Spacer Kit

Limitedsilv06 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:08 am **Posts:** 19

is a spacer kit harmful on struts/springs? I've heard some writeups where parts are damaged.. Is a coil over kit safer then a spacer in terms of things getting worn out quicker? I was thinking of a Rusty spacer, or Possibly a coil over but want to cause no additional wear and tear on parts. Which is safer?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:37 pm

For ride, the rustys coil-overs would be best. A spacer shouldnt cause any more wear and tear but the ride will suffer alittle. :wink:

moose · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:39 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

For ride, the rustys coil-overs would be best. A spacer shouldnt cause any more wear and tear but the ride will suffer alittle. :wink:

So why would the ride be better? I added the frankenlift and haven't noticed a better or worse ride; just taller. Has anyone tried out a spacer vs. a suspension lift to tell that one's better?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:51 pm

The reason the ride is better with new coils is b/c the spring is pre-loaded with the spacer. It goes under the spring but the strut cannot open up any more than it was with the stock spring. thus a pre-loaded spring. :wink:

With a spring from, say rustys, the lift doesnt come from just the coil being taller, the spring also has a different spring rate.

The reason you do not notice a difference in ride is b/c you have spring that gives a better ride, but also have a spacer that cancels out the better ride that OME springs have.

Limitedsilv06 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:08 am **Posts:** 19

anyone have experience with Rockfather I lift? I heard with the rustys coilovers the shocks are noisy. This one is also priced pretty nicely and for an aditional $80 can get rear shocks.. I;ve read that spacers "OTT" not sure what OTT stands for but will cause the front struts to blow.? I read a breif rightup on the Rockfather here:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Jeep_Liber ... Outfitters

psinsyd · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:28 pm

I've noticed the Rusty's coil lift rides much better than it did stock.

unixxx · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:28 pm

There's some info on OTT here: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Jeep_Liberty/Suspension

Essentially, you push the whole front strut assembly down by installing a spacer above it. This in turn lowers the control arms and wheels relative to the chassis.

moose · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:41 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

The reason the ride is better with new coils is b/c the spring is pre-loaded with the spacer. It goes under the spring but the strut cannot open up any more than it was with the stock spring. thus a pre-loaded spring. :wink:

With a spring from, say rustys, the lift doesnt come from just the coil being taller, the spring also has a different spring rate.

The reason you do not notice a difference in ride is b/c you have spring that gives a better ride, but also have a spacer that cancels out the better ride that OME springs have.

I guess I just don't understand "preloaded springs" and all that. If a spacer is just moving the attachment point lower by 2", why would the spacer make a difference to the ride?

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

moose wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

The reason the ride is better with new coils is b/c the spring is pre-loaded with the spacer. It goes under the spring but the strut cannot open up any more than it was with the stock spring. thus a pre-loaded spring. :wink:

With a spring from, say rustys, the lift doesnt come from just the coil being taller, the spring also has a different spring rate.

The reason you do not notice a difference in ride is b/c you have spring that gives a better ride, but also have a spacer that cancels out the better ride that OME springs have.

I guess I just don't understand "preloaded springs" and all that. If a spacer is just moving the attachment point lower by 2", why would the spacer make a difference to the ride?

Two types of spacers. One goes inside the strut assembly and that increase preload. Another are the OTT style that go outside, but have a host of problems.

Limitedsilv06 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:08 am **Posts:** 19

So what company makes one that goes inside the strut assembly?? I dont want any issues.Thanks!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:50 pm

Limitedsilv06 wrote:

So what company makes one that goes inside the strut assembly?? I dont want any issues.Thanks!

Daystar and Rustys are the main two..

corwyyn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:26 am

I've ridden in a Frankenlifted KJ and mine with a Daystar spacer lift and couldn't tell any real difference. My understanding is that any lift will most likely cause stock struts and shocks to fail due to the shock/strut bottoming out with the increased travel. The lift I bought used came with Rancho 17505 struts and I purchased the 17004 shocks for the rear and everything seems to be fine, even though I haven't been able to get the extended front bumpstops installed. Heres a picture of the business end of the front:

One thing about this lift is that it does include a side stop that contacts the steering knuckle to eliminate damage to the upper ball joint. Hope this helps.

Limitedsilv06 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:08 am **Posts:** 19

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Limitedsilv06 wrote:

So what company makes one that goes inside the strut assembly?? I dont want any issues.Thanks!

Daystar and Rustys are the main two..

I thought I read the Rustys go on the outside.? I read some guy complaining this was a very bad OTT that caused him some damage.

unixxx · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:01 pm

Quote:

My understanding is that any lift will most likely cause stock struts and shocks to fail due to the shock/strut bottoming out with the increased travel.

The shocks should only bottom out in an OTT style spacer lift. In a suspension lift or puck spacer lift the spring should stop compressing before the shocks bottom out.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:15 pm

Limitedsilv06 wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Limitedsilv06 wrote:

So what company makes one that goes inside the strut assembly?? I dont want any issues.Thanks!

Daystar and Rustys are the main two..

I thought I read the Rustys go on the outside.? I read some guy complaining this was a very bad OTT that caused him some damage.

I believe they make both. :wink:

corwyyn, is that jeep sitting on the ground? :shock:

Gordo · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:37 pm

Limitedsilv06 wrote:

So what company makes one that goes inside the strut assembly?? I dont want any issues.Thanks!

You can buy some Rusty's plates for the inside of the strut assembly, but I don't think they have a kit. Daystar was mentioned, and Rocky Road makes a combo lift that has had good results as well. This kit is a good choice for '02 pre-lowered KJs.

fortx4 KJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:44 pm

i just received my rustys ott spacer kit and got extended daystar 4 1/2" bump stops. what else wound i need as preventive measures?

Spacer Kit

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