No Lift Wheeling

bgcarl01 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:57 am

So I did some searches on no lift, stock tires, etcetera. Didn't come up with too much directly on topic. I work with people that have MR. Some of them are very short and can barely clamber into the Liberty as is. How many of you guys have modified your liberty's with the "everything else" category of items, besides the lift? I realize that most people start with the lift, but that has to be the last thing if ever with mine. Winches, bumpers, stock size-ish all terrains, skids and lockers? Anybody? It may seem pointless, but all I really do is hunt and fish, as the nearest off road park is over 200 miles away. Just need a little extra help getting into those really good fishing holes!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:06 am

skids plates first, the best you can get since they will get a work out.
Tow points front and rear for what you need stock ones should work great.
largest size tire to safely run is a 245-70-16 find a more aggresive tread pattern and you'll be good.
Bumpers, this is where it gets tricky trying to stay low. An ARB for example will weigh in about 90 lbs, so the stock springs will go south in no time. You could go with possibly stock OEM CRD front springs to take some of the weight and stay low. OME 927 springs which is what a lot use are rated at 400 lbs , the OEM CRDs are rated at 410 new, so that maybe an option there
again good skids first are a must
Know what you mean I have to drive 200/250 miles just for anything good to have fun at

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:01 am

I took my Liberty offroad at Moab with no lift, just hooks, skids and sliders. I made it through almost every obstacle, took it slow and was very careful picking lines knowing that I had limited clearance. had to be strapped off a couple of times. I put a beating on the skids and the sliders, but thats what they are for.

Like Tom said, first order of business is to make sure your Jeep survives the experience. Armor, skidplates, rock rails and tow hooks are a must.

Offroad capability is a mix of a lot of things, but four big ones; Clearance, Articulation, Traction and Self Recovery capability. Ideally you want to improve your jeep in all area's but improving in any area makes your Jeep more capable.

Clearance - Lift, Larger Tires
Articulation - Lift, sway bar disconnects or removal
Traction - Stickier better Tires, Limited Slip or Locked differentials
Self Recovery - Tow points, Hi Lift, Winch

Adding a winch would go a long way to overcome, lack of clearance, limited articulation and poor traction.

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:04 am

Stock height vehicles with aggresive stock or near stock sized tires and a locker can be very impressive. Armor would become even more important, but if you spent your money on armor and performance upgrades even without a lift I think you would be impressed.

225/75 or 245/70 M/T's, no slip or ARB for rear (depending on budget), skids and decent rock rails, and recovery points would be worthwhile upgrades.

May KJ took its firt organized off-road trip when it still had temp tags on it and it garnered respectful comments, even bone stock.

stevebaz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:25 am **Posts:** 10

If your Liberty is like mine I wouldn't lift it but I would put spacers under the front strut to level it out. Then your front will be at least as high as the clearence under the rear Diff. At the door sill this may raise it less than an inch. This will get you a long ways and if you get some traction aids you will go everywhere you want to go and be able to get back. If your going to put it in 4wd you need skid plates. There not there to get you through there are there to save your butt when you cant get through or you have miss guided ambitions. With this you at least need a tow strap and spots on your jeep to attach it to. I would add rocker protection first before you do anything. Mistakes get really expensive there and they are the most vulnerable. If you travel solo throw a come along in the back and a high lift jack. They can get you out of any mishaps you may encounter. Pratice using them in the driveway where things are level and easy so you have a good game plan should you need them on the trail. When praticing with a come along add a little parking brake drag so the jeep doesn't roll over you. High lift jacks are a very dangerous thing but when you need them nothing else will do. They are not easy and out in the field they are never set-up the way you would like, have an escape plan.

bgcarl01 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:09 pm

Yah, the skids are a must, I learned this lesson two years ago with a GMC Jimmy. I spent a saturday replacing my rusted out gas tank and putting in new lines, fuel pump etcetera. About a month later I drove a huge rock hidden in some grass up through the brand new tank. Luckily it missed crushing the fuel pump, but still....Will the Mopar Rock Rails hold up all right? I'm a pretty slow offroad driver. (Okay, so I'm a heater hunter...) Also, I take it by the way you guys are suggesting the best skids I can find, that the Mopar ones probably aren't that awesome with their thin steel?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:22 pm

Mopars will more than likely work for you if you are only traveling back roads, two tracks without rocks etc sticking up. If you want more esp. the trans, let me know I have something coming in soon that may work for you
Mopar rockrails are alright but there are lots better ones out there that will hold up the whole KJ

stevebaz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:25 am **Posts:** 10

Use good solid rock rails then if you get stuck they wont bend if you use a highlift jack under them. If you bury a liberty there are not many places you can get a jack under with out doing damage unless you tunnel under the truck. You can in some cases put the highlift inside a wheel if it fits and you dont mind marring your fancy wheels.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:33 pm

Armor armor armor......but then the added weight lowers it a little so less clearance.

Skids and slidiers.

Agressive tires like MTs.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:09 pm

bgcarl01 wrote:

So I did some searches on no lift, stock tires, etcetera. Didn't come up with too much directly on topic. I work with people that have MR. Some of them are very short and can barely clamber into the Liberty as is.

I would go with a small lift and carry a milk crate or small collapsible step-stool for those who may need assistance getting into the Jeep. Even a spacer lift from Daystar is cheap, but noticeable.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:25 pm

If you get sliders with the super bars on them, it makes for a great step to get into the KJ.

My mom is only 4'10" and she climbs in with no issues and she is old.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:55 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

If you get sliders with the super bars on them, it makes for a great step to get into the KJ.

My mom is only 4'10" and she climbs in with no issues and she is old.

Yes my Mom is 78 has had both knees replaced and still gets in and out of mine all of the time. Now she doesn't jump right in but with the RL rails and the grab handle she makes it in and out

No Lift Wheeling

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