Is this lift kit any good for my KJ?

Buitragokev · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:32 pm **Posts:** 8

I've been looking at this Rusty's 2.5 inch lift but I don't know if it's any good. Can you guys help me out?
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-kj-liberty-2-5-suspension-kit-02-06.html

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2015 9:58 pm

Buitragokev wrote:

I've been looking at this Rusty's 2.5 inch lift but I don't know if it's any good. Can you guys help me out?
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-kj-liberty-2-5-suspension-kit-02-06.html

NO answered in other section

3Dglasses · **Joined:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 pm **Posts:** 20

I bought Rusty's spacer kit and some rear shocks for my KJ '06 crd about 5 years ago. The spacers were fine. The rear shock absorbers were not very good fit but they rode ok. (the shock bushings were not the correct size, they were small and had to use washers to take up the extra space, one became loose after a while and had to re-tighten). In 3 years they rusted, which is expected, but one of the rear shocks began to leak it's fluid. I bought some commercial Gabriel shocks for the rear (made for a Dakota/Durango because they are about 2 inches longer), and the ends/bushings fit much better on the liberty, almost like the jeep was made to have longer shocks. And they were only about $20 each on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AM ... UTF8&psc=1
In conclusion, I would not buy another pair of Rusty's rear shock absorbers. 2-3 inch of rear bump stop is a good idea. But I have no experience with their coil springs.

I am currently seeking longer rear coils springs, ordered Moog 81041, which is made for a Toyota 4-runner. (16.25 inch free height, 125lb per inch rate, 4.6 inch inside diameter) which should compress about 6 inches with weight of the vehicle on it. My intension is to omit the rear spacer, take up all the suspension travel at full flex with just the spring).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035R ... UTF8&psc=1

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2015 5:14 pm

I wanna know where you end up with that rear coil please

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

125 per inch is very soft. OME run 210.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2015 6:46 pm

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

125 per inch is very soft. OME run 210.

Yes way soft
but then he did say they would compress down 6 inches :lol:

But way too soft for a KJ

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

tommudd wrote:

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

125 per inch is very soft. OME run 210.

Yes way soft
but then he did say they would compress down 6 inches :lol:

But way too soft for a KJ

So 16" on the springs hes looking at, compressed 6" would make it a ride height for 10". Lower than stock, which is 11"

3Dglasses · **Joined:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 pm **Posts:** 20

Buitragokev - Any lift is better than stock.
Everyone else - I'll let you know if the Moog 81041's end up being too soft, is a winner, or just a mistake and will provide photos if requested.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/moog/w ... s_Spec.pdf

Based on my research (much of it done on LOST):
The stock rear coil springs height (no load) is approx. 11 inches, have a 200lb rate per inch of compression, (My actual stock springs are almost 10.5 inches high with no load on them, they were probably 11 inches high when they were new). With 800lbs on the spring (60/40 weight distribution of 4000 lbs divided by 2) that would compress the coil 4 inches making it only 7 inches high at load height (stock). If you have a rear coil spring spacer, that is 2 more inches = 9 inches (from rear coil lower seat to upper seat).

The 81041 rear coil spring for the 4runner is 16 inches long (no load), has a 125lb rate per inch of compression. With 800lbs on the spring that would compress the coil 6 inches making it 10 inches high at load height (no spacer) from rear coil lower seat to upper seat. I can always add coils spring isolators top and/or bottom seat if I need to add additional pre-load to the spring.

My goal is to get the KJ to flex the rear suspension with inexpensive parts that are readily available and cheap. Mathematically, these should work to allow lift and flex, take up 16 inches of space between the coil seats (without spacers), then be able to compress to about 6 inches (hopefully a good 10+ inches of travel) to the bumpstop when crawling over stuff. Besides, they coils are good enough for a Toyota 4runner, which is not any lighter than a JK and tows 5000 lbs. (the 4runner can be fitted with an airbag system within the rear coil to assist in towing, so I realize these coils will not be the best for a towing rig). I could not find anyone on LOST that has discussed the option to use the Moog 81041, so I'm willing to test it out. FYI, the KJ is a CRD, I have longer shocks (for a Durango/Dakota), the JBA y-link extension, brake line extensions (both on driver side rear) 3 hockey pucks on each side bumpstops so the rear suspension is higher and has decent articulation, a bit more than stock. I am running 245/70/16 tires, trying to make room for 265/75/16 and I will not be re-gearing.
Any tips or advise is appreciated. Except re-gearing, lol.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2015 11:03 pm

So no comments on regearing :ROTFL:

OK another poor KJ :roll:

On paper you may be close to right, real world....................well

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

265 75r16......you need to regear even with the CRD. 4.10s would work great.

But im not sure what you mean on flex. My JBA 4" springs can almost stack themselves and i have sooo much droop that the springs gets loose. Oh BTW the 4" springs are 15" tall.

If you dont wanna buy the JBA or whatever. Check out ebaich. Im running a set currently for a special project. They have conventional rear springs. And also King.

But good luck. Oh, also you need taller gears with 32s.

