LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???

tommudd wrote:

How many miles are on yours now?

29,100

Since most of my off roading is done in soft sand, I'd rather a little extra width than height, and that's why I bounced the idea of the 265/70's over the 245/75's, although 255/70's should be the same height as 245/75's, plus slightly wider.

problem right now, money is real tight, and I just recently put 4 new General Grabber HTS 235/70's on it. So not only can't I afford a taller full suspension lift, it would look kinda dumb with the smaller tires than I can't afford to replace with larger one's.

My thoughts were to just give it an inexpensive 2.5" lift, and run these General's until they wear down, and I can better afford to do a full and proper lift with larger tires, and hopefully new rims as well in another couple of years.......

I've got the front lifted about 1.5" and the rear lifted 1" right now, but it's a jury rig to say the least with spring spacers on the rear, and a combination of spring spacers and a clevis lift up front, I'm not 100% comfortable with this arrangement, and the Daystar kit looks like it would offer just a little more lift making this KJ look appropriate with the present tire size, not be such a jury rig, I can eliminate the spring spacers that stiffened my ride, and get the original ride comfort back to where it was.

With only 29,100 miles on the stock suspension, I would imagine it still has a lot of life left in those springs, struts & shocks......

Author:	SurfGuitar141 [ Sat May 15, 2010 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
Has anyone here used the Daystar poly 2.5" lifts that use the OE springs and shocks... It says it will allow a maximum tire size of P-245/75-16, and I'm wondering if that would allow P-265/70-16's....? Also....how difficult are they to install....simple enough for a shade tree mechanic in the driveway, or is a garage lift needed....? One kit advises a wheel alignment after install, but the kit I'm looking at doe not, is a wheel alignment still needed anyway....? Do I need a spring compressor, and ball joint separator to do the job myself.....? Quote: Part Number: DAYKJ09116BK * 2-1/2 "" ComfortRide Lift Kit by Daystar * Lift Height:2-1/2"" * Front Lift Method:Coil Spring Spacers * Rear Lift Method:Coil Spring spacers * Includes Upper Strut Plates * Finish:Black * Max Tire Size:245/75/16

Author:	Powerman04 [ Sat May 15, 2010 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=26190 Above is a great write-up on the daystar kit. The 265/70/16's are too big for the kit however, and are nearly too big for even spring lifts. They aren't too bad to install, but the write-up will be your judging point for that. Always do an alignment once you mess with your suspension in any way. Hope that solves some questions quickly!

Author:	tommudd [ Sat May 15, 2010 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
It will get you by for a while until you can get a full spring lift. To install its the same as installing any lift on the Liberty pretty much all of the same steps are involved How many miles are on yours now?

Author:	SurfGuitar141 [ Sun May 16, 2010 8:39 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
tommudd wrote: How many miles are on yours now? 29,100 Since most of my off roading is done in soft sand, I'd rather a little extra width than height, and that's why I bounced the idea of the 265/70's over the 245/75's, although 255/70's should be the same height as 245/75's, plus slightly wider. problem right now, money is real tight, and I just recently put 4 new General Grabber HTS 235/70's on it. So not only can't I afford a taller full suspension lift, it would look kinda dumb with the smaller tires than I can't afford to replace with larger one's. My thoughts were to just give it an inexpensive 2.5" lift, and run these General's until they wear down, and I can better afford to do a full and proper lift with larger tires, and hopefully new rims as well in another couple of years....... I've got the front lifted about 1.5" and the rear lifted 1" right now, but it's a jury rig to say the least with spring spacers on the rear, and a combination of spring spacers and a clevis lift up front, I'm not 100% comfortable with this arrangement, and the Daystar kit looks like it would offer just a little more lift making this KJ look appropriate with the present tire size, not be such a jury rig, I can eliminate the spring spacers that stiffened my ride, and get the original ride comfort back to where it was. With only 29,100 miles on the stock suspension, I would imagine it still has a lot of life left in those springs, struts & shocks......

Author:	InCommando [ Sun May 16, 2010 9:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
The weak link with that kit is the crappy OEM springs. Once your springs sag, your lift is gone. Mine was sagging noticably by 40K.

