In need of some opinions...

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

New KK owner here. 2012 KK sport.

I am getting ready to start dumping some cash into it.
I am torn between buying and installing Detours Backbone and winch OR Budget Lift with more aggressive tires.
Which one would you guys go with and why?

cgass · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 2:41 am

I would go with the backbone and winch over the budget lift. You'll get more use from the winch than the lift. With the spacer lifts you will end up buying a full suspension lift eventually, so why waste the money? The winch will make your front end sag though, so you'll probably be motivated to get those OME springs anyway

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

Thank you for your insight.

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 3:59 am

Winches are expensive and so are the mounts. I can't imagine too many place in which would require a winch without a lift or 30"+ tires. I'd rather put the money towards a nice full suspension lift. I <3 my RK lift, but nothing beats a JBA Suspension lift. However, its some biiiiiiiiigggg $$$$$$$ Spacer lifts make such a stiff and terrible ride. But, its a Jeep, if I wanted extreme comfort I woulda bought a Cadalac lol. But I recommend if you go that route, you get JBA's A-Arms, there about $350 and will make a huge difference in the ride when it comes to bumps. But between A-Arms, and Spacers, extended shocks, your lookin at around $1,100. Granted there is a jump from an $1,100 cheap spacer lift to $3k full suspension lift. IMHO, winches should be one of the last things you get after stuff like tires, lifts, jacks, sway bar disconnects, lockers, bumpers, etc... Once you get your first mod, its like crack, there ain't no quittin. Just keep spendin money and time adding stuff. Its so addicting lol Just my 2 cents :SOMBRERO:

Also congratz on your KK!

http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-4_inch_lift_kit_Jeep_Liberty__KK-596.aspx

Wuddaya have in her right now, as far as stuff like tow hooks n other stuff?

Pippobug · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:19 am

StrokeMotion,

Please be very carefull, is your KK on Italian plates? if so you might not be able to fit a Backbone for the winch and also fit a lift without getting into trouble with the local police. Winches & bigger tyres & suspention lift over a certain hight need to be amended on the Log Book of the KK. Jeep Italy will not issue conformance for the Motrizzazione to pass you KK to be road legal in Italy. Best thing you can do is to get in contact with some local 4x4 Club or KJ Italia and they will help you get around all these little annoying issues.

A better solution if you still wish to fit a winch is the have a looks like this photo:

as this is hidden within the body of the KK and will allow you to get away with the Italian Police ( Detour backbones over hangs the bumper, so not allowed in Italy without some serious paperwork !!!!! and it might still not be passed).

Tyres only what is on the Log book or what Jeep Italy have allowed and registered ( you might be very limited there going 245/75R16 is already out, but 245/70R16 still okay)

Lifts: Don't go higher than 2 inc and you might get away as it doesn't stand out, anything taller you will need to go to Motorizzazione and pass test and a lot of paperwork.

Now if you are on US or EE or international plates you can do what you want (as long as it complies with the Country of origine) until you have to register the KK in Italy if you are a resident.....

Fil.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:59 am

mawlkrawler, a grand could get you a suspension lift. Why bother getting a spacer lift and not only kill the ride but sag the suspension even faster? Besides a winch could always help, they aren't always needed on trails that require lifts and bigger tires. It's a recovery device. If you get stuck it's a way to get out, or help those that got stuck.

StrokeMotion, I say go with the winch or just save a little more(depending on how much you have saved up) and go with a full suspension lift and tires. JBA has some nice lifts, as does OME. I personally haven't lifted yet, but I want to this summer so you're gonna have to ask some of the other guys with more experience lifting if you want details or opinions.

Pippobug wrote:

A better solution if you still wish to fit a winch is the have a looks like this photo:

as this is hidden within the body of the KK and will allow you to get away with the Italian Police ( Detour backbones over hangs the bumper, so not allowed in Italy without some serious paperwork !!!!! and it might still not be passed).
.

Oh and what ever happened to that guy? Did he ever tell us how he did that or if he ran into problems?

das4x4 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 7:58 am

Good looking KK you have there. Looks like you are already starting to go places in your Jeep. Do you have any skid plates yet? I'd start there first if the Jeep didn't come with them already. Lifted or not, protect the underside. I don't know anything about European specs or regs on vehicle modifications so I defer that to the higher ups with the knowledge. I couldn't imagine any rules against a set of tow hooks and a good snatch strap to start with if you lift first. Its always more fun to go wheeling with friends anyways and there's someone there who can yank you out if needed. Afterwards, you and your buddies can tell lies about it over your favorite beverage. :ROTFL:

Happy

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

Thanks everyone for the information. I am going to sleep on it for a few days before i make my decision. :wink:

cgass · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 10:43 am

If that laws in Italy won't let you run a lift, you could always just go with some more aggressive tires. Those stock tires are garbage. I have Goodyear DuraTracs in the stock size (LT225/75/16) and they work wonderfully. The ride and handling improved over stock and I've never been stuck, even when in deep snow and mud. I ran them without a lift for about 8 months and had no problems.

