That is true, and that's what I think the CRD owners are more frustrated about that the lighter weight petrol guys, they dont drop down as far. but this thread is decent conversation, good to see a few things cleared up

ie: The springs are not sagging, its just that the extra weight imposed on them forces the cars' nose to go down.

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

ARBSeth - thanks for your direct input on this thread. i have to admit that i've called ARB numerous times in the last month (may have even spoken to you?). you guys have been unbelievably helpful - but the info i was given less than two weeks ago was that i could put the OME heavy duty springs on my CRD with the ARB bumper and TMAX winch that i ordered all at the same time from RRO. this is obviously contrary to what you are saying on this forum. after i placed the order for the rock father II lift kit, ARB bumper, TMAX winch, IPF lights, etc... through RRO - i found this forum - and as you mentioned - there is a lot of conflicting information on here. as a consumer and new CRD owner - i was beyond confused and concerned after reading countless posts regarding this topic.

the only thing that put a hold on my parts being installed on my new 2006 CRD at the dealer (and now i'm thankful it did) was a glitch with RRO and their ordering of the ARB bumper. it didn't ship as RRO had told me it had - so the lift was installed without the bumper. while the bumper situation was being sorted out - i researched like mad to find out if i could in fact put the bumper and winch on my rig while still maintaining the lift (and not experiencing enormous amounts of sag as has been reported by countless folks on this forum - or worse yet - unstable handling from a spring that cant handle all the weight). glenn, the owner of RRO insisted the lift would work with the extra weight of the bumper and winch if i used two of his "top plates". one of his sales guys at RRO (josh) who was extremely helpful did his own analysis on a computer spring simulator - and he said it was too marginal - and he recommended i not put the bumper and winch on (obviously meaning they would lose the sale on the bumper, winch, and lights as a result of his input). josh called ARB directly himself - and he was also told by the tech guys there that according to the info printed int he "ARB manuals" - the springs should be fine for the CRD with a bull bar/winch combo. despite the input from both ARB and from the owner of RRO - josh still said he wouldn't do it if it was his rig.

what helped me make my decision was the fact that the lift was installed on my brand new CRD with the stock bumper - and it produced exactly 2" of lift front and rear (using one top spacer plate from RRO in the front). the rig already sat nearly 1" higher in the rear from the factory - so i was not inclined to do anything else to lower the front end any further by adding a bumper and winch at that point. if i had 2" front and rear with the stock bumper - it only seemed logical i would lose some lift by adding 200 lbs plus of bumper and winch onto the front end. everyone (ARB, RRO, the techs at the dealer, etc...) agreed this would be the case - but obviously no one could be sure exatly how much lift i would lose - or could state how much sag would happen over time.

based on what i'm gathering from reports on this forum - it appears that nearly all lift would ultimately be lost with the heavy bumper and winch combo. i honestly wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. personally - that is not acceptable to me - as the whole point of doing these mods was to produce lift to clear bigger tires. i know the OME springs are supposed to ride better in addition to producing lift - but from my perspective - the ride on the liberty was not good or bad in stock form. it's a 4X4, not a lexus - so improving the "ride" is not important to me as it is to produce reliable lift in real off road conditions. obviously - at this point this issue of "lift" seems to be a serious problem for the CRD's as the front springs are not holding up with or without the heavy bumper/winch combo (reported by many folks). i've only found a few folks out there reporting success with the OME heavy duty springs on the CRD. i'm obviously nervous about what's going to happen over time on my front end.

there is another recent thread currently discussing these issues titled "heavy duty front spring lift" - and as i replied on that thread - i will do the same here. none of this should be so difficult. i know IFS systems are a bit more complicated in terms of producing lift (more complicated than a simple spring over a SFA) - but for a company that makes springs (like OME/King springs, etc...) - this should be a no brainer. simply wind a coil that has the right spring rate for the weight of a CRD with a bumper and a winch. there is no mystery in any of these numbers. the only other variables would be making the coil the appropriate height to produce the desired lift (which if i got 2" in the rear with a full height OME coil - it would only make sense to have a front coil that would produce 2" or maybe 3" if a person wanted to level the rig out)- and also to be sure the OME strut that is currently being sold can handle the increased spring rate. the fact so many people are adding spacers on both the stock and OME springs (either on top of the strut or under the spring) to produce the desired lift is just putting a band aid over a problem that needs to be addressed properly. my only hope is that ARB/OME realizes there are a ton of people that would purchase a full height spring that will produce reliable lift on the CRD with a bull bumper and winch. for now - i'm stuck with a crapy plastic bumper because if i put a real bumper on - my rig will go back to stock height in the front and i wont be able to run the larger tires. i could have left the rig stock if i was going to be in that situation!!!!

sorry if i sound cranky about this - but it has been a challenging situation when conflicting information is passed along not only by the manufacturer of these products - but also the folks that are selling them. add into that mix - conflicting information from consumers that are actually purchasing, installing, and using these parts - and one's head could simply explode when trying to make a wise decision as to what parts to install on their vehicle!! thank goodness these are just car parts - so in a relative sense none of it really matters any way. there are a lot more serious problems in the world to worry about - and this is just an outlet to distract us from all that other more serious nonsense! ha ha ha

my only hope is that when ARB/OME comes out with a proper spring for the front of the CRD with a bull bar and winch - that i will be first on the list to get a pair (along with the bumper, winch and lights that i've since had to cancel). bummer!!

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2006 jeep liberty sport CRD white, bend oregon, sunroof, side air bags, factory skids, rusty skid (fills gap between engine and tranny skid), RRO Rockfather II lift, 215/85 - 16 AT tires, husky floor mats, hatch bag rear cargo liner, wet okle seat covers front and rear, factory tow package, white night rear lights, RRO super sliders.