Smallest Lift VS. Higher Springs

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:13 pm

I want to get my '05 Renny up a bit without putting on a 2" or higher lift. Is there a lift available less than 2" or should I just look for some of the higher springs that were stock before the KJ was lowered? How much would the springs cost vs. a lift?

Why would I want such a small lift, you ask? I want to differentiate my Libby enough that it's noticeable, but little enough that it'll still fit in my garage with my roof basket on. Also, I want to put on some larger tires without too much rubbing. Thanks for your help.

Brigrat · **Joined:** Sun May 21, 2006 6:17 pm **Posts:** 92

I beleive that there are som 1 3/4-1 1/2 inch Old Man Emu lifts available for the KJ. That is the route that I am considering.

Brigrat · **Joined:** Sun May 21, 2006 6:17 pm **Posts:** 92

yup, here you go.

http://www.rocky-road.com/kjome.html

swyszomirski · **Joined:** Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:59 am **Posts:** 286

I wonder if the stock 235 tires would still look good with this lift?

I gotta replace the front springs anyway, so this is very tempting, considering the price is the same for these springs, or new spring from the stealership...

Stephen

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:04 pm

Depends on what springs you go with. They (OME) make 3 different spring rates, one is stock basically(925s) 2nd (926s at 375 lb ) is medium duty and the heavy dutys are 927s at 400 lb. By the way if you look at Rustys springs I think they are only about 310 lb or I think that is what i saw somewhere. I put the 927s on with a slight clevis and with 245 70s I am 16.5 inches at the bottom of the pinch weld in front. It raised me up quite a bit and I even have the ARB hanging out there now. Depends what your future looks like, if you ever want to raise some more now is the time to do it. The 927s ride so good that is the only ones I would have.

How high is your garage door? Top of my roof basket (which I mounted down way lower than most, is I think about 78.5 inches to the top. from middle of wheel to lower part of front fender is about 21 and a half or so.

Maybe that will give you some things to go off of as far as height etc. I know I measured, read everything I could before I went this route to make sure what I got was what would work for me.

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:26 pm

Haven't measured the garage door as of now but it looks like I have about 4" of clearance at stock height with my Mopar roof basket.

What do the Old Man Emu coil springs do for ride comfort? Do I have to get new shocks or can I keep the stock shocks? And... could I fit 255/70/R16's on my KJ with these coils?

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:55 pm

Like I said I went with the Heavy Dutys and I like the ride, it is not rough at all, just firm, handles a lot better in turns etc. Yes I think you should be able to run 255 70s with no problem, I have the 245 70s and lots of room I replaced the struts only because I fiqured that since I had it tore down why not....plus the Ranchos are so much better than the stockers. I got the OMEs and front struts from ALL Js

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:39 pm

Did you buy the complete system or each pair of shocks/coils/struts individually like on the link above? So I could go with new coils and keep my shocks/struts?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:32 pm

Like I said I got my front OME Heavy Duty springs / Rancho struts from ALL Js bought them separately not as a kit, rear shocks from Summit Racing. I had rear pucks since they came with my used ARB bumper, will trade them out for springs later when money allows.

Edwin · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:45 pm

I have the OME HDs with Ranchos all around, and the ride is 10 times better than stock. I work my KJ hard every day, and the HDs hold up goot. I pull a heavy trailer every day with it. Rocky Road charges too much, check with All-J. Rusty's sells OME too. I bought mine from All-J. I did buy mine pre-assembled as a kit.

swyszomirski · **Joined:** Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:59 am **Posts:** 286

Well, I was already to buy Roady-roads springs, but when I heard the cost was around $500 for 4 spings and 2 struts, I don't think it is worth it considering a Frankenlift ain't much more. Grumble. I have only had my winch/carrier for a year, and it already killed my front springs with what little I had it in there, so I am not interested in waisting money on regular springs just to have them dead in another year...

Anyone have any good ideas? Is there a spring that has the same height, but stiffer?

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:07 pm

So it looks like the OME coil lift kit (1.5"-1.75") would cost me around $668... more than I'm willing to spend. I still want the small lift, but don't want to pay that much. Would my best bet be to look at coils from early model KJs for the extra inch? Can they still be ordered through mopar? Are there any other options under 2 inches of lift?

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:44 pm

Call All-J and see if they have any pre-lowered springs. Their used parts page says they sell stock KJ springs for $25. Not sure if they would have any prelowered or not but maybe worth a shot.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:17 am

688 for the OME, WOW !!! Call ALL Js and see what you can get the parts for, 688 seems steep, where was that from? Of course I have not replaced the rear coils yet, but I have way less than that so far even with the new rear coils I should be under 475 easy. I will have to pull out all the receipts and double check

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:43 pm

Cheap lift that will work...

Buy four stock rear spring isolators...Take out the rear bottom spacer...glue one of the purchased spacers upsidedown on top of the other(that gives you a new flat surface)...then glue the third facing up to hold the spring...let it set...you can even tie wrap the bottom two together after you glue...the third has to be glue only so the spring will seat properly(you might be able to slip a zip tie without interference).

This will give you 1" of lift in the rear...

Next just adjust the front cleavis up about 1/2 of an inch or so and torque back to stock torque values. The 1/2 inch will get you about 9/10s of an inch of lift. Now you can fit some 245/70/16's MT's/AT's without any rubbing problems or just use your stock tires and have some fun.

You will not have any added problems from doing this "Budget Lift"...the stock shock should be able to handle the extra 1" of travel if you leave the rear sway bar attached.

With the "Budget Lift" and slightly taller tires you will get about 1.25" of total lift...It is amazing what that will do off-road. Of course you need to armor the underside and rocker panels. The extra weight of the armor will probably bring you back down a little in the front...if it does you can slightly adjust the cleavis to level out you "Trail Ready" KJ...

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:54 am

Can I get NEW coils that were made BEFORE the lowered coils? That is, can I somehow buy a NEW pair of coils that were stock on the 02's?

raceinfan · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:43 am

AdirondacKJ wrote:

Can I get NEW coils that were made BEFORE the lowered coils? That is, can I somehow buy a NEW pair of coils that were stock on the 02's?

YES you can the dealerships can get them all you need to do is give them a vin# which you can find on E-Bay just look for an 02 liberty thats for sale usualy they will have a picture of the door sticker with the date of manufacture on it & vin# & so forth just make sure it was built before April of 02

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:44 am

raceinfan wrote:

AdirondacKJ wrote:

Can I get NEW coils that were made BEFORE the lowered coils? That is, can I somehow buy a NEW pair of coils that were stock on the 02's?

YES you can the dealerships can get them all you need to do is give them a vin# which you can find on E-Bay just look for an 02 liberty thats for sale usualy they will have a picture of the door sticker with the date of manufacture on it & vin# & so forth just make sure it was built before April of 02

Are there Ranchos that would work with those '02 coils?

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:47 am

Just got back from the stealership... the parts guys says the '02 coils won't fit an '05... the base has changed or something like that... I'm no expert. When I asked about other options, he said I could just buy some heavy duty shocks that would give me 1"-1.5" of lift without changing the coils. Is this possible?

raceinfan · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:28 pm

the Rancho's will work with the taller springs I have them,call quinn at All J they'll hook you up

Smallest Lift VS. Higher Springs

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