BDS Lift Kit

[toddincharlotte]

After weighing the pros and cons we're going with a BDS kit. I noticed the didn't come with struts. I'm assuming we would use the stock struts for the kit.

I was wondering if there is any advantage to upgrading the struts. There is 125k on the Liberty so I'm not adverse to buying new ones. In fact, the place we are buying from is local and they advised if we bought struts they could compress/install the springs for a minimal cost so it would be easier on me.

 

[toddincharlotte]

Posted in wrong section. Continuing discussion in the KJ forum.

 

[tommudd]

After weighing the pros and cons we're going with a BDS kit. I noticed the didn't come with struts. I'm assuming we would use the stock struts for the kit.

I was wondering if there is any advantage to upgrading the struts. There is 125k on the Liberty so I'm not adverse to buying new ones. In fact, the place we are buying from is local and they advised if we bought struts they could compress/install the springs for a minimal cost so it would be easier on me.

JUST as cheap and much better to go with OME or Ironman
Cheap rear shocks with the BDS, no front shocks
Just as cheap to go with a full OME or Ironman
Not many use the BDS

 

[4x4kayak2112]

125k on the factory crappy shocks and springs, change them out with OME or the likes

 

[toddincharlotte]

Hey, appreciate the feedback.

We are installing the BDS kit. I was wondering if there was any advantage to replacing the struts. Thanks.

 

[toddincharlotte]

125k on the factory crappy shocks and springs, change them out with OME or the likes

Thanks. We're definitely changing out springs and shocks. Likely go with new struts as well.

 

[CactusJacked]

Thanks. We're definitely changing out springs and shocks. Likely go with new struts as well.

Don't waste your time with the strut replacement, mainly because the Liberty has none. Some people (vendors too) incorrectly refer to the assembled spring assembly as "struts", but that's not what they are.

 

[toddincharlotte]

Don't waste your time with the strut replacement, mainly because the Liberty has none. Some people (vendors too) incorrectly refer to the assembled spring assembly as "struts", but that's not what they are.

Makes sense and I can see why. At first glance I thought they were struts too as they have the preloaded springs and mount to the chassis. I guess the technical term would be coil-over shock though.

 

[tommudd]

I assume then that you have already bought the BDS, if you can return it I would . Reason being by the time you buy the front shocks, and replace the rear shocks with ones that actually will last a while, you now have more into that kit than you would OME or Ironman.
Rear shocks are hydraulic, not gas charged and weak at best.
Also don't forget front and rear bumpstops
Teraflex for the front, 2 hockey pucks per side bolted to the spring perch works great for the rear

can get the front bumpstops from jeepinbyal

With struts you do not have a upper control arm, with coil over shocks you do

 

[sdg]

For what it's worth, I've been riding on a BDS kit for 25k km (well, probably less than 1k of them off-road, and I'm a careful driver) and it's doing great.

I have no experience with lift kits. The mechanic who installed the BDS kit was happy that everything fitted without any additional rework of any lift or other vehicle part, contrary to what he expected.

My front shocks were bust anyway, so I replaced them with Bilstein ones. The rears are the ones that came with the kit, and I haven't noticed any underperformance (too much bouncing or rear end sagging under load; I don't tow)

After I installed the kit, I noticed the upper A-arm was hitting the springs when a front wheel was extended past a certain point, and that it was not reaching to the original bumpstops when compressed. So, I bought and installed the Jeepinbyal A-arms and the Teraflex bumpstops, which resolved both issues.

I haven't noticed any necessity for a bump stop in the rear.

YMMV, but good luck.

 

[toddincharlotte]

For what it's worth, I've been riding on a BDS kit for 25k km (well, probably less than 1k of them off-road, and I'm a careful driver) and it's doing great.

I have no experience with lift kits. The mechanic who installed the BDS kit was happy that everything fitted without any additional rework of any lift or other vehicle part, contrary to what he expected.

My front shocks were bust anyway, so I replaced them with Bilstein ones. The rears are the ones that came with the kit, and I haven't noticed any underperformance (too much bouncing or rear end sagging under load; I don't tow)

After I installed the kit, I noticed the upper A-arm was hitting the springs when a front wheel was extended past a certain point, and that it was not reaching to the original bumpstops when compressed. So, I bought and installed the Jeepinbyal A-arms and the Teraflex bumpstops, which resolved both issues.

I haven't noticed any necessity for a bump stop in the rear.

YMMV, but good luck.

Thanks for the input. I will look into the bumpstops for the front. I'm looking at struts now.

 

[tommudd]

Thanks for the input. I will look into the bumpstops for the front. I'm looking at struts now.

Rear as well , with those shocks you want bumpstops front and rear both

 

[Hedsic]

"Hey don't get the kit. here are the reasons why........... and it will end up costing you WAY more money out of pocket by doing so. Matter of fact, you'd be best to return it because seriously, it's going to cost you WAY WAY more money going that route and you will not be better off"

________________________

"Okay great! Can't wait to install the kit"

 

[M38 Bob]

At 125K, I'd want to replace em. Bilstein is an excellent choice

Bob

 

[toddincharlotte]

At 125K, I'd want to replace em. Bilstein is an excellent choice

Bob

OK thanks. Was looking at those or the Ranchos.

I'll post pics when it's done, probably be a couple of weeks as I need to find some tires too. My daughter's really going to dig this when it's finished.

 

[tommudd]

OK thanks. Was looking at those or the Ranchos.

I'll post pics when it's done, probably be a couple of weeks as I need to find some tires too. My daughter's really going to dig this when it's finished.

NO on the Ranchos
They used to have a great line ( the RSX'x ) that worked great, they stopped producing them . So you have Bilstein, OME or Ironman that work well with the KJs and KKs

 

[toddincharlotte]

NO on the Ranchos
They used to have a great line ( the RSX'x ) that worked great, they stopped producing them . So you have Bilstein, OME or Ironman that work well with the KJs and KKs

HA! Love getting razzed by the mods.

Going with KYBs. Good enough for my YZ250 two-stroke, good enough for me.

 

[toddincharlotte]

But I will take a link to the bumpstops if someone can provide. Could not find them on the jeepinbyal. Need front and rears.

 

[tommudd]

HA! Love getting razzed by the mods.

Going with KYBs. Good enough for my YZ250 two-stroke, good enough for me.

Razzed???? :shrug::shrug::happy175::happy175::favorites68:
Just telling you the truth, bet I have done a few more lifts than most on these KJs and know what works from experience. Also from being on several KJ forums over the past 11-12 years and reading feedback from others.
Just trying to help you on your lift in providing quality parts not junk, always thought thats why these sites existed, to share and provide info

as far as the bumpstops THEY ARE on jeepinbyals site, also rear like has been mentioned, 2 hockey pucks per side works BEST

Lots of difference from a two stroke over seas motorsickle and a KJ

 

[dude1116]

But I will take a link to the bumpstops if someone can provide. Could not find them on the jeepinbyal. Need front and rears.

:shrug: He's telling you the truth. If you want a sub par lift then so be it!