Another Lift Question?

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:48 pm

So I've been putting together an excel spreadsheet to decipher what lifts have what pieces and what said costs are. The reason being, is it is almost lift time

! I am trying not to overspend, I don't have a set budget per se, just a basic philosophy of spend as little as I can, to get the best suspension I can for said as little, that still performs to expectations.

For me this means listening to the advice of all of you on here and going the roughly Frankenlift route. However, I'm not real keen on spending the dough that a true franken lift costs (I know, I'm cheap).

So after doing some digging (and a lot of reading on here over the last couple years) I've found an OME lift (springs/ shocks/ Struts) for a very good price = roughly $650

This is the OME 927/948 route with OME N131/132 shocks/ struts (I think I have this right, going off memory). However, with everything I've read on here, wisdom seems to say go rancho (which are getting hard to find) or at least upgrading the rear to N132L.

I've read on here somewhere that OME are softer than Rancho. I assume this means it will be a little more "car-like" in ride quality, but not as durable for heavy loads, abusive driving (not intentional abuse, just because of the use).

Now here is how I use my JEEP: Mostly highway driving with the intention that I'm continuing to build this towards a weekend warrior mild-off-roader or eventual expedition type rig ( http://www.expeditionportal.com ) I am looking at the heavier duty, because when I get the wife, kid, dogs, and all our stuff loaded for a vacation, then add a boat or trailer, I"m pretty sagging right now. I'm thinking for this type of vacation travel or expedition travel, I'll want much greater load capability (which I should get more with the aftermarket equipment anyway).

I will also be upgrading tires (possible wheels) by the time snow flies as well.

I know I will have to get conduit nuts (clevis lift) and extended bumpstops (front and rear right)? as well as extra upper isolators (or hockey pucks right).

Now with the kit I'm looking at it is NOT pre-assembled, so I'm trying to make sure I have everything straight so I can have it all ready to go when stuff starts showing up

Thus my next question: Do I need to replace the top strut plates and other hardware as well? Also, is it mandatory to replace the UCA with the JBA's when I do the lift or can I wait without major issues?

Here is the link to the kit I'm looking at and should I plan on just selling the rear shocks to someone here that would need them and ordering the rear longer travel OME shocks right away (or some other equivalent)? http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=565

I know this is a lot of questions, but it's one of those deals, you read, read, read, plan your own, then you start getting lost in all the info available on here

Thanks in advance for any advise and comments

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:47 pm

First instead of buying a kit and then selling the rear shocks why not call up Heather at AllJs and tell her what you want. She can sell you just the springs and shocks with out doing a Franky. Or JeepinbyAl has springs and shocks as well. yes you do want the 132Ls the 132s are the same as stock in length.
You can use the stock UCA's if they are still good, I did for 70,000 miles almost. Yes you can use the stock upper plate in the front as well.
yes Teraflex front bumpstops and you can use hockey pucks in the rear for bumpstops although you may also want to install one or two top isolators to level it out.
Even on the highway you will be wondering why you did not go with aftermarket springs two weeks after buying it, so much better ride and handling.

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:05 pm

Thanks a bunch Tom!

So I know I read on here somewhere that Rancho's, while hard to find, are still available somewhere. Is this true, if so where, and what are the advantages to them over the OME's, disadvantages, and cost difference? Which model will I be looking for? The RSX________? Am I right that they might be stiffer? Is this due to greater load capacity? With a full load in the JEEP, should I be going this route over the OME's, or will the OME's be sufficient for what I've described as my intended purpose? I won't hold this against you if it doesn't suffice

And I very much expect my wife to say "wow, that suspension WAS shot", "you were right" (well okay, maybe she won't say the last part

)

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:17 pm

A couple other things Tom:
I just noticed now in your sig, that you have the 790 front springs, are those the CRD version due to your heavier bumper? If I don't have the heavier bumper on now (and who knows when), should I not even bother because it will be too heavy duty for a gasser with no extra weight in front? I was planning on the 927 (I believe these are the HD ones)
With 135K on my stock UCA's, how much more likely is the failure of the stock UCA with the lift? Is there a good way to tell how good/ bad my current UCA is?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:26 pm

Yes I have the 790s with the ARB they do a good job. BUT, the 927s lasted over 100,000 miles on mine with the ARB, so ....I just wanted to try something different, like changing things up.
I would think you'll be fine with the 927/948s and OME shocks all around, like I said go with the 132Ls though.
She'll notice the difference in the ride I bet. Heck my wife noticed one time when I raised it another 1/2 inch! :mrgreen:

As afr as the UCA's good question, with that many miles on themand then adding a lift it "may" cause them to go a lot quicker. To be safe plan on getting Als arms and then be done with it!

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:11 am

Thanks Tom!

I was thinking I should just replace the A-arms when I did the lift, It makes more sense to do it while I have everything apart anyway.

Thanks again for all your help!

Now I just have to order, wait, install and enjoy!

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 12:50 pm

So a couple things:
I ordered pretty much everything: Frankie Premium II, JBA's UCA's, two extra upper Iso's for each side.

