RC's 4.5" short arm kit (63330) is the budget path to clearing 33s, but at this height short arm geometry is at its limit and many builders regret skipping long arm.
The Rough Country 4.5" X-Series Lift (PN 63330) is the cheapest way to put 33" tires under an XJ. The kit includes 4.5" front coils, a full rear leaf pack, V2 monotube shocks, an adjustable front track bar, transfer case lowering kit, longer sway bar end links, brake line drops, and adjustable steering stabilizer. Expect $700-900 for the kit; total install cost including extras typically lands around $1100.
At 4.5" of lift you have crossed into "hard requirements" territory: extended front brake lines, an adjustable front track bar (or relocation bracket), and a slip yoke eliminator (SYE) with CV rear driveshaft are all needed unless you want vibrations and binding. The RC kit includes the adjustable track bar but does NOT include the SYE/CV shaft — budget another $400-600 for that.
The core debate is short arm vs. long arm at this height. With short arms, the control arm angle at ride height is steep, which means under articulation the axle pinion angle changes aggressively and on bumps the rig tends to climb forward (the so-called "short arm bounce"). This is fine on the road but limits trail performance. Many builders run RC 4.5" short arm for a year, get frustrated with the ride and trail manners, and convert to long arm — at which point they have spent more than buying a long arm kit upfront.
For a budget build that mostly drives on the road, 4.5" RC is a viable choice. For moderate to hard wheeling, skip to long arm.
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| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Rough Country 4.5" X-Series Lift Kit | Rough Country | ~$830 |
| Slip yoke eliminator + CV shaft (NP231) | JB Conversions / Tom Wood's | ~$550 |
| Extended stainless brake lines (front and rear) | Crown / RuffStuff | ~$120 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.