After much consideration, I've decided to install a 2.5" lift from Jeepin' By Al in my '06 Liberty. I'll be using the Adjust-A-Strut coilover system (with new upper A-arms) on the front and Bilstein shocks (with remote reservoir) in the rear. I'd greatly appreciate hearing from anybody who's installed this system, as regards installation/adjustment tips. I also plan to install new bushings and ball joints in the stock lower A-arms, so would appreciate any "lessons learned" about that too.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

there's a 4x4 section outside the CRD forum walls.... get out and stretch a bit.

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2006 CRD http://www.UtahPowderCoatings.com/ http://www.gorecon.com/ I'm kind of a big deal.
RL rear bumper, ARB front bumper, Mile Marker winch, Power Tank, Skids by Mopar & Skid Row, RL Super Skink Sliders, 235/85R16 MTR, Air Flow Snorkel, DTT, 4.10 gears, Frankenlift II, Katskin leather, JL Audio stereo, Rosen video.

and Google advanced search works WONDERS, learned that recently... GOOD LUCK!

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Mike Smith
06 KJ Sport - PA - ONSFARI

OME 926/948 w/ OME Shocks, 3/8 Boiler, 1" LTT, a bit of Clevis lift
MOPAR Skids, Custom trans skid
Valley Roof Basket with Extension (when required), Homemade fence post crossbars with Thule system to compliment
Mastercraft A\T Something or another...

Oh and if yuh got the dough, JBA is the way to go! (TM, now PAY ME!

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Mike Smith
06 KJ Sport - PA - ONSFARI

OME 926/948 w/ OME Shocks, 3/8 Boiler, 1" LTT, a bit of Clevis lift
MOPAR Skids, Custom trans skid
Valley Roof Basket with Extension (when required), Homemade fence post crossbars with Thule system to compliment
Mastercraft A\T Something or another...

I've finished installing the lift and replacing the bushings/balljoints. Overall, it wasn't too hard of a task, and the initial results seem to be well worth the expense and effort. The on-road ride is a VAST improvement over stock, but I've not taken it off-road yet. The only "glitch" so far is the positioning of the remote reservoirs for the rear Bilstein 7100 shocks. I initially mounted them on the shock body, on the back side toward the springs. In just the little bit of on-road driving I've done so far, they've made contact with the rear axle somehow and been moved upward on the shock body. This obviously needs re-working.

I'd like to know where others who have these same shocks have mounted their reservoirs.

Steve

Three comments about my 2.5" JBA Adjust-A-Strut lift install, and a question:

Before starting the install, I put all the bushings for the lower a-arms (three each arm) in the freezer. To remove the old bushings, I used a plasma cutter to cut/burn out the old bushings and shells. With the arms still hot from removing the old bushings, I installed the new ones (coating each with anti-seize compound) by driving them in with a hammer and various large sockets. I did basically the same process for the ball joints, and drove them out/in with a hammer.

I came up with a way of mounting the remote reservoirs that I'm very happy with. I trimmed the rear wheelwell plastic so I could mount them horizontally along the frame right above the spring. I bought two bags of steel 2" EMT conduit one-hole clamps (part # 44925 at Lowe's), and used black Gorilla tape to build up the diameter of the reservoirs to make the clamps tight around them. I used self-tapping screws to mount the clamps to the frame where I mentioned, and also used split rubber fuel line as anti-chafe at various places along the braided steel line. This method looks very professional, and the reservoirs are very secure, with no chance the hit the tire or shock.

I've just returned from a 600-mile road trip, and can say the Liberty rides like a dream now. The difference is night-and-day, so I consider the expense money-well-spent. I had to contact Marlin Gehman from JBA a couple of times during the install, and he was always available and took time to answer my questions thoroughly.

The only "issue" I've encountered is the rear shocks themselves (Bilstein model 7100, part # AK7110R99). After my trip, while inspecting the rear shocks, I noticed the rubber o-ring around the shaft (which indicates rod travel) was only approximately 3/4" from hitting the shaft collar at the heim joint end (ie, only 3/4" from bottoming out the shock). When I spoke with Marlin about this, he assured me the shocks are the correct ones for my 2.5" lift and the amount of travel remaining is normal. Considering my trip was all road miles, with encountering only some normal-size mall paking lot speed bumps, I'm not so sure the remaining shock travel is as it should be. Can anybody comment about this? I'd appreciate hearing from anybody else who has experience with these Bilstein shocks for their Liberty.

Steve

I run the same rear shocks,trust me they are more then long enough.That rubber ring will randomly move on it's own and you'd be amazed at how much your suspension actually moves even in normal daily driving.

How I mounted mine,granted the rear wheel well liners have been gone for years.Just took some hose clamps and used some self tapping screws to hold them in place and wrapped around the reservoirs,been good for 14K+ miles.

Do you guys feel that the remote reservoir is worth the trouble. I am looking at doing this same setup and wonder is I should just go with the Bilstien 7100 without the remote reservoir or the Bilstien 5100. I can't say I know enough to make a call on the difference.

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Adam
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD

as far as i know the reservoir is just extra oil capacity so your oil stays cooler, so it depends on what you plan on doing with your jeep. if you do mostly on road and occasional slow off road driving, probably not worth it. it would be there just for the "cool" factor. if you're driving rally style off road or anything that has your shock moving a lot for long periods of time then yes its necessary.