New KK Owner - Lift questions

442stu · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:42 pm

Hi All,

Recently replaced my 2000 XJ with a 2012 KK Latitude Edition, Rescue Green. So far so good. I've been all over here and other sites researching lifts, and see info all over the place. As I'm on LI, primary usage will be soft sand beaches for fishing, and snow in the winter. I'm looking to replace the current 235-60-18's with something a bit larger in footprint for the beach, perhaps 255-55-18, same diameter as stock (~29"), just 1" wider tread and section width. I'v read that these fit with some lift, or maybe even 265 size. In any case, I want to keep the stock 18" rims. My XJ had a mild ~2" lift and 255 series tires and was unstoppable on the beach. Hope the KK can match it.

Looking at the OME 927/731 combo with OME struts, they claim 1.5" lift. Is this the case? Why do folks add top plates and conduit nuts?

Also looking at Teraflex top plate lift. Any real user feedback on this?

I see the Daystar gets mixed reviews, probably because it's a combo top plate and spacer lift.

Thanks for now, and I'm sure they're be more questions coming.

442Stu

12KK SFD · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:29 pm

The OME setup usually gets people close to 2.5", not the 1.5" as advertised.

Here's a good read on the different setups.
viewtopic.php?f=88&t=79401

Also, JBA has a $100 discount that expires Saturday for the OME lift with the discount code "OMEblackfriday2014".

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 3:32 pm

Welcome to LOST, where on LI are you?

12KK SFD beat me to posting the FAQ(not sure why that's not stickied yet lol). OME 927 and 731 springs will get you 2.5" of lift. It'll stop the belly from dragging when you sit in the ruts.

We add the the top plate and/or clevis to either level out the Jeep, add more lift, or both. I run the OME lift with Bilstein shocks, and the extras to sit at 3.5" of lift. If you add the 1/2" top plate to the OME springs you'll sit at 3" of lift. 3" is the limit before you need to get aftermarket a-arms.

As for tires, I love my 245/75-16 Duratracs. They're almost a 31x10 so you'll need a lift. But they float nicely in the sand(until you get on the gas, then they dig real quick). A buddy used to run 265/75-16(32x10.5) and floated over soft sand too.

The wider, the more you float. As long as you stay close to the stock 29" tire height and keep the width to about 265 tops, and you'll be fine as far as rubbing goes.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:59 pm

All the above mentioned is great info, just stay completely away from any spacer style lifts !
www.jeepinbyal.com has all of your lifting needs

442stu · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:29 pm

Thanks for the input thus far. Keep it coming. Bmxer524 I'm in West Islip.

Stu

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:48 pm

442stu wrote:

Thanks for the input thus far. Keep it coming. Bmxer524 I'm in West Islip.

Stu

You're really close. I'm in Lindenhurst. I commute to Stonybrook for school though, so you're bound to see me running around. I'm pretty sure I'm on of the biggest KKs on the island after Jeepin_it_real totaled his.

442stu · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:52 pm

Still researching and have a few more Q's.

Looking at front shocks and trying to understand if the recommended OME or Bilsteins have increased extension height from stock to allow the ~2.5" lift? Does anyone have the specs, and has anyone had issues with over extension?

I see the options for rear shocks clearly state for 2.5" lift, but do not see the same for the front.

Also, has anyone used the Rancho shocks with success?

Thanks,
Stu

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:57 pm

442stu wrote:

Still researching and have a few more Q's.

Looking at front shocks and trying to understand if the recommended OME or Bilsteins have increased extension height from stock to allow the ~2.5" lift? Does anyone have the specs, and has anyone had issues with over extension?

I see the options for rear shocks clearly state for 2.5" lift, but do not see the same for the front.

Also, has anyone used the Rancho shocks with success?

Thanks,
Stu

Front shocks are all the same due to the make up of the front suspension no need for longer shocks when lifted
Stick with OME or Bilsteins , both have been proven to work great and last a long time
Rancho used to have a great shock that was valved great for the KJs/KKs but they did away with that line

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Bilsteins are only a few dollars more than Rancho but is money well spent.

442stu · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:04 pm

Any real world input on the Terraflex budget boost? Looks to be an above the strut spacer. Similar to whats used on many IFS trucks today.

Thanks,
Stu

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:29 pm

442stu wrote:

Any real world input on the Terraflex budget boost? Looks to be an above the strut spacer. Similar to whats used on many IFS trucks today.

