Will I be happy with spacers?

trailpixie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:27 pm

I have a 2004 limited with the off road package. It has taken me everywhere we have wanted to go. The only problem I have is that my clearance is a bit low for some of the stuff we do--mostly moderately rugged fireroads with occasional rocky stream crossing. I have scraped the skid plates with boulders sticking up in the middle of the road.....yes, yes, I konw, put your tire on the obstacle. Sometimes you can't or sometimes you are looking at the lesser of two evils (rocks) I am considering getting a small lift to raise up the skid plates a bit.

Here is a pic of the trail I run frequently.....as you can see nothing too exteme.

So the question is, will adding 1.5 inch spacers retain my current ride while giving me a bit more altitude to handle these rocks. I want someting that will cost less than a grand $$ installed, preferrably more like $500. I am running 235/70R16 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor AT. I like the tire, but am considering my next tire being a 225/75R16 or 245/70R16 Discovery AT (much lighter tire=better fuel economy). I don't want anything that will make my vehicle more tippy on windy mountain highways and I don't want a substantially wider tire because that will diminish performance in snow.

If I understand correctly, the primary benefit to the higher quality coil lifts is articulation. On fire roads and stream crossings I have crossed, I have done fine, so I don't to think I need to significantly enhance articulation.

Will I be happy with a 1.5" spacer kit.
Will I see any noticable change in the ride characteristics of the vehicle after installing spacers?

thanks

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:05 pm

For the price of the spacer lift at 1.5", you would do much better with a 2.0 or 2.5" lift and spend just a touch more. Your ride will improve on-road with a lift over stock components. Not sure why it does, but just about everybody on here will tell you it does.
The Rusty's lift is a 2.5" Coil Lift and if you get others from here (LOST) near you to help, it will cost you just for the lift. No install cost.....well, pizza or BBQ and Beverages cost. Just ask your local LOST region for a lift party. Not sure of their rules for assisting with installs. Check with them.

A 1.5" lift just doesn't make sense for the cost and miniscule benefit....but, if you DEFINITELY know you will not hit harder fire roads or trails, then why spend more money. You did say less than a $Grand though so I would vote for Rusty's lift for just around $500 with shipping. Daystar is a good puck lift. Look into that one.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:12 pm

Spacers will actually tighten up the coils and make them stiffer riding. For the money ($500.) you have then you can get a decent lift with new coils etc if you can do the work yourself. For that kind of money you can piece together 4 OME coils and new struts /shocks or Rustys is right in that ball park also.

OR after looking back and seeing that Tokyojoe beat me to the punch what he said !!!!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:23 pm

By the way off topic trailpixie, but the Liberty looks great in front of Seneca Rocks, havent been to the top in a few years and really miss sitting up there enjoying the view :lol:

trailpixie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:59 pm

tommudd wrote:

By the way off topic trailpixie, but the Liberty looks great in front of Seneca Rocks, havent been to the top in a few years and really miss sitting up there enjoying the view :lol:

Not many people recognize seneca rocks. That is the area I need my jeep offroad the most. I like to get to remote trailheads and stuff. Sometiimes they involve some stream crossings or really crummy roads.....all the better to get away from people.

As for that do it yourself thing....I am not completely averse to automotive work, but I have a short story.

I had a 1986 subaru GL wagon. It needed new half axles. I had clicking in the CV joints. So, I went down to the automotive store and $350 later I had two rebuilt half axles. I went home to install them and 7 hours later, I was done. Yipee. The next day, the clicking was back. I took them off and returned them to the store for a new pair. Installed them. this time it took me only about 4 hours since I had done it before. Next day, more clicking. I was ready to go insane. I went back and got a third set (after a nasty letter to the store owner). I went home and installed these. The next day....you guessed it....clicking was back. I finally took it to a mechanic friend. "Oh these things need to be torqued to all hell. Did you use a torgue wrench and measure the pressure?" I hadn't. Since I didn't have one, I had just torqued it as tight as I could. He took it in and 5 minutes later the problem was solved for good.

I learned two lessons......1) If you don't have the knowledge, you can waste a hell of a lot of time and money...not to mention compromising safety. 2) if you don't have the right tools, your knuckles, back and pocketbook will punish you.

The idea of bribing other jeepers isn't a bad idea though. Willing accomplices with tools and experience couldn't hurt. I'll have to check out the mid atlantic discussion area.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:53 pm

Guys here on LOST help each other out with lift parties. Just make sure you give folks plenty of time/headsup so they can see if they are available to help.

Get a manual for the KJ. Read up, plan everything out, get all the settings and tools needed. A Torque wrench should be in every owners toolbox.

I had absolutely no experience with suspension work before, but did the work with a friend (3 months after ACL surgery - risky). I studied the job for days to be sure I knew what to do and what the torque settings were for everything. I had a big advantage. I did the work in a military auto hobby shop so if I didn't have the tool, they did...except their strut compressors didn't work properly. An expensive and time consuming story.

Skipperb · **Posted:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:41 am

A 2.5" daystar or similar lift for what you do will be fine. if you do mild to gravel trails you can do with just the pucks as you want need that much. If you can get help you can do it for $300 or a little less.
stick with a 245/70/16 or about that size and just a little finder well work/or not just depends.
2.5 -245/70/16 _________ 2.5-256/75 a lot of fender work

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

A proper Daystar kit with upper strut plates does not create a rough ride at all. I love mine on and offroad.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:23 am

Unless they've changed the rules of physics since my days of modifying/racing off road bikes the puck lift shouldn't change your ride quality. As long as the spring/shock still has shock up travel while the vehicle is at rest under it's own weight the spring is not preloaded, than the amount of spring load is identical to support the vehicle.

trailpixie · **Posted:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:20 pm

I think I have just decided to go with a Frankenlift. It seems the easiest path to reasonably high quality.

Spoonplugger1, I saw your signature line and immediately thought of this Demotivator....sorry, I am kinda cynical.

http://despair.com/meetings.html

Will I be happy with spacers?

Who is online