Help with deciding how to lift my KJ properly.

[acastillo]

Hello guys, I hope you are doing well today.

I'm hoping Tommudd reads this.

I've read some comments on the jeep liberty threads and I want to ask for your help. I currently have a 2006 jeep liberty 4x4 and I have the following setup:

- Front Bilstein 4600 shocks, I used the factory spring and strut mount
- I lifted it with the Rough Country 3'' kit that they used to sell, it has the aluminum spacers for the front and coils + shocks for the rear
- JBA off road UCAs

I've been wanting to change the lift kit for something more stable, I do feel the suspension is too hard and I've been experiencing lower ball joint failure like 3 times. What would you recommend to get and what size of tires would you recommend too?

I hope to read from you soon, thank you in advance! Happy Holidays.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'd do OME 927 and OME 948 springs front/rear, Bilstein shocks up front for a stock KJ (I have the 4600 ones but would be curious to try 5100s) or get OME shocks for the front. Rear, always had bad luck with the Bilsteins blowing so get the OME 132Ls for the rear. Hockey puck or teraflex bump stops for the rear, teraflex for the front. Throw away the RC stuff. Good on having the JBAs! Also check your strut mounts, make sure that little bushing in the middle is still solid. if it breaks free it makes a ton of noise, worth checking. Rare issue but both of mine went bad.

Tire size - 245/75/16 or equivalent for whatever rim you're running. Not really worth it to go bigger IMO.

 

[acastillo]

I'd do OME 927 and OME 948 springs front/rear, Bilstein shocks up front for a stock KJ (I have the 4600 ones but would be curious to try 5100s) or get OME shocks for the front. Rear, always had bad luck with the Bilsteins blowing so get the OME 132Ls for the rear. Hockey puck or teraflex bump stops for the rear, teraflex for the front. Throw away the RC stuff. Good on having the JBAs! Also check your strut mounts, make sure that little bushing in the middle is still solid. if it breaks free it makes a ton of noise, worth checking. Rare issue but both of mine went bad.

Tire size - 245/75/16 or equivalent for whatever rim you're running. Not really worth it to go bigger IMO.

Thanks a lot!

I was looking up the shocks that came with the RC kit, it says it should have 2'' lift in the back. I honestly haven't had any issues with the back side of it but do you think it will not be leveled if I just do the front with the OME springs and the shocks I already have? They're the Bilstein 4600s.

Also, will having JBA UCAs affect even if it's not lifted over 3''?

N3 Rear Shocks | 0-2" | Jeep Liberty 2WD/4WD (2002-2012)

N3 Rear Shocks | 0-2" | Jeep Liberty 2WD/4WD (2002-2012)

www.roughcountry.com

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Thanks a lot!

I was looking up the shocks that came with the RC kit, it says it should have 2'' lift in the back. I honestly haven't had any issues with the back side of it but do you think it will not be leveled if I just do the front with the OME springs and the shocks I already have? They're the Bilstein 4600s.

Also, will having JBA UCAs affect even if it's not lifted over 3''?

N3 Rear Shocks | 0-2" | Jeep Liberty 2WD/4WD (2002-2012)

N3 Rear Shocks | 0-2" | Jeep Liberty 2WD/4WD (2002-2012)

www.roughcountry.com

Are you thinking of just keeping the rough country stuff in the back (spacers and shocks?) I bet even with the spacer, it's hardly above new stock height (measure from the hub to bottom of the fender flare, new stock is around 19.75", but they typically sag 2" or more - even when I first lifted mine back in 2010 with 77k miles I was sagged 2", stock stuff is wayyy too soft and low spring rate), so definitely would have the Tennessee tilt if you put the OME stuff up front. No issues reusing your 4600 Bilsteins up front if they're in good shape. I usually get 80-90k out of them. I'd still get new stuff for the rear, it'll ride SO much better.

 

[acastillo]

Are you thinking of just keeping the rough country stuff in the back (spacers and shocks?) I bet even with the spacer, it's hardly above new stock height (measure from the hub to bottom of the fender flare, new stock is around 19.75", but they typically sag 2" or more - even when I first lifted mine back in 2010 with 77k miles I was sagged 2", stock stuff is wayyy too soft and low spring rate), so definitely would have the Tennessee tilt if you put the OME stuff up front. No issues reusing your 4600 Bilsteins up front if they're in good shape. I usually get 80-90k out of them. I'd still get new stuff for the rear, it'll ride SO much better.

The rough country stuff in the back are not spacers, it's a spring + the lifted shocks they sell, no spacer used for the back. What I'm afraid of is that if I just change the front it won't look leveled, supposedly that kit lifts 2'' in the back. I honestly find the rear suspension very smooth, no issues whatsoever since I lifted it 2-3 years ago.

On those front shocks I've put like 40K, I would need to get them checked prior to reuse them.

 

[KJowner]

I guess try it and see how it looks, what does the back measure at?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The rough country stuff in the back are not spacers, it's a spring + the lifted shocks they sell, no spacer used for the back. What I'm afraid of is that if I just change the front it won't look leveled, supposedly that kit lifts 2'' in the back. I honestly find the rear suspension very smooth, no issues whatsoever since I lifted it 2-3 years ago.

On those front shocks I've put like 40K, I would need to get them checked prior to reuse them.

Compare the spring rate of those to the OME, I bet they are super soft. So you'll have a stiff front end and loose rear end, not great for off roading.

 

[acastillo]

Compare the spring rate of those to the OME, I bet they are super soft. So you'll have a stiff front end and loose rear end, not great for off roading.

I can't find any information on the rate for those springs and the kit was discontinued, but I do get your point. At this point I'll have to get both OME springs for front and back, new strut mounts for the front and a pair of new rear shocks, would you recommend the bilstein 4600 for the back or should I go with the 5100? The 5100 say it will lift 1'' in the back.

I don't get how the spring itself will lift the front 2.5'' inches, can you show me a picture so I can get an idea?

Thank your for your replies!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I can't find any information on the rate for those springs and the kit was discontinued, but I do get your point. At this point I'll have to get both OME springs for front and back, new strut mounts for the front and a pair of new rear shocks, would you recommend the bilstein 4600 for the back or should I go with the 5100? The 5100 say it will lift 1'' in the back.

I don't get how the spring itself will lift the front 2.5'' inches, can you show me a picture so I can get an idea?

Thank your for your replies!

Shocks don't provide any lift, the springs do, so not sure what Bilstein means. I'd probably go with whatever you are running in the front series wise. But probably won't make too much a difference. Make sure you get the longer ones for the lift.

The spring will lift it 2.5" because it's longer.

More good info here: https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/lift-faq-read-before-asking-questions.47137/

 

[acastillo]

Shocks don't provide any lift, the springs do, so not sure what Bilstein means. I'd probably go with whatever you are running in the front series wise. But probably won't make too much a difference. Make sure you get the longer ones for the lift.

The spring will lift it 2.5" because it's longer.

More good info here: https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/lift-faq-read-before-asking-questions.47137/

Thanks!

I currently have these bumpstops. Are the teraflex similar? I tried googling them but I had no luck finding a picture.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Thanks!

I currently have these bumpstops. Are the teraflex similar? I tried googling them but I had no luck finding a picture.

yes those look the same!