I need a shopping list for a heavy front end 2006 CRD

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

I've been trolling the site looking for the answer to my question and keep getting confused with all of the different suggestions.

I have a stock 2006 KJ CRD with an ARB bumper and Warn 8000 winch so my front end is heavy. I would like to add a 2.5 to 3 inch lift and would appreciate your advice. I replaced my UCAs, LCAs, struts, and shocks about 5 years ago. As you can guess with the additional weight, its time to replace suspension parts again. I need help deciding so if this was your jeep, what lift kit would you choose along with which strut, spring, and shocks.

I am also needing to replace the rear boomerang and associated parts.

So what I'm asking for is could someone that has done this already, provide me a shopping list of parts to buy and who you recommend I buy them from?
Thanks,
Joe

03black · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2025 11:06 pm

With that heavy of a front end you only have 1 option. (Well 2 if you want to do some fabrication).
You will need to go with OME 790 front springs and a shock/strut of your choice. The springs will give you the lift while the shocks will give you comfort. Just google the springs to find the best price. You can build the front setup yourself or take it to a shop and have them put toghther for you (note: the springs are very hard to compress and can't be done with those cheap spring compressors and can be VERY dangerous to do). All of this has been talked about before here on Lost and over at Jeepkj.com. Same process to lift a gasser will be the same for the CRD's. A quick search will net you what you want.

If you need more lift you can add 2 conduit nuts between the strut and the clevis (known as the clevis lift) for aproximit 3/4" to 1". If you go above 2.5" of lift you should also change the upper control arms for JBA upper control arms to get the alignment back into spec.

For the rear, you should change out the stock boomerang for the an adjustable rear upper control arm from iron rock. It will help you get your rear pinion angle back into alignment.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon May 12, 2025 3:38 pm

IronMan 4x4 or OME springs on front and rear.
Bilstein Struts/Shocks front and rear.
IronRock control arms on the rear. Upper and lower.

Cry once and be happy for years! Good handling, riding and reliable suspension systems are not cheap! You get what you pay for..... :wink:

https://www.ironman4x4.com/collections/coil-springs

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/collecti ... ein-Shocks

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/categor ... berty.html

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

Thanks for the response. Looks like I'll go with the OME Heavy springs front and rear, haven't decided on which shocks yet, and I will probably go with the RI upper control arm. How do you determine the adjustment on the aft link?

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

I guess it helps to read the accompanying instructions...DUH

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon May 12, 2025 11:40 pm

Measure pinion angle and adjust to match angle on transfer case output shaft.
Bilstein Struts & Shocks are one of the best for this vehicle for the money.

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

Thanks for your suggestions. I purchased the OME front 2790 springs and the OME rear 2948 springs along with isolators and shock mounts. I went ahead and with the Nitrocharger Plus shocks and was disappointed that the lower spring cup was too small to support the 790 springs. The springs were just barely supported. There is no mention from ARB that the 790 springs will not work with current Nitrocharger 63069 shocks. It appears that the Bilstein's have larger diameter lower spring cups to support the lower end of the 790 springs. Now to find a set of four Bilstein's that are in stock and not have to wait on the backorder.

Once I get this done I'll work on the adjustable Iron Rock rear upper and lower control arms.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat May 24, 2025 10:24 pm

jnuncio3 wrote:

Thanks for your suggestions. I purchased the OME front 2790 springs and the OME rear 2948 springs along with isolators and shock mounts. I went ahead and with the Nitrocharger Plus shocks and was disappointed that the lower spring cup was too small to support the 790 springs. The springs were just barely supported. There is no mention from ARB that the 790 springs will not work with current Nitrocharger 63069 shocks. It appears that the Bilstein's have larger diameter lower spring cups to support the lower end of the 790 springs. Now to find a set of four Bilstein's that are in stock and not have to wait on the backorder.
Once I get this done I'll work on the adjustable Iron Rock rear upper and lower control arms.

In stock and available on Amazon, but price is a bit higher than most other online retailers.

Bilstein Brand: 4600 Heavy Duty (B6)
Part Number Position
24-139168 Front
24-139175 Rear

Found Bilstein's in stock on another site for best price:
$25 off orders of $249+
Use code: USA25
Jack-It, The Suspension Experts! 888-452-2548 | Jack-It :google:

NOT A SPONSOR!
https://www.jackit.com/bil-24-139168.html

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

I got the set of 4 at ID Parts and were in stock. Once I get everything installed, I will have to add all of my mods to my signature.

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

I got my parts and destroyed my spring compression tools trying to compress the springs into strut assemblies. Who makes a spring compressor strong enough to safely compress the OME 2790 springs? Once I lowered the lower control arm to replace the CV shaft i discovered that my ball joints are in need of replacement as well. Who makes upper control arms with the clearance to avoid rubbing the springs? I guess I'll replace the upper and lower control arms along with new ball joints and tie rod ends.

Thanks for everyone's help.

03black · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2025 11:48 am

The 790's are to stiff to use the small spring type compressors. You'll need to take them to a place that have the wall type compressors to build the strut assemblies.

For the upper control arms, the only ones and best to use are the JBA upper control arms. They have rebuild/replaceable upper ball joints, provide the clearance from arm to spring contact (up to 3" of lift), and can get your alignment back to factory specs.