Rotor · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2015 3:23 pm

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

265 75r16......you need to regear even with the CRD.

I know with a 3.7 that regearing for 32's is something you should do. And with a stock CRD, I would say regearing for 32's isn't a bad idea. With a re-tuned CRD and 32's it's not needed (my experience).

I live at 4000'. When I first put my 32's on I did notice that the jeep felt a bit more sluggish. After I re-tuned my CRD, it has loads more power and can put me into the back of the seat when I stomp on it. No issues towing or crossing any passes on the left coast.

I think regearing in general is a good idea for larger tires, but on a CRD I just don't feel that its a HAVE TO/NEED TO type of thing.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 22, 2015 6:25 am

Rotor wrote:

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

265 75r16......you need to regear even with the CRD.

I know with a 3.7 that regearing for 32's is something you should do. And with a stock CRD, I would say regearing for 32's isn't a bad idea. With a re-tuned CRD and 32's it's not needed (my experience).

I live at 4000'. When I first put my 32's on I did notice that the jeep felt a bit more sluggish. After I re-tuned my CRD, it has loads more power and can put me into the back of the seat when I stomp on it. No issues towing or crossing any passes on the left coast.

I think regearing in general is a good idea for larger tires, but on a CRD I just don't feel that its a HAVE TO/NEED TO type of thing.

Even with a tuned CRD it is advisable to regear, just fooling yourself in thinking it doesn't need it.

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

tommudd wrote:

Rotor wrote:

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

265 75r16......you need to regear even with the CRD.

I know with a 3.7 that regearing for 32's is something you should do. And with a stock CRD, I would say regearing for 32's isn't a bad idea. With a re-tuned CRD and 32's it's not needed (my experience).

I live at 4000'. When I first put my 32's on I did notice that the jeep felt a bit more sluggish. After I re-tuned my CRD, it has loads more power and can put me into the back of the seat when I stomp on it. No issues towing or crossing any passes on the left coast.

I think regearing in general is a good idea for larger tires, but on a CRD I just don't feel that its a HAVE TO/NEED TO type of thing.

Even with a tuned CRD it is advisable to regear, just fooling yourself in thinking it doesn't need it.

Agree. My buddy has a tuned CRD with 265 75r16s. Not only can my 3.7l burn both tires, his just one, but i also have a better launch than his. 4.56s FTW

3Dglasses · **Joined:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 pm **Posts:** 20

WhitbyKJ wrote:

I wanna know where you end up with that rear coil please

Results:
Rear coils (Moog 81041) are installed on the KJ (No spacer). Rear measurement from middle of center cap to fender turn in is 21.75", (the front is 21.5" with my previous front lift setup). I rode about 100 miles so far. It rides a little smoother that it used to, no driveshaft vibrations, and rear articulates much easier than the front (the front tends to stay more level over uneven surfaces). I drove over speed humps at 45mph (for testing purposes only) and the rear does not get propelled into the air as it used to, the vehicle lands relatively flat. I did not have to use a coil compressor or have to disconnect the rear swaybar but I did have to disconnect the bottom of the rear shocks to let the axle drop lower. I ran into an unexpected issue when installing, I had to trim the pigtail end of the Moog 81041 because it would not fit around the rear upper bumpstop cup. I cut 1/4 of a turn on the top coil pigtail. I'm digging this set-up for now and I'll report back if there are any issues down the road. I took lots of photos but am unable to paste the photos in this post.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2015 10:06 am

Photobucket and then post here

3Dglasses · **Joined:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 pm **Posts:** 20

Photos
http://s725.photobucket.com/user/rwfran ... og%2081041
[url]http://s725.photobucket.com/user/rwfranke/library/Jeep%20Liberty%20Moog%2081041[/[album]http://s725.photobucket.com/user/rwfranke/library/Jeep%20Liberty%20Moog%2081041[/album]url]

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2015 12:03 pm

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2015 12:08 pm

4 inch rear http://jeepinbyal.com/ springs at 24 inches in the rear ( mine on the right)
Not sure where you are coming up with your measurements at but you certainly NOT over 30 inches

But you'd have about 12 inches of lift with those measurements, so I am assuming you're at 3 to 3.5 inches of real lift ??!!

3Dglasses · **Joined:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 pm **Posts:** 20

TYPO: (not 31.75 and 31.5). The current rear measurement from middle of center cap to fender turn in is 21.75", (the front is 21.5" with my current front lift setup). I don't know the stock measurements, has been lifted in one way or another for 5 years. I think the total lift is under 3 inches (not including tires).

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2015 2:17 pm

3Dglasses wrote:

TYPO: (not 31.75 and 31.5). The current rear measurement from middle of center cap to fender turn in is 21.75", (the front is 21.5" with my previous front lift setup). I don't know the stock measurements, has been lifted in one way or another for 5 years. I think the total lift is under 3 inches (not including tires).

You have 2.5 inches of lift , same as you'd get from a full OME spring lift
Not enough room for your planned 265-75-16s
stick with 245-75-16s at most

Is this lift kit any good for my KJ?

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