Driveway Snow plowing

[Mytmouse]

the OEM diesel springs are weaker than the 790s, FYI.

Found this on lostjeeps. OME 790 or 927 http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=81118

Front coils...........

OME 925(light duty) rated at 350lbs
OME 926(medium duty) rated at 375lbs
OME 927(HD gas) rated at 400lbs
OME 790(CRD) rated at 500lbs

OEM 3.7 rated between 300lbs-310lbs depending on options
OEM CRD rated at 410lbs

Rear coils............

OME 947(light duty) IIRC rated at about 175lbs
OME 948(medium duty) IIRC rated at 200lbs

I also like the quote ;

"My advice is to always thing "what if", meaning you don't plan for an ARB bumper now but may plan later. It happened to me too many times... I'd go with heavy duty."

Makes me think to go heavy duty to handle the plow and any future "add ons" I may change my mind and do in the future (lord knows I'm always changing my mind) , and just deal with the bit rougher ride. Might not be all that bad anyways.?.?...
If I'm going to go through it all now, I don't want to regret that I should've after the job has already been done.

So am I looking at (what):
JBA's. UCA's
Front- OME 790's with ## struts (hopefully assembled)
Rear 948's with ## shocks
anything else?

And where to get kits /parts these days ?

 

[tommudd]

LOL, the above is posted on here as well many times by me and others
I have ran both 927s and 790s with an ARB bumper hanging out front
Now you are asking about running a winch just a short time , which is completely different
790s are a good setup if you have weight there all the time
As far as heavy duty, those are the 927s , and " bit " rougher ride with the 790s ?
Oh well...............

 

[Mytmouse]

So with your experience and my situation (using the plow for a very short period of the time - no winch) what would you suggest.?
Are you saying to go with the front 927's and 948 rears?

With What struts and shocks?
And who to purchase kit from ?

 

[sota]

I can say that, if I knew then what I know now, I'd be tempted to run 927 or OEM diesel instead of 790.
I'll see if I can find my height measurement posts; I have a thread around here somewhere.

https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/project-my-crazy-jeep.51642/

 

[Mytmouse]

I can say that, if I knew then what I know now, I'd be tempted to run 927 or OEM diesel instead of 790.
I'll see if I can find my height measurement posts; I have a thread around here somewhere.

https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/project-my-crazy-jeep.51642/


Also installed new suspension (see sig for details.)
Here are some measurements...
(f2f == fender to floor... f2h == fender to hub centerline)

Code:

---before--- -----after----- -plow dn- -plow up-
wheel f2h f2f f2h f2f f2h f2h
LF 18" 32" 22 1/4" 36 1/4" 21 3/4" 21 1/2"
RF 18" 32" 22 3/8" 36 3/8"
LR 19" 32 3/4" 21 1/2" 35 1/4"
RR 19" 32 3/4" 21 3/4" 35 1/2"

So it looks like you picked up 4.25" inches. Was that with the larger tires? That seems like quite a bit...
This Libby is at 31- 3/4" floor to fender...

Sounds like from that Thread you started out just like me, not really wanting/needing to go with a lift (at first)...
I now do want a bit of a lift, but not as much that I need to worry about affecting other aspects of the Libby, like CV axles, wheel bearings, alignment, and etc.
So from your experience & knowledge, would you say for MY situation is to go with front 927's and the rear 948's.
Also other than Struts and shocks, what else am I looking at needing?

 

[lfhoward]

Just a quick thing to help you compare lift heights. Measure from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender. This eliminates the size of the wheel from the equation so that the total lift height can be compared on Jeeps with different sized tires. I believe the stock height on a KJ in the front was 19”. (On a KK it was 18”.) So measure and subtract 19 and you’ll get the number of inches of lift.

 

[tommudd]

So it looks like you picked up 4.25" inches. Was that with the larger tires? That seems like quite a bit...
This Libby is at 31- 3/4" floor to fender...

Sounds like from that Thread you started out just like me, not really wanting/needing to go with a lift (at first)...
I now do want a bit of a lift, but not as much that I need to worry about affecting other aspects of the Libby, like CV axles, wheel bearings, alignment, and etc.
So from your experience & knowledge, would you say for MY situation is to go with front 927's and the rear 948's.
Also other than Struts and shocks, what else am I looking at needing?

