LIFTED LIBERTYS (ROLL OVER)

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:35 pm

HI ALL,
just wanted to know, has anyone had any problems with the libby being unstable since they have lifted it??? using stock rims with 5.5" back space! Making turns does the liberty feel more top heavy? I'm ordering OME for mine and my 3 year old rides with me! Just wanted to know how safe will it really be?

thanks everyone

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:49 pm

JNJ-Z wrote:

HI ALL,
just wanted to know, has anyone had any problems with the libby being unstable since they have lifted it??? using stock rims with 5.5" back space! Making turns does the liberty feel more top heavy? I'm ordering OME for mine and my 3 year old rides with me! Just wanted to know how safe will it really be?

thanks everyone

I drove a 3 day old baby in our KJ with that same set up
they are VERY stable and an extra inch or 2 will make no diff.

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:53 pm

THANKS, JASON

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:56 pm

Then why in april 2002 did they lower the springs? Oh, and that was only 3/4".

The larger diam rear shocks will help as long as they are stiff. Spread the tires out an inch per inch of lift and that will increase stability. Otherwise you are making it more prone to rollover. Its a simple matter of Gravity.

It ain't that bad though

raceinfan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:08 pm

I have a 2.5 lift on mine with stock rims & it still feels stable as it did new I take one of my nephews wheelin with me all the time & never had a problem with it realy leaning to one side, especialy this past weekend where it should've flipped but didn't, very safe as far as I'm consirned

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:43 pm

the1jferg wrote:

Then why in april 2002 did they lower the springs? Oh, and that was only 3/4".

Whatever! IMO both Jeep, and the media over-reacted to that editorial test drive of the Liberty that resulted in a roll-over. It's a truck, not a sports car.

Are there any real stats out there that demonstrate a reduction in real-world rollovers for the Liberty as a result of the lowering? I doubt it!!

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:53 pm

look people, i dont want to start any trouble just asked a question thats all!!!!!

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:56 pm

no trouble, just friendly opinions

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:57 pm

JNJ-Z,

You ain't starting trouble, You have a very legitimate safety concern as recorded by the industry.

Folks, I never said that it "FELT" different. Mine actually feels more stable because of my choices of shocks and such.

I'm just saying if you don't offset the Center Of Gravity change, Then it IS more prone to roll-over and it ain't debatable.

Its all Fizziks

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:58 pm

I personally believe my Liberty handles and rides better after the OME lift than it did stock.. Even better if you get rims with less BS.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:59 pm

Considering how many people are on this forum that have lifted KJ's and wheel them plus DD them I have only heard of a few, maybe 3, rollovers since 2002 that could have possibly happened to stockers too given the info I recall about what happened. You gotta remember to drive it like the big 'ol heavy SUV that it is and not whatever car you might have been used to driving before. (IF that applies to you)

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:01 pm

THANK YOU BOTH, I RESPECT BOTH OPINIONS!!

pssbarry · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:13 pm

If I remember correctly the Ford Explorer/Firestone rollover issue was in full force with the media around the same time they lowered the springs on the Liberty. The last thing Jeep wanted at the time was a PR nightmare dealing with rollovers.

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:04 pm

Mine feels more stable than it did stock. Probably due to the better suspension. I have on 02' so it was already 3/4" higher than the 03's and up. I went with the rusty's 2.5" coil lift so actually only got about 1.75" lift on my kj. I got the spidertrax spacers 1.25" per side mainly for the looks not stability. Basically if mine was 03' i went as high as i did wide. Makes sense to me. :wink:

But to answer your question it didn't feel any less stable with just the lift and no spacers. I dont have kids but i drive around with my dog and i treat her as if she were my kid.

yeah i know i have issues.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:22 pm

the1jferg wrote:

Then why in april 2002 did they lower the springs? Oh, and that was only 3/4".

The larger diam rear shocks will help as long as they are stiff. Spread the tires out an inch per inch of lift and that will increase stability. Otherwise you are making it more prone to rollover. Its a simple matter of Gravity.

It ain't that bad though

Those springs are a LOT softer than any OME's or even Rusty's. As long as you use the right components when lifting a vehicle, you can make it more stable. Now, that's not to say that you can go faster around corners or anything like that but, it's not likely to be any more prone to rollover than it is in stock condition.

jtaylor42 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:22 pm

Exactly as JJsKJ said, drive it like what it is and you will be fine. It only makes sense that the higher you go the easier it would be to tip but if you realize what you are driving and drive accordingly you will be fine.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:34 pm

Driving in the Colorado Rockies all of the time, I am taking those downmountain (can't say downhill for these babies) curves at decent speeds and it feels solid. More stable I think than stock. Of course, the MTR's and Moab wheels give a wider footprint too.

Adding all the weight down below also makes a big difference (Skids, especially the All J Super Skid II, Skink Sldiers, Diff Cover from Rock Lizard, Rock Lizard's Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, dead body (needs replacing every few weeks)

Just kidding. Testing to see if you read all the way through. :lol:

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:51 am

THANKS EVERYBODY,
ITS NICE TO GET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT!!!

priell3 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:58 am

Just don't drive it like a car that is only a few inches off the ground. Slow and steady in the KJ.

They don't roll over, they just stick a leg up in the air like a dog. :twisted:

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:11 pm

FYI - the magazine editor who rolled the 2002 Liberty was running it through an autocross slalom. It wasn't a standard test drive.
I wouldn't recommend that with any SUV.

LIFTED LIBERTYS (ROLL OVER)

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