Can I even lift it

[chill]

Okay so after taking a look at a few of the posts here, I'm begining to wonder about something.

Currently I am sitting about 28-29" from center to flare in frontand back. So what would a 2.5 lift do for me? Just bring me back to stock ? Or is there a problem with the geometry there as far as the ball joints go and I wouldn't even be able to do 2.5?

Figures I saw this now as I am starting to noodle through the lifting options that are out there.

If I can lift then how high, and for that matter how?

 

[tommudd]

:happy175:
Sorry but it is kind of funny "but a very good question"
Right now your stock suspension has sagged an inch or so, so yes you need to do something.
NOW
if you were to use say spacer type lift you would maybe get 2 inches or an inch above "new stock height"
BUT
when you replace the stock springs, shocks you get rid of the stock weak sagging junk and you don't even look at the height you are now.
SO
get ready for the normal lift
OME springs, either OME or bilstein shocks
do a 3/8 inch clevis, 1/4 inch top plate in front, two extra top iso's per side in the rear and you'll be at 22.50/22.75 area
oh also the bumpstops as well
Hope that helps in explaining it all
Just get the above and prepare to "step up" into your new improved KJ
you'll be amazed at how much better that ride and handling is
plus you can say I lifted my KJ 4.5 inches so sounds cool even though you only lifted it 3.5 over stock height in reality

 

[Jaber]

Not to jack his thread, but what would a lift like that cost with all the parts?

I've been doing lots of research as well, I kind of hate I got extended warranty, so I have to wait, but gives me enough time to save money!

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Not to jack his thread, but what would a lift like that cost with all the parts?

I've been doing lots of research as well, I kind of hate I got extended warranty, so I have to wait, but gives me enough time to save money!

Figure right around $700-$800 depending on where you buy and the deals that are offered at the time.

Well worth it for the totally transformed ride...

Bob

 

[Jake.Ski]

Figure right around $700-$800 depending on where you buy and the deals that are offered at the time.

Well worth it for the totally transformed ride...

Bob

where are you finding $700??

 

[tommudd]

Warranty? who cares I lifted mine way before the warranty was over, most things shouldn't make any difference.
springs average 75-80 each so 320 for springs
shocks check shockwarehouse for them with free shipping that helps, bumpstops are fairly cheap so around 750-800 with some shopping for best deals like he mentioned

 

[Jaber]

Warranty? who cares I lifted mine way before the warranty was over, most things shouldn't make any difference.
springs average 75-80 each so 320 for springs
shocks check shockwarehouse for them with free shipping that helps, bumpstops are fairly cheap so around 750-800 with some shopping for best deals like he mentioned

Yeah, but rather not risk it. Plus, I wouldn't have anywhere to install it. So by time warranty runs out (3yr/36k from now), hoping to have a house with a garage! lol.. Till then, planning on getting protection, tires, recovery points.

Thanks to all for the information!

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Yeah, but rather not risk it. Plus, I wouldn't have anywhere to install it. So by time warranty runs out (3yr/36k from now), hoping to have a house with a garage! lol.. Till then, planning on getting protection, tires, recovery points.

Thanks to all for the information!

Replacing worn out shocks and springs is a maintenance and safety issue - not a violation of a warranty. That's like saying you're not going to replace brake pads or tires cuz it might void the warranty - you're worried about a non-issue. And by the time your warranty is up your Jeep's ride is going to be unsafe and probably painful...

Where to install it? A friend's driveway if nothing else! :smokin:

Bob

 

[Jaber]

Replacing worn out shocks and springs is a maintenance and safety issue - not a violation of a warranty. That's like saying you're not going to replace brake pads or tires cuz it might void the warranty - you're worried about a non-issue. And by the time your warranty is up your Jeep's ride is going to be unsafe and probably painful...

Where to install it? A friend's driveway if nothing else! :smokin:

Bob

I'm aware, I don't have any issues with the ride quality. And if I do down the line during warranty period, I'll get the work done and then lift after warranty expires. I'm in no rush I just mentioned it's under warranty and don't feel like voiding the warranty with aftermarket parts.

 

[chill]

:happy175:
Sorry but it is kind of funny "but a very good question"
Right now your stock suspension has sagged an inch or so, so yes you need to do something.
NOW
if you were to use say spacer type lift you would maybe get 2 inches or an inch above "new stock height"
BUT
when you replace the stock springs, shocks you get rid of the stock weak sagging junk and you don't even look at the height you are now.
SO
get ready for the normal lift
OME springs, either OME or bilstein shocks
do a 3/8 inch clevis, 1/4 inch top plate in front, two extra top iso's per side in the rear and you'll be at 22.50/22.75 area
oh also the bumpstops as well
Hope that helps in explaining it all
Just get the above and prepare to "step up" into your new improved KJ
you'll be amazed at how much better that ride and handling is
plus you can say I lifted my KJ 4.5 inches so sounds cool even though you only lifted it 3.5 over stock height in reality

OME stuff? That's good. would it be the regular parts for KJ's they have, or are there part #'s I need to know.

Stock type iso's?

And 3.5 is really more than I was hoping for in the end. This really sounds like a good set-up.arty52:

I see that cost is a heck of alot better than I was expecting too.

Bumpstops? 3/8 inch clevis, 1/4 inch top plate in front. K? I'm not to famiuar with suspensions. since I just started looking into this. help

 

[Ry' N Jen]

If you want an easier way to lift, buy a Frankenlift.
The front shocks and springs are pre-assembled and ready to
bolt in.
Otherwise you need to take the shocks and springs to a shop
to have them assemble the lot. (Allot easier and usually the same
cost as purchasing a coil spring compressor.) or you can buy/rent
a coil spring compressor and do everything yourself.

