Correct OME springs for winch install

[tommudd]

Had an interesting discussion with ARB this morning. Could be useful info for people. According to them here are the specs for the OME KJ springs:

Front
0. Stock spring - 320#/in
1. Light spring - 375#/in 385mm height
2. Medium spring - 375#/in 392mm height
3. Heavy spring - 400#/in 394mm height, thicker coils

Rear
0. stock spring - 150#/in
1. light spring - 170#/in, 340mm height
2. Medium spring - 200#/in, 340mm height, thicker coils

To note, the light/medium springs are the same rate but the medium are taller by 1/4". Heavy are nearly the same as medium except thicker coils to get higher rate.
For people like me (concerned with ride quality), they suggested to stick with softer springs and balance out height with spacers. They also noted that some KJ's have a higher ride height than others (I assumed they meant pre-lowered 02's, like mine) and you can only expect 1/2" to 1" increase.

LOL they are not even right on the stock spring rating too bad they can not hire people who actually know what they are talking about

 

[tommudd]

99% of people use 790 front springs when being used on a CRD especially with ARB front bumper and winch
I ran 790s with an ARB etc on a gasser with no issues
with 172,0000 miles on them they would pretty much be worn out

I think you're right about the fronts being 790s. The '05 KJ is new to me and I'm not familiar with OME part numbers and what's the best selection, so I took a guess. The 790s are 400#/in? That sounds about right. After I took off the ARB bumper and winch, the ride was horrible. I replaced the suspension with an OME CRD kit for the stock bumper and it was so much better.

927s are 400 lb
790s are 500

 

[tommudd]

Had an interesting discussion with ARB this morning. Could be useful info for people. According to them here are the specs for the OME KJ springs:

Front
0. Stock spring - 320#/in
1. Light spring - 375#/in 385mm height
2. Medium spring - 375#/in 392mm height
3. Heavy spring - 400#/in 394mm height, thicker coils

Rear
0. stock spring - 150#/in
1. light spring - 170#/in, 340mm height
2. Medium spring - 200#/in, 340mm height, thicker coils

To note, the light/medium springs are the same rate but the medium are taller by 1/4". Heavy are nearly the same as medium except thicker coils to get higher rate.
For people like me (concerned with ride quality), they suggested to stick with softer springs and balance out height with spacers. They also noted that some KJ's have a higher ride height than others (I assumed they meant pre-lowered 02's, like mine) and you can only expect 1/2" to 1" increase.

LOL , oh my

Because your KJ was built prior to o3/12 / 2002 does not mean it is 3/4 inch higher ,
it was back in 02 yes, but when you replace springs that all goes away
they used taller springs for that short time

So much bad info coming out recently

 

[mercdudecbr600]

LOL , oh my

Because your KJ was built prior to o3/12 / 2002 does not mean it is 3/4 inch higher ,
it was back in 02 yes, but when you replace springs that all goes away
they used taller springs for that short time

So much bad info coming out recently

Just like you always do, they’re referring to the stock ride height. not current ride height

 

[tommudd]

Just like you always do, they’re referring to the stock ride height. not current ride height

?????????????????
Oh well

 

[Abbas]

I'm looking into installing a front bumper and a winch and I fancy the eag bumpers...https://jeepundco.com/eag-bumpers/. My question is I will only buy the bumper because I can hide a winch behind it. Can you give me any thoughts if it is a reasonable excuse?

 

[tommudd]

I'm looking into installing a front bumper and a winch and I fancy the eag bumpers...https://jeepundco.com/eag-bumpers/. My question is I will only buy the bumper because I can hide a winch behind it. Can you give me any thoughts if it is a reasonable excuse?

You do know that they do not make a bumper for a Liberty correct ?
Do you have welders, cut off tools to be able to change a bumper for a Wrangler to a Liberty ?
Then are you lifted currently ?
If not you would have to install a lift on your Liberty
Would you run steel or synthetic line on the winch ?

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Just an update. Installed 926 medium coils on the front of my early KJ - not as much lift as I was hoping. Measured at 20" after a bit of settling. Only about 3/4" higher than my stock springs with 3/8" spacer. Loved the ride though - very plush and seemed to articulate very well. Nose dive during hard braking and some wallow in turns increased, which in mind is to be expected with lift springs. I can't speak for the longevity of the lift height, but I can say that medium 926 with a 3/8" spacer would be pretty ideal in my book if no other bumper/winch modifications were planned. I also went with the light rear springs, which shockingly raised the rear up to about 21.25", and gave my KJ a bit of a raked look. Rear feels firmer but still comfy.

