??? about Complete Lifts and Suspension Accessories Thread

[Skidder]

First, I really like this 'one stop shop' of a thread, but I do have a question about a comment in it.

This is the comment I have a question about..."The Rough country is essentially a copy of the BDS kit, however it seems to be made of lighter-gauge metal. It appears to utilize an improved upper-shock mount also. We discourage people from the RC kit, as BDS was the original designer of this lift type. It seems Rough Country merely copied the design."

I like the "improved upper-shock mount" of both kits. However, knowing that you normally 'get what you pay for', is the reason "we discouage people from the RC kit" only because it is a copy of the BDS, even though it is just as good? Or, is it both a copy and not as good? Cost wise RC is cheaper, but are both kits equal in quality?

[Blackout]

I know Dmccartney had a rough country spacer snap on him. Haven't seen BDS do that.

[fishsticks]

I know Dmccartney had a rough country spacer snap on him. Haven't seen BDS do that.

Indeed he did. RC sent him new spacers IIRC.

I also use the RC kit... and I'm HARD on it. Mine shows zero signs of stress fracturing.

BDS came up with the design, however it's nothing ground breaking technology wise (it uses a spacer, just like budget lifts for other patforms). At the time I bought my lift they were asking over $400 for their 2" kit.

They've since come down in price to a more competitive level, but have stopped shipping rear spacers with it. ( ) Rear spacers are available via ebay inexpensively.

If I had it to do again I would support BDS by purchasing their product. They have an active presence on this board, which is more than we can say for ANY other major manufacturer for our platform.

[Me007gold]

[quote+fishsticks"]

If I had it to do again I would support BDS by purchasing their product. They have an active presence on this board, which is more than we can say for ANY other major manufacturer for our platform.

*cough*MarkMC*cough*

[The Roadie]

RC was not only a copy, but a LATE copy. BDS was an early supporter of the platform, years before some others.

[navigator]

I have the RC kit that I bought used off a member cheap. I've had no issues but I don't beat on mine like others do.
If I had to buy one new now I would go with Mark's kit or the BDS kit if I didn't want as much lift as Mark provides.

[Skidder]

The thread has this, seemed like a warning, about Mark's and SMaxx's kit:

"The MarkMC and the SMaxx kits are essentially identical. They are competing companies, although MarkMC is one person, while Suspension Maxx is a lift company. These kits are on the 'budget' end of things. While they produce the highest lift of the options (2.5"), it also uses the stock upper shock mounting method. The stock upper shock mount can notoriously fail if you wheel hard, carry a heavy front-end load (winch, bumper, etc), or drive a lot off road. That is the system's weak point. The system is composed of two pucks... one goes within the shock, to add lift while not extending the max suspension droop, one goes outside of the shock to add further lift, and allow the suspension to extend a bit further."

What originally moved me from either of these and toward the BDS style was the comment about 'upper shock mount can notoriously fail...', and the BDS style lift which mentioned 'improved upper shock mount'. Not really knowing 'the Clinton definition of is' as it applies to the use of 'notoriously', I assumed that the BDS style not only provided the desired lift, but also fixed a glitch that 'notoriously' plagued the TB's design. Additionally, this comment seems to say that Mark's style lift and my follow on plans of Mike's bumper and skid plate armor make Mark's style lift a poor option for me.

Did I mis-read the comment?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Mark has a new style which replaces the upper mount and is as strong as anything out there. Great price and great person to deal with.

[Regulator1175]

The thread has this, seemed like a warning, about Mark's and SMaxx's kit:

"The MarkMC and the SMaxx kits are essentially identical. They are competing companies, although MarkMC is one person, while Suspension Maxx is a lift company. These kits are on the 'budget' end of things. While they produce the highest lift of the options (2.5"), it also uses the stock upper shock mounting method. The stock upper shock mount can notoriously fail if you wheel hard, carry a heavy front-end load (winch, bumper, etc), or drive a lot off road. That is the system's weak point. The system is composed of two pucks... one goes within the shock, to add lift while not extending the max suspension droop, one goes outside of the shock to add further lift, and allow the suspension to extend a bit further."

What originally moved me from either of these and toward the BDS style was the comment about 'upper shock mount can notoriously fail...', and the BDS style lift which mentioned 'improved upper shock mount'. Not really knowing 'the Clinton definition of is' as it applies to the use of 'notoriously', I assumed that the BDS style not only provided the desired lift, but also fixed a glitch that 'notoriously' plagued the TB's design. Additionally, this comment seems to say that Mark's style lift and my follow on plans of Mike's bumper and skid plate armor make Mark's style lift a poor option for me.

Did I mis-read the comment?

I am running Mark's original style lift, as well as Mike's full compliment of armor and a bumper, and have had no issues what so ever. I would strongly encourage that you look to support one of our own, just my two cents. Also, as Kyle stated, Mark does now have an updated design that will replace the upper mount and strengthens everything up even more.