However, when I ordered the kit, Heather said I didn't need the extended bumpstops for the front... Is this true? Just want to verify!

Also, I am planning on installing this with the help of LOST members if possible, however, just for grins I decided to check out a local suspension shop that does a lot of lifts/ frame work and wanted to check on install prices (in case I run out of time to do it myself before the snow flies!). And he started off by saying it is likely going to take 7-8 hours of labor. I proceeded to tell him that is hi and that folks that do this kind of lift can do it in 3 hours! He still quotes me 8 since that's what his "book" tells him at a price of almost $750! He said it likely wouldn't take that long and if true, he would only charge me the 3-4 hours if that is all it takes. He also claimed the book tells him 2 hours per side for the UCA's!

I know I read in another post that just the lift should only take 4 hours max, but is it true that it will really take 2 hours per UCA? Or is that if you're only doing that?

He did say it would include an alignment, but still...

I'm still likely going the do it yourself route as paying someone else will put this out of my budget (even though it already is over budget!)

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:50 pm

With the full OME springs/ shocks ARB states that bumpstops are not needed.
But............
I'll disagree with that somewhat as the bumpstop serves other functions as well , such as keeping the tire from ripping off flares etc. Think of it as cheap insurance for your KJ.

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:53 pm

The front bumpstops aren't completely necessary, but are good insurance for 50$.
with a Frankenlift II and Al's Arms, you should be ok and probably won't ever hit the bumpstops on normal road driving. It takes about 5minutes to install the bumpstops in the front, so if you need to wait a month before you order them, thats ok. With the bumpstops and Al's arms, you have to cut a notch in them as to not hurt the zirc(spelling - name?) how the ball joint is mounted.. Oh, and don't forget the grease for the ball joint.

Like so;

The two hours per side for the UCA's are probably if the suspension wasn't already apart.

Good luck and have fun! Keep us posted.

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:38 am

Thanks, I did decide to order the extended bump stops. I would rather have the cheap insurance.

Now in regards to the clevis lift. Some say to wait til it settles then go back and add the clevis lift, others say just do it when you have it apart. Thoughts on that? How long can I anticipate having to "wait" for settling to be enough to add the clevis lift to get it back to level.

I'll still need the extra isolators without the clevis lift, correct?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:16 am

With the frankenlift new out of the box adding a clevis is going to be almost of not too high and could damage your CVs
As far as how long before it settles, depends on where you take it, on road only quite a while, 50/50 mix maybe 6 months to a year. You may like the height and want to leave it right there forever. There is no you have to do it in 6 months/3 months etc.
Clevis is mostly used with OME springs only for extra lift or if you have a ton of miles on the franky

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:07 pm

Thanks Tom!

That helps a LOT!

Now I need to return the $4.50 worth of 2" conduit nuts

Or I suppose I could just keep them in my garage for down the....

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:20 pm

So I just had another question pop to my mind... With the 245/75/16 tires, do I need wheel spacers? I saw another post on here that says yes, but when I was looking at tire stuff, everyone there was saying you could go 245/74/16 with your stock set up.

FYI I will be keeping the stock rims for a while (unless needing spacers changes things)

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:18 pm

So I put these pics a few places, but here is a pic of the "finished" product!

daltonamorph · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:34 pm

Lookin good! :SOMBRERO:

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:06 pm

Thanks for the compliments.

So I just went out at lunch and decided to measure my height now:

I'm at 36 1/2 at 3 of 4 corners and for some reason the front right sits about a 1/4" higher??? I thought it looked higher, but I'm surprised I noticed a 1/4" (I do draw architectural drawings, but still).

I know I should be measuring to the pinch weld, but this will do for me.

Before was roughly 31 I believe, So I ended up with 5 1/2" over where it was sitting, but in theory only 2 1/2" over what stock was suppose to be (given the Frankie is advertised as a 2 1/2" lift). I know my stock suspension lost it support, but 3"???? WOW. I should have measured the stock springs vs the OME, then I'd at least know what the non-loaded difference was.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:19 pm

Measure your fender height from the center of the wheel as shown in this post: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43472 Then you will know where you are in relation to everyone else. Your 1/4" difference may just be from air pressure difference. Center of hub to fender gets rid of that possible error. New KJ with non-sagging springs measure 19" just for reference.

jmichaelsjeep · **Posted:** Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:24 pm

Yeah, I measured that too. I'm sitting at 22 1/2" roughly at all four wheels. Except for the one that is 1/4" higher.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:45 pm

Sounds like you got all the right questions out of the way right off the bat. Looks good... Now just remember its not done, In another year or so your gonna get board and try something new, go higher, wider, something... once it starts it never ends

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:39 pm

stumpjumper_09 wrote:

Sounds like you got all the right questions out of the way right off the bat. Looks good... Now just remember its not done, In another year or so your gonna get board and try something new, go higher, wider, something... once it starts it never ends

Thats not true when I first lifted mine I was satisfied with it, well I was for a while, maybe a week............ :ROTFL:

Another Lift Question?

Who is online