So after simulating the additional winch weight on the front end (about 1/2" drop) with the 926 springs installed, I decided that Tom was right and I needed the 927 springs with the winch. Now those are installed. A bit stiffer than the 926's, don't seem to articulate as well, but will support the winch weight better. After some break-in time and an alignment, sitting at 20.50" in the front. I will probably install the 3/8" top plate spacer to get a bit more height out of the front in a few months or so.

Just so everyone knows, I have the Rs5000X rancho shocks installed. I know Bilsteins are favored here, but I don't care for how they are valved. So far I've been very happy with the ranchos but if they let go I'll try the bilsteins.

The OME springs do stiffen the suspension up, but (at least with decent 16" AT tires) you only feel small bumps more. Even that is negligible in my book. Big hits are dampened very well. Overall, the level of stiffness even the 927 OME's provide is about stock for a CUV. Just like everyone else says here, I wouldn't ever go back to stock springs - the ride is that much better.

Install was fairly easy as well. Just split the UCA ball joint, take one bolt out of the swaybar end link and then undo the clevis mounting bolts. I use a balljoint separator to pinch the upper clevis bolt and open the clevis mount up. After that, it just slides off the shock assembly. Then remove the upper shock/spring assembly.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Well finished the detours and warn winch install. Front end dropped another 1/2”, around 20 1/4” now. Rear sitting at 21 1/4”

Installed 3/8” top cap spacer and moved the clevis to the lowest full engagement position possible on the shock, about 1/4” lower than the stop. Now sitting at 21 1/4” at front and happy. Didn’t think it was going to be necessary to do that but not a lot of kJ owners have winches so not sure what to expect.

Side note I was able to make a good template for the early kjs so the detours bracket fits tightly against the bumper cover with less than a 1/4” gap all the way around the bracket. I saved it in case anyone needs else might need it.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Here’s a photo update of the lift evolution. First was initial install of medium and light ome springs, then settling, then winch. You can see how much the winch pulls the nose down

 

[mercdudecbr600]

And here’s 927 springs after settling, with winch, 3/8” spacer, 1/4” clevis lift. Sitting at 21” front, about 21 1/4” rear.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

And I can’t help but show a shot of the detours with winch installed

 

[tommudd]

so you lost 1/2 inch with the detours , and that is with a 1/4 inch clevis and top pate ???

So with them added should be at 22.75 so actually lost an inch and three quarters , WOW thats a lot
steel cable ?

 

[mercdudecbr600]

As I keep saying Tom, when I first installed 927 I only got 20.75”. then when it started to settle I was at 20.25” and that’s why I had to install the spacer and clevis. And the best I’m at now is 21”. Hasn’t changed for a while now so I think it’s dropped as much as it will.

But ya steel cable, though the whole unit only weighs 80lbs. Detours is about 45lbs so in all about the same as an Arb bull bumper. Rides nice though.

 

[tommudd]

That's the way when I ran the ARB plus a winch ( with steel cable ) with 790s on the 04, rode great going down the road
now I'm wondering what I did with that winch ???

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Definitely need the 790’s 500# rating with both arb and winch. Almost could use 790’s with the detours and winch. If I start to get any more sagging I’m thinking of putting on a 3/4” top spacer in lieu of the 3/8”.

What’s frustrating is that arb’s application guide is way off. Medium supposed to handle up to 150lbs - not accurate. Even heavy for 150-300lbs is really optimistic. But also, the light rear is a lot beefier than expected and will get you 2+ inches. Hard to navigate.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Update. 927s held fairly stable under detours and winch but started to sag a bit, about 1/2” and started to nose down a bit. Getting bigger spacers was a possibility to get front height back but they were about as expensive as new ome springs. So decided to get jba uca and the heavier 790 springs.

Just finished install and with a bit of settling they’re sitting at 21” without any spacers whatsoever which is dead even with the rear.

Ride is minimally stiffer than 927 but not significantly changed - still supple. Given some time I may have to throw a spacer on but I’m happy.

It’s official I’ve gone through all possibilities, you must have 790s with winch.

 

[tommudd]

Been saying and preaching that for years and years, seems no one wants to listen sadly
and NO on a 3/4 inch spacer on top
but why am I wasting my time LOL