Front Spacer Lift question

meduncan · **Posted:** Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:50 pm

First let me start by saying that I've never worked on a vehicle before. I know more than just where the fluids go but I've never gotten down into the guts with a wrench or, as in some member threads, a hammer. :wink:

Since I am on a limited budget and I'd like to get a lift I'll probably have to get a front spacer lift and upgraded shocks for the back.

The question is, how can I lift the front and not the back? I know that you can do this but so what if your front clears something. Your back also has to clear that same obstacle or the lift wouldn't seem to be useful. Am I missing something? Do the updated shocks in the back help to compensate for the lifted front?

Ok, so I have a couple other questions too. Is anyone running the Rusty's Strut Spacer lift and a set of updated shocks on the back? If so, what's your experience been with the setup? I've noticed a couple threads stating that Rusty's shocks may not be the best choice for the rear. So what shocks are suggested for the back? How's the KJ handle on the street and on the trail?

Sorry for so many questions but I just want to have a better understanding of what the benefits and drawbacks are for a spacer lift, besides cost, over a full lift like the Frankenlift. I also want to make sure that if I get a lift like the Rusty as my first lift experience that I get the right parts to go with it.

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:17 pm

i just installed a lift from rustys this weekend,im not much on working on cars but this was by no means hard to do,if you have a little common sense and basic motor skills like lefty loosy righty tighty you can do it with the help of a couple of buddies! i did mine with my wife and she didntdo much besides complain about how cold it was and a couple of wrench passes
i never thought i was going to be able to do it but its not that hard, anyone of these guys on this forum would be glad to give some advice and help you through it! i must have read 50000 post before i thought about doing it
so keep reading and i m sure you will figure how to do it before you even start. as for rustys shocks use the supplied washers and no problems,heck i think they soften the ride over stock nicely, my 05 renny was like a tank before lift now its much nicer!! keep reading and asking questions and somebody will answer them sometime, the only dumb question is the one you havent asked.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:23 pm

http://www.thefergusons.us/kj/kj.htm There are links to whatever parts I used.

Don't judge the 1.5" front lift by the pic, jeep is on unlevel ground. I'll post some level pics monday.

Here's the "poor" man's 1.5" lift:

All you are really doing with the front lift is giving extra tire clearance.

Buy yourself the spacers and new struts, take it to a shop and have them install the new struts,spacer, and get an alignment. This will kinda level you out.

If the shop wants to charge you extra for installing the spacers, find another shop.

You can add an extra set of upper isolators for the rear for another 1/2" or trace out the bottom pad onto a piece of 3/4" plywood, paint it and pop it in under the bottom pad for 1 1/4" total rear lift. So the total lift cost around $50 not including the shop work, shocks, and struts.

You can do the Clevis lift for the front, keep your original shocks/struts and save more money.

I think better shocks/struts is a good investment. Some folks don't even know when their running shoes are worn-out until they have shin splints and foot problems (suspension) :lol:

This lift will keep the downward "stance" it has now to keep gas milage up.

You'll find all the shock part#'s on here if you look around.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:26 pm

There you go, pics of the 1.5" front and 2" rear.

On the above page.

fish eye · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:58 am

You jeep will only be as capable as its lift. That said, my recommendation is that you save money, and forego the instant gratification of a spacer lift. They are cheaper, BUT, you get much more quality from a coilover lift, like the Rusty's lift. I understand that it is more expensive, but look at the cost comparison. Figure that for areound $300 you can get the spacer lift with new rear shocks shipped to your door. For about another $200, you could have the coilover shipped to your door. I think its worth waiting for.

I currently have the RRO OTT lift on my KJ. I had it put on before I found LOST, and quickly realized that although I was 2.5'' higher, for roughly $330, it was a poorly performing lift. I know that the more flexing and wheeling I did with this lift on, the more likely I was going to damage and wear out my stock suspension components. Not to mention, my front struts bottom out over significant dips at a decent speed. SO, I spent $800 for the Frankenlift. It is sitting in my living room, waiting to be installed.

Now, don't get me wrong, spacer lifts have a niche in the market. And that is that they are slightly cheaper, but, I think in the long run, you will find yourself disappointed. Coilovers are more expensive, but a better quality. They replace the springs in your suspension with longer springs, and you will also get matched struts to compliment your longer springs.

Seriously, Rustys coilover has a lot of bang for the buck. Not to mention, it performs well on the trails....

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:04 am

fisheye said: "You jeep will only be as capable as its lift"

Thats crazy man. The amount of lift you get even with the best kit and max tires ain't crap. Because the ground clearance don't really change to any decent degree even with the "Max" stuff installed.

Your capability is Coming from traction, flex, armor, durability, and the driver.

My ground clearance 4x2 is 8" lower A-arm, 10" pumpkin, 16 1/2" rocker with 245/70's. Yes I could bump that up with taller tires but the calculations suffer. Go Stuff it, pull out a tape measure, and go to work.

You only have so much flex capability regardless if you do it with springs or spacers, its about the same after taller tires are added. You SHOULD NOT be able to stuff until contact, or bottom out if you have calculated right.
If you do, now instead of only fighting the terrain, you are fighting the vehicle.

I gar-n-t with a locker, the last thing I want is for one of my rear wheels off the ground while the other is buried into the fender (stuffed) providing a HEAP of resistance, destroying the vehicle and/or tire, busting an axle because of the resistance, or just plain stuck and immobilized.

Despite the rant, I would have went with springs too if I thought I was getting my money's worth since I have a prelow. I do believe certain calculated selection of componets can make life better up to the "Stuff" point such as Al's A-Arms, longer shocks, and a few more.

Next thing, you'll be recommending wheel spacers, to put even more outer pressure on a weak axle. :wink:

With the libby, "You get what you get, don't throw a fit." :lol:

(Ryme-Bomb)

elephantrider · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:35 pm

you can also get the 2 inch conduit spacers and put those on the front to level it out.
i put 4 on each side between the top of the clevis / bottom of the strut assembly.
this will raise it quite a bit.

Front Spacer Lift question

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