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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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2005 Black CRD KJ____Full GDE turbo kit, EHM, 6.5L GMCTD lift pump, euro tq conv, 31" Duratracs on 15x7 Procomps w/3.75"bs
2.5" lift, full skids, Super Skink Sliders, front JBA Steel Diff w/True-Trac___Powertax "No-Slip" locker rear
Tow Rig: 2003 Silver 2wd Dodge 2500 reg. cab 5.9 Cummins (highly modded with 550hp/1200tq+)
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