Spacer Lifts

Kdabbagh · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:32 pm

so i have been looking over the different types of lifts, i was trying to steer clear of spacer lifts because i have heard bad things about them( not liberty specific just in general) but i use my liberty to drive to work everyday and don't get to hit the trails very often(although i cant help but crave it lol) so i was thinking maybe a spacer lift wouldn't be such a bad idea, the new concern is would it affect my ability to tow at all? im going to be moving over the summer, and again probably in the next couple years and i want to be able to use a trailer. so i guess the main question is will a spacer kit hinder the towing capacity? all i am looking for is enough space to eventually fit 31's, anything more than that is too far in the future for me to be planning out quite yet.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:49 pm

i personally wouldn't want to tow too much using a spacer lift expecially if i was using stock springs

im not knockin the spacer lifts! don't get me wrong

just the spacer compresses the springs original dimensions, then if you add a bunch of weight to the rear you're compressing it even more increasing your chance of stacking the spring

now on the other hand, i think someone around here has a spacer lift AND assist bags inside the coil which may be something you'd be interested in investigating to see if this combination would be what you'd be looking for

Kdabbagh · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:59 pm

THX i will look in to the different combos, i don't plan on hauling too heavy of a load, but eventually i want to be able to get the full potential if needed, i like being prepared

hehe i originally wanted to get taller springs all around and lift that way, maybe a little heavier duty than stock, just dont think i can afford to go that route at the moment.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:01 pm

how many miles is on your orig suspension is going to play a pretty big part in how your suspension is going to react to spacers

if i were to put spacers on mine it would probably break something, at 97k my stock suspension has sagged to the point where i rub with stock 235/70's

but if you're intent on keeping it as cheep as possible, you may be able to acquire lightly used stock suspension parts from various LOST members, just keep an eye on the for sale section

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:03 pm

Think about this
Your springs and shocks are about 5 or 6 years old, so they have sagged some, also if you have drove it any at all you have to have at least 30/40000 miles on it which is about the life expectency of the shocks. Now adding a spacer lift to this will only make it sag quicker and make the ride worse.
I always like it when someone says its just my everyday /DD , do you go over potholes/speed bumps/in and out of driveways that are off camber some? Then you are using the suspension as much as some who say they 4 wheel.
Next some say well then I will replace the shocks ,you still have sagging springs
So in the end since you have an older KJ, want to tow some with it and keep it around a few more years , do your self a favor and do it right one time and be happy with the ride instead of doing a spacer now and then in a year say, "Man I wish I had done it right a year ago and saved some money"
Me I did a Rancho shock/OME spring lift over 80,000 miles ago and have never looked back :wink:

End of sermon for today

Rev. mudd

SweepnChoke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:48 pm

I had a spacer lift, happy I replaced it with a shock/spring lift, and I will never use a spacer lift again.

And just like Tom said, you are going to need to replace your shocks and coils in the near future anyway, so why buy an inferior spacer lift, then later pay as much for new stock shocks and coils as you would have to do a proper suspension lift to begin with.

IE in the long run (not very long in this case) the spacer lift will actually cost you more, won't give you nearly as nice of a ride, and all you will have to show for the extra $200-$300 spent is an expensive set of paper weights/door stops.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:08 pm

SweepnChoke wrote:

I had a spacer lift, happy I replaced it with a shock/spring lift, and I will never use a spacer lift again.

X2...

Terdl76 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:19 pm

not a very popular opinion around here, but i have pulled a hevy duty bri mar dump trailer for about 30,000 miles with a spacer lift with absolutly no sag.the ride is pretty rough which is why im going ome as soon as i can. but tihs is my experiance with the spacer lift, it may very for each person. im not trying to talk you into a spacer because really, to do it the so called right way dosent cost to much more. plus from what i hear, a much nicer ride.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:38 pm

listen to the several people that have posted saying they had spacers and then went to full suspension, they all have said yes it works but it is nothing compared to the full suspension lift

Kdabbagh · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:29 am

many very convincing points, looks like i am going to go ahead and try to save up for a full suspension upgrade, shouldnt take too long to save up, although i still have to do some debating with the wife who doesnt like to spend that kind of money :roll:

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:22 am

do like I did back 4 years ago or so, bought shocks one pay, next front springs, next rears until I had everything I needed, and really it only hurts a little bit when she wacks you on the head for spending more money on the Jeep :wink:

Tom

Kdabbagh · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:08 pm

yea that would probably work, i have to wait until i have everything to put any of it on though dont i? or is some of it still somewhat compatible with stock parts? also i cant decide if i would want to go for the frankenlift kit, or something through OME, i am thinking 31's are what i want to go with tire size, so 2.5 inches sound right?

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:22 pm

Frankenlift is a great lift but aCheaper way to go would be
OME springs / Rancho shocks all the way
front OME 927s
Rear OMEs 948s
front Rancho RSX 17505
rear Rancho RSX 17004
you dont have to have Als upper arms with this, it will give you about 2.25 to 2.5 without anything else but if you want more there are some tricks like a clevis in the front and rear isolators to give you another 1/2 inch or more :wink:

the above has done me well and have no regrets in doing it this way.

Spacer Lifts

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