Hey everyone,
The new 2005 knuckles I have ordered from my buddy at MOPAR, and the Steel Grand front diff case are both on back order. If you remember the new Liberty knuckles are aout an inch higher than the 2002-2004 ones. I did get a price of $285 ea. for the Grand knuckles, and they are about 6 inches higher. Why is this important, this will keep the upper a-arm in the OEM mounts when I come up how to lift the front end.
When I did the rear (see lift experiment postings) I could have contacted skyjacker and asked them to cut springs at 5 inches and that would have eliminated the 2.5 inch daystar pucks. I still may do that in the future.
The front I was thinking of using a adjustable coil over shock (like Bilstien or fox) with the strut end. I am planning to do something like the Liberator (?), and place a 2 inch spacer between the existing subframe and the unibody. This will lower the entire suspension and steering. New motor mounts will be needed to be welded to the spacer steel.
This with either that Dana 44 I picked up or the steel cased Grand front dana 30, should allow 33-35 inch tires. Total lift should be 4 to 5 inches max. This will also allow for good road manners and not subject ones Liberty to the inspection of the local police!
This is what I am planning for the winter. I just ordered a new subframe, since I can't find a used one. If any one sees a wrecked Liberty, hit hard in the rear at a scrap yard, let me know I need the subframe and lower arms as well as the rack for my design and fabrication session this winter.
The only problem with doing something like this is the crush zone in the subframe and than getting it out to the LOST group, either to purchase it from me or some other lift manufacturer or plans you can use to build it yourself.
I am doing this, because I want a lift that will keep the Liberty a Liberty, not some Liberty/old Cherokee hybred, and not a TJ. I like having the independant front end, and I would like to keep the Liberty as close to "stock" factory configuration as I can.
We are doing things with our Libertys that DC never thjought we would do, therefore, to continue to ride like we do, we need to make the factory items better (ex. the front diff case).
Any input??????
Enough rambling and I need to get back to work....
Al
PS I did have my front end at 4 inches, but my CV joints just made too much noise, and even with the new upper arms I got contact with the spring at full extention. What is nice about my arms when you do get contact with the spring its metal to metal, unlike the OEM arms which is either the ball joint or its boot contact with the spring.
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