Hello,
It has been awhile since I've posted on here. Thought I would share my plans for a rebuild of my KJ.
My Jeep Liberty was paid off December 2014 and instead of getting into another car payment, my husband and I decide to rebuild my KJ. My birthday present from my husband was a total suspension overhaul on my KJ. I have been running a spacer lift since 2010 and 5 years of a spacer lift is enough for me!!! I'm not going to tell you about my spacer lift or what I have added/subtracted to it over the past few years, because it's bad information to share. So over the past few months, I have been finalizing what I feel my KJ needs to be a decent daily driver and off-road vehicle. I have already went down in tire size from 33x10.50x15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/As on 15" Trail Ready Conversion Beadlocks to 255/75/17 BFGoodrich KM's on 17" Jeep Wrangler JK Moabs. This change in tire and wheel has allowed my KJ to gain back power and a full turning radius.
To start making my KJ a nice daily driver, the 33's and beadlocks had to go! Thus is the reason for going to a 255/75/17 tire and 17" wheel. Now the 17" Jeep Wrangler JK Moab wheels are 5x5 bolt pattern, so I did have to go with a wheel adapter spacer. At first I was hesitant about that, but as long as I keep the wheel adapter spacers torqued properly I should have no problems. Plus the 17" Jeep Wrangler JK Moab wheel looks great on a KJ!
The tires that come with the 17" Jeep Wrangler JK Moabs (that I bought from V3 Jeep Shop in Louisville, KY) had some to little life left in them. I knew the tires were only temporary till I found a 255/75/17 tire I liked, which I did with some time. Mind you since owning my KJ, I have went through what will be 12 sets of tires and 6 different types of wheels. All of which I bartered/traded for and only paid for a new set of tires 3 times.
So after extensive research and going back and forth, I ordered a set of 5 255/75/17 Cooper Discover S/T Maxx's from V3 Jeep Shop. They will be going on the KJ before any of the suspension stuff, because the KJ needs decent tires ASAP! I won't drive it on wet/slick roads with the current tires on it. The tires will be going on Friday and I cannot wait!
Here is a picture of the tire I purchased for my KJ:
The quote for the suspension parts from JBA and labor is being put together this week and looking to order those parts SOON! I bought JBA Front Upper Control Arms last summer and they fixed a lot of the problems I was having with the KJ, but the KJ needs a suspension overhaul. Just like I mentioned before.
This is the list of suspension parts I'm looking to get for my KJ:
Suspension Upgrade Parts:
-JBA Adjust-A-Struts http://jeepinbyal.com/jba-adjust-a-struts.html
-Bilstein HD 4” Lift Rear Shocks http://jeepinbyal.com/bilstein-heavy-duty-4-lift-rear-shocks.html
-JBA 4” Rear Coil Spring Set http://jeepinbyal.com/rear-coil-spring-set.html
-JBA Y-Link Extension http://jeepinbyal.com/y-link-extension-fits-2-5-4-lifts.html
-JBA KJ Front Sway Bar Disconnects http://jeepinbyal.com/kj-front-sway-bar-disconnect.html
Wear/Tear Replacement Parts:
-Rear Upper Control Arm
-Moog Lower Front Ball Joints
-Lower Front Left Control Arm
-Lower Front Right Control Arm
-Moog Front Outer Tie Rod End (Driver)
-Moog Front Outer Tie Rod End (Passenger)
-Moog Inner Tie Rod (Driver & Passenger)
-Front Sway Bar Bushings
-Napa Remanned Rack & Pinion
I provided links to the JBA parts in the Suspension Upgrade Parts lists for other members, if they are interested in looking at them. However I did not provided links to the parts in the Wear/Tear Replacement Parts list, because those can be bought at about any auto parts store and can be found on...
After it's all said and done, I will have a nice daily driver. Even though it will cost some money to get all this done, it's stuff that needs to be done in order to have a safe, daily driver. I am really excited to get all this stuff done and look forward to my Jeep "riding like a Cadillac".
Just an FYI to those looking to lift their KJ/KK:
Do it right the first time! If you don't, you'll regret it later. Spend the money now and you'll be happy later.
Below are pictures of my KJ, from purchase in 2009-current (2015):
(P.S.: Some pictures you'll see the KJ without a rear bumper. I will be building one this spring, when it warms up.)