GO:
927 front springs,
948 rear springs
Bilstein front SHOCKS stock ones
rear bilstein shocks for a 99-04 Dakota 4x4 CLUB CAB or I run 24-185660 on one of mine
teraflex front bumpstops
2 hockey pucks per side bolted down to the lower spring perch in the rear for bumpstops, leave stock one in
This will give you 2.5 inches of lift over new stock height of 19 inches from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare

 

[sota]

I'd agree with tom.

 

[Mytmouse]

GO:
927 front springs,
948 rear springs
Bilstein front SHOCKS stock ones
rear bilstein shocks for a 99-04 Dakota 4x4 CLUB CAB or I run 24-185660 on one of mine
teraflex front bumpstops
2 hockey pucks per side bolted down to the lower spring perch in the rear for bumpstops, leave stock one in
This will give you 2.5 inches of lift over new stock height of 19 inches from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare

OK, great. getting progress...

Sorry few (more -LoL) questions I have though:

This will give you 2.5 inches of lift over new stock height of 19 inches from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare -> So with this set up/height I shouldn't have any issues with extra CV Axles, wheel bearing stress, or or alignment concerns ?

927 front springs, ->where to get/buy ? I searched and it seems ARB picked up OME (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39 set)

948 rear springs ->same as above (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39 set)

Bilstein front SHOCKS stock ones -> Stock ones will handle the lift/extra travel of the OME 927's? (BILSTEIN 24139168 @RockAuto $87.79)

rear bilstein shocks for a 99-04 Dakota 4x4 CLUB CAB or I run 24-185660 on one of mine -> (BILSTEIN 33185859 @RockAuto $83.79)

teraflex front bumpstops -> is this the right part # Teraflex 1903200 Front Bump Stop for 02-07 Jeep Liberty KJ $23 @Quadratec ? Jeepin By Al has them, but once again OUT OF STOCK... I would love to go to him for one stop shopping along with the UCA's... I assume Installation is pretty straight forward for these...

2 hockey pucks per side bolted down to the lower spring perch in the rear for bumpstops, leave stock one in -> forgive my newbie ignorance, but do you have further details/instructions on this?

Will this give it the factory rake(rear is little higher than the front)?


As well I should go with/stick with getting the JBA UCA's - right? -> Which ones, for stock/OEM or Lifted jeeps?

Anything else ?

.

 

[tommudd]

OK, great. getting progress...

Sorry few (more -LoL) questions I have though:

This will give you 2.5 inches of lift over new stock height of 19 inches from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare -> So with this set up/height I shouldn't have any issues with extra CV Axles, wheel bearing stress, or or alignment concerns ?

927 front springs, ->where to get/buy ? I searched and it seems ARB picked up OME (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39 set)

948 rear springs ->same as above (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39 set)

Bilstein front SHOCKS stock ones -> Stock ones will handle the lift/extra travel of the OME 927's? (BILSTEIN 24139168 @RockAuto $87.79)

rear bilstein shocks for a 99-04 Dakota 4x4 CLUB CAB or I run 24-185660 on one of mine -> (BILSTEIN 33185859 @RockAuto $83.79)

teraflex front bumpstops -> is this the right part # Teraflex 1903200 Front Bump Stop for 02-07 Jeep Liberty KJ $23 @Quadratec ? Jeepin By Al has them, but once again OUT OF STOCK... I would love to go to him for one stop shopping along with the UCA's... I assume Installation is pretty straight forward for these...

2 hockey pucks per side bolted down to the lower spring perch in the rear for bumpstops, leave stock one in -> forgive my newbie ignorance, but do you have further details/instructions on this?

Will this give it the factory rake(rear is little higher than the front)?


As well I should go with/stick with getting the JBA UCA's - right? -> Which ones, for stock/OEM or Lifted jeeps?

Anything else ?

.