As far as installing your new suspension, I did it in the driveway with
a couple of jack stands and some ratchet straps.
Oh, OME= Old Man Emu, NOT OEM Original Equipment Manufacture!

 

[chill]

If you want an easier way to lift, buy a Frankenlift.
The front shocks and springs are pre-assembled and ready to
bolt in.
Otherwise you need to take the shocks and springs to a shop
to have them assemble the lot. (Allot easier and usually the same
cost as purchasing a coil spring compressor.) or you can buy/rent
a coil spring compressor and do everything yourself.

As far as installing your new suspension, I did it in the driveway with
a couple of jack stands and some ratchet straps.
Oh, OME= Old Man Emu, NOT OEM Original Equipment Manufacture!

LOL! Thanks for that, but i did figure out the OME vs OEM thing awhile back. It is funny though, they are very close aren't they? Oh yeah, I can easily rent a spring compressor from our local Pep Boys place.

@ anyone... Are the shocks going to be a "stock" size whomever the are?

 

[Cardhu]

For the front, Bilstein: F4-BE5-D916-H0 or OME: NS131 are the same as stock length

Rear's give you a few options
Bilstein: F4-BE5-6458-H7 or alternatively F4-BE5-A702--H0
OME: N132-L

These are longer and if your choosing 948's for the rear springs you will need them and extened rear bumpstops. The stock lenght will top out with a clunk when you hit hard, especially if you add rear iso spacers.

Currently still running stock length monroes with my 948's as ups has lost my bilsteins A702's and I wasn't going to wait. No isos added and still makes some noise when you hit hard.

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?p=454160#post454160

has a pretty descriptive shot by shot of how to clevis(ing) and top plate about half way though for the front. The process is the same regardless of which brand of parts you choose.

 

[tommudd]

[/COLOR]


LOL! Thanks for that, but i did figure out the OME vs OEM thing awhile back. It is funny though, they are very close aren't they? Oh yeah, I can easily rent a spring compressor from our local Pep Boys place.

@ anyone... Are the shocks going to be a "stock" size whomever the are?

Good luck with those spring compressors wear a helmet

 

[J-Thompson]

Yeah, but rather not risk it. Plus, I wouldn't have anywhere to install it. So by time warranty runs out (3yr/36k from now), hoping to have a house with a garage! lol.. Till then, planning on getting protection, tires, recovery points.

Thanks to all for the information!

Trust us on this
The stock shocks are shot after 30-40k miles
The springs are about the same
Even if all you do is Med. Duty OME coils and
new shocks ,which are considered a wear item
under most warranties
We installed this on our KJ at 30k miles
It made a HUGE difference in ride ,we also
thought nothing was wrong
We easily cleared 245/75's on the OE 16" wheels
We had both CV's replaced after this under warranty
AT THE DEALER

 

[recoil44]

Good luck with those spring compressors wear a helmet

I'm gonna X2 that for a different reason. Take a look at my photo album where you'll find a nice picture of the spring compressors "fingers" stuck in the spring after assembly.

 

[chill]

Hey everyone who chimed in, Thank you for your input here on this. I think I am ready to bite the bullet on my next paycheck and do a Rockfather II kit. It seems to me to be solid and made from quality stuff.
I think that if I do not like the shocks I can replace if needed. And always be able to add odd bits to it to give more lift if desired. I don’t do tons of off-road because in Maryland I have found very few places to choose especially in my neck of the woods.
About 900.00 with shipping. I don’t know about install price, I checked a good Jeep shop that has done a lot of work for years and they want 720.00 plus 90.00 for alignment. I am getting a quote from a “performance” oriented shop with nice shiny equipment and all that, waiting for the quote there.
I also have a “grease their palms” shop looking into a quote too. Hopefully someone will come out with a lot less than 720.00.
I really would like to do it myself, but time and lack of air tools and 1/2 “ stuff, and the whole needing a helmet to remove the springs LOL. I’m just going to play it safe and have someone with the right stuff do it.
Any thoughts?

 

[recoil44]

For a lot less than $720 you can get an electric impact and the necessary sockets & extensions. To have a shop do the spring/shock swap should be less than $50 (I paid $35)

Bonus: you will still have the tools after you're done.

Up to you though. There have been many times I've been in the middle of something and thought it would have been worth it to pay someone else to do it.

 

[tommudd]

I'd buy anywhere than RRO
good luck , not sure why you think its a good deal but its your money :happy175:
Also have a meet and greet and have some help
I've done 20 lifts here and no air tools etc don't need them its how I stay in such great shape :happy175::badger_1:
By the way we do them for food and beer arty52:

 

[chill]

@ tom...

Feel like coming to crappy MD? I'd love to get some expert toutalage. Seriously.

RRO seemed to me to have all the crap I need in one spot. I don't have to go from site to site like I've done for nearly 15 years. I'm not saying that that's not the best way to do it... but I'm tired.

Now as far as I know there is't really any one around Bel Ail MD, where I am, save for one dude I saw on LOST that has a liberty with any work done. I'd like to meet and greet here but, not much happening in my neck of the woods.

Anyway.. sorry to sound ******. really I don't know everything, that's why I'm heer.

And to your credit tom, I screwed up the inches part that your initial post refers to. so not 22.5 like you thought.:buttkick:ME