Made a little mistake

ONECRUNCH · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:08 pm

Well - I've read over and over that people have been able to run a 245 70 on a factory height Liberty. There was one missing thing I did not consider. That is, A 245 70 tire on a 17" rim is larger in diameter than a 245 70 on a 16" rim. Naturally the tires were mounted before figuring this out so I kinda got stuck with them. My mechanic said he could make it work if he hacked away at the fenderwell liner and massaged a couple areas with a grinder under the front wheel wells. I said go for it and I will figure it out later

BTW - This is a Freedom Edition. Although only a couple day's there has not been any issues with rubbing and he stated that only under a hard turn over a bump could I possible experience any. So far he has been right and no problems.

Now - After seeing sime of the rigs on this site I feel I am obligated to take the wife's DD a step further. After all, it needs this type of repair to look right?

That said I have a few questions about lifts. Since this is the wifes DD she does not want anything that will ride real rough. A couple inches taller is ok. I see that some of these lifts come with new springs / struts, Etc. Which kit, of those sold will offer stock like ride comfort? I would also like to add spacers for the wheels but the choice seems obvious based on the posts I have read. Just cant believe I can spend 2-250 on spacers.

BTW - Money is no object, a lift with the comfort of the stock suspension is.

Thanks!!!

elephantrider · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:22 pm

old man emu all the way around, springs and shocks.

you can either piece meal your lift together ( some have had great results and cheaper overall lift price ) or you can call the great fellows at www.boulderbars.com and they can set you up with a perfect fit for your jeep.

after that, get an arb to hang on the front.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:28 pm

Rusty' s 2.5" Coil lift is a better ride than stock and worth it.

SoDakJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:46 pm

RUSTYS COIL IS WHAT I HAVE AND LOVE IT. CAN BE PICKED UP REAL CHEAP NEW OR USED. GREAT RIDE AS WELL.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:47 pm

Did he grind off the pinch weld?? -

That's actually needed - that's why folk bend it over - if if did grind it off - you need to look at getting it welded or things will start separating (it won't fall off but it's probably cause leaks)

elephantrider · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:49 pm

agreed on the rustys'. i ran rustys for a year or so, it never failed. me.
if you can piece meal your lift together with ome, which would be as cheap or cheaper than rusty's, that would be the best bet. if you would rather order it all at once, then rustys is the way to go.

im sure some guys on here could give you the correct info on where they purchased each part to make their lifts.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:50 pm

Just go OME can get it at about the same price as Rustys and with OMEs they are designed for the Liberty and a great ride, if you want 2 inches go with medium springs and both of you will be happy.

renegadekj · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:12 pm

Buy the Old man emu lift! It will probably give you the best ride(much better then stock) and is a very respected name in the 4x4 industry. OME is best known for there lifts do to the on road ride quality(get a better ride plus more flex/height and better looks! Ive had this lift for a year now and will be getting another OME for my next jeep as well! My wife drives it eveyday and loves it.

Josh

ONECRUNCH · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:27 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

Did he grind off the pinch weld?? -

That's actually needed - that's why folk bend it over - if if did grind it off - you need to look at getting it welded or things will start separating (it won't fall off but it's probably cause leaks)

He did but just a small amount was needed. When he compressed the suspension and turned the wheel it only needed a tiny bit.

The Lift thread above is helpful in understanding what kits are being talked about but does not offer links to a place I can purchase from. Sounds like the Rusty's kit and the OME kit are comparable for my needs. Again - The wifey will be driving and this will likely never be rock crawling That said is it still a toss between the two?

Thanks for all the responses!

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:28 pm

ONECRUNCH wrote:

ATXKJ wrote:

Did he grind off the pinch weld?? -

That's actually needed - that's why folk bend it over - if if did grind it off - you need to look at getting it welded or things will start separating (it won't fall off but it's probably cause leaks)

He did but just a small amount was needed. When he compressed the suspension and turned the wheel it only needed a tiny bit.

The Lift thread above is helpful in understanding what kits are being talked about but does not offer links to a place I can purchase from. Sounds like the Rusty's kit and the OME kit are comparable for my needs. Again - The wifey will be driving and this will likely never be rock crawling That said is it still a toss between the two?

Thanks for all the responses!

