Lift on high mileage KJ?

Mudduck · **Joined:** Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:00 pm **Posts:** 8

I've recently bought a 2002 KJ with 182,000 miles, 3.7 engine, 4x4.
Jeep seems to run and drive good. I'm working on fixing a transfer case issue at the moment.
This will be a daily driver for a while.
I really want to lift this jeep, but am weighing out the options.
I am new to KJs, but have lurked around here for a while and have learned most people seem to redommend the frankenlift or the jba lift.
I'm thinking frankenlift, Moab wheels, and 245/75/16 tires.
This will more or less be for looks, some beach driving, and hunting roads. No rock climbing, or serious off-roading.
Problem is, by the time I do these things, I will have spent more than I paid for the jeep.

Am I crazy to lift a liberty with so many miles?
I don't really know the expected lifespan of these things.
I've got to buy tires for it anyway, and would rather buy what I want.
Just kind of scared to spend all that for the lift, lift install, wheels, tires ect, then the motor blow.

What do you guys think?

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:15 pm

I'd just do like most of us do and install an OME spring lift for less than $1k (do it yourself price), and drive on. But, your gasser will have poor power and terrible fuel economy with those tires unless you regear $$$!
You could just put some nice stock sized tires on it for what you're talking about doing and forget the rest :2cents:

gottorque · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:03 am **Posts:** 100

245/75s are biggest you can go without regearing in most cases. My 02 is setup exactly how you want....OME lift, 245s and Moabs. I like it, not overly tall and still very streetable with 3.73s. MPG will not suffer all that much, especially if you stick with a very mild AT tire.

At 182K the suspension is likely shot so a full OME kit will be a noticeable difference in ride. The only extras I run are 2 conduit nuts on the clevis, nothing else.

Has the jeep been maintained?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2016 12:06 am

Got ya over on JeepKJ
and again 265-70-16s on Moabs, fit much better :wink:

jeeptorino68 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:55 pm

thats how many were on mine when i lifted my 02
you will love the ride if you lift it properly, the old mushy springs suck.

Mudduck · **Joined:** Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:00 pm **Posts:** 8

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
I finally got my transfer case back together, and it's working great.
I think I'm gonna go ahead and pull the trigger on a lift, then some wheels and tires.

I appreciate your recommendations of the OME spring lift.
I saw a lift kit on jbaoffroad.com that I believe has the same spring/shock numbers several of you recommended.
It is listed under the econo lift section, then labeled as OME 1.5" Lift Kit KJ.
Is this the one you guys were referring to?

Also, while on that same site, I saw the Ironman 1.5" Lift advertised.
There is only $25.00 dollars difference between the two, with the Ironman being a little cheaper.

Tommudd, I also saw a review on the Ironman lift that you wrote.
At that time, it seemed that you preferred the Ironman lift over the OME lift.
Has something changed since then, that you prefer the OME now?
I'm not questioning your opinion, as I truly respect your opinion.
I just don't know if that review was written last week or 5 years ago.

Also, when you recommended the OME setup, you also mentioned "bumpstops, ect." Can you refer me to a place to get the correct bumpstops?
And also elaborate on any "ect" items I may need?
I will have to have this lift done by a shop, and want to make sure I have everything they need to complete the job, before I drop it off there.

Also, Als A-Arms question, do I need em?
I'm sure the time to install those, would be at the same time as the lift.
Not that I am looking to spend more money than I already am, I just don't want to skip an important step, if I'm gonna wish I did it later.

Lastly, both of these lifts are listed as 1.5" lifts. I read somewhere that is due to insurance regulations or something.
I just want to make sure this is the lift I need, if I'm planning on running 245/75/16 tires, or likely the 265/70/16, tommudd recommended.
Should I expect 1.5 " of actual lift? Or more than that?

Thanks again for all your help.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'd rather ask people with KJ experience instead of a guy at a shop that I don't know.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:18 am

Ironman springs with Bilstein shocks are another very good option along with a 1/2 clevis spacer will give you 2 inches of lift in the front. The ride and handling quality with new springs and shocks are very superior to the worn out OEM parts. With a vehicle that has as many miles as yours, you may want to consider replacing the ball joints as well while you are changing out the struts/shocks and springs since you have to mostly disassemble the front end anyway... :wink:

Lift on high mileage KJ?

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