Thanks,
Stu

Again just forget any type of spacer lift and for just a few dollars more have a much better ride, better handling and you won't have to touch your suspension for thousands of miles

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

An Adjustable coil over or OME strut is the same length as a stock strut and both act as a limit strap, In doing that the stock strut or Adjustable will not allow the front Suspension to drop fare enough to allow the ball joint to hit the strut spring. So with an Adjustable coil over no matter how high you try to raise the front, You will get a stiff ride and add a little stress to the ball joints but they will never have an interference fit between strut and ball join. Just the length of the strut will not allow it.
You get the same effect with inside coil spring lifts, You get a stiff ride but the strut still acts as a limit strap.
On the other hand when you install a 3" spacer lift to the top of a strut you increase the up and down travel of the strut by the thickness of the spacer. And although the 3" top mount spacer is only 1 1/2" thick, That is to much and your strut can no longer act as a limit strap and the up down movement is to much so the upper ball joint hits the coil spring. I don't think you would go out to your truck and beat on the ball joint with a hammer would you? Well that is what is happing every time you just drive over a speed bump with top mount spacers.
Here is something you can try to prove it to your self.
Take a stock KJ park on flat ground,
Block the rear tires so it wont roll, Take a floor jack and raise the front off the ground, Take a look at the upper ball joints, ( No problem )
The strut did it's job and stopped the down travel before anything hit the ball joint, Now take a KJ with an adjustable coil over and try the same thing ( No Problem ) The strut did it's job.
Now do the same thing with a Jeep that has a so called 3" top mount spacer lift. ( Big problem ) The upper ball joint starts hitting the strut coil spring before the truck is off the ground. I wont get into the damage that is being caused to the front axels and CV joints. If don't understand the above just try What I recommended and you will see for your self. I know I was surprised when the Mechanic at my front end shop showed me. If you want a safer but stiff ride stay with the Adjustable coil overs or
the inside coil spring spacers and let your struts do there job.

You will be very sorry If I’m right ( Which I am ) and some one gets hurt or worse.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:06 pm

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

An Adjustable coil over or OME strut is the same length as a stock strut and both act as a limit strap, In doing that the stock strut or Adjustable will not allow the front Suspension to drop fare enough to allow the ball joint to hit the strut spring. So with an Adjustable coil over no matter how high you try to raise the front, You will get a stiff ride and add a little stress to the ball joints but they will never have an interference fit between strut and ball join. Just the length of the strut will not allow it.
You get the same effect with inside coil spring lifts, You get a stiff ride but the strut still acts as a limit strap.
On the other hand when you install a 3" spacer lift to the top of a strut you increase the up and down travel of the strut by the thickness of the spacer. And although the 3" top mount spacer is only 1 1/2" thick, That is to much and your strut can no longer act as a limit strap and the up down movement is to much so the upper ball joint hits the coil spring. I don't think you would go out to your truck and beat on the ball joint with a hammer would you? Well that is what is happing every time you just drive over a speed bump with top mount spacers.
Here is something you can try to prove it to your self.
Take a stock KJ park on flat ground,
Block the rear tires so it wont roll, Take a floor jack and raise the front off the ground, Take a look at the upper ball joints, ( No problem )
The strut did it's job and stopped the down travel before anything hit the ball joint, Now take a KJ with an adjustable coil over and try the same thing ( No Problem ) The strut did it's job.
Now do the same thing with a Jeep that has a so called 3" top mount spacer lift. ( Big problem ) The upper ball joint starts hitting the strut coil spring before the truck is off the ground. I wont get into the damage that is being caused to the front axels and CV joints. If don't understand the above just try What I recommended and you will see for your self. I know I was surprised when the Mechanic at my front end shop showed me. If you want a safer but stiff ride stay with the Adjustable coil overs or
the inside coil spring spacers and let your struts do there job.

You will be very sorry If I’m right ( Which I am ) and some one gets hurt or worse.

^^^^^^
This
Its how I come to buy a $1000 bumper for 1/5 the price. They used a spacer lift, after replacing a few front shocks , 3 UCAs they gave up thinking there was no way to safely lift a KJ. They told me I would be sorry for lifting mine, 190,000 lifted miles later I'm still good :wink:

pwdrskier · **Posted:** Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:52 pm

442stu wrote:

Any real world input on the Terraflex budget boost? Looks to be an above the strut spacer. Similar to whats used on many IFS trucks today.

Thanks,
Stu

Dont buy it. had it on my kk for six months and now it rides like junk. Actually just swapped it out for ome springs and shocks and it rides better than stock.

New KK Owner - Lift questions

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