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Time for new shocks...and more
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=81337		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bigjimslade [ Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Time for new shocks...and more
I've had the following lift on for about 4 years now (60K-70K miles).

OME 927 front springs
OME 948 rear springs
F4-BE5-D916-H0 front shocks
F4-BE5-6458-H7 rear shocks
JBA 1/4" top late
about 3/8" clevis
2 extra isolators per side (total of 3)
JBA UCA's
Teraflex front bump stops
2 hockey pucks per side rear bumpstops
Running 245/75-16 Duratracs

One of my rear shocks has been leaking for a while. I can feel the ride isn't quite as good as it once was. I'm wondering which shock would be best for ride quality between OME, Ironman, Bilstein, Rancho...any others? When I said ride quality I mean on-road, hitting pot holes, other defects, speed bumps, etc. I don't do any hard core off-road driving.

Also, with 60-70K on the kit should I be looking at replacing the springs?

I will probably be swapping both the upper and lower ball joints as well. Another expensive year maintaining the beast. Already replaced one window regulator/motor (paid a mechanic). Getting ready to do another on my own. Probably needs u-joints as well.

I'm also considering dropping the lift 1/2" and putting a more civil tire on it. Any suggestions on a tire size that will fit if I lower it a bit? Remember that I have 16" Moab wheels from a Rubicon. Any suggestions on a tire that will be more civil on road (noise, ride comfort) but still needs to be an AT tire to look good :)?
Author:  tommudd [ Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Time for new shocks...and more
With the Moabs you'll need to stay with a wider tire
265-70s are the same height as the 245-75s you have been running,
could drop down to a 255-70-16s
As far as replacing springs how much has it sagged down?
Shocks would be getting somewhat weaker for sure but I ran my first lift 100,000 before we installed it on another KJ

As far as which shocks I would list them as OME, Ironman, Bilstein as 1,2,3
You can't buy a good Rancho any more since they did away with the RSX line
Author:  bigjimslade [ Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Time for new shocks...and more
So the springs should last well over 100K miles then. Maybe I'll see if they will last until it's time for another shock change. I guess I should measure again to be sure but I don't think it's sagged any. Maybe I'll see if there's a Liberty owner out there who's interested in a lift but wants to save a little money and doesn't rack up much mileage to sell them to. Just so I can have all new suspension again :)

I was leaning towards OME.

Thanks again

OH, and my use of the Liberty has gone down some as I now have a 2014 Mustang for the nice weather days. Should be down to about 8-10K a year now on the KJ.
Author:  bigjimslade [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Time for new shocks...and more
tommudd wrote:
With the Moabs you'll need to stay with a wider tire
265-70s are the same height as the 245-75s you have been running,
could drop down to a 255-70-16s


Hmm, looking at the specs at tire rack the old Firestone Destination AT's I ran on the stock wheel which I believe were 245/70-16 show the exact same measurements (except overall diameter and tread depth of course) as the 245/75-16 Duratracs I'm running now.

Rim Range 6.5-8"
Measured Rim Width 7"
Sectional Width 9.8"
Tread Width 7.5"

Is there any reason to believe that smaller tire wouldn't fit the Moabs based on this information? What is the width of the Moab wheels? If I decided to drop the Jeep down 1" and go back down to the 245/70-16's I could possibly forgo the JBA tri link and hopefully be less likely to burn out u-joints as quickly. Kind of stinks losing that extra 1.5" overall height but I'm getting a little frustrated with doing u-joints so often.
Author:  tommudd [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Time for new shocks...and more
bigjimslade wrote:
tommudd wrote:
With the Moabs you'll need to stay with a wider tire
265-70s are the same height as the 245-75s you have been running,
could drop down to a 255-70-16s


Hmm, looking at the specs at tire rack the old Firestone Destination AT's I ran on the stock wheel which I believe were 245/70-16 show the exact same measurements (except overall diameter and tread depth of course) as the 245/75-16 Duratracs I'm running now.

Rim Range 6.5-8"
Measured Rim Width 7"
Sectional Width 9.8"
Tread Width 7.5"

Is there any reason to believe that smaller tire wouldn't fit the Moabs based on this information? What is the width of the Moab wheels? If I decided to drop the Jeep down 1" and go back down to the 245/70-16's I could possibly forgo the JBA tri link and hopefully be less likely to burn out u-joints as quickly. Kind of stinks losing that extra 1.5" overall height but I'm getting a little frustrated with doing u-joints so often.


Moabs are 8 inches wide
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