Safe lift + Wench Mounting

RadJeeper · **Joined:** Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:50 pm **Posts:** 5

Hey Ya'll,

I just got Etta back from the shop and she's running great with the new SC TC. Now I'm about to throw a catch can and clean out the throttle body, check intake hoses etc. I want her to keep singin' smooth for at least 50k more miles

Anyway, I'm looking at getting into more serious overlanding, planning on hitting the Washington BDR once this lockdown is all over but I am SICK and tired of my rough riding daystar lift. OMG I can't believe I paid the dealer to put that in when i first got her... Oh well!! :mrgreen:

I'm looking at Sasquatches setup but RRO is looking really great for the price but I'm wondering if 3" of lift is too much for the CVs? I'd prefer to keep it kiiiinda low so I can still get into garages in the city but that's not a huge deal my main concern is the longevity of those CVs.

Also, I really want to mount a wench but I don't want to have to mount a MASSIVE and expensive bull bar that will suck my mileage and my wallet. If I hit a deer my main concern would be it blowing through the windshield. Plus I work in the city so I still need to be able to parallel park Etta without having to worry about destroying someone else's trim. Anyway I saw a video of a guy who had appeared to mount the winch (wench?) plate onto the stock bumper. If anyone has insight into how I might accomplish that I would greatly appreciate it!

Or would you really recommend I get a bull bar? I dunno guys, hit me up!! :ALONE:

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2020 3:30 pm

The Jeep CRD has NO throttle body, it has a FCV (flow control valve) which is part of the crapy EGR system. If your EGR system is still in service on your engine, you should blank it off or totally remove it as it is a known and proven engine killer. See below.
If you blank off the EGR feed tube, you can remove the butterfly plate out of the FCV by simply removing two small torx screws.

The stock Jeep Liberty front bumper is not strong enough to support the loads a winch can add unless you add some additional bracing to beef everything up.
It will also need stronger front springs to support the additional weight of a winch and / or bumper.
Best is to just install a custom bumper that is designed for a winch and has the additional bracing to safely connect to the Liberty frame ends.
The Liberty is a uniframe vehicle so options are limited on safe winch installs.

For blanking off, see this:> viewtopic.php?f=5&t=76576

To totally remove it, see this:> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gloss-Black-In ... SwgzZeH5Vy

Jett · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:07 am **Posts:** 250

Winch- occupies the front bumper
Wench- occupies the passenger seat
Wrench- occupies your hand, a lot, when you own a modern diesel.

These are not even modern diesels in fact, so that’s the good news. I’d call them half modern however, so there is some stuff to delete.

I have the ome lift and it rides very very smooth, like almost too smooth actually. Very compliant. I don’t have a winch or a wench though so I fear that if I do get one I’ll be needing springs. My only complaint is that it’s only 1.5” lift which isn’t quite enough imo. I think 3” would be pushing it with the CV however and maybe the rear drive line too. But I don’t know and I’m keen to hear the experts opinion. In most cases on other cars 2” is the safe max.

timothyd · **Joined:** Wed Feb 20, 2019 2:58 am **Posts:** 90

I have the https://www.rocky-road.com/jeep-liberty ... it-kj.html Rockfather II that I just installed, it claims 3" but I think some of that is overcoming natural sag ( I did gain about 3" but my front was drooping about 3/4"). I can tell you that the CV's are fine at this angle, but getting the struts in is not something I want to do again, without major modifications this is as far as you can go.

I also have the ARB front bumper, it's not my favorite look but its the only one made for the Liberty that you can buy new any more, I do not have a winch yet but the mounting system looks great. Obviously the up front cost is a bit higher with the bumper, but I would say work it in the long run.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2020 10:08 am

I have a consideration for you. There is a mount available or at least there has been one that may fit your needs. This actually just places a 2 inch receiver hitch between the frame in the front. I bought one years ago but haven't installed it yet. I think it was $140. So you end up with female 2 inch receiver on the front to slip a winch attached to the male receiver portion in when needed. I do this because I use the same winch on several vehicles and tractors at different times and I like being able to move it from time to time You can also adapt a tow bar to mount in it to tow your jeep if you need to. You can also easily get by with a smaller winch like say 4,000 lb if you do yourself a favor and get a snatch block. If you get Kevlar rope and a portable winch mount something like the one I got but there are ones half this price
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2811- ... 242&sr=8-2

If you want easy power hookup you can use 175 amp anderson connectors to run battery cables to convenient access point or if you dont need it often just connect to vehicle battery when needed. ( make sure you have a good way to attach to terminals before you need it. I actually use long welding cable jumper cables with anderson connectors near one end to use jumper clamps on battery unplug one end plug winch in and this way can use it on rear easily also.

As far as lifts I have one daystar vehicle had it and a rock father on salvage jeep when I got it.. I bought and put an OME on one and am extremely happy with it but I would definitely get the heavier front rated one for a winch and I might even get it anyway. The actual lift isn't that much different from Daystar but much better ride etc. You can install a couple of pieces on front that raises it about another 1/2 inch and you should be able to buy them with the OMER kit. I only installed one with I had installed 2 of the pieces. I agree 2 inch is pushing it for OME but it still gives enough room to install the tallest tires you can put on a CRD anyway which is 32.1 inches with a lot of trimming and flattening or removing the pinch weld.

My opinion is that 3 inches is just too much for drive line longevity.

Safe lift + Wench Mounting

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