Extra 1" from Frankenlift

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:42 am

I'm trying to get an additional 1" of lift from my Frankenlift. To get more downward travel, I'm thinking of an OTT spacer rather than a rubber spring spacer. There shouldn't be any problems with an OTT spacer as long as I install a larger bump stop for the upper control arm. I only want an additional 1" and all the OTT spacers are 2" or 2.5". I'm thinking of removing the Frankenlift's rubber spring spacer to subtract about 1" and then adding the OTT spacer to add 2.5" for a net 1.5" of additional lift. Will removing the Frankenlift's rubber spring spacer allow the Rancho struts to compress too far and damage them? What if I swapped for OME struts? Also, will the stiffness be significantly reduced by removing the rubber spring spacer?

The goal here is to combine the strut modifications with some rear spacers and new upper control arms to gain more lift and flex and reduce rub. I've lost about 1/2" of lift from the bullbar, winch, and winch line weight. There isn't much more I can do for springs as I already have OME HD springs front and rear. Let me know if you have any ideas.

PBrug · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:51 am

Can't really answer any of your questions, but maybe just add a Rusty's Strut Plate (or 2 if they'll fit) on top of your front strut assembly?

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:09 am

Thanks PBrug. I'll look into those and check how many can fit over the strut bolts before running out of thread.

Troysterr · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:14 am

If I remember correctly, the 2.125" RRO Combo lift gets about 1" from its OTT spacer and the rest from the coil spacer. So maybe either Rusty's or RRO's spacer will give you the inch you want.

I know that RRO's spacer doesn't require you to cut the bolts on the strut assembly like the full OTT spacer lift does.

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:39 am

Thanks Troysterr. Rusty's OTT spacer will give me 2.5" of lift and RRO's OTT spacer will give me 5/8" of lift. Maybe I could combine a RRO 5/8" OTT spacer with a Rusty's 1/2" OTT strut plate.... I'm really thinking an OTT spacer is the best way to get the lift without changing the spring stiffness.

I could also look at changing the upper strut plate. Although, changing it would also change the spring stiffness. Are all the upper strut plates the same Daystar part found in the Frankenlift, or could I find a new upper strut plate with more height?

Is there any preferance to extending the top or bottom of the strut? I know a few companies make new strut forks and fork extenders.

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:13 am

I think I'm going to add two of Rusty's 1/2" strut plates to each strut for an additional 1" of lift. I'll then do a conduit nut clevis lift if necessay and get some Daystar or Skyjacker upper control arm bump stops to protect the struts. Does anyone know how much longer the Daystar or Skyjacker UCA bump stops are than stock?

Now I just need to find or build a 1" spacer and longer bumper stops for the rear springs....

Mutt · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:34 am

I'm running a Rusty's strut plate over the top right now and have been for awhile now. Now I need to bump the rear up, but I'm going to need a new driveshaft.

I'd start a rumor about a company I know of that is developing a coilover for the KJ, but I'm not going to do that.

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:05 am

Mutt, would it be possible to fit two strut plates above each strut, or would I need to buy longer strut bolts? I like the sound of that potential rumor.... :twisted:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:05 am

You should call All J and talk to Quinn. The Frankenlift combo evolved over time by testing so many differnt combinations that I lost track after the first few. Those combinations were tested on a couple different KJ's over the course of about 2 years and as seen with the CRD and IIRC, some minor changes to the 06, even more testing evolved the product even further. Quinn knows pretty much every combination of parts that are available for the KJ front end and he has even had custom made parts added to the FL and tested those. If anyone can tell you what would happen by trying different combos, Quinn can.

Mutt · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:16 am

You couldn't run two without longer bolts, I don't really like the way one is without longer bolts.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:13 pm

I dont know what kind of stiffness you got out of OME HD springs but when i got my ARB and WARN I switched to CRD springs with some rancho struts.

It has taken the weight very well, and has more lift than it did before the ARB and WARN.

just an idea...

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:28 pm

PBrug wrote:

Can't really answer any of your questions, but maybe just add a Rusty's Strut Plate (or 2 if they'll fit) on top of your front strut assembly?

Longer bolts would be needed to add two plates. I am using the strut plate that you mentioned with the stock upper strut plate and the bolts are just long enough.

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

Do any of you have problems with the CV's or differential? I have a Frankenlift, have had it for over a year, and have weird sounds coming from my differential ever since the lift. Don't you think an additional 1" will net you problems? I think the angle of my CV's looks terrible as it is. Your thoughts.

Ron

Mutt · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:37 pm

Ron, I'll be quite honest with you. I busted a CV just like everybody said I would. Which in turn caused me to purchase some JE Reel units that are six times stronger than stock.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:12 pm

Mutt wrote:

Ron, I'll be quite honest with you. I busted a CV just like everybody said I would. Which in turn caused me to purchase some JE Reel units that are six times stronger than stock.

What did you do in the back? Extra isolators, and if so, how many? How much lift do you get from each one? Did you ever get that CRS tri-link? I have the RE LCAs and even if I can get to "level" with my lift, I'm pushing the pinion angle. My Frankenlift rear is sagging and now I'm getting ready to put my RL bumper on. With that beast of a bumper, my booty will most definately be dragging.

Extra 1" from Frankenlift

Who is online