lifting back to stock height.

[towpro]

Figured this would be as good as anyplace to post this.
2006 Jeep Liberty Limited, 94K street miles by an older lady driver. Appears to be garage kept (no rust under it at all and for PA salt, that is something to day)

Today I installed Moog 81057 Coil Spring Set and KYB 344404 Excel-G Gas Shocks.

Now the rear height is 19.5" from center of hub to fender. that is 1.5" higher than before. only drove it up the road to hit some holes, listen for noise. It seem to ride better, you can feel the back is higher.

I will add front height as soon as I install the KYB loaded struts this weekend.

 

[Royy]

Those are the exact springs/shocks/struts I'm planning on installing, once I manage to save up some money.
I'd be interested in hearing how they keep up!

 

[tommudd]

Would really like to see someone do some OME 925/947 combo instead of going back to stock spring rates
The above combo would not lift a KJ that much but the spring rates are more in line to what should of came on them in the first place. Would be a truly way better ride and handling than the stock crap ever was.
My 04 would hit the bumpstops when it was brand new, with even 5000 miles on it knew there had to be better system out there. Stock spring rates were too low . Be a great upgrade in over all ride if someone would just go that route ( OME 925/947)

 

[towpro]

Front is complete. 19.25" from center of hub to outer lip of fender.
before I was around 17.5"

Rides real nice. that impact on rises in the road is gone since I gained almost 2" of suspension travel by replacing the sacked out front springs.
How is it off road? When I go off road, its onto the beach, and that will not be until next April.

Maybe tomorrow I will go get my cooper discoverer srx's installed.

Its ashamed I drug my feet buying these KYB's. I think there was a $70 rebate that expired in September.

 

[Geof3]

I have to say, I am with Tom 1000%. If you intend on keeping the Jeep for any length of time, save up the money and do the exact OME setup Tom is talking about... Just do it.

 

[TheRealG]

I know this is an older thread, but I'm thinking about doing the set-up that tommudd mentioned. I want a little extra height (~1"), but don't think I need a full lift kit. Since it's almost stock height, what would you recommend for shocks? Would I need to get anything extended, or just something nicer and new? Trying to keep it from betting too spendy because my budget is limited. This would be on a 2003 with about 150K on the clock. Ride is definitely squeaky there is not a lot of room from tire to fender flare.

 

[tommudd]

I know this is an older thread, but I'm thinking about doing the set-up that tommudd mentioned. I want a little extra height (~1"), but don't think I need a full lift kit. Since it's almost stock height, what would you recommend for shocks? Would I need to get anything extended, or just something nicer and new? Trying to keep it from betting too spendy because my budget is limited. This would be on a 2003 with about 150K on the clock. Ride is definitely squeaky there is not a lot of room from tire to fender flare.

Just get a full OME kit, springs and shocks Call jeepinbyal and talk to Marlin.
You'll love it, way better than stock but not too much over new stock. Of course from where your's is now maybe 2-3 inches LOL

 

[TheRealG]

Just get a full OME kit, springs and shocks Call jeepinbyal and talk to Marlin.
You'll love it, way better than stock but not too much over new stock. Of course from where your's is now maybe 2-3 inches LOL

That's basically what I'm trying to avoid lol. If I just want a little bit of lift, would getting all factory original stuff be better? I know it's about half the cost of the smallest OME setup. I do love OME stuff (had them on my FJ80), but I'm just looking for something to improve the ride and get a little extra clearance. Most of my wheeling is just forest service roads and little stuff. Plus, my tires are almost brand new and don't want it to look goofy with factory size tires and a lift.

 

[JasonJ]

That's basically what I'm trying to avoid lol. If I just want a little bit of lift, would getting all factory original stuff be better? I know it's about half the cost of the smallest OME setup. I do love OME stuff (had them on my FJ80), but I'm just looking for something to improve the ride and get a little extra clearance. Most of my wheeling is just forest service roads and little stuff. Plus, my tires are almost brand new and don't want it to look goofy with factory size tires and a lift.

When Tom said 2-3" higher, he meant because most KJ's have worn out springs that are tired and sagging, lowering the height of the vehicle 1-2" LOWER than when new.

Case in point, my 03 is about 1-1.25" lower than when new thanks to above mentioned old crap springs.. when I put a 3" OME lift on it (with top plates), I'll end up 3" over stock, but about 4-4.5" higher than I am now.

The combo Tom mentioned of the 925/947 springs should get you only about 1" over new stock height.. so about 20-20.5" from center hub to bottom of fender flare. If you plan on keeping the KJ more than another 3-5 years, this is the way to go, otherwise you could be doing this job twice... which means you should have just done OME in the beginning and done it once and had it last 15 years instead.

