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Lowering kits
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Author:  William Hoover [ Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Lowering kits

Anybody ever lowered their Jeep Liberty? I was looking at the Eibach lowering kit for about $300. I will probably only use 4WD when needed, in mud and rain. The kit lowers the Libby 1.2 inches, which might make it easier for me to tansfer to the seat.

I have a 2005 CRD. If people think there are any disadvantages to dropping 1.2 inches I might just leave the hieght as it came from the dealer. Any lowering suggestions or tips are appreciated.


Hoovy

Author:  spoonplugger1 [ Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:41 pm ]
Post subject: 

You may have the same problem lowering the CRD as we have raising them. The spring rates for the new springs don't seem to match the CDR as well as they do the gas rigs.

Author:  William Hoover [ Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:07 am ]
Post subject: 

And the spring rate is.....? I don't know the term "spring rate" Do you mean the amount the Jeep will be lowered or highered by the differemnt springs?

Author:  chefdab [ Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:40 pm ]
Post subject: 

When they tried to lift the CRD with taller aftermarket springs, they sagged back down to nearly stock height because of the added weight of the diesel engine. They ended up only using a spacer which retains the factory springs. So if you put different springs in to lower it you might get it lower than you originally planned.

Author:  William Hoover [ Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:45 pm ]
Post subject: 

I see. That is a good argument for leaving the springs and height on my CRD as it is. Would their be any thing wrong, ie would it be too low to drive on the highway and dirt roads, if it was lowered three inches?

Scoob

Author:  TDI4BY [ Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:15 pm ]
Post subject: 

I want to lower mine also. I was going to go back to stock height to try for better mileage but I am considering the Eibach kit instead. I ended up just trashing the Jeep everytime offroad anyway. I will buy a $500.00 Cherokee to thrash and keep the CRD on the highway. :D

Author:  jeepkj02 [ Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:53 pm ]
Post subject: 

I don't think anyone makes a lowering kit for the CRD. So can you just cut up the factory one. It has the right spring rate.....

If you tried to put the Eibach springs it would probably lower it more than 1.2 inches.

Author:  jsc7002 [ Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:40 pm ]
Post subject: 

or you can get some custom coils made, I know of a place that will do it, and for a good price

Author:  BeepBeepJeepJeep [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:30 pm ]
Post subject: 

As a Jeep owner I am saddened by this thread.

Author:  slippi84 [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:41 pm ]
Post subject: 

Is the eibach kit the only kit for lowering a libby. I'm not a off raoder by any means and have no intensions of really taking the car or pavement so a good 2" drop would be ideal but all I seem to find is the eibach kit.

Author:  dog_party [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:58 pm ]
Post subject: 

The Eibach kit is most likely a progressive-rate kit. I wouldn't recommend it for the CRD as the lighter rate on the progressive scale will probably be too light, which would leave the front end sitting lower than planned.

Author:  Xodius [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:31 pm ]
Post subject: 

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:
As a Jeep owner I am saddened by this thread.


x2

One of the saddest days I have had is when I saw a lowered Wrangler with super short and fat wheels on it.

Author:  RAYMAN975 [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:51 pm ]
Post subject: 

jeepkj02 wrote:
I don't think anyone makes a lowering kit for the CRD. So can you just cut up the factory one. It has the right spring rate.....

If you tried to put the Eibach springs it would probably lower it more than 1.2 inches.


cutting springs are a hacks way to lower a car and not safe. i would never even consider doing that to a vehicle. the springs are designed a certain way for a reason

Author:  slippi84 [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:34 pm ]
Post subject: 

dog_party wrote:
The Eibach kit is most likely a progressive-rate kit. I wouldn't recommend it for the CRD as the lighter rate on the progressive scale will probably be too light, which would leave the front end sitting lower than planned.


Forgive my noob questions but what does CRD stand for? I'm a DSM guy so I"m not up on my jeep acronyms. I want the jeep to sit low. Not like slamed or anything obnoxious but pretty low. Again no off-roading for me just paved streets. Does anyone hae any pictures of this kit installed or know where to find any?

Author:  tjkj2002 [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:51 pm ]
Post subject: 

slippi84 wrote:
dog_party wrote:
The Eibach kit is most likely a progressive-rate kit. I wouldn't recommend it for the CRD as the lighter rate on the progressive scale will probably be too light, which would leave the front end sitting lower than planned.


Forgive my noob questions but what does CRD stand for? I'm a DSM guy so I"m not up on my jeep acronyms. I want the jeep to sit low. Not like slamed or anything obnoxious but pretty low. Again no off-roading for me just paved streets. Does anyone hae any pictures of this kit installed or know where to find any?
CRD is Common Rail Diesel,it's the diesel KJ.

Oh and to let you know lowering your vehicle will cause more problems(some of the same problems as lifting also) the lifting your KJ.You will have the same issues with the front CV's since lowering them will increase the angle(just in the opposite direction then lifting) that they are working in,your LBJ's and UBJ's will wear faster(just like a lifted KJ),you will have tire fitment issues even with stock tires,the driveshaft will slam into the t-case(or tranny is 2wd) when lowered damaging it,and the KJ is to low stock so lowering it will cause you to bottom out all the time.Another thing lowering springs are pretty soft,thus reducing your towing capicity,and it seams towing is what you want it for.

