Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a UK spec Jeep KJ CRD Limited 2004 with 50K miles on clock. I tow a caravan with it, and have noticed that the front end of the caravan is very low when towing it. Also, there seems to be a 40mm difference in height between the right and left side of the car when not towing. I have had some prices to get some springs / shocks to increase the ride height by 40mm, but at £1000, want to be sure that it will solve the problem. Even then not sure i can justify it just so it looks right?!?!? Has anyone else has the same problem, and if so how did you resolve it? Can anyone tell me roughly what the correct ride height of a factory spec Jeep should be? as I want to try and find out if I have tired springs.
Low Rear end when towing
- Thread starter Jezclee
- Start date
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Check the drop on your draw bar/ball mount. It's a bit of a balancing act with the spare tire/trailer tongue clearance to get the desired/correct ball height. You may have to go with an 'extra long' draw bar to get the ball height you want and still clear the spare tire getting your trailer tongue on and off the ball. Ask me how I know -lol.
LibertyFever
Full Access Member
I don't know if they sell them in the UK but I've bought a load leveling trailer hitch for my gas powered (spark infested :icon_lol
Liberty.
It cost me about $600 Cdn and helps keep the trailer & my Libby level.
And here's how to set one up; http://www.ehow.com/how_2094696_setup-weight-distributing-hitch.html
Liberty.
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It cost me about $600 Cdn and helps keep the trailer & my Libby level.
And here's how to set one up; http://www.ehow.com/how_2094696_setup-weight-distributing-hitch.html
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JeepJeepster
Full Access Member
I use AirLift air bags. Bought them for around $80 from summit racing.com. Installed them in about an hour and couldnt be happier.
Those load distribution setups will make the Jeep handle better though. It puts weight on the front wheels to level the Jeep out and make it not push so bad. AntiSway is also something to look into if youre towing a big camper.
Those load distribution setups will make the Jeep handle better though. It puts weight on the front wheels to level the Jeep out and make it not push so bad. AntiSway is also something to look into if youre towing a big camper.
Banditsteve
Full Access Member
Hi Jeremy. Welcome to "The Family". Another Brit! Excellent! Hehe. I am pretty sure your springs will be sagged and soggy as they are pretty crap really. The cheapest option is ironically genuine springs as they are only about £35 each but they wont last anywhere near as long as Old Man Emu springs etc. There is a simple measurement you can check at the back. Get a tape measure and crawl underneath your Jeep and measure from the bottom of the rear bump stops (Rubber thing inside the spring) to the plate at the bottom that they would hit when fully compressed. There is a tolerance they should fall between which I can't remember off the top of my head but I will find out and let you know. If there is a big difference between the 2 sides you might even find a broken coil in there? I will get back to you and let you know the tolerance. Cheers, Steve :smokin:
Banditsteve
Full Access Member
Sorry Jeremy, I was lying to you. It is from the bottom of the metal cup that the bump stop sits in , to the metal plate that it hits at the bottom.
Rear ride height is defined
by the relative vertical distance between the top of
the lower spring seat strike surface and the bottom
of the jounce cup (true metal to metal jounce travel).
This is to be measured vertically inside the coil.
Rear Ride Target Height - 116.1 mm
Min - 106.1 mm
Max - 126.1 mm
Hope this makes sense to you.
Basically it should be no less than 106 mm (which unfortunately it probably will be)
The lower the figure, the more your springs have sagged.
Good Luck,
Steve :smokin:
Thanks for everone's advice
Thanks Steve for the dimensions. I am struggling to understand exactly where to measure though. I have previously measured the outside of the springs and they are 160mm on the passenger side and 174mm on the drivers side. I have had the car on the jack so that the springs are loose and they look in good condition so I assume they are just tired. The standard springs at £35 are tempting. I have been quoted for some Old Man Emu springs at £190 for the pair. They are uprated and will lift the ride height by 40mm. When towing the caravan I also have the awning in the boot and 4 bikes on the roof so load it pretty heavily. I think I will therefore probably go for these uprated springs. Trouble is I've been advised that if the springs are sagging, the shocks will have worked harder and I should consider replacing them also. Another £250. Think I will take the risk for now.
By the way, where did you get your side steps? I've had an eye out for some for a while. I am also on the look out for an A Bar, but am yet to find one that doesn't look too big on the front. Difficult to know when to stop spending isn't it?!?
Thanks Steve for the dimensions. I am struggling to understand exactly where to measure though. I have previously measured the outside of the springs and they are 160mm on the passenger side and 174mm on the drivers side. I have had the car on the jack so that the springs are loose and they look in good condition so I assume they are just tired. The standard springs at £35 are tempting. I have been quoted for some Old Man Emu springs at £190 for the pair. They are uprated and will lift the ride height by 40mm. When towing the caravan I also have the awning in the boot and 4 bikes on the roof so load it pretty heavily. I think I will therefore probably go for these uprated springs. Trouble is I've been advised that if the springs are sagging, the shocks will have worked harder and I should consider replacing them also