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Author:	Powerman04 [ Sun May 16, 2010 9:07 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
SurfGuitar141 wrote: tommudd wrote: How many miles are on yours now? 29,100 Since most of my off roading is done in soft sand, I'd rather a little extra width than height, and that's why I bounced the idea of the 265/70's over the 245/75's, although 255/70's should be the same height as 245/75's, plus slightly wider. problem right now, money is real tight, and I just recently put 4 new General Grabber HTS 235/70's on it. So not only can't I afford a taller full suspension lift, it would look kinda dumb with the smaller tires than I can't afford to replace with larger one's. My thoughts were to just give it an inexpensive 2.5" lift, and run these General's until they wear down, and I can better afford to do a full and proper lift with larger tires, and hopefully new rims as well in another couple of years....... I've got the front lifted about 1.5" and the rear lifted 1" right now, but it's a jury rig to say the least with spring spacers on the rear, and a combination of spring spacers and a clevis lift up front, I'm not 100% comfortable with this arrangement, and the Daystar kit looks like it would offer just a little more lift making this KJ look appropriate with the present tire size, not be such a jury rig, I can eliminate the spring spacers that stiffened my ride, and get the original ride comfort back to where it was. With only 29,100 miles on the stock suspension, I would imagine it still has a lot of life left in those springs, struts & shocks...... Many here claim that the stock suspension sags after 30k miles. Mine was on until 66k and I did gain a lot out of my spring lift. That being said, it all also depends on your use. Mostly road mixed with some beach driving is, IMO, not that terrible. Also, most people with the Daystar claim it to be a tad rougher than stock, so depending on your current roughness you may not notice that big of a difference. On a final note, how much does that rod carrier in the front weigh? That could sag it worse up front in the long run.

Author:	tommudd [ Sun May 16, 2010 10:05 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
Sorry I am kind of confused with what you want You state that you want to do a Daystar 2.5 inch since you bought new tires and basically don't want to go higher. Most any spring lift nets you 2.5 inches anyways so you're ending up at the same height. ( unless you add a clevis etc. ) Ride will be somewhat rougher with the Daystar since you have to compress the springs to install it. No matter if you are driving to the mall, beach, work, or wheeling every other day, the suspension still gets a work out, so upgrading it to ride better and handle is the goal If I was you I would do a 3/8 inch top plate along with a 3 or 4 ring clevis in front that will net you an inch and a half in the front doing away with what you have. Ride will be the same as stock, you'll save money and also be able to use all of the above parts when you do a full spring lift.

Author:	InCommando [ Sun May 16, 2010 11:46 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
That sounds like a plan. Some ISO's on the rear and call it a day for cheap.

Author:	6spdKJ [ Sun May 16, 2010 11:53 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
The daystar kit is okay for liberty 4x4's; but I would just get the OME Heavy Duty front and rear springs. Since you're at 29k miles you might as well spend the extra money and be happy. If you decied to go with the OME springs or stick with the Daystar you will need new rear shocks; I would just go with the Rancho 5000's. Also since your going to have take your struts apart to install; just invest in some Ranch 5000's Front Struts. It's a really good strut and with the rear shocks; you will have a much better ride. Atleast it will ride like a Jeep should. As for the alignment; that is a must!!! I wouldn't put more than 10miles on your Libby after installation of a lift, without an alignment you can ruin lots of things. It will run you about $65. And since you are doing the install yourself you'll have $400 to spare!! Now as fo the install yourself..... It took me and one friend about 7 hours and 24 beers. And That's with no air tools. All you need is some sockets, deep sockets, a breaker bar, ball joint seperator ( not a pickle fork ), a long think flat head screw driver, and patience. You should check out the tech forum for the daystar thread. Very detailed and a great step by step write up. Other than that Good Luck!! You'll be very happy with a liffted liberty. If you have anyother questions feel free to ask.

Author:	SurfGuitar141 [ Sun May 16, 2010 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
Thanks for the responses, tips & infor guys....mucho appreciated..... To clear up a few questions.... The rod holders are light weight aluminum tubing, and run less than 10 Lbs. so there's no effect on front suspension from that. I'm kicking this idea around for two reasons, to loose the jury rig lift I have now for a proper one, and also for when I do wear out the present rubber, I can go a little larger. I'll sit on this a while, do some more research, I should be falling into some extra cash in about a year or so when I retire from my fire fighting job....(terminal leave payout)....and just might wait til then and invest in a full 4" to 6" lift with a set of black Soft 8's, and some serious rubber....do it all at once, get it aligned, and be done with it.... Just kicking around some quick fix alternatives in the mean time...... Tommudd......who makes and sells these 3/8" top plates you speak of....?

Author:	tommudd [ Sun May 16, 2010 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Daystar 2.5" kit for Liberty's.....???
You can make them yourself or Boiler sells them ( look in the For sale section) Rustys sell them as well but if you want to buy , buy from Boiler. Tell him I told you to buy from him, that will get a laugh out of him!!! If you want to do a 4 inch someday, either Frankenlift or OME springs and the tricks I mentioned above will get you there. You'll be amazed how much better the ride and handling is with OME springs and good shocks all around.

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