KK JBA Lift Help

drewkk · **Joined:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:39 pm **Posts:** 12

I know there are several threads about JBA lifts, but I have some questions that aren't really covered there. First off, I don't know much about this part of the car, so I'm a newbie, though I know quite a bit about under the hood. I do a little off-roading, but nothing extreme...yet!

I'm looking to get a JBA 2.5" lift for my '08 KK. Can someone explain the difference between the basic lift kit and the Adjust-A-Strut coilover system? What makes the second so much better than the first?

Basic: http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-2_5__Lift_Spring_Kit_Jeep_Liberty_KK-610.aspx
Adjust-A-Strut: http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-2_5__Lift_Spring_Kit_Jeep_Liberty_KJ-697.aspx

The Adjust-A-Strut coilover system also lists a bunch of extra things to possibly purchase with the main kit. What is the purpose of them and what do you think I would really need out of that list, disregarding price?

Sorry if this is a lot to ask for, but I'd really appreciate any help I can get! I e-mailed Marlin some, but he didn't really answer my questions (must be a busy guy), so I thought I'd ask here since I know some of you have his lifts.

I'd also appreciate it if anyone posted some pics of a 2.5" lift!

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:16 pm

drewkk wrote:

....I'd also appreciate it if anyone posted some pics of a 2.5" lift!

See this thread I made after installing my JBA 2.5" lift over a year ago. It was one of, but not the, first JBA had sold. I believe Marlin at JBA has since addressed the issue I had with not getting enough lift in back (that I later addressed by adding more spring isolators).

If you're wanting to see more action shots of a KK with the JBA 2.5" lift, then check out the daily report threads from LOST's Moab GTG 2010 this past April and the LOST Jeep Safari '09 from last July around beautiful Ouray, Colorado.

Since you did some searching, surely you saw the "How To" written by one of first to get a JBA 2.5" lift.

Hope this helps. Due to time constraints, I'll leave the explanation of the basic suspension replacement lift versus the suspension replacement lift with "adjust-a-struts" to others.

Combat Truck Monkey · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:07 pm

drewkk wrote:

First off, I don't know much about this part of the car, so I'm a newbie,

You are aware you just killed a kitten by calling a Jeep a "car?" :shock:

drewkk wrote:

Can someone explain the difference between the basic lift kit and the Adjust-A-Strut coilover system? What makes the second so much better than the first?

Big difference is the Adjust-A-Strut is completely adjustable for height (and therefore it can compensate for different weight loading IE: if you get an ARB bumper and winch down the line, just a couple of cranks of the coilover and it compensates for the extra 140 +/- lbs). I'm sure someone can also give some input as to the benefit of true coilover vs. strut-in-spring suspension. The Adjust-A-Strut coilover is built using a Bilstein strut, so I'm sure some of the price reflects the quality of components used.

drewkk wrote:

The Adjust-A-Strut coilover system also lists a bunch of extra things to possibly purchase with the main kit. What is the purpose of them and what do you think I would really need out of that list, disregarding price?

Some are options, some are pretty well necessary. The Adjust-A-Strut is literally ONLY the front suspension. So, if you're going to lift the front... You want to lift the back, therefore start shopping rear springs. Old Man Emu (OME) is a popular choice for the folks on this forum, as are Rancho shocks (Yes, you want to buy new, longer shocks if you're lifting the rear). The Upper Control Arms and Sway-bar Disconnects are NOT required at all, just an option if you want to go whole-hog. Two things I, and many other will recommend are extended bumpstops for the front and year and brake line extensions.

drewkk wrote:

I'd also appreciate it if anyone posted some pics of a 2.5" lift!

Not an KK, but my KJ. As you'll see, my build list is in my first post and in the seventh post down, I have a pic of my front suspension from the underneath.

EDIT: Forgot the link. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54467

drewkk · **Joined:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:39 pm **Posts:** 12

WOW, I even surprised myself with that one! I promise I don't normally call my beloved jeep a car. I really meant to say that I don't know much about this part of any vehicle! :wink:

So are you saying that unless I want to adjust the height, I would be better off getting the basic kit? How high can you adjust it anyway? Thanks for all the info, btw!

Combat Truck Monkey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:29 pm

drewkk wrote:

WOW, I even surprised myself with that one! I promise I don't normally call my beloved jeep a car. I really meant to say that I don't know much about this part of any vehicle! :wink:

So are you saying that unless I want to adjust the height, I would be better off getting the basic kit? How high can you adjust it anyway? Thanks for all the info, btw!

I'n not exactly sure the fullrange of adjustment. Even though I've had the front axles shaved, I'm not tempting fate. Right now my front's sit just under 23" from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender trim.

As for whether you need them, take a look at your long-term build-up plans. If there are major changes planned (really, the only one is to add a bumper and winch), you may want the adjust-a-struts. Honestly, it's probably cheaper to end up buying the two sets of front springs (the only parts you would need to change) if you can do the labor yourself. I was going for ride quality and "coolness" factor, but I have never heard anyone complain about the ride quality of OMEs anyway. Being able to adjust the height of the front suspension at whim would be the only solid reason to buy the adjust-a-struts.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:32 am

I'll go more in depth later this week, but if you ever plan on going larger in the future or adding armor in the future, the adjust a strut will make your life way easier. Basically, you can just replace the lower clevis and turn your 2.5 lift in to a 4.0 lift up front in less then an hour. More work will be needed in the rear, but you save a lot of labor time up front with this design. IMHO, the Bilsteins are way better.

drewkk · **Joined:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:39 pm **Posts:** 12

Speaking of ride quality, does anyone know how different it is between the basic and the adjust a strut? Is it really hay wagon vs Mercedes?

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:41 pm

The ride is nice but definitely not Mercedes or Rover, whatever he advertises, comfort like he so claims lol

drewkk · **Joined:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:39 pm **Posts:** 12

But is the ride not as good with the basic?

Combat Truck Monkey · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:20 pm

DirtyKK wrote:

The ride is nice but definitely not Mercedes or Rover, whatever he advertises, comfort like he so claims lol

You lie! It's easily as nice as a Range Rover... With two flat tires... Driving over the Rubicon trail! :ROTFL:

Actually, I can't give first hand knowledge, let me call my wife! :lol:

drewkk · **Joined:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:39 pm **Posts:** 12

Can anyone tell me what the quick disconnects and remote reservoirs are and if would need them? Also, what's the difference between the Bilstein 5100 and 7100 rear shocks?

Combat Truck Monkey · **Posted:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:04 pm

drewkk wrote:

Can anyone tell me what the quick disconnects and remote reservoirs are and if would need them? Also, what's the difference between the Bilstein 5100 and 7100 rear shocks?

Quick disconnects are for your sway-bars. Hving a way to disconnect your sway bars allows better front suspension articulation off-road.

remote resevoirs are on the shocks. They (if someone could explain this better) allow for better response from the shock (IE: fliud control inside the shock).

KK JBA Lift Help

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