Clueless about lift kits - please help!

posty · **Joined:** Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:42 pm **Posts:** 2

I would like to lift my stock 2011 Jeep Liberty, but I don't know where to begin.

My goal is to put mud tires and black wheels on it. This is mainly for the look, but I'd also like for it to be capable of handling some light to moderate off-roading.

I don't want to sacrifice the ride comfort at all. I'm also not much of a mechanic (I've only changed tires, oil, and batteries).

So where do I start? The dealership? An off-road specialty store? What kind of lift should I get? 2"? 4"?

Your input is appreciated!

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:00 pm

viewtopic.php?f=88&t=79401

Read that. Pretty simple, spacer lifts don't help handling and are hard on already weak suspensions(shocks and springs). How much lift do you want? How big are the tires you'd like to put on? How much are you looking to spend?

Top of the list is JBA's adjust-a-strut system. Best quality, but also most costly. This is the only kit to get 4".
Then there's OME or Ironman. Both are similar in price and quality. Springs will get 2.5" of OME, Ironman will get about 2.25". Both can be added to for 3-3.5" depending on what you add.

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

For light to moderate off-roading a 2-2.25" lift would be perfect for you. This will allow you to fit 245/75R16 tires and you can run 16x7s for your black wheels. You're best bet on the lift is checking out jeepinbyal.com and looking at the OME (Old Man Emu) lift (says 1.5" lift but gets you about 2.5") or the Ironman (believe it's under the Econolift link) which will get you 2.25" lift. So long as you keep it under 3" you'll be fine with your stock UCAs (upper control arms).

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:03 pm

jeepinbyal for lifts
OME gives you 2.5 inches
then there is a Econo lift that has everything but bumpstops for 3.5-3.75 inches of lift
then next its the JBA adjustable coilover lift
tires stick around 245-75-16 without regearing
PLUS there is a ton of information on here if you take the time to just spend some time reading

posty · **Joined:** Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:42 pm **Posts:** 2

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate that you put the actual sizes for wheels and tires that can fit under a certain lift.

Any advice on installation? Is it relatively simple to install with basic tools and a jack? This is my daily driver so I want to make sure everything stays properly aligned and safe.

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

Here's the link to the how-to:

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=41880

If you go under the KK Tech section, lfhoward made a very handy How-To Index for us, should help you out quite a bit.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:23 am

posty wrote:

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate that you put the actual sizes for wheels and tires that can fit under a certain lift.

Any advice on installation? Is it relatively simple to install with basic tools and a jack? This is my daily driver so I want to make sure everything stays properly aligned and safe.

an impact wrench would make the task go along a lot smoother and quicker! floor jack and stands, don't forget to chuck the wheels!!! while your under there it wouldn't hurt to replace the easily serviceable bushings, check ball bearings, brake pads, and boots.

YouTube is your friend for lifts! type in there kj lift or something of the sort. the kj and kk are nearly the same installation. there aren't any kk lift kit videos when I had checked last.

and remember, larger tires require a speedometer recalibration, of which I haven't gotten yet...

:google:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 11:52 am

You tube videos :ROTFL:

Tried watching some of them on doing lifts, so far off base its funny and painful to watch at the same time
Common sense, if you have that then KJ/KKlift is easy

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 2:05 pm

haha, well some people learn by watching. and yes I do agree, they do most of the time get off topic with the lifts! for someone that has never lifted before like me, they may be beneficial.

and no I did not look up how to lift a jeep! probably less than 1% of lifted jeeps run on spacers. that'll change for me next year hopefully.

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

PALiftedKK wrote:

haha, well some people learn by watching. and yes I do agree, they do most of the time get off topic with the lifts! for someone that has never lifted before like me, they may be beneficial.

and no I did not look up how to lift a jeep! probably less than 1% of lifted jeeps run on spacers. that'll change for me next year hopefully.

Maybe if you bug BMXer enough he'll finally install his JBA front struts and maybe sell his OME haha.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 4:15 pm

NAMoulton1 wrote:

PALiftedKK wrote:

haha, well some people learn by watching. and yes I do agree, they do most of the time get off topic with the lifts! for someone that has never lifted before like me, they may be beneficial.

and no I did not look up how to lift a jeep! probably less than 1% of lifted jeeps run on spacers. that'll change for me next year hopefully.

Maybe if you bug BMXer enough he'll finally install his JBA front struts and maybe sell his OME haha.

I'm getting there. I just gotta paint and install now. Now that I'm on winter break I should have the time to get it done. The fronts will go in first, then I'll play around with what works best in the rear.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 5:57 pm

Bmxer524 wrote:

NAMoulton1 wrote:

PALiftedKK wrote:

haha, well some people learn by watching. and yes I do agree, they do most of the time get off topic with the lifts! for someone that has never lifted before like me, they may be beneficial.

and no I did not look up how to lift a jeep! probably less than 1% of lifted jeeps run on spacers. that'll change for me next year hopefully.

Maybe if you bug BMXer enough he'll finally install his JBA front struts and maybe sell his OME haha.

I'm getting there. I just gotta paint and install now. Now that I'm on winter break I should have the time to get it done. The fronts will go in first, then I'll play around with what works best in the rear.

That day will be the first huge snow fall , when he finally installs the new setup
either that or it will be 105 degrees in January :ROTFL:

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:13 pm

funny how it's ALWAYS like that :ROTFL:

Clueless about lift kits - please help!

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