I have look at a lot of lift kit discussions and I must admit, I am still a bit confused. And that might be becuase I am new to all this.

I have an 06 sport. My "other" hobby is photography. I will use the kj on back road and trails, I will never do extram rock clims at moab (but the pic's I have seen so far looks cool to watch). I am in Colorado, so I don't think I wil be in any swamps any time soon.

At first I though just changing the medium duty shock and springs to HD would be enough. But some trails have some tricky spots and I am not sure the stock hight would be enough. The franklift is about $900 (old man emo) via the web, so it will be some time before I get that. So I thik that might be a limiting factor on some trails.

Any advaise would be helpful.

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THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.

I waited over a year to get my Frankenlift but I'm the type who would rather do without than make do. That said I did know that I was going to be pushing my Liberty to its limits here in the Arizona deserts and mountains. I know a lot of folks on this board have the less expensive Rusty's lift and are happy with it. If you're just wanting to get your belly off the ground and gain the confidence of being able to go a few places your stock suspension would struggle to get over you might be satisfied with a less expensive lift.

All that said....you may find yourself surprised by just what a stock Liberty can do. I went on some fairly difficult trails with stock tires and no lift. I'd say have a run at whatever you want with your stock setup first. Then you'll get a baseline of what the Liberty can do for you as it is and you'll be more informed as to what exactly you need to do to your Liberty.

I went with the Rocky Road Outfitters Over The Top Lift....now most people on here will tell you to stay away from this lift b/c it kills your struts, and you'll need to replace them over and over again. I have had this lift for 12,000 miles and it sounds to me like I do about the amount of wheeling you will be doing. I have never had a problem, nor have I had to replace my struts. I was going to go for the Rusty's Spring Lift b/c it is a good product from what I've heard, and cheaper than the others. But I am VERY VERY thankful that I did not b/c I just got my Liberty back from the dealer and it had $3000 dollars worth of front end diff and axle work done. If I would have put the spring lift on, I would have had to pay that out of pocket. But because i used the spacer lift and didn't change the stock parts they warrantied the parts and I only paid my $100 deductable. The dealer said my lift was the same that DC uses on their jeeps out of the factory. So you'll just have to weigh your options. Good Luck, but no matter what you do POST SOME PICS!! :lol:

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New 2008 Jeep Libby 4X4 on 22s!!!
12" Sub, Pioneer Head Unit, Pioneer Door Speakers, Lineage Motorsport Ground kit, Borla Exhaust, Carbon Fiber CAI
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2943514/1

2004 Renny 4X4-Lifted on 32's!! IS NOW RETIRED
2.5" RRO OTT Lift & 32" BFG LT's
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2205322

Its Old Man Emu, not EMO.

Anyway, I wouldnt get the franken lift. I see that lift to be for the hardcore offroader that doesnt care to wear out cv's and balljoints. Along with the franken lift, its best to get Al's upper arms to help with alignment and UBJC. So thats $900+350=$1250. If it were me in your position, which I was about a year ago, I would get the rustys lift(around $450 I think) or the ome lift which is a waste to get b/c its around $800 and you could get the franken lift. And thats what the franken lift is, ome springs with a spacer on the front. Thats why it cost so much. I got the ome lift only b/c I got it used, and I love it. With full mopar skids, a lift, an LS or locker, and good tires, your libby would be about to go just about anywhere you would need to go.

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

IMO no lift but rather learn how to drive well off road
i have seen older guys in only slightly modified grands follow new bees in moded rubicons and not even put down the windows for help but rather just take the right line
i can tell you that driving offroad is 70% driver
just get good skids (needed lift or not) good rocker guards (again needed) and good tires (also needed) and go riding with a group that has some guys with experance to kinda show you the ropes


oh yeah if you will be going by your self get a winch

I was thinking that the type of trails i will be on, the stock liberty should be able to handle, but was not sure. I have all the skid plates installed, just need a rock rail.

I am in the process of joining a group, and gathering all the stuff needed for the group. I have a trail guild book (guide to Colroado Backroads & 4-wheel drive trails). I have been on a lot of these trails with a car and then hiked, so I know that the going by my self on the "easy trails" will be ok.

I did not see a winch that looked like it can be added to an 06 liberty, unless one installed the ARB, but that is expensive right now.

Also, my liberty has mediuem shocks/springs. would it be worth it to change them to heavey duty?