 

[tommudd]

That's basically what I'm trying to avoid lol. If I just want a little bit of lift, would getting all factory original stuff be better? I know it's about half the cost of the smallest OME setup. I do love OME stuff (had them on my FJ80), but I'm just looking for something to improve the ride and get a little extra clearance. Most of my wheeling is just forest service roads and little stuff. Plus, my tires are almost brand new and don't want it to look goofy with factory size tires and a lift.

Please reread my post above
Of course from where your's is now maybe 2-3 inches LOL

 

[TheRealG]

Well, I feel dumb lol. For whatever reason my brain processed that as 2-3" over stock height, not current height. ~2" over current height would be perfect! Looks like I'll start saving my pennies for the whole kit. Thanks guys!

 

[tommudd]

RealG
No problem at all , sometimes I shorten the answer too much

 

[Vgirl]

Just get a full OME kit, springs and shocks Call jeepinbyal and talk to Marlin.
You'll love it, way better than stock but not too much over new stock. Of course from where your's is now maybe 2-3 inches LOL

@tommudd
Is this the kit you're talking about? I see the other is affiliated with you! Very cool!!

I found this thread looking for no-lift suspension options for my 03 KJ Sport 3.7L 4wd 5-spd. Possible that a Jasper reman R&R is needed for my Jeep (current saga) so it def makes sense to do the suspension also.

Just confused about the options between shocks and springs, OME and Bilstein, grades of duty, etc. So thinking a full kit is the way to go? Def fine with near factory height/no lift. Unless a small lift would help the engine and trans longevity. In that case I would do it for my Jeep. Altho I think lifts look cool I don't need one for me. TBH the non kit options would compute better if I wasn't already overwhelmed by the mystery engine issues and being without my Jeep for 13 days already. I want to do it the right way so thank you for the help!!

I run General Grabber AT2s so they'll probably still look mean either way. Not worried about that.

Thanks!!

 

[Myke]

@tommudd
Is this the kit you're talking about? I see the other is affiliated with you! Very cool!!

I found this thread looking for no-lift suspension options for my 03 KJ Sport 3.7L 4wd 5-spd. Possible that a Jasper reman R&R is needed for my Jeep (current saga) so it def makes sense to do the suspension also.

Just confused about the options between shocks and springs, OME and Bilstein, grades of duty, etc. So thinking a full kit is the way to go? Def fine with near factory height/no lift. Unless a small lift would help the engine and trans longevity. In that case I would do it for my Jeep. Altho I think lifts look cool I don't need one for me. TBH the non kit options would compute better if I wasn't already overwhelmed by the mystery engine issues and being without my Jeep for 13 days already. I want to do it the right way so thank you for the help!!

I run General Grabber AT2s so they'll probably still look mean either way. Not worried about that.

Thanks!!

If you don't want to lift it I would go with this kit
https://jbaoffroad.com/ome-1-50-lift-kit-kj.html

Get the OME2925 front springs and OME2947 rear springs. These are softer springs so will not sit as high as the 927/948 spring sets.

You may end up with 1" of lift but you would never notice this vs stock just by looking at it. You will end up with a much better handling and riding Liberty though. These springs/shocks will also last a bit longer than garbage stock stuff.

Not sure what your budget is but if you plan on keeping the Liberty for a bit and want the best/most comfortable setup I would do this

• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty-2002-2007-kj/front-struts-for-kj/jba-adjust-a-struts.html
• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty...cks-and-coil-springs/ome-spring-for-rear.html
• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty...oil-springs/jba-total-control-rear-shock.html

You can shoot for only 1-1.5" lift with this setup but it will ride like a dream and is adjustable.

 

[Vgirl]

If you don't want to lift it I would go with this kit
https://jbaoffroad.com/ome-1-50-lift-kit-kj.html

Get the OME2925 front springs and OME2947 rear springs. These are softer springs so will not sit as high as the 927/948 spring sets.

You may end up with 1" of lift but you would never notice this vs stock just by looking at it. You will end up with a much better handling and riding Liberty though. These springs/shocks will also last a bit longer than garbage stock stuff.

Not sure what your budget is but if you plan on keeping the Liberty for a bit and want the best/most comfortable setup I would do this

• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty-2002-2007-kj/front-struts-for-kj/jba-adjust-a-struts.html
• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty...cks-and-coil-springs/ome-spring-for-rear.html
• https://jbaoffroad.com/jeep/liberty...oil-springs/jba-total-control-rear-shock.html

You can shoot for only 1-1.5" lift with this setup but it will ride like a dream and is adjustable.

