Advice purchasing 3" Suspension Lift vs 2.5" Block

[Morpheusydro]

I'm new to the lift-scene, apologies in advance. I've attempted to read as much as possible but this is all confusing!

I've attempted to look for 3" Suspension lift (Under $1k) but for some reason, I cannot find anything for my model (2007 Jeep Liberty, Limited). All I can find is 1" and 2.5". If it comes down to it, I rather purchase 2.5" blocks (must cheaper, and I'm only lifting for aesthetics reasons).

I'm hoping someone can help me find the best lift I can purchase (preferably in a bundle) that fits:
3" Suspension lift under $1,000 or 2.5" Blocks.

I want to install 15" Soft 8's, and aim for 30" off-road tires. If you have a brand in mind, I am open to suggestions!

My overall budgets for rims ($250~)
Tires ($800~)

 

[tommudd]

I'm new to the lift-scene, apologies in advance. I've attempted to read as much as possible but this is all confusing!

I've attempted to look for 3" Suspension lift (Under $1k) but for some reason, I cannot find anything for my model (2007 Jeep Liberty, Limited). All I can find is 1" and 2.5". If it comes down to it, I rather purchase 2.5" blocks (must cheaper, and I'm only lifting for aesthetics reasons).

I'm hoping someone can help me find the best lift I can purchase (preferably in a bundle) that fits:
3" Suspension lift under $1,000 or 2.5" Blocks.

I want to install 15" Soft 8's, and aim for 30" off-road tires. If you have a brand in mind, I am open to suggestions!

My overall budgets for rims ($250~)
Tires ($800~)

Blocks ??????There is nothing like blocks to lift a KJ unless you are talking about a spacer lift and if you are read no further since they are junk
Next why 15 inch wheels ?
Still reading ? OK you want to do it for looks, you still want a good ride , right?
So no matter what cheapest way is using OME springs with either OME or bilstein shocks
Now why 3 inch if are only going to run a 30 inch tall tire ?
You would only need 2-2.5 inches to fit that size since stock is 29 inch tall tire
So now answer the above questions and we'll give you some suggestions as to which springs and shocks to use, wheel width and backspacing etc

Most of the lifts I install we use ( and a lot of members on here as well ) OME 927 front and 948 rear shocks, gives you 2.5 inches over new stock height
If you must have 3 inches very easy to do with a top plate and extra upper isolater in the rear, ( that would be 3 inches )
wheels 7 inches wide and 4 inches of backspacing

Start looking at www.jeepinbyal.com , they have the OME lift

 

[Morpheusydro]

Next why 15 inch wheels ?

I like the aesthetic smaller rims provide, they make the tire look bigger - now that I look at the original Jeep I'm trying to follow I realise he uses 16" Soft 8's.

Now why 3 inch if are only going to run a 30 inch tall tire ?

I'm not familiar with how big I could go, the Jeep I want to build similar to is running:
245/75 BFG AT (I'm not familar with tires at all, I mainly want the offroad look and would prefer something that won't rub)
16x7 Crager Soft 8's (I prefer these because they are deep and like the overall look, don't mind what brand it is as long as it's reputable)

I'm not sure if those are 31's or not - I'm not very savvy with these things and would really appreciate my hand being held through the process. Apologies!

As far as why 3" specifically, I assumed that was the standard. If most are 2.5", then I wouldn't mind purchasing that.

Just to be clear, would this be what I would purchase with the selected dropdown you mentioned?
https://jeepinbyal.com/ome-1-50-lift-kit-kj.html

 

[tommudd]

You can run a 31 inch tire ( example 245-75-16/ 265-70-16 both same height but 265-70 is wider ) with 2.5 inch lift
I ran a JBA adjustable coilover lift set at 2.5 inches, with 265-70-16s and 4.10 gearing
Easy enough to go to 3 inches though, like I said above just 4 more pieces to the puzzle, with OME 927 and 948 springs

 

[Morpheusydro]