_________________
THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.

DC does Not lift Jeeps from the factory.
What was wrong w/ your front end that it needed "$3000 dollars worth of front end diff and axle work done"?

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Some dealers will put a lift on it before they sell them. I guess thats what they were talking about? And how did a lift do anything to the front axle?

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

DC does in fact have a preferred vendor for lifting their Jeep Liberty (and Commanders now). A dealer here in Memphis lifts their Jeep demos to help sell them after they are done using them as demos...in fact that is how I got this particular 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport. They use RRO as their lift supplier. Thus all the work is covered under warranty since it is considered "factory outfitted".

_________________
Had 2005 KJ Rocky Mnt. Edition (destroyed)
Had 2006 KJ Sport 4x4
Have 2007 JK 4-dr Sahara 4x4 (tow package so stock 4.10s!!)
AEV 3.5" RS Lift; Schrockworks FR bumper and Warn 9.5ti winch; Cobra 75 CB; Rigid 50" LED light bar; Adventure Trailers (AT Overland) JK Kitchen setup in the cargo area.
Southern L.O.S.T. # 236487

for what you plan on doing, i'd suggest going good tires full skids, rock rails and a winch.

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2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

I can see there maybe being a preferred vendor for DEALER INSTALLED lifts, but I seriously doubt DC corporate cares. If DC corp. does care, I would love to see something in writing as it would benefit Everyone that has been told by a dealer that a lift caused a problem and they wouldn't warranty their Jeep.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

You're suggesting a winch but not a lift? How'd that priorty scale come to be?

"I did not see a winch that looked like it can be added to an 06 liberty, unless one installed the ARB"

You can always install one to a front receiver on any year KJ.

_________________
Nanette

03 Freedom with some neat stuff done to it that I learned about here.

simple, recovery gear should be #1. Think about it, if you get stuck what's going to help you, a lift or a winch?

Also, while the lift will help your clearance, with proper armor you'll be using those skids plates more, but based on his descriptions of trails then I would assume he would not be doing anything to hardcore and would be more likely to run into a muddy grass area and get stuck aka up in the mnts with snow run off.

_________________
2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

I have the full skids, just need to get the rock rails. tires are on the way, Discovery ATR 235/75R16, or maybe the Wangeler silent armor in the same size (if they fit, else 235/70).

So what about shocks, right now I have medium duty, will going to HD help anything?

The winch in the front, to put a hitch, I would have to remove the tow hooks then, right?

there will be snow, little bit of mud and some rocks to climb, I will try and get a pic up on what some trails look like here.

_________________
THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.

If you haven't already order the tires, I would go for some 245/70/16. You will rub a tad at full lock, but this will give you extra clearance and the biggest tire you can fit stock. Otherwise, go at least a 235/75/16.

Both those tires you mention are ok, although bfg at is a great all around tire, especially on rocks.

And also, the hitch up front will replace your tow hooks (which i'm sure you can sell on here), but more so, it will still act as a recovery point too. You can also add a rear hitch and power to use the winch in the rear depending on the situation.

_________________
2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

I guess I don't see an item costing at least several hundred dollars as a "simple" recovery item. Simple would be a 60" HiLift jack. Then that $4-500 that would have gone towards a motorized winch could be put towards a lift.

Nine inches of ground clearance (okay nine and a half if you upgrade from 234 to 245 tires) just isn't enough for most people, even those who aren't hardcore, who go out with any regularity. With the stock height you'll be making constant use of those skids even over seemingly tame bumps and stumps.

It's up to the OP of course but I say gettin' that belly off the ground and stiffening the suspension should be priority #1. Manual extraction gear will cost a fraction of the cost of a winch. And you shouldn't be out in the boonies by yourself anyways! Get a tow strap and a 'come along' and you'll be able to do anything a winch can do short of dragging your jeep up the side of a cliff.

my $.02

I would urge the hi lift purchase too. Dont forget the hi lift can be used to pull also. Thereby eliminating the come-along. Dont forget some tree straps and maybe a pull pal.

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It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

What he said...I was referring to the Hi Lift when I typed 'come along' but I can see how the ambiguity crept in as there are non-Hi Lift come alongs.....

Thanks for all your input! I will add the Hi-lift jack, and the pull pal that I saw on the web link. Again, thanks!

Question; If I just want to change out the medium duty shocks and springs to heavy duty, what brand will be good, OME?

_________________
THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.