Front End Sagging After Installing Winch

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:14 am

First let me start by saying this is my first post on the lost KJ forum so I hope this is the right area and hasn’t been answered yet. Second I have a 2002 KJ with a 2.5" daystar lift kit and I just purchased an 8000lb winch and the KJ backbone then I installed the winch and the front end started sagging a lot so I assume I need HD springs.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:02 am

Yes you do

Budke · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:24 am

With the winch/backbone you're going to need the stiffer CRD springs.
Regular HD springs will sag out faster than normal.

http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-OME_Spring_f ... t-618.aspx

Thats what you want.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:59 am

I would say with the backbone and winch a pair of OME 927s would do. If you have a full steel bumper and winch then you "can" use the OME 790s though. Anything would be better than the stock springs and a Daystar , I bet they are sagging a lot!

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:37 pm

okay thanks. and just to be clear if i get the ome springs i remove the daystar lift right? and should i remove the winch until i get the springs?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:02 pm

Yes remove the Daystar when you install the springs.
Do you still have your old stock upper and lower isolators and top plate? You'll need them to install the OMEs

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:22 pm

yeah i still have everything because i thought this day might come. thanks for the help and now i know what the next upgrade will be for my jeep

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:00 pm

You'll probably want a little more lift than just springs, such as the Frankenlift, or the spring lift with new struts and clevis and/or top plate spacer lift. I have springs and top plate (3/4" additional) and no extra front end weight, and I wish mine was a little taller. I'd think springs + top plate + clevis would be a no brainer for you.

If it were me, I'd take the winch off. Especially if you won't be using it for a while.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:24 pm

Leave the winch on, damage is already done and you never know when you may need it. If you need any other help or suggestions let us know. :wink:

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:51 pm

KittenMittens wrote:

First let me start by saying this is my first post on the lost KJ forum so I hope this is the right area and hasn’t been answered yet. Second I have a 2002 KJ with a 2.5" daystar lift kit and I just purchased an 8000lb winch and the KJ backbone then I installed the winch and the front end started sagging a lot so I assume I need HD springs.

When will you re-lift it? If you're bottoming out the front, taking the winch off could help, and might slow down the sagging from getting worse, since like you said, you just installed it. Decompressing the springs will give you that much more travel. You'll be able to hit that much taller of a bump without bottoming it out.

But if you're planning on upgrading soon and/or you're not bottoming it, yeah I wouldn't waste the time and effort I guess.

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:37 pm

its going to be a few months until i raise the money for a new lift. im in the process of rebuilding the engine right now but after i pulled the engine the front end raised up a lot. i figure the winch doesnt weigh as much as the engine did so i should be fine for now but when i get it put back together i will pull the winch.

riptricket · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:15 pm

switch out to synthetic too....

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:37 am

thats another thing i was thinking about what is the weight difference of a synthetic rope?

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:43 am

take the backbone and winch and send them to me. I'll try it with my skyjacker set up and let ya know how it works out. If ya want you can send me the synthetic winch line and I'll weigh it and tell ya the difference.

Just kiddin welcome to LOST

I had the synthetic rope on my quad for years and loved it. I don't know the weight difference but I know its tough as nails and very nice to use. No more cable pokes, don't even need gloves :BANANA:

Aus Patriot · **Joined:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:10 pm **Posts:** 45

For a bar and winch combo I would suggest Old Man Emu springs OME790.

I have had them on mine for more than a year with the bar and winch and no problems.

They are also rated I think for 60kg-100kg loads.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:49 am

Aus Patriot wrote:

For a bar and winch combo I would suggest Old Man Emu springs OME790.

I have had them on mine for more than a year with the bar and winch and no problems.

They are also rated I think for 60kg-100kg loads.

For a ARB/ winch bumper and winch then yes 790s will work
But for a back bone and winch I don't think he needs that heavy of springs

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:48 am

tommudd wrote:

Aus Patriot wrote:

For a bar and winch combo I would suggest Old Man Emu springs OME790.

I have had them on mine for more than a year with the bar and winch and no problems.

They are also rated I think for 60kg-100kg loads.

For a ARB/ winch bumper and winch then yes 790s will work
But for a back bone and winch I don't think he needs that heavy of springs

i agree with tommudd. i'd say use the 927's and synth. rope on the winch.. would work out real well for you. also... i hope this is a good learning experience for unlifted KJ's that they should save a little more and buy a 'good' lift first instead of buying two lifts when the first 'not good' lift starts to fail.

Aus Patriot · **Joined:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:10 pm **Posts:** 45

Fair enough Gents.

What does back bone mean??

Sorry I don't know this term..

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:55 am

Aus
There is a company here that makes a winch mount that bolts onto the front but you use your stock bumper yet.
Just look up back bone and you should be able to get a picture. At work right now and can't get one to come up. very light compared to a full ARB etc.

LostEddie · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:45 am

KJ Backbone Bumper System
http://www.detoursusa.com/kjbackbone.php

Front End Sagging After Installing Winch

Who is online