Since you want to tow with your KJ it may be a big benifit to get a OME lift with meduim coils up front and HD coil in back to handle your towed load better,it will handle so much better on road then stock ever did.

Author:  dog_party [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:30 pm ]
Post subject: 

As tjkj2002 said, CRD stands for Common Rail Diesel. Jeep (DaimlerChrysler) put a 2.8 common rail diesel in the American released Liberty (KJ) in 2005 and 2006. If you don't know CRD, you most likely don't have one.

The Eibach 1.2 Sport kit will most likely be comprised of nothing more than 4 progressive-rate springs (2 front and 2 rear). I say that because I put Eibach pro kits on my 95 Eagle Talon and my 01 VW Jetta Wolfsburg and that is what came in those kits. I would strongly suggest asking the seller of the Eibach spring kit to suggest (and/or guaranteeing) replacement front struts and rear shocks to go along with the Eibach spring kit.

I can't, for the life of me, find an image of a Liberty with the kit installed. But here's a pict of the kit installed on a PT Cruiser.

Image

Eibach springs are very high quality. I have never had a problem with them in the cars I've put them one. The Sport model springs (the only ones I can find offered for the KJ) are progressive rate, so the initial compression rate is softer, allowing smooth (lowered) everyday driving in the initial stage. The stiffer second stage allows for spirited driving without spring compression compromise. They make very nice springs and even offer a 1 million mile warranty on their parts.

I will warn that Eibach progressive-rate springs are not designed for towing. Progressive-rate springs inherently do poorly in this application. The initial rate on progressive-rate springs is typically too low to handle towed loads. The rear WILL sag. I would suggest finding an air-bag solution for the rear if towing is your primary goal.

I have never installed Eibach springs (or lowering springs) on my Jeep, nor ever shopped them for my Jeep. And I don't know of any that have. So I can only give the suggestions based on what I have done to previously-owned cars. I hope it helps.

Author:  slippi84 [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:46 am ]
Post subject: 

dog_party wrote:
As tjkj2002 said, CRD stands for Common Rail Diesel. Jeep (DaimlerChrysler) put a 2.8 common rail diesel in the American released Liberty (KJ) in 2005 and 2006. If you don't know CRD, you most likely don't have one.

The Eibach 1.2 Sport kit will most likely be comprised of nothing more than 4 progressive-rate springs (2 front and 2 rear). I say that because I put Eibach pro kits on my 95 Eagle Talon and my 01 VW Jetta Wolfsburg and that is what came in those kits. I would strongly suggest asking the seller of the Eibach spring kit to suggest (and/or guaranteeing) replacement front struts and rear shocks to go along with the Eibach spring kit.

I can't, for the life of me, find an image of a Liberty with the kit installed. But here's a pict of the kit installed on a PT Cruiser.

Image

Eibach springs are very high quality. I have never had a problem with them in the cars I've put them one. The Sport model springs (the only ones I can find offered for the KJ) are progressive rate, so the initial compression rate is softer, allowing smooth (lowered) everyday driving in the initial stage. The stiffer second stage allows for spirited driving without spring compression compromise. They make very nice springs and even offer a 1 million mile warranty on their parts.

I will warn that Eibach progressive-rate springs are not designed for towing. Progressive-rate springs inherently do poorly in this application. The initial rate on progressive-rate springs is typically too low to handle towed loads. The rear WILL sag. I would suggest finding an air-bag solution for the rear if towing is your primary goal.

I have never installed Eibach springs (or lowering springs) on my Jeep, nor ever shopped them for my Jeep. And I don't know of any that have. So I can only give the suggestions based on what I have done to previously-owned cars. I hope it helps.


That's great info thanks a lot. I'm also a dsm guy so I know the difference between the pro and sport kits that eibach offers but wanted to see what it looked like cause 1.2" seems kinda a waste of time but I don't want a low rider jeep. I think I may venture out on a limb and get this kit. I agree about the struts and shock comment I never put springs or coilovers on stock suspension parts it's just asking for trouble. That does bother about the towing characteristics though. I"m already having a hard time trying to find a trailer light enough to not exceed max towing capacity but full trailer(not just fwd dolley) strong enough to stand trips to the track like 3 times a month or so.

Author:  tommudd [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:24 am ]
Post subject: 

really sounds like you are ready to take a vehicle that will tow good and will do it even better if you follow tjkjs advice, and turn it into a POS when lowered due to the springs not being able to haul the load. Plus the extra wear and tear on the suspension parts due to making the cv angles way worse!
seems counter productive to me, but then its your $$$ to waste :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Author:  slippi84 [ Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:38 am ]
Post subject: 

tommudd wrote:
really sounds like you are ready to take a vehicle that will tow good and will do it even better if you follow tjkjs advice, and turn it into a POS when lowered due to the springs not being able to haul the load. Plus the extra wear and tear on the suspension parts due to making the cv angles way worse!
seems counter productive to me, but then its your $$$ to waste :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Well I would only do it if I could find a good set of adjustable shocks/struts so I could stiffen up the rear so the back wouldn't sag or have any of the other neggative effects of progressive rate springs and stock suspension. I'm changing wheels first so that may give me the look and handeling I want anyway because I plan on going with a better tire and a lighter 18" wheel.

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