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Regarding RRO Lift Kit Issue... and it's Simple resolution!

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Gaze

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ladies and gentlemen,

Many of you know that there have been some threads & posts regarding a small failure in the RRO lift kit that Rocky Road Outfitters graciously began production on for us late last year. Sadly, the arguments on these forums got so heated that I'm afraid we may have lost a few members.

Well, I (and thanks to the help from Glenn with RRO) am hoping to set the record straight on this one:

Glenn in an email sent to me on 4/16/08 said:
Although our testing has not indicated the swaybar extension mount had any
problems with strength, when we received our first call about the problem, our
engineering team began work on a solution. Even though we have sold a huge
number of these kits worldwide and only a few reports of problems have come in
very recently, we immediately deemed this a top priority.
At this time, we have engineered a new swaybar extension mount with a heavier
grade of steel and additional gussets. It is now unbreakable. It is being
included in all of our current and future suspension orders being shipped, the
previous design has been pulled from our shelves.
We are also sending out free replacements of the new upgraded components to any
customer who contacts us with a concern. We are doing this at our cost and
covering the ship fees.



Thanks.
Glenn Wakefield
www.rocky-road.com
Rocky road Outfitters... Voted Top 10 All Star Manufacturers by Four Wheeler
Magazine readers.
Click to expand...
Glenn further went on to state that if any member is looking for a more detailed "from the horses mouth" explanation of what is going on, they are encouraged to contact him directly at: glenn@rocky-road.com


The guys at RRO are not bad people and are willing to make things right for us! They were nice enough to go where no company had gone before with designing off-road products that cater to our vehicles. If a broken bracket or two along the way are the smallest hiccup anyone has reported, then I think we made out pretty well!

To add to their credibility within the industry, also note that RRO has also partnered with Chrysler/Jeeps concept vehicles unit. They are
building a true trail Patriot to take 'on tour' and will be doing so with the RRO lift and other parts.

Rocky Road Outfitters has kept a low profile on our boards since initial product design and has not spammed our boards with advertisements or boasts. Let's show them the same respect and keep their name out of the "mud."

Happy trails!
 
#2 ·
Thanks for the update and sticky!

If memory serves they were the 1st company to even look at the Patriot let alone try to give us what we asked for. When we took it out of the box and pushed the limits - breaking the newly developed parts - sounds like once they got wind of there being an issue they picked up the ball and ran it home! They earned their ranking as a Top 10 All-Star Manufacturer of off-road parts and now they earned even more of my respect.

I tried crazy early on when the Patriots had just barely left the factory to get any after-market company to take a look at the Patriot. Glenn and the folks over at Rocky Road Outfitters grabbed the challenge and led the way. It's hard to lead the pack and stay on the leading edge without a few bumps or set backs. It is how they react to those setbacks that really sets RRO above the crowd in my book.

Well done!
 
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#3 ·
Glad to read this thread. There will always be minor problems with something new. Things don't always work the way they are designed to. It takes time and real world testing. As long as the problems get fixed in a timely fashion thats good enough for me. I will definatly buy a lift kit from Rocky road when I can afford to.
 
#4 ·
Now that is the way a quality company should operate!

1inchgroup, I personally do not understand why one should stick around at the point where a discussion devolves into personal attacks and repeating ones own view without even bothering to read what the other parties have said. It ceases to be a discussion at that point. Guess that makes me one of them nancy boys, what with my wimpy ideas that a discussion forum should contain discussions?
 
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#5 ·
A newbie to forum(s) and Jeeps - Patriot is the first North American vehicle I've ever owned.

I installed the RRO kit today and consider it a very reasonable lift modification - simple/straightforward and doesn't cause any geometry problems that I can tell.

My kit had the upgraded stabilizer extensions (1/4" flatbar w/welded gusset - very strong). However, they put the wrong size (too small) bolts (vs. nylock nuts) to afix them in the kit so had to temporarily find some in my shop. I'll be putting in Grade 8.8 tomorrow after the alignment. My fault and should've checked everything carefully - I was too wrapped up in admiring the heavier hardware and gleaning over the instructions.

The purchase experience was normal. I called, ordered, waited, inquired re: eta a couple times and got answers promptly. I was in no hurry.

