Video Guy wrote:
Alljeep & Spowers: You guys got me fired up about the Daystar KJ09123 lift! Mine's supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I'm slobbering like a kid on Christmas morning.
My Hummer-building brother and I will install the lift in South Bend on Saturday morning. You're both welcome to join us; your experience would be invaluable.
Although my KJ has the gasoline engine, do you have any installation tips other than taking the strut assemblies to a tire shop for inserting the front spacers? I will get my alignment done Monday or Tuesday. Do I just need a front-end alignment or 4-wheel alignment?
I have no immediate plans to upgrade my struts or shocks. I'm going to wait and see how the KJ wheels with the stock parts. Because I drive on pavement 99 percent of the time, I can live with an offroad ride that's less than perfect.
T.J.
The issue here is that your gasoline KJ has significantly softer front springs than the CRD does and as such, you may only get a true 1.5" lift in front instead of 1.8"+ like a CRD. You will just have to install it and see how you like it. Mine does sit slightly nose down when empty of gear and low on fuel, but when loaded up my back springs sag a bit and it's level. I also have a front mount hitch and hooks installed so I have another 50lbs up front than I started with when stock or I may have been closer to a true 2.0" lift in the front like other CRDs. You can always do the clevis lift later without having to disassemble the strut assembly so that's an option to getting a little more up front. I may have to do this as well after a few years but I'm waiting to see for now.
I had a professional shop here in town do my install and alignment because the CRD springs are too stiff for any kind of rental spring compressors available but I do fully understand how it's installed and what it takes to get it that way. You will have the entire front strut assemblies out so if you want to put a Rusty's 3/8" steel spacer on top of the strut assembly, now is the time to do it.
You really need the input of a gasser with this kit for a good answer on what to do or not, but I have searched this forum and found a good review of this kit on a gasser.
I guess the main thing I'm saying here is you will be more nose down than a CRD after this lift...
To answer your questions, you will need a front end alignment. Due to your softer springs, you do not need to go to a shop to get the springs compressed and everything installed, but it would be easier if you did. As for your front struts, how many miles are on them? Mine were new, so I left them in. If you already have 50k+ miles on them it would be easy to switch them out now instead of having to pull the whole thing apart again another 20k miles down the road. Rear shocks are easy so wait until they are dead for sure.
I would love to help, and would do so, but I have had some major family medical issues that have left me the sole caretaker of my kids and wife as my wife is still recovering for another month (6 months down, one to go!!!). Starting the new year I can become much more available again. Good luck with the lift!
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