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

das4x4 wrote:

Good looking KK you have there. Looks like you are already starting to go places in your Jeep. Do you have any skid plates yet? I'd start there first if the Jeep didn't come with them already. Lifted or not, protect the underside. I don't know anything about European specs or regs on vehicle modifications so I defer that to the higher ups with the knowledge. I couldn't imagine any rules against a set of tow hooks and a good snatch strap to start with if you lift first. Its always more fun to go wheeling with friends anyways and there's someone there who can yank you out if needed. Afterwards, you and your buddies can tell lies about it over your favorite beverage. :ROTFL:

Happy

My Jeep did not come with Skids

Where would you recommend getting them from also what are the best Rocksliders for the kk?
@Cgass- Thanks for the tire info. I wont be installing a lift for a few months but want to get as much out of my jeep as possible.
I thought about doing roof basket with lights and all that jazz but i really want to put my money into things that are going to be beneficial on the trail. (Best bang for my buck i guess you could say) I want to start modding and i have about 1k saved to go towards something. I simply just dont know where to start. lol
On a side note. I am USAF stationed in Italy so the Italian law has no influence on what i do to my jeep. However i will be leaving in eight months to head out to AZ for a few years so whatever i do to my jeep, i need to keep the AZ desert in mind.
Thanks again for all the helpful info!

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

FYI Besides just wanting to build a good looking rig that can handle just about anything i can throw at it, I really don't have an interest in doing the Rubicon trail with it lol. So far it has taken me as far as i have wanted to take it (stock) without any issues. However, It wont be long until i get board of driving through water puddles and start wanting to hit some serious trails with it. (Once the bug bites)
So far this has been the extent of my offroading adventures... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRo7105J ... ture=g-upl

cgass · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 11:14 am

For skids the only option is Mopar unfortunately. It's about $200 for the skids (minus the gas tank skid). The gas tank skid is another $250. Rock rails can be had from Rocky Road or Rock Lizard, and I think that's it.

StrokeMotion · **Joined:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:53 pm **Posts:** 24

Plus shipping. So im looking at over 500 just for Skids....Well I guess its time to bit the first bullet of many to come....

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 11:34 am

Here are the best, and one of the only, rock sliders made for the KJ and KK. They're beast

http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/Liberty_skink_sliders.htm

Another site to find a bunch of stuff and skids is JBA

http://jeepinbyal.com/

Skids:
http://jeepinbyal.com/cat-Skid_Row_Skid_Plates-23.aspx

cgass · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 12:30 pm

StrokeMotion wrote:

Plus shipping. So im looking at over 500 just for Skids....Well I guess its time to bit the first bullet of many to come....

If you can wait till you get back to the states it should only be $200. At least that's what I was quoted by my dealer here

cgass · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm

mawlkrawler wrote:

Skids:
http://jeepinbyal.com/cat-Skid_Row_Skid_Plates-23.aspx

Do the KJ Skid Row skids work on the KK?

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 12:52 pm

JCR Offroad makes sliders too. Have you tried going to any dealers for skids?

Pippobug · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 1:35 pm

Hi
As you are in Italy you might want to have a look at ASFIR skids in alluminium , very strong and light at the same time. Price might work out cheaper than having them shipped from the US. Google Asfir they are Israelian and like myself other members have them on the KJ & KK
Here is the link: http://www.asfir.com/catalogueDetailsEN.asp?Prod_ID=897&combo1=129&combo0=6&Cat_ID=425 it reads for Cherokee 2009 as you know in Europe & the rest of the World they are not called Liberty.
Here is a contact in Italy:
Euro Four Wheeler Srl
Address:
Via San Lazzaro, 93 A
17051 Andora (SV)
Italy
Phone:
0039 0182 85941
Fax:
0039 0182 683390
E-mail:
info@eurofourwheeler.com
Website:
new.eurofourwheeler.com

I am sure someone will speak enough english to help you out.

Fil

das4x4 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:34 pm

"Once you get your first mod, its like crack, there ain't no quittin. Just keep spendin money and time adding stuff. Its so addicting lol"

J.E.E.P. Just Empty Every Pocket

Its a disease and there's no cure. :ROTFL:

My skids are MOPAR
My sliders are from JCR
Lift is from JBA "Jeepin By Al"

Lots of brand loyalty running amuck and rightly so as there are a couple of really good places to look from (JBA, OME "old man emu", RL "rock lizard", JCR, Detuers, and a few others) It depends on what you are looking for so look around the threads here. Keep asking the questions. Then decide what works best for you. Its your rig. Make your own and then enjoy.

Happy :JEEPIN:

Pippobug · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 3:17 pm

StrokeMotion wrote:

On a side note. I am USAF stationed in Italy so the Italian law has no influence on what i do to my jeep.

All well and good as long as your Jeep isn't anymore on Italian plates, if not USAF or not your car could be impounded. Be warned!! all you need is one disgruteled " Polizioto" :wink:

Fil

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