Ban o8k please.
tia.
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| Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=39554 |
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| Author: | 2mopar_diesels [ Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts |
Out of pure and utter curiosity, i took on a task of researching exactly why is it that OTT (lift spacers that mount between front strut and body mount) spacer lifts seem to destroy front struts on our beloved Liberty. I have called and talked to several suspension companies, had hour long conversations with several engineers, and came to a few conclusions. Some of what I am about to report might make people mad/upset and hope that we can have this as a civilized discussion and keep this thread from getting locked down. Myth: OTT spacers change how the shock cycles and over extends them by changing the swing-arm travel therefore that's what leads to they're failure. Fact: I thought this was true, but after taking with several engineers, asking them not about our KJ but about several other kinds of "coil over shock" designed suspensions on trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, 2004+ Ford F150, 2005+ Dodge Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra. All suspension companies said they have an extremely low occurrence of blown front struts on these vehicles when using their budget priced OTT Spacer kits. Revtek, Downey Offroad, CORE, Fabtech, Superlift, Skyjacker, Black Diamond, Rancho, Tuff Country, Rough Country, Daystar, Procomp, and Trailmaster were all contacted and asked about several random truck suspension systems above asking about any problems they've had out of the strut spacer kits that are offered. I never once asked about the Liberty. None of the shops contacted said anything about regular blown shocks on these trucks, and several like Revtek, Fabtech and Rancho even mentioned the contracts they have with many car dealers that sell brand new trucks with their lifts installed and come backed by the OEM warranty. When I went on to ask those manufactures (who I knew also market a Liberty KJ OTT), if there is any product they sell that does have a "reputation" for destroying front struts, only two were ever mentioned. Both are Chrysler products, and every manufacture gave the same quick response. 1st on their list was.............................are you ready for this???????????????? the JEEP LIBERTY KJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! asked further if there was any other, and again every one mentioned the Dodge Ram 1500. Interviewed some more, they again all said that once the stock front struts were replaced with any after market strut regardless of brand (not reusing the stock dealer installed ones) nothing was ever heard from again out of the dissatisfied customers therefore assuming the problem was fixed. None mentioned if there was ever any followup to these complaints however. They all had an overwhelming tone in their voice about their disdain for Chrysler's quality control in regards to the shocks and struts they supply on the vehicles they produce. So, what can we ascertain from this information? Maybe it's not an inherent design flaw of the OTT spacers, but the junk Jeep installed at the factory. Cause anytime you lift a vehicle above stock, no matter how small, you work it out of the intended design parameters and any true weak links will be weeded out fast regardless of the lift used. |
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| Author: | 2mopar_diesels [ Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Sorry, I posted this in the wrong section....... Please delete........I will repost in the general 4x4 discussion forum. Thanx!!!! |
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| Author: | jinstall [ Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:38 pm ] |
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leave it nice read. |
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| Author: | o8k [ Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts |
I'm sorry, i wanted to let this go i truely did, but i cant. "after talking to several engineers" is your only supporting argument here. Ill just leave it at that. Let me help... There are several dynamics of motion happening witin an IFS, but lets just look at three to get our bearings. First you have the shock/spring travel. Next you have the Axle travel. Then you have the UCA/LCA travel (like in your KJ). From factory, all three of these have different total travel (maybe slight, maybe not). From factory, they are synced up so none of them are over driven (e.g. pushed beyond their own design limits). OTT spacer will unsync your shock travel from the other two. Will this cause damage? First you will have to measure the full travel of each of the three parts mentioned above. for example, how far can your UCA/LCA move up and down w/ out damage, how far can your axle move up and down, and how far can your shock move up and down. Then find out how they are "phased" together. for example, if i lift the KJ off the ground and let the tire hang down, how much farther can the other parts (e.g. the UCA/LCA and axle) keep extending b4 you mess em up? KJs do have sensative lower ball joints so i hear. Then you will know how far you can "unsync" your shock from the rest of the system. In a tacoma for example, thats about 1" to 1.25" tops. Past that... Poof! Also helpful... figure out how your KJ IFS is designed to stop max compress travel and max extension travel. most extend till the shock runs out. Most compress to a bump stop. Most OTTs dont blow the shock, but rather OTTs wil trash/thrash the Ball joints and CV joints. OTTs are really only done right "IMHO" if you finish the job... Move the pumpkin down so that you sync the shock travel w/ axle and control arm travel. But that is were the KJs design gets in the way. Advice: Dont do it, go get your frankenlift and be happy! They are great! Mine served me well |
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| Author: | ATXKJ [ Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts |
o8k??? - your first post in 6 months and you bring back a dead thread - that got hammered on the 4x4 section a year ago? old FYI - your Website link gives errors (you had great photos last time I looked) |
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| Author: | AZ CRD [ Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts |
Ban o8k please. tia. |
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| Author: | o8k [ Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Myths Lies & Truth about OTT Lifts |
ATXKJ wrote: o8k??? - your first post in 6 months and you bring back a dead thread - that got hammered on the 4x4 section a year ago? old FYI - your Website link gives errors (you had great photos last time I looked) I said i couldnt help it...  I was just off googling and saw the post... I know some forums dont care for diggin up old posts... But i figured what the heck... I wasnt mean about it. I took down the site a while back to fix it up and never put it back up. Got some new pictures i need to add. Hope yall are doin ok. I dont go out 4wheelin much anymores cept in the back yard here. |
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