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Swapping Rockfather 2 for OME HD
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23403		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  snowsport [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Swapping Rockfather 2 for OME HD
I've had the Rockfather 2 in for almost 4 years and I've noticed that the front is beginning to sag some with the weight of the bull bar.

When I bought the lift, the only option for the front was medium duty, which I felt would be sturdy enough for the bull bar.

I got the parts in last week and swapped out the rears in a couple of hours (I am NOT a mechanic so I just take my time and make sure it's all SAFETY FIRST). Actually, it's only after a long time of studying the various threads on this site that I have finally worked up the nerve to do this at all..... :)

I don't have a garage, so right now I'm waiting for good weather (rainy and cold lately, almost made it down to freezing last night).

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So, what I am actually putting in are: OME 927 springs up front with NS131 struts; OME948 springs rear with N132 shocks. I'm also planning to go with 2 conduit nuts per side.

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So, it seems the only difference for the rear, between the RF2 and the OME lift is the oversized shocks that came with the RF2. I seem to have lost about 3/4" of lift with the OME. Noddabiggie IMO. Overall gain over stock is still about 2".

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Okay, so until I get the new fronts in, currently I am running the RF2 front (OME medium duty with NS131 struts) and the OME rear, i.e: OME medium duty with a slightly tired front end. I can honestly say I like the configuration of the KJ better without its butt so high in the air, and the ride is noticeably nicer with the new rears. Those OME shocks seem really dynamic.

Do I need any extra rear bumpstops with this setup? I'm not into extreme offroading but I still get into flexy situations now and then.
Author:  KJ04 [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can always add bump stops, and the rear upper spring isolators later if you feel you need to raise it more.

Didn't the RF II come with some kind of front strut spacer plate? If so, you can add that to the front struts instead of the conduit nuts.
Author:  snowsport [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I can't say for sure about the top plate, looks like there is at that. I haven't taken it out yet but there seems to be a 1/4" plate or thereabouts up top. If there is, I'll use those instead. Supposed to be warmer and drier tomorrow, so I hope to get at it then.
Author:  snowsport [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
After 4 1/2 hours, the front end is half finished. The passenger's side is done and torqued to specs and the air box is back in. Phew, next time I'm going to let someone else compress the springs. Going to grab some lunch and get it done, supposed to rain this evening....... :roll:
Author:  tommudd [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes its a lot easier to let someone compress the springs then its a 2 to 2.5 hour job for the whole thing then! :lol:

Tom
Author:  snowsport [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Got it all done. Total of 7 hours. The second side of the front went a lot quicker because I had a bit more of a clue what I was doing :D
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The hard parts for me were: getting the dang upper balljoint to let go, and trying to get the lower clevis bolt off. When I had the Rockfather 2 put in, the guys slightly stripped the heads on both bolts, so I had to clutch 'em tight with big vice grips. Fooey. Actually, getting the second coil/strut assembly compressed went a lot easier than the first. I used McPherson strut compressors because they bolt right on to the coils. Takes quite a while to get them bolted on straight, compress the coils, then take them off, but they worked well. Also, I added the 1/4" steel plates up top instead of the clevis lift. Image

Hey, when I reconnected the battery and started it up, the CD player started cycling through the 6 discs. The power button was off. What's up with that?

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The ARB bull bar makes a great work bench. Lots of room for wrenches and a bottle of water.
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The angles don't look too bad on the CVs.
I took it for a test drive around town and I can't say enough about how great the ride is. This is the ride I wanted when I bought the Rockfather 2, but now it's finally on. Just got to get the front end shop to check the alignment.
Author:  tommudd [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good JOB!!!! :lol: Now go spread the word of how great OMEs ride!

Tom
Author:  snowsport [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Tom! Other than having sore knees from the gravel driveway, I'm ready to tackle another project. I still have to get a trans plate under this thing, so that's probably next. It's feeling like fall up here these days, and that's making me want to get this stuff all done before winter hits...
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