What have you done to your KK lately

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:18 pm

I picked up the KK today from Jeff Daniels Jeep Customizing http://www.jeffdanielsjeeps.com/jd/. These guys have a great shop! There were all sorts of lifted CJ's, TJ's XJ's, and this awesome beast parked out front:

They did a very professional job with the install. The KK came back with a few changes... :BANANA:

Here are some before shots.
The KK in profile:

The front wheel well:

Yup, pretty sagged! The measurements from center of the wheel to fender (inner very bottom of the fender; add 1/4-1/2 inch if you measure to the outer curve):
Front/Driver: 17 inches
Front/Passenger: 17 1/2 inches
Rear/Driver: 18 inches
Rear/Passenger: 17 3/4 inches

And now (drumroll, please!!!)...
The KK in profile:

The front wheel well:

The rear wheel well:

Measurements (same method as above):
Front/Driver: 20 1/4 inches
Front/Passenger: 20 1/4 inches
Rear/Driver: 22 inches
Rear/Passenger: 22 inches

The whole rig sits at 6 feet, 10 inches tall from the ground to the top of the roof basket. Got to watch out for those parking garages now! The lift is Hislop's used JBA 4 inch lift kit. The tech at the Jeep shop remarked about what good shape it was in for being a used lift. Thanks, Hislop!

I need to get her some bigger shoes, but the 225/75/R16 Cooper A/T3's don't look too bad because they have a reasonably aggressive tread. There is tons of tread left, so I may run them another 20-30K until they are toast and then get 245's. At that time, I may also give the adjust-a-struts a few turns to get the nose up a little higher. There is definitely a rake to the KK as it sits now.

Here she is next to a stock KK at work:

Now to update the signature and the avatar! :rockon:

At The Helm · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:14 pm

Looking good!
Are you going to leave the front that height or adjust to match the rear?

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:36 pm

Looks good! I know it of was me I'd adjust the front ASAP to get rid of the wake rather then waiting for new tires. I really hate having a rake in most vehicles, but I know some are into it.

infernicus · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:49 pm

lfhoward wrote:

[...]And now (drumroll, please!!!)[...]

Looks Good! I've played with those shocks! Haha, you're going to enjoy it. Brian's Jeep was the first KK I saw lifted so beautifully. Now it's yours, lol.
ENJOY!

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:58 pm

Thanks! I am ready to get in it and drive it to Moab tonight... actually, I can't do that just yet, but someday I will! :SOMBRERO:

It drives really nicely too. The bumps on the highway aren't as harsh as they used to be. And I like being on the same level with pickup truck drivers. :JEEPIN:

The lift is solid-- no funny noises or vibrations. The installers did a nice job, and it is a quality kit to begin with.

I am wondering about the stance/rake. I do think the front would look better with a little more lift to match the rear, but I don't really have the $$ to spend right now on another alignment. I actually don't mind it too much. I wonder if the installers left the front lower to reduce wear and tear on the CVs?

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:19 pm

Possibly or they just didn't adjust the front. 20.25 inches up front is what 1.25" lift? Or is 18" stock? Either way save you're pennies this week and crank up the front lol

At The Helm · **Posted:** Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:08 pm

Either way you're goung to need another alignment after it settles in.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:35 am

Congratulations! It's also good to hear positive things about the mechanics that worked on your rig. To me, the tires look fine the size they are now.

Also noticing now that your KK isn't black.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:23 pm

Changed the rear differential oil. Looks to me like it still had a decent gold color to it. Felt pretty nice after the test drive.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:45 pm

Gageraid wrote:

Changed the rear differential oil. Looks to me like it still had a decent gold color to it. Felt pretty nice after the test drive.

Nice. I've been wanting to do that too, so I bookmarked Digger's instructions. I also bookmarked MtnLuvr's how-to for extending the breathers.

But today I am recovering from wrist surgery (and typing with one finger), so it will be a little while before I can have fun with Jeepy. :ALONE:

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:01 pm

If I can do it, anyone can. Hopefully a speedy recovery for you.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:04 pm

Thanks. Can you feel an improvement after changing the diff oil?

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:07 pm

Feels a little more peppy and responsive. Could just be in my head. As far as I know, this is the first time it's been done. My tank is close to empty, so maybe it'll improve mileage very slightly.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:29 pm

I don't think mine has ever been done either. I just passed 60K, so it's probably time.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:39 pm

lfhoward wrote:

I don't think mine has ever been done either. I just passed 60K, so it's probably time.

Mine is at 45 and change.

swamppro · **Joined:** Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:36 pm **Posts:** 52

Finally got a picture of new tires. Suspension needs work over as sagging at 58,000 miles. 245/75/16 hankooks and rock father lift.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:02 am

Saturday is Jeep day here at my house. One XJ and one KJ being lifted. I might as well do the flush on my diffs too. I have no idea when/if it's ever been done, and with it being a used vehicle, I probably should.

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

look who's got a new home......
cant wait to install my lift and drop this in......... ome on the way.....

tires in the back are 245/70/17 km2's the mud contry is a 33x12"

now that i have five wheels and 5 bfg mtr's i think i am going to build a spear tire carrie like the one i used to have on my zj.

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:40 pm

Hit 15,000 miles on the way back to school :JEEPIN:

After 500 miles on the new tires, two conclusions came to mind:
1) More vibration inside my Jeep than expected (vs. previous tires)
2) 1 MPG better (calculated by EVIC and hand) :pepper:

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:55 pm

Lets see... ordered parts to do my front axle seals :juggle:

What have you done to your KK lately

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