rough Country 4 Inch Lift Kit - graded Access Road - Photo 26883914

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With the 35x12.50R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial tires mounted on 17x9 MT Sidebiter wheels in place the JK was ready to hit the trail. The springs and shocks sucked up the bumps of the graded access road and easily flexed through these notches.

The Rough Country 4-inch Series II lift system includes all of the necessary components to properly lift a JK. A typical kit includes front and rear coil springs, upper and lower control arms, track bar drop brackets, extended sway bar links, a drop pitman arm, and brake line relocation brackets. We didn't require the full Series II kit because we already had track bar upgrades and adjustable sway bar links in place. Shown here are the components we used, including the coil springs, fixed-length control arms, and the Performance 2.2 Series shock absorbers. We also opted to use a set of Rough Country's extended brake lines in lieu of the relocation brackets

The fixed-length control arms feature greasable Urethane bushing ends. A Zerk fitting is included on each end so proper lubrication can be maintained.

Rough Country's control arms are very close to stock length and are well assembled with clean welds. They also appear to be somewhat sturdier, especially these front upper arms with their thicker mounting flanges.

The stock control arms are shown prior to removal. Note the pinion angle of the front differential; we'll be able to raise it slightly using the provided camber bolts for the front lower control arm axle mounts.

In order for the camber bolt to allow pinion adjustment the Series II installation instructions call for the perforated sections of the front lower control arm axle mounts to be removed.

The Tri-County Gear crew used a die grinder to remove the small pieces of metal. The raised bumps to the sides of the bolt hole will help locate the camber bolt.

With the front control arms and coil springs in place the front Performance 2.2 Series shock absorbers were installed.

Once the front components were in place the Tri-County Gear crew moved to the rear. Here the bushings on the rear upper control arm are greased prior to installation.

The rear coil springs were installed along with the control arms. Rough Country offers different rate coil springs for two- and four-door models.

The control arm ends were lubricated upon assembly but the Zerk fittings in each end will allow continued lubrication as needed.

The Performance 2.2 Series shock absorbers feature a 2.2-inch-diameter shock body, a 41.4mm-diameter piston, and a 17.5mm chrome-hardened piston rod with micro pores. We've been impressed with how well they function on the JK, particularly on the highway, where they produce a very smooth ride.

With the rear Performance 2.2 Series shock absorbers in place the rear extended sway bar links were installed.

Rough Country's Performance 2.2 Series shock absorbers are solidly-built units that feature an external jounce bumper on the shock shaft to create greater energy absorption during suspension compression. An internal rebound disc spring is place to handle this task during suspension extension.

The Rough Country extended steel-braided brake lines were also installed and secured to the frame rail using a line clip. Also in view is the rear JKS adjustable track bar.

With the 35x12.50R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial tires mounted on 17x9 MT Sidebiter wheels in place the JK was ready to hit the trail. The springs and shocks sucked up the bumps of the graded access road and easily flexed through these notches.

As a final step of the installation the Tri-County Gear crew installed the Rough Country dual steering stabilizer kit. The kit features two High Performance 2.2 Series stabilizer cylinders and includes all brackets and hardware. In addition to decreasing tie rod and ball joint wear the dual stabilizer greatly controls on-road and off-road handling by soaking up vibrations.

We have used the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial tire on other 4x4s to great success and desired the same level of performance for this JK. The rugged shoulder lugs are a great aid when tackling rocks, as are the puncture-resistant sidewalls. The 35x12.50R17 Baja Claws were installed on a set of 17x9 Mickey Thompson Sidebiter wheels with 4.5 inches of backspacing. The cast aluminum Sidebiter wheels are coated with a tough high-gloss black finish.

The extended steel-braided brake lines were tied to the TPMS line and secured to the shock body so they wouldn't get caught in the spring or other component. The coil spring and shock are only slightly compressed here with a few more inches of flex remaining. The camber bolt on the lower control arm mount is also in view.

The rear shock and spring are shown extended as the JK flexes through a notch. Also in view is the JKS adjustable rear track bar and brace.

Center ground clearance was improved by 4 inches from stock.

The camber bolts do an effective job of raising the pinion angle the proper degree. Many of the other lift components are also in view.

The Rough Country 4-inch Series II lift system creates plenty of space for the 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. We really like the Baja Claw tread for the trail, especially in rocks. The soft compound really grips when you need it to and the hefty shoulder lugs are a great aid for side-climbing obstacles. The tread is directional and provides great self-cleaning in mud and snow.

The Rough Country springs do a nice job of leveling the JK front to rear, even with the extra weight of the ARB front bumper and Smittybilt winch in place.

Climbing obstacles became much easier once the Rough Country suspension and Mickey Thompson tires were in place.

A perfect fit! The 35-inch Baja Claw is swallowed by the rear fender well upon full compression of the suspension.

The improved center ground clearance is shown here as the JK moves over a break over spot.

Amazingly the tire did not rub at any point and simply sunk in to the fender well like it was a factory-sized tire.

The Rough Country 4-inch Series II suspension system transformed this JK in to a formidable trail crawler.

The Mickey Thompson Baja Claw tires and Sidebiter wheels are a great fit on the JK and work great on the trail.