ARB is parent company of OME always has been
2.5 inches is nothing as far as lifts, I ran stock CVs etc at 4.5 inches of lift for over 100,000 miles

shocks go to www.shockwarehouse.com
yes on teraflex
I wrote out what you needed on rear bumpstops, simply drill 3/8 inch hole in center of lower spring pad, install springs, reach through and install 2 hockey pucks per side bolt down through hockey pucks, nut on bottom ( 3/8 inch bolt X 2.25 inches
You do not need the JBA UCAs at 2.5 inches but is a great upgrade and will need sooner or later even if yours are good now ( they wear out )
this will sit the KJ level and look right doing away with that stupid factory rake

and yes stock length front shocks will work great, nothing else will work, rear just make sure it is for club cab and 4X4 Dakota 99-04

 

[Mytmouse]

ARB is parent company of OME always has been
2.5 inches is nothing as far as lifts, I ran stock CVs etc at 4.5 inches of lift for over 100,000 miles

shocks go to www.shockwarehouse.com
yes on teraflex
I wrote out what you needed on rear bumpstops, simply drill 3/8 inch hole in center of lower spring pad, install springs, reach through and install 2 hockey pucks per side bolt down through hockey pucks, nut on bottom ( 3/8 inch bolt X 2.25 inches
You do not need the JBA UCAs at 2.5 inches but is a great upgrade and will need sooner or later even if yours are good now ( they wear out )
this will sit the KJ level and look right doing away with that stupid factory rake

and yes stock length front shocks will work great, nothing else will work, rear just make sure it is for club cab and 4X4 Dakota 99-04

AWESOME THANK YOU SO MUCH Tom ! and others.

So other than maybe an alignment and maybe coming across worn out parts, is this everything you think I'm going to need?

Also if you don't think I really need the JBA UCA's for the lift reasons, maybe I could save same cash by buying regular UCA's (like MOOG CK3198 replacements), and put it towards other items?
Such as:

For ease of installation, If I wanted to have the spring and struts pre-assembled before disassembling the Libby. I would just need to add upper left and right strut mounts (any recommendations) Moog ?


Maybe Isolators upper lower rear and front ?

.
.

 

[Mytmouse]

I Hope EVERYONE is having Happy and Healthy Holidays

TOM,

So other than maybe an alignment and maybe coming across worn out parts, is this everything you think I'm going to need?

Also if you don't think I really need the JBA UCA's for the lift reasons, maybe I could save some cash by buying regular UCA's (like MOOG CK3198 replacements), and put the money towards other items?
Such as:

For ease of installation, If I wanted to have the spring and struts pre-assembled before disassembling the Libby to use the existing mounts/hardware etc. I would just need to add upper left and right strut mounts to my parts list (any recommendations) Moog p/n's K3189 , K3190 ?
And
Maybe Isolators upper & lower rear (Moog upper p/n K160017 lower p/n K160018),
and front (not sure mounts come with new ones Moog p/n K3186) ?

..

 

[Mytmouse]

Uhg. Closer inspection, , the lower front ball joint boots are ripped/torn as well.
I know and heard of the Upper ball joints, just replacing the the entire UCA's with new joint's already installed due to not being all that much more expensive...
But lowers I believe are a bit more involved and more expensive - no?
What recommendations/process for replacing the lowers. Remove lower control arms and get joints pressed out and new ones pressed in from a shop , for cost savings?

Now this all of a sudden is starting to get a lot more expensive.... I might need to put the lift idea (springs, struts, shocks, etc) on hold and do the maintenance stuff first , but with the lift still in mind....????

What ya think?....????....????

...

 

[tommudd]

Upper ball joints are built into the upper control arm, you have to replace the whole arm unless you have the JBA UCA's
As far as lowers not that bad really , you can rent a ball joint press from autozone etc, well you give them money they give it back when you return it
I just remove the whole spindle, throw it in the vice and wham, bam thank ya mam , its done

Use only good greaseable LBJs from Moog

 

[Mytmouse]

Upper ball joints are built into the upper control arm, you have to replace the whole arm unless you have the JBA UCA's
As far as lowers not that bad really , you can rent a ball joint press from autozone etc, well you give them money they give it back when you return it
I just remove the whole spindle, throw it in the vice and wham, bam thank ya mam , its done

Use only good greaseable LBJs from Moog

Thanks once again Tom !
Yeah I looked into it (You Tube) not too bad - how bad is it to get the axle out of the spindle and what size nut/socket is it? I didn't catch that on any video's I watched..

So other than maybe an alignment and maybe coming across other worn out parts, is this everything you think I'm going to need?