I think the most important question is what are the future plans for the jeep. Will is be a DD 99% of the time, or will it be wheeled regularly? Are you going to hang a steel bumper on the front in the future?

Both OME and Rusty's are an improvement over the stock ride. The Biggest issue I'm aware of with the Rusty's is sagging. If the KJ is going to be doing the majority of the time on the street it will be years before you should notice it. However, the harder you wheel it, the sooner you will notice it. If a new bumper MAY be in the future, just go straight to the OME's either a regular OME lift or frankenlift. It will take a few hundred miles to settle the suspension with the Frankie, but the ride quality is greatly improved over stock from there on.

The only place you can get a new Rusty lift is at: http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=rustys&Category_Code=sus_kj_kit

The only place I know of for OME lifts would be through an ARB retailer, or from ALL J's who also makes the Frankenlift: http://www.boulderbars.com/kjproducts.htm

PaU-MWolverine · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:01 am

I've got three words for you: Old Man Emu

You & your wife can thank us all later, it's an excellent product!

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:11 pm

get OME medium springs and the OME shocks from rusty's(they are not the long travels but will work for ur wifes DD and they are way cheap) here is a link to both

$40/each for the OME shocks
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.m ... ode=SHOCKS

$100 for the springs and i think thats each
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.m ... Code=COILS

or Rocky road has the springs cheaper$68/$69 and also has the struts but they are more there$78(might be the long travels) and have the front struts for $135
http://www.rocky-road.com/kjome.html

Rustys lift kit $465 for everything
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.m ... sus_kj_kit

hope this helps u out.. i would go with the OME stuff though

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:45 pm

If the Jeep is a DD, will never see offroading, and will never have a steel bumper on it then go for the light duty OME springs. It will lift it up around 1" and will give a better ride.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:50 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

If the Jeep is a DD, will never see offroading, and will never have a steel bumper on it then go for the light duty OME springs. It will lift it up around 1" and will give a better ride.

X2.. thats true... do the light duty OME springs and the $40 OME shocks from Rusty's and u should be able to keep ur stock front struts.. if this isnt enough lift in the end do a small clevis lift in the front and add a iso pad in the rear..... heck man i would try getting a iso pad or the small spring spacers from rustys in the rear and a clevis lift in the front and see if this fixes it first.. it would save u alot of money but u did say money didnt matter so if thats true then go with the OME parts.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:53 am

Let's put it this way. I have the Rusty's. I wish I got the OME. Get the OME, k?

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:54 pm

I have Rusty's. Rides better than stock, took a whopping 3.5 hours for total install. Everyone does praise the OME though..

ONECRUNCH · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:18 am

Thanks for all the info everyone. Looks like I will go with the OME Kit with the front Trim spacers. As the KJ sits it currently looks as if the front dips a bit and the OME kit, without the spacers, advertises less lift on the front. That is a bit concerning since this is where the rubbing occurs. I also think I will go with the Medium Springs for a couple reasons. First - If the light springs have the potential to settle out and only provide 1" of clearance once settled, I fear the rubbing issues will come back. The tires are definately rubbing under hard turns over bumps, such as turning into the driveway. Secondly, the added weight of the family and associated stuff justifies a harder spring.

Now - If I can just find wheel spacers for a decent price.

elephantrider · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:38 am

if you go with the hd's, you wont be disappointed.
the ride is not rough or bouncy at all. just a firm controled ride, is how i would describe it.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:05 am

jasonk wrote:

if you go with the hd's, you wont be disappointed.
the ride is not rough or bouncy at all. just a firm controled ride, is how i would describe it.

X2 or what ever..

OME HD's are great, but the meds for a DD without any extra steel hanging off the bow are the way to go. don't waste your money on the light duty springs. not gaining anything. Get Med's at least then if you decide to hang steel you are covered. BUT if you take the big plunge and hang steel and a winch.... HD's all the way....

P.S. Have that pinch weld looked at soon and properly sealed up. A fairly important structural location, that is why people just pound it flat and not cut it off. But make darned sure it is primed, painted herculined or some how sealed up. GREAT place for rust to start and work it's way into the structure of the KJ.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:18 pm

If you like a firmer ride go HD, if you like the ride of a caddy buy the mediums, dont go any lower than mediums. I love my HDs and would not trade them for any other brand.

simon said that, right KJ04 :lol:

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