I'll try to post the before/after pics here and in a companion thread someone else has started.
 

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#9 ·
Don't want to lead the thread astray but this is, in part, about the RRO experience:

I should just qualify that the gap lessened a tiny bit after driving away but am pleased with the product and the outcome - it does make a difference.

And worthwhile adding for those who are only as mechanically inclined as I am (hee, hee), you'll notice from the time stamps it took me a while. In my defence I was fighting off sun, snow, rain, wind (and took some time to think of curses since I used all the standard ones up) during the exercise.

As mentioned, look over your kit, get all your tools together - I can quote them but hvac59 did a good job in another thread, and pick a nice day.

Lastly, I found it helpful to work one side first so I knew what I was in store for before I got to the other.
 
#10 ·
I think you did a great job! You can really notice the difference in the relationship between the center of the wheel with the rocker panel under the door.
 
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#11 ·
pdxbubba said:
Very nice! I think that it really did make a difference.
Click to expand...
WHOA! :wow: That's the Rocky Road lift? Nothing else done to it? No photo editing?

I was under the impression that the lift not be nearly so noticeable.

Great photos pdxbubba! Thank you!
 
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#12 ·
Tony1911 said:
WHOA! :wow: That's the Rocky Road lift? Nothing else done to it? No photo editing?

I was under the impression that the lift not be nearly so noticeable.

Great photos pdxbubba! Thank you!
Click to expand...

Usually new bigger tires go along with the lift, so looking at before and after pictures with different tires doesn't give you the full effect of the lift (because the new tires usually fill in the extra gap created in the wheel well). After seeing that picture, I wish I would have taken pictures of mine after the lift but before I got the new tires on. :icon_rolleyes:
 
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#13 ·
pdxbuba: Now your Patriot looks like it is jumping for joy (your before and after gif). :banana:
 
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#14 ·
Tony1911 said:
Now that is the way a quality company should operate!

1inchgroup, I personally do not understand why one should stick around at the point where a discussion devolves into personal attacks and repeating ones own view without even bothering to read what the other parties have said. It ceases to be a discussion at that point. Guess that makes me one of them nancy boys, what with my wimpy ideas that a discussion forum should contain discussions?
Click to expand...
I stopped arguing which car was best at 11, just don't think people should take it so personally. Ignore their posts...think that's an option on this board, isn't it? In your control panel somewhere.
 
#16 ·
I just got the rest of my order today and I have to say this is some quality stuff.

The lift kit was constructed well, with solid materials and clean welds. The powder coat was perfect. Installation instructions could have been a little better, but with HVAC's pictures I didn't put anything on upside down.

The supersliders are sitting in the rear of my Jeep right now, waiting for the weekend for installation. The welds and powdercoating on the rails are just as perfect as the lift kit was.

After all the junk I've been buying lately, it's nice to see a quality piece of equipment. Rocky Road makes some good stuff...I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.
 
#17 ·
Glad to hear they are replacing the parts for anyone with concerns now, not just people who broke theirs. It solves the issue that I had with them. Good call on the sticky.
 
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#18 ·
How much is the RRO lift? Also, how much to install? I don't have the time to do it myself. Two daughters, 10 & 6. Does it mess up the warrenty?
Thanks in advance. This is a great site!
 
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#19 ·
The lift is around $340. I paid $500 to have mine installed and that included the 4 wheel alignment that you must have done right after the install. I think it was around $300 for the installation and $200 for the alignment. They had a hard time aligning it at the 4x4 place because the specs weren't published for the Patriot and they had to do it all manually. As far as the warranty is concerned there are a lot of threads in here about it.
 
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#20 ·
I called RRO today and ordered my lift kit. I just couldn't resist any more.
What I would like to know..if anyone has done this...JCWhitney offers a
black steel rim for a good price. I bought them for my 87 Cherokee Sport
and my 2004 Wrangler. The Pat has a 5 x 4.5" config...I can't remember if
that was the same as the other two jeeps I owned. My Pat is white..the black
rims with new center caps would look great and it widens my foot print a bit.

I'll send before and after pics in few weeks. The kit is due to arrive in two weeks.
RF
 
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