Also if you don't think I really need the JBA UCA's ($400 pair) for the lift reasons, maybe I could save some cash by buying OEM replacement UCA's (like MOOG CK3198 replacements $146 pr NON-greaseable), I also came across MEVOTECH terrain tough TTX pair p/n CTXK3198. GREASEABLE also for $146 pr) (I know the JBA's are the better choice, Moog is a good brand (but not greaseable) , I'm not sure about MEVOTECH?)
and then put the saved money towards other items?
Such as:

For ease of installation, If I wanted to have the spring and struts pre-assembled before disassembling the Libby to use the existing mounts/hardware etc. I would just need to add upper left and right strut mounts to my parts list (any recommendations) Moog p/n K3189 front right $63, p/n K3190 front left $65 (notes say they include bearing, not sure about isolators)?
And
Maybe Isolators REAR upper & lower (Moog upper p/n K160017. $24 pr. lower p/n K160018. $36 pr),
and front (not sure mounts would come with new ones Moog p/n K3186. $30. pr) ?

And NOW LOWER BALL JOINTS too (Moog K80767 $70 pair ) ?

On top of ;

Front springs OME 927 $183 pr
Rear springs OME 948 $182 pr

Front struts Bilstein p/n 24139168 $88 ea. = $176
Rear shocks Bilstein p/n 33185859 $84 ea. = $168

That's just under $1150 so far...


Oh I also have the infamous gas burp problem with the ethanol in the gas around my area.
So I will be doing the ;
HOW TO: fix the KJ fuel burp plague!

https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/how-to-fix-the-kj-fuel-burp-plague.57056/


..
..

 

[Mytmouse]

Forgive my ignorance but are the Front spring Isolators the same (p/n) for upper and lower, as well as left and right?

 

[Mytmouse]

Ok after a LOOONG TIME I purchased all the suggested parts and started disassembling and reinstalling the new parts. The rear is all done.
After compressing/assembling the new struts and springs they seem to be the same length as the stock ones - is this right?

See link to pictures
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oGvtCEes7ui1SA1m7


My parts list:

UCA's w/ upper ball joints. Mevotech (Rock Auto p/n CTXK3198) $146pr. (Rock Auto p/n CK3198)

Lower ball joints Moog Rock Auto p/n K80767 $35 EA. x2

Moog front spring Isolators RockAuto p/n k3186 $15 EA. x4

OME 927 front springs, (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39) set/pr.

OME 948 rear springs (I can actually get these on Amazon $181.39) set/pr

Bilstein front struts - stock ones -> Stock ones will handle the lift/extra travel of the OME 927's (BILSTEIN Rock Auto p/n 24139168 RockAuto $87.79) x2

Bilstein rear shocks for a 99-04 Dakota 4x4 CLUB CAB (as suggested by Tommudd) (BILSTEIN Rock Auto p/n 33185859 $83.79) x2

Moog strut mount front right Rock Auto p/n K3189 $63 x1

Moog strut mount front left Rock Auto p/n K3190 $65 x1

I already purchased/have:

Teraflex front bumpstops -> p/n # 1903200 Front Bump Stop for 02-07 Jeep Liberty KJ at Quadratec.com $23 ea. x2
Hockey puck 4 Pack. $12

 

[Mytmouse]

Ok after a LOOONG TIME I purchased all the above /suggested parts and started disassembling and reinstalling the new parts. The rear is all done.
After compressing/assembling the new struts and springs they seem to be the same length as the stock ones - is this right?

See link to pictures
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oGvtCEes7ui1SA1m7

common thought for a few, your shock controls length at this point, shock is only so long, plus you are comparing a 310 lb rated spring against a 400 lb spring, now, common sense comes into play, and says it will hold up more weight and so gives lift

 

[Mytmouse]

All Done !
Along with the pinch weld mod ...
The drivers side came out better
I did the passenger's side first which I learned from...

See link of pictures of entire job...


https://photos.app.goo.gl/xpV5PouLLUMdCmEN9


I just want to say a BIG THANKS TO ALL !!!

 

[Mytmouse]

Measurements from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender flare

LF 35, 3/4" ---- RF 35, 3/4"


LR 35" ---- RR 35, 1/8"


Now just need to get an alignment, see how the plow fits, & new plow lights.... .......