either.....stock doughnut bushings are cheap.

I'm also not a fan of progressive rate coils, seems on the RBV they softer windings end up being sagged out and in constant contact with each other, and thus making for a crappy ride in the cab.

My linear rate Skyjacker coils ride and flex awesome.

 

[Ryannn]

I dont plan on selling this Truck. I know I that I dont want a taller Rig than what James Duff would give me. and by not cheap how much are we talking? Im swapping the JD Coils for Skyjacker anyhow.