I am sure if we posted a poll as to the brand of lift that folks were using that Mark's would hold a clear majority.

[Gordinho80]

Mark should post his products on here for higher visibility. His Vendor section currently only has a thread he created during the planning stages of the newer design. I'll be glad to update the sticky with his new design.

[djthumper]

The thread has this, seemed like a warning, about Mark's and SMaxx's kit:

"The MarkMC and the SMaxx kits are essentially identical. They are competing companies, although MarkMC is one person, while Suspension Maxx is a lift company. These kits are on the 'budget' end of things. While they produce the highest lift of the options (2.5"), it also uses the stock upper shock mounting method. The stock upper shock mount can notoriously fail if you wheel hard, carry a heavy front-end load (winch, bumper, etc), or drive a lot off road. That is the system's weak point. The system is composed of two pucks... one goes within the shock, to add lift while not extending the max suspension droop, one goes outside of the shock to add further lift, and allow the suspension to extend a bit further."

What originally moved me from either of these and toward the BDS style was the comment about 'upper shock mount can notoriously fail...', and the BDS style lift which mentioned 'improved upper shock mount'. Not really knowing 'the Clinton definition of is' as it applies to the use of 'notoriously', I assumed that the BDS style not only provided the desired lift, but also fixed a glitch that 'notoriously' plagued the TB's design. Additionally, this comment seems to say that Mark's style lift and my follow on plans of Mike's bumper and skid plate armor make Mark's style lift a poor option for me.

Did I mis-read the comment?

Maybe a slight mis-read or misunderstanding of it. The lifts them selves are not a problem, it is the upper shock mount that is a problem. Actually the problem is the rubber in the upper shock mount that causes the failures. They were designed to isolate the metal to metal contact for squeaking and provide a "smoother" ride for the soccer moms.

[Trail X]

Maybe a slight mis-read or misunderstanding of it. The lifts them selves are not a problem, it is the upper shock mount that is a problem. Actually the problem is the rubber in the upper shock mount that causes the failures. They were designed to isolate the metal to metal contact for squeaking and provide a "smoother" ride for the soccer moms.

Right, and Mark's old lift (and the Smaxx lift) does not replace the stock rubber isolators, his new kit does (like BDS).

In the thread, we stated that it would be fine for most people, but those that really push it in their vehicle will find them failing. There have been a few cases of this (including Kyle and Alek).

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Ive snapped both of the spacers and they did indeed send me new ones but they have a poor product. The spacer is only welded on the top. In my opinion if they had welded both the out side and inside of the spacer it would have not broken. But RC was quick and willing to send me a new set.

[fishsticks]

Ive snapped both of the spacers and they did indeed send me new ones but they have a poor product. The spacer is only welded on the top. In my opinion if they had welded both the out side and inside of the spacer it would have not broken. But RC was quick and willing to send me a new set.

That's interesting! Mine are welded on both sides. I wonder when/why they changed.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

My guess is cheeper for the company less welding more parts faster less material of some ones lazy. Both the sets i have are like that.

[s3customs]

Giving my two cents. A local shop i subcontract for uses rc kits for almost everything and all i hear from there installer is yelling and screaming every time he does one about how hard they are to install and to put it lightly that the quality isnt there. I purchased the new three inch kit a couple weeks ago from mark on a thursday and had it on monday. He was absolutely great to deal with and very helpful with all my annoying questions going above and beyond what i expected.

[Skidder]

Just got this from Mark,
Hi Skidder
The new design is the best seller cus it replaces the POS factory upper mount..
Kit cost is $240 shipped.
I also have 1.5" thick hubcentric wheel spacers @ $209 shipped..

thanks
markmc

[fishsticks]

Just got this from Mark,
Hi Skidder
The new design is the best seller cus it replaces the POS factory upper mount..
Kit cost is $240 shipped.
I also have 1.5" thick hubcentric wheel spacers @ $209 shipped..

thanks
markmc

Wow, I hadn't looked at prices on Mark's new kit. BDS fronts + Ebay rear spacers (assuming they aren't actually shipping rears) and Mark are pretty much the same price now.

EDIT: Just found the BDS kit again...still selling for $445 but has shocks as part of the mix. Don't know why I couldn't find it before.

[v7guy]

i picked up marks new lift and wheel spacers not too long ago, I was pretty impressed. He's a nice vendor to deal with too.

[Trail X]

Wow, I hadn't looked at prices on Mark's new kit. BDS fronts + Ebay rear spacers (assuming they aren't actually shipping rears) and Mark are pretty much the same price now.

EDIT: Just found the BDS kit again...still selling for $445 but has shocks as part of the mix. Don't know why I couldn't find it before.

BDS fronts-only are listed as $206.58.