You can run a 31 inch tire ( example 245-75-16/ 265-70-16 both same height but 265-70 is wider ) with 2.5 inch lift
I ran a JBA adjustable coilover lift set at 2.5 inches, with 265-70-16s and 4.10 gearing
Easy enough to go to 3 inches though, like I said above just 4 more pieces to the puzzle, with OME 927 and 948 springs

I settled on the following:

OME 1.50" lift kit KJ (Should be 2.5-3" lift, right?)
JBA A-arms - NA

 

[Morpheusydro]

I settled on the following:

OME 1.50" lift kit KJ (Should be 2.5-3" lift, right?)
JBA A-arms - NA
Front Springs/Struts - 3.7L HD 150lb-GVW 1) OME2927 Springs 2) 90009 Strut
Rear Springs/Shicks - Gas/Diesel-Med 1) OME2948 Springs 2) 60069 Shocks
Link: https://jeepinbyal.com/ome-1-50-lift-kit-kj.html

Rims: 16" Soft 8's
Tires: Still looking, going for 31's

This is all from what you suggested, still open to tire recommendations that have an aggressive offroad look, big and within the $150 range (each).

What do you think?

 

[tommudd]

Just know that when going to 31s you will lose some power and gas mileage if you do not regear, I like to tell everyone that going in so you know .
and yes correct on the 927/948 springs
for REAR shocks go 132Ls , the 60069s are more for stock height
wheels make sure you find the right backspacing Summit Racing has them I know

 

[Morpheusydro]

What do you think of this:

Tires - WILDPEAK A/T3W (245 /75 R16)
Source: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/falken-wildpeak-a-t3w/p/26506

Wheels - UNIQUE 297 (16 X7 5-114.30 0 BKGLBA)
Source: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-wheels/unique-297/p/52179

 

[tommudd]

What do you think of this:

Tires - WILDPEAK A/T3W (245 /75 R16)
Source: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/falken-wildpeak-a-t3w/p/26506

Wheels - UNIQUE 297 (16 X7 5-114.30 0 BKGLBA)
Source: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-wheels/unique-297/p/52179

Falken Wildpeak A/T 3Ws are great tires running them now on the 03 in 265-70-16 on early model Wrangler Moabs
as far as wheels can't see what you linked to
Did you check Summit Racing yet
and tires check Tires Easy got the best deal there on mine

 

[JasonJ]

Sounds like you came around to the correct way to add the lift to the KJ... if not, I was going to suggest you just replace your shocks and springs with 4x4 construction posts... might as well, would ride about the same as a spacer lift. lol.

I'd personally rather nix the wheels (for now), allocate those funds to getting the best suspension parts you can, replacing what is old or worn out... get the Falken tires, it's insane how great they are for the price..

When I did my OME lift about 1800 miles ago, I found lots of parts on my good condition 03 that I thought were in solid shape were actually worn, and needing replacment. Upper and lower balljoints are/were loose, lower control arm camber bolts were seized, making adjustment/alignment difficult or impossible (other than toe angle), and one tie rod end I thought was fine was looser than all hell.

So what I'm saying is to expect additional expenses related to worn parts upon disassembly.

 

[randymorris]

Sounds like you came around to the correct way to add the lift to the KJ... if not, I was going to suggest you just replace your shocks and springs with 4x4 construction posts... might as well, would ride about the same as a spacer lift. lol.

I'd personally rather nix the wheels (for now), allocate those funds to getting the best suspension parts you can, replacing what is old or worn out... get the Falken tires, it's insane how great they are for the price..

When I did my OME lift about 1800 miles ago, I found lots of parts on my good condition 03 that I thought were in solid shape were actually worn, and needing replacment. Upper and lower balljoints are/were loose, lower control arm camber bolts were seized, making adjustment/alignment difficult or impossible (other than toe angle), and one tie rod end I thought was fine was looser than all hell.

So what I'm saying is to expect additional expenses related to worn parts upon disassembly.

I second that, I had to replace upper and lower ball joints, went with JBA UCAs, replaced the steering rack and both outer tie rods, and I am currently in need of new wheels because my 255/70/16 tires are pushing into the UCA without a spacer. I’m looking at those same wheels, they seem decent enough as a low end steel wheel, with 4” of back spacing.