Window shopping TTB lift kits....James duff vs. solo, what would u get?

[Eddo Rogue]

The skyjacker front leveling kit made such a dramatic difference, I really got itch for a legit lift kit....something that can make use of the potential of the TTB, but not hack up the truck to do it. I still need decent payload capabilities and on road handling. Bolt in would be nice too.

Im at toss up between the James duff stage 5-6" kit, or the solo motorsports stage 1 kit.

I like the duff because its mild and complete, and the heimed radius arms, and the solo kit because it has the cut and turned arms.

I dont need stupid travel, but some more than stock would be nice.
I dont need to stuff 35" tires...33s maybe, even my 31's would be fine for me.

what would you pick?

And you have 2 cents on it please up sell me which steering upgrade to get as well.

 

[Jim Oaks]

You don't want Skyjackers kit with extended radius arms? I love the way mine flexes.

I've installed a James Duff kit before. I've said that if I ever built a Bronco II I'd give James Duff a try. I've personally been skeptical of the strength of their single tube radius arm. It's been a long time since I've heard of anyone breaking one though.

James duff and Solo Motorsports use heim joints in their radius arms instead of bushings. I'd get some feedback from people that have used those kits about the ride quality of heim vs bushings. I've heard heims can ride harsher, but I've never actually rode in a vehicle with them.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

You don't want Skyjackers kit with extended radius arms? I love the way mine flexes.

I've installed a James Duff kit before. I've said that if I ever built a Bronco II I'd give James Duff a try. I've personally been skeptical of the strength of their single tube radius arm. It's been a long time since I've heard of anyone breaking one though.

James duff and Solo Motorsports use heim joints in their radius arms instead of bushings. I'd get some feedback from people that have used those kits about the ride quality of heim vs bushings. I've heard heims can ride harsher, but I've never actually rode in a vehicle with them.

I was originally considering the skyjacker kit. I have thumbed through the '83-97 4x4 lifts tech section countless times, and yet cant make up my mind lol. I would still consider it.

I heard/read the same thing about the heim joints, but wouldn't mind a stiff ride, if it means better handling, my ranger sways like sailboat the way I drive it to survive los angeles streets and "freeways". And off road is mostly desert, sometimes forest-ish...so not much crawling, except in traffic.

The cut and turn tech article really sold me on the benefits of it, and I'd love to get the stock axle binding issues solved along the way.

My goal is maximize the TTB's potential, and ideally also minimize stress on the rest of the truck, or at least not increase it.

If you dont mind me asking, what was the ballpark end cost of your skyjacker kit? Labor and all if not DIY'ed.