There are others that "copy" the JBA upper arms but have installation fitment issues and of course customer service is nonexistent. JBA's have lifetime warranty and their customer service is top notch.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:47 pm

03black wrote:

The 790's are to stiff to use the small spring type compressors. You'll need to take them to a place that have the wall type compressors to build the strut assemblies.

Totally agree! The small cheap clamp-on type spring compressors can be extremely dangerous when used on some heavy duty type springs.
I cannot stress enough: These tools are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injuries, including death, if used improperly or if they malfunction.
Take your old and new struts to a shop with a proper professional spring compressor and let them swap them out for you; it will be a very wise decision.

The transition from potential energy to randomly directed kinetic energy is a horrible event to witness in person and can be life threatening!

jnuncio3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:01 pm **Posts:** 11

Thanks , now to find a shop that is willing to build up my strut assemblies.

JBA's are next on my list along with rod ends and lower ball joints. Is there a better lower control arm or better lower ball joint to use?

03black · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2025 5:41 pm

jnuncio3 wrote:

Thanks , now to find a shop that is willing to build up my strut assemblies.

JBA's are next on my list along with rod ends and lower ball joints. Is there a better lower control arm or better lower ball joint to use?

Greaseable Moog K80767 is what I used when i refreshed my suspension. Make sure you orient the beveled face/grease port to the rear of the jeep so you can grease it when the wheel is on.

With all the work your doing on the suspension, its going to feel like a whole new jeep. I did the same thing when I installed my lift. My thinking was while it was apart, might as well replace everything so i don't have to do it again (diff seals, ball joints, all the bushings, cv axles, inner/outer tie rods etc). Did the work myself and saved a bunch and learned more so if I break on the trail, I would know how to fix it enough to get me home.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2025 11:13 pm

MOOG Ball joints and Control Arms are your best option. You can purchase just the lower ball joints for the steering knuckles and replace them or in addition purchase lower control arm assemblies. *Lower Ball Joints must be pressed out of steering knuckles and new ones pressed back in. Upper Ball Joints come pre-installed in the Control Arms.

Front Upper Control Arm (*Same PN L & R sides)
MOOG Part # *CK3198 (w/greaseable Problem Solver Ball Joint)
• *Moog’s Premium line of control arms. Utilizing their “problem solver” technology, these control arms address common factory design issues providing a better than original replacement for your vehicle. CK or K control arms include ball joints that are powder coated metal with gusher bearings giving them a longer life. These ball joints are serviceable and have grease fittings. The CK or K arms also have the higher quality problem solver hard rubber bushings and a precise fit and form for easy installation.

Front Complete Lower Control Arms:
MOOG - Control Arm Left Lower Assembly (Part No. RK641558) [driver side]
MOOG - Control Arm Right Lower Assembly (Part No. RK641559) [passenger side]

Front Lower Ball Joints – Moog *K80767 (same PN L & R sides)
• *Moog’s Premium line of Replacement Ball joints, NO knuckle:
• Front Lower Ball Joints – Moog *^K80767 (same PN L & R sides)
• [*Requires special tools to press old ball joint out of steering knuckle and press new ball joint into knuckle.]
• (^Denotes premium greaseable Problem Solver Ball Joint)

bentrod · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2025 6:17 pm

I'm doing my whole front end over too, and wish to add a little lift, 1.5" or so
Any better quality upper strut bearings and spring isolators?
Would I need to do the heavy duty or medium front OME springs in the front if I add a ARB bumper - not doing a winch
Thanks

03black · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2025 9:08 pm

bentrod wrote:

I'm doing my whole front end over too, and wish to add a little lift, 1.5" or so
Any better quality upper strut bearings and spring isolators?
Would I need to do the heavy duty or medium front OME springs in the front if I add a ARB bumper - not doing a winch
Thanks

Any good quality spring isolator will be fine.

If your not doing a winch, than you can get away with medium springs but why? If your going with an ARB bumper (hard to find by the way as ARB stop making them), you can add the winch at a later date and not have to worry about blowing the suspension apart again.

There's no real difference in ride quality between heavy duty and medium duty springs with an ARB bumper. Now if your not adding that heavy bumper, than stick with the medium duty springs.

bentrod · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2025 5:25 pm

03black wrote:

bentrod wrote:

I'm doing my whole front end over too, and wish to add a little lift, 1.5" or so
Any better quality upper strut bearings and spring isolators?
Would I need to do the heavy duty or medium front OME springs in the front if I add a ARB bumper - not doing a winch
Thanks

Any good quality spring isolator will be fine.

If your not doing a winch, than you can get away with medium springs but why? If your going with an ARB bumper (hard to find by the way as ARB stop making them), you can add the winch at a later date and not have to worry about blowing the suspension apart again.

There's no real difference in ride quality between heavy duty and medium duty springs with an ARB bumper. Now if your not adding that heavy bumper, than stick with the medium duty springs.

Thanks 03black ( and WWDiesel )
Yeah, guess I won't do the ARB bumper ( 200 lbs! )

I need a shopping list for a heavy front end 2006 CRD

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