Daystar lift...

MaineSleddah · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:10 pm

Here's my quandary... I am in need of new tires now. It's a $600 bill. but to put on the 245's, I need a 2.5" lift. I do not want to spend the $1100 for the FrankenLift right now along with tires. The Daystar is on sale for $155 and along with a set of Rancho shocks would get it lifted, for now, for about $300. What are the general opinions on the Daystar lift? I am not what I consider myself a hard core off roader, but I am a very avid hunter and fisherman that likes a road less traveled. Opinions welcome.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:13 pm

Daystar is a good cheaper lift and you are getting the extended rear shocks so that is good as well. This is the only lift other than a full spring that I would recommend.

Good Luck with the KJ!

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:20 pm

I have run the Daystar lift for the past 4 years in the Rockies and at Moab. It performs well enough for what it is ... a stop-gap until you can get a better lift. In the past 4 years, I've spent almost 2 years deployed and still managed to put almost 50k miles on it. The front springs are worn out with the coils almost resting on each other and the lift has sagged almost a full inch. That said, other than some minor hickups in the beginning due to improper installation, I've had no issues. One thing I would recommend is to get the longer front struts at the same time you get the rear shocks. This make a world of a difference. Happy wheeling and let me know if you have any more questions.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 8:42 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

I have run the Daystar lift for the past 4 years in the Rockies and at Moab. It performs well enough for what it is ... a stop-gap until you can get a better lift. In the past 4 years, I've spent almost 2 years deployed and still managed to put almost 50k miles on it. The front springs are worn out with the coils almost resting on each other and the lift has sagged almost a full inch. That said, other than some minor hickups in the beginning due to improper installation, I've had no issues. One thing I would recommend is to get the longer front struts at the same time you get the rear shocks. This make a world of a difference. Happy wheeling and let me know if you have any more questions.

Where do you get the longer front struts at? Just curious?

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:01 pm

I got mine from a local shop, I asked for them by part number and only cost $109.68 with tax for a pair. Rancho RSX 17505

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:05 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

I got mine from a local shop, I asked for them by part number and only cost $109.68 with tax for a pair. Rancho RSX 17505

Thats just the stock lenghth ones not extended.

Tom

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 9:15 pm

I must have been mistaken. I would still go with them though as the ride is significantly improved and I (seemed to?) get more travel out of them. These are also the same struts that come with the Frankenlift I.

501 · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 10:47 pm

I have an 03 with the 2½" Daystar with Skyjacker long travel shocks with 255/7-/16's on it. It's only been on for a couple of months but so far I love it.

Here's a couple of pics:

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 11:04 pm

Good Looking KJ there 501, seems like I have seen that one somewhere in my travels??????? :wink:

501 · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 11:09 pm

Hmmmm.... I wonder where?!?

I kept running into this rig over the weekend a few times!

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 12:28 am

Here's mine, after the lift with Moabs. I also did a pretty detailed write up on the installation

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=26190

I have been very happy with the lift but I really don't wheel the Liberty. I just wanted it to do good in the snow around here and also to use it for camping on occasion. I really like the way it drives now. It feels and sits like a Jeep should!

durangotang · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 12:43 am

I am in the exact same boat as you it seems... I need new tires and am forced to get a lift to hold me over under I finish all the custom crap-o-la on my KJ.... I'm probably going to do the same thing with the daystar.

FWIW... you CAN piece together a CRD Frankenlift for around $580 if you buy the parts from separate places and re-use what you can. There was a thread on that here not-too-long ago.

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 12:17 pm

I have had the Daystar lift now for 2 years. I'm very happy with the lift and would highly recommend it as a budget lift. the Frankenlift is better, but wasn't available when I did my lift. Its also about 4 times more expensive. I made the same choice, spent my money on other mods. I will eventually upgrade, but will wait till I need new struts.

I wheel it.
I find no real difference in articulation from other KJ's with spring lifts.
I have the original Struts in front, Recently replaced stock shocks with 2" longer Rancho RSX's in the rear.
I had to drive it about a month before it settled enough to get a good front end alignment. Have not had to repeat alignment since then.
I find the rear spacer eliminates the need for extended bumpstops. Just can't compress the spacer so no issues stuffing the tires to far.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 12:26 pm

[
I find the rear spacer eliminates the need for extended bumpstops. Just can't compress the spacer so no issues stuffing the tires to far.[/quote]

still would need extended bumpstops as the stock springs will "stack" on top of each other, causing failure. Bumpstops not only stop the tire from going too far up into the wheelwell causing problems but also stops springs from stacking.

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 1:22 pm

tommudd wrote:

bugnout wrote:

I find the rear spacer eliminates the need for extended bumpstops. Just can't compress the spacer so no issues stuffing the tires to far.

still would need extended bumpstops as the stock springs will "stack" on top of each other, causing failure. Bumpstops not only stop the tire from going too far up into the wheelwell causing problems but also stops springs from stacking.

Sorry should have clarified. Don't need extended bump stops since all your essentially doing with the daystar spacer is repositioning the lower spring perch 2.5" higher. the stock bump stops will do.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2008 1:26 pm

I went ahead and got the front bumpstops, swap bar bushings and the brake line extension. If you go this route and install the front sway bar bushing make sure you put a little lube on them or they will drive you crazy, at least mine did with all the sqeaking.

MaineSleddah · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 8:55 pm

Done deal.

I ordered the Daystar 2.5" lift kit and a set of extended Rancho rear shocks from All AJ Products. Can's wait to get it in and install it! Thanks for all the input and the great link to your very detailed instructions KJ Taz! My tires are going to be Cooper 245/75R-16 ATR's. I will post pictures when it's got the lift and tires on it.

Thanks again everyone :!:

MaineSleddah · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 2:41 pm

The Daystar lift I ordered said it included bump stops. Does it in fact have both front and rear stops??? I see on the website they sell rear bump stops seprately... Between my Jeep dealer not knowing who to make changes in my BCM and all the little details, I think I need a beer! :lol:

501 · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 2:50 pm

MaineSleddah wrote:

The Daystar lift I ordered said it included bump stops. Does it in fact have both front and rear stops??? I see on the website they sell rear bump stops seprately... Between my Jeep dealer not knowing who to make changes in my BCM and all the little details, I think I need a beer! :lol:

I imagine it's the same kit I got, if so, it will only have the front bumpstops.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2008 4:49 pm

501 wrote:

MaineSleddah wrote:

The Daystar lift I ordered said it included bump stops. Does it in fact have both front and rear stops??? I see on the website they sell rear bump stops seprately... Between my Jeep dealer not knowing who to make changes in my BCM and all the little details, I think I need a beer! :lol:

I imagine it's the same kit I got, if so, it will only have the front bumpstops.

X2........................ I found I don't need rear bump stops so all is well.

Daystar lift...

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