The Diesel springs on a Gasser experiment.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:08 pm

So, after buying my wife's '05 Sport a few years ago, I've hated the way it drives, only gotten worse lately. I had decided to lift it, but after watching my 5' 0" wife getting in/out, had to come up with something new. Well, I had the notion of putting a set of spring in it from a Diesel liberty....higher spring rate would make suspension stiffer without lifting was my thinking. I got a hold of a low mileage set from a member who lifted his diesel Liberty.
Well, finally got them installed this weekend and the results were just what I wanted. I was sitting at 18.5" front and back center of wheel to fender lip. After install of the diesel springs, I am now sitting front- 19.0", rear is just under 19, maybe like 18 7/8".
I also installed a set of KYB Excell G shocks all the way around.
Overall, I am very pleased with this setup. Not sure if it's the springs, the new shocks, or the combination, but I no longer have the nose dive on braking, have limited side to side body roll, and the suspension is finally somewhat quiet over the constant banging I had and I basically got no lift. Hopefully the diesel spings will not sag like the gassers since they are a little heavier ( at least the coils "feel" heavier in my hand ) and this will last us until we eventually move on.
So, if someone needs new springs in their gasser, think about some used ones from a diesel, worked for me :mrgreen:

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:52 pm

Tahoe
original equipment CRD springs are rated at 410 lb so what you got was the same rating as OME 927s ( at 400 LB) but with no lift
You're back to up to stock height and I'm sure you'll have much better ride and handling. The nose dive is from weak front shocks/springs so you should be good for a while!
Maybe you'll even start liking the KJ now :goink:

Liberty02sport · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:53 pm

I had thought that the diesel springs would be different height wise than the stock gasser springs ?? Guess not. I had thought of doing this to get some lift on the cheap, but since you've proven it adds no lift I'll go back to saving my pennies for the OME kit.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

this sounds like an interesting idea for me.
I don't really want to lift it but it does seem like it's riding pretty lousy. lots of nose dive, rides worse on bumpy roads. it actually rides BETTER when towing! :ROTFL:

TAHOE · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:22 am

Lying the coils side by side, they are the same height. The diesel springs had thicker coils, I could feel the difference just by holding them.
Tom, that's what I figured. The suspension was so worn out it had to be fixed, but I didn't want to waste money on stock stuff that would be shot in another 30k, diesel springs seemed like a possible solution with higher spring rate.
No Tom doubt I'll ever enjoy driving it :mrgreen:

Jindosjeep · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:11 pm

Were the crd springs new,dealer or junkyard? Is that cheaper than OMU springs?Did you also change the rear springs;are rear Crd springs heavier?
Thanks

Jindosjeep · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:13 pm

Rereading your original post I answered my own questions!

Liberty02sport · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:35 am

Does anyone know if this would restore stock ride height to a pre-lowered KJ ?? Like an early '02....??

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:57 am

Liberty02sport wrote:

Does anyone know if this would restore stock ride height to a pre-lowered KJ ?? Like an early '02....??

No. OME 925 front coils and 946 rear coils will though with about a 1/2" of lift.

XJMA · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:21 pm

sweet info, thanx!! I hope they sell loaded coils (springs and struts for the front) for the KJ!! That would be an easy fix.

The Diesel springs on a Gasser experiment.

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