Some open questions about Rustys 2.5" Strut Spacer Lift....

samse2101 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:44 am

Hi,

i plan to put a 2.5" Rustys Strut Spacer Lift Kit in my 2003 KJ. Yes, i`ve used the boardsearch-function and also googled to find some information and enough different meanings about this kit.

This thread in the FAQ´s section (AVAILABLE LIBERTY LIFTS - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING) is very helpful, but the first link in it, about the specific lift questions, doesn`t work... :cry:

So i also found many threads, but in this one
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25596
i found something i don`t understand:

Quote:

but u would want to get new struts cuz mine blew out within the first week of wheelin.

The same in this one:
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f203/rustys ... kit-39534/

Quote:

Like it or not fact is after 30-40K miles the struts/shocks on a KJ are junk
if not sooner

What does this mean? I know, the KJ has his problems with the UBJ`s and LBJ`s, but what means the struts? Do they break or deform? What part is meaned exactly? The word "shocks" i understand.. :wink:

The reason for all my questions is, that i can get a Spacer Kit for free from a friend of mine. He send me a pic of the kit:

I think it´s also important for you to know, that i use my KJ only as DD and only on street, not for offroading... :oops:

I want to put them in for the look, like the brush guard im searching too... :mrgreen:

by,
samse

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:32 am

PLEASE do not install a spacer kit
Lets think about this, what you are paying for that kit you could buy two springs
You have to replace all 4 shocks so you only need to buy two more springs for 170 bucks for a whole full spring lift.
WHY do you have to replace the front shocks? ( struts) Its because they are worn out, installing a spacer lift puts them through more abuse and they will blow out in no time, yes it happens. Plus you have to replace the rear shocks since they will be too short.
Here is a little story, a Jeep family in Illinois ( they had 5 Jeeps between them ) bought their son a KJ back in 2004. Did a spacer lift like you are wanting to do, bought a ARB bumper it was looking good, first the left front shock blew out, then the right side ball joint went ( broke as their son was pulling into school) . Part were replaced , another shock, another upper control arm. In all 3 upper control arms and 4 shocks in less than a years time. They finally came to the conclusion that you could not lift a Liberty. They sold me the ARB for a 800 dollar loss, gave me all of the worn out/junk parts and the spacer lift ( still have it to show others what not to use) . In all between labor/replacing parts / lift/ ARB / two front flares that got torn up when the UCAs broke etc.they had over 5000 dollars tied up and sold it all to me for 200.
Are you ready to go down that path?

front shocks are sometimes called struts on the front of a Liberty
they blow out due to using a spacer type lift
You can get it for free since your " friend " more than likely has found out its a bad way to go
I don't care if you never go off road , the kid above didn't either only drove to school and back
suspensions take a beating even just driving down the road

samse2101 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:14 pm

Whooo... sounds like the apokalypse comes over me if i put the kit in my KJ... :shock:

Just kiddin... :jester:

I believe you, but i already ask myself why the struts blow up (the longer rear shocks are in the kit included, you can see it on the picture above). I mean, i understand if i make the Daystar lift and put the Spacer directly under the coils (like on pic #1), then the shocks should be to short, i agree. But why the struts should be to short if i let the whole strut/coil part (i don´t know if there is an other name for this package) like it is and put the spacer above. So between the original size coil/strut package and the body (like in the link below)?

Source: viewtopic.php?t=44037 (pic edited by me)

http://www.rocky-road.com/kjstrut.html

I´m sorry about my questions, but the Libby is my first jeep with IFS...

The only things who worry me, are the ball joints...

If i drive at the highway with 100 mph and there broke one, i don´t believe it´s fine... :dead:

JeepJunky33 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 3:23 pm

Just for some first hand experience.
I had this lift in my 2003 KJ. I had it for about a year and it destroyed my front struts. It not only causes the jeep ride hard but it s a bear to install.
I quickly swapped it out for a Frankenlift 2 (which I still have installed).

The rusty puck lift lasted about 1 year and took my parts with it.
Frankenlift 2 lift I am going on 7years.

Hope this helps.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 3:31 pm

Well first good luck with the rear shocks Rustys provides , they'll last you 10-15,000 maybe. Thats how long another set lasted a guy here and he only wheeled one time, rest was all around town. He had the full spring kit
The way that spacer lifts like that are designed they put extra pressure/stress on the spring and shock combination. WITH weaker springs/shocks and the extra stress then parts wear and bam, you're sitting.
Here is something to think about, if a spacer lift was good and there would be no problems with running them, then why do so many spend double or triple the amount just to lift their Jeeps?
Its because they ride like crap, they wear parts faster, and you're back to square one in 1/5 of the time that a full spring lift lasts.
Some of us have been on here a lot of years, seen folks come on and tell us how stupid we are for spending X number of dollars when they are only spending 200-250. 3-6 months later you're getting a PM asking what parts they need to do a full spring lift

OH one more thing, with the Rustys spacers, have a good drill and a 3/4 inch drill bit handy, they never could get the holes drilled in the right places to fit right

samse2101 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:07 pm

Ok, the whole sounds not good...

Bying a full spring lift is out of the question, because i don´t want to put too much money in my DD, i`ve also have to look at my WJ.... :mrgreen:

You know, i asked, only because i could get the spacer kit for free...

Thanks a lot for your answers... :wink:

by,
samse

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:18 pm

I did a full spring lift on my DD Liberty (2004) about 18 months ago.

I bought Frankenlift 2 fronts fully assembled, Jeepin' by Al UCA's and rear coils, and Bilstein shocks.
The whole works with shipping cost me about $1400.

Without the UCA's, you're talking less than a grand.
Get the parts for the front and assemble them yourself, now you're in the $700 - $800 range.

So........ just what do you consider "not allot"??

samse2101 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:41 am

Found finally this thread -> http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/spacer ... oom-28975/

darn!

by,
samse

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:46 am

So much has changed since 2007
So many new and better ways to lift

The_dealer · **Joined:** Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:41 pm **Posts:** 129

Tommudd: After scoring a deal like that, you should be a fan of spacers.

u2slow · **Joined:** Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:26 pm **Posts:** 160

I have the Teraflex lift in my gf's Liberty- same style as Rusty's. Added RRO upper arms (lifted type). Cheap and effective way to fit some bigger boots. She likes how it looks and drives.

This is a about as much as I'll do to the IFS... if it gets too silly, then Bronco D44 and radius arms.

Some open questions about Rustys 2.5" Strut Spacer Lift....

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