Cool, thank you so much, Myke!! Yah, the first kit link you posted is the kit I was wondering about (hyperlinked in my other post). I really appreciate you listing them out and explaining it all!!

I don't mind a lifted height in looks. Just want to do right by my Jeep and get the shot, garbage stock suspension replaced with a better system. I don't mind the rough ride but worry how it impacts my KJ. Unavoidable potholes sound and feel like freaking land mines as it is. Can't be good.

I do plan on keeping my KJ forever. We've already been together 221k miles haha. But my budget is super tight rn because of whatever is going on with the engine (could be valve, could be time for a new engine). So while I want to opt for the best like the setup you listed, it's kinda bad timing for that heavy of an investment. And if the kit is a good/better option than average suspension replacement brands, its cost is justified in my mind.

Thanks again so much for your help!! When everything gets sorted out with a shop/the engine issue I'll post back on the kit results!! I'll have them done at the same time.

PS - Each time I've asked shop mechanics over the years about replacing the suspension, they were pretty lax about it. I told them my priority is for the integrity of my Jeep and its parts, not my comfort. They always said, "it's solid, don't worry, the only difference would be in how it feels to you." That never made much sense to me because suspension would seem to help things from shaking loose. Especially with over 6-figures on the odo. Yet I was always talked out of it. I should've known better and asked here first.

 

[tommudd]

Cool, thank you so much, Myke!! Yah, the first kit link you posted is the kit I was wondering about (hyperlinked in my other post). I really appreciate you listing them out and explaining it all!!

I don't mind a lifted height in looks. Just want to do right by my Jeep and get the shot, garbage stock suspension replaced with a better system. I don't mind the rough ride but worry how it impacts my KJ. Unavoidable potholes sound and feel like freaking land mines as it is. Can't be good.

I do plan on keeping my KJ forever. We've already been together 221k miles haha. But my budget is super tight rn because of whatever is going on with the engine (could be valve, could be time for a new engine). So while I want to opt for the best like the setup you listed, it's kinda bad timing for that heavy of an investment. And if the kit is a good/better option than average suspension replacement brands, its cost is justified in my mind.

Thanks again so much for your help!! When everything gets sorted out with a shop/the engine issue I'll post back on the kit results!! I'll have them done at the same time.

PS - Each time I've asked shop mechanics over the years about replacing the suspension, they were pretty lax about it. I told them my priority is for the integrity of my Jeep and its parts, not my comfort. They always said, "it's solid, don't worry, the only difference would be in how it feels to you." That never made much sense to me because suspension would seem to help things from shaking loose. Especially with over 6-figures on the odo. Yet I was always talked out of it. I should've known better and asked here first.

Ride will not be rough at all with 925/947 combo, stock front springs are rated at 310 lb, 925 at 350 lbs so not much but way better , go for the whole kit through jeepinbyal. Check all front end parts as well

 

[Vgirl]

Ride will not be rough at all with 925/947 combo, stock front springs are rated at 310 lb, 925 at 350 lbs so not much but way better , go for the whole kit through jeepinbyal. Check all front end parts as well

Thank you for chiming in, tommudd!!

Sorry I meant I don't mind the rough ride since the stock suspension went. From what I've read of your posts, you would hate it tho!!

I grew up driving farm tractors in horse fields so a rough ride is nbd to me (I am not a Mall Rated girl haha). I understand OME suspension kit would make the ride feel dreamy, not rough like it has been.

Suspension particulars are very new to me. May I ask what the lbs ratings mean? Does it mean weight it can carry or weight it can absorb? I do drive on potholed country back roads, dirt roads, and occasionally thru fields when needed (equine professional).

Yes, I'd purchase thru jeepinbyal because of the affiliated recommendations here.

All front end parts like sway arms, bushings, and ball joints?

Thank you for your help and imparting knowledge!! I love learning about this stuff.

 

[J33Pfan]

Great Info Guys!

Thanks!

 

[wclawson]

Front is complete. 19.25" from center of hub to outer lip of fender.
before I was around 17.5"

Rides real nice. that impact on rises in the road is gone since I gained almost 2" of suspension travel by replacing the sacked out front springs.
How is it off road? When I go off road, its onto the beach, and that will not be until next April.

Maybe tomorrow I will go get my cooper discoverer srx's installed.

Its ashamed I drug my feet buying these KYB's. I think there was a $70 rebate that expired in September.

What part number did you install in the front of your liberty?

 

[tommudd]

What part number did you install in the front of your liberty?

Part number for what ??
If front shocks ( and replacing the springs ) just buy the stock ones ( Bilstein )
I would never replace just shocks since is shocks are gone so are springs