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frankenlift question
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11261		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ratmloud [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  frankenlift question
I asked in the frankenlift post but got no response so i made a new topic.

I have read the posts about frankenlift problems, and I was wondering (i have a franken on the way) what are ALL the issues with the lift?
upper ball joint/ upper arm and lower ball joints and cv axles correct?
so if i replace the upper arms with al's arms and the lower ball joint with moogs will i be problem free?
Author:  Jeepin Al [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:41 am ]
Post subject: 
It is not really the problem with the lift, but the way the KJ was engineered. My a-arms will correct the upper concerns, such as the bad ball joint angle, stress on the OEM ball joint and the spring to a-arms contact. You still may get contact, however it will be the back of the ball joint bung and not the ball joint or boot.

The lower OEM ball joints are just junk. The moog units will correct the lower ball joint concerns. Please remember that you must service the ball joints on a regular basis, and keep an eye on them. The ball joints are under a lot of stress. Even the Moog units will wear out. The upper ball joints in my arms should last a very long time, they are about twice the size of the OEM units and have little stress on them (compared to the lowers).

I hope this helps but remeber any lift you use will cause issues with the front suspension, and as you have read, ball joints and CV shaft angles are the main concern. The steering rod ends also pose a problem.

Al
Author:  ratmloud [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:42 am ]
Post subject: 
I havent seen anything about the steering rod ends?

I am just looking to get a reliable setup, I dont want to be breaking alot, as this is my daily driver.
Author:  Se7enLC [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:30 am ]
Post subject: 
ratmloud wrote:
I havent seen anything about the steering rod ends?

I am just looking to get a reliable setup, I dont want to be breaking alot, as this is my daily driver.


Well, you did want to know ALL the issues. Something like the steering rod ends is going to be an issue with ANY lift, though. A minor issue, but it's still there. The only things to really worry about are the ball joint contact, struts bottoming/topping out, and making sure that the bump stops will prevent your springs from falling out. Those things are all taken care of for you in the frankenlift, and can be easy handled in any other lift.

frankenlift is definitely a reliable setup, but any time you modify vehicle a vehicle like the liberty, it's never going to be quite as reliable as it was when it was factory. Just the way the suspension and steering are designed, when you add height, it moves things around. It doesn't necessarily make it much worse, but it's definitely different.

That being said, it's not like it's going to fall apart every 1000 miles, it's just that some things might go a little more often than they would if you hadn't touched it. Don't worry about it breaking all the time. Almost all of us have the jeep as our daily driver and haven't had too many problems.
Author:  Jeepin Al [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:33 am ]
Post subject: 
The steering ends are placed at the same angle as the CV shafts, they haven't been a problem, however here in the east some inspection stations, (if they notice) don't like the angle they are at.

I am tracking doen some industry secrets about adapting a Ford end to the rack elliminating the angle of the steering rods.

Al
Author:  Loopkey [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:40 am ]
Post subject: 
ratmloud wrote:
I havent seen anything about the steering rod ends?

I am just looking to get a reliable setup, I dont want to be breaking alot, as this is my daily driver.


I have had my Frankenlift on for 8000 of the 68000 miles I have on my KJ. The only things in the front end that I am looking at replacing are things that I would have to replace anyway. Upper and lower ball joints and breaks. I use mine as a daily driver, and do a lot of highway driving.

Ball joint failures don't just happen to KJ's :shock: Just gotta make sure you check stuff like ball joints, CV's and tie rod ends regularly. Especially if you venture away from civilization...
Image
Author:  Bullet [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
If you looking for a "bullet proof lift" (no pun intended) there isn't one. If you do want to know all the ins and outs of the Frankenlift....go to the source. Heather and Quinn both will take as much time as needed to answer all your questions and address every concern. Believe me I have spent lots of time on the phone asking questions because I started out not even knowing the difference between a shock and a strut :oops: I even sent them pics of my lift after install and they took a look to make sure everything was good to go. They are great folks and will tell you everything they know.
Author:  JFortier777 [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Bullet wrote:
I started out not even knowing the difference between a shock and a strut :oops:



That makes two of us that started from scratch, and still installed our own frankenlifts. If thats not proof that anyone can do it than I dont know what is.
Author:  Jeepjeepster [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
JFortier777 wrote:
Bullet wrote:
I started out not even knowing the difference between a shock and a strut :oops:



That makes two of us that started from scratch, and still installed our own frankenlifts. If thats not proof that anyone can do it than I dont know what is.


Yea, but your a guy, shes a, GIRL!!! :lol: I bet she didnt use a spring compressor on the rear springs!! HAHA...





Jk Miah...
Author:  RespectMyLibertay [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just went to the dealership to fix a T-Case shifter problem and the tech told me when he jacked up the Lib he noticed that the bottom of my struts, where they fits into the clevis, are coming down and hitting my CV boots at full droop. There's one more possible problem for Frankenlift owners...but note that I have an older version Frankenlift, with OME medium springs and Rancho struts up front. I think they do yellow OME struts up front now.
Author:  Bullet [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jeepjeepster wrote
Quote:
Yea, but your a guy, shes a, GIRL!!! I bet she didnt use a spring compressor on the rear springs!! HAHA...


No, I didn't use a spring compressor. I slid the first side right in and had two people stand on the otherside for full droop and put it in. Easy squeezy. I did have problems with the christmas trees tho... :oops: they kicked my butt.
Author:  jpzkj [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
25K Miles on my wifes KJ w/ Frankenlift. It's her daily driver...no problems so far other than bad upper ball joints and replacing the lowers since they are junk and being recalled.

It's her daily driver...lifted and locked
Author:  jpzkj [ Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
25K Miles on my wifes KJ w/ Frankenlift (nearly 50K in all) It's her daily driver...no problems so far other than bad upper ball joints and replacing the lowers since they are junk and being recalled.

It's her daily driver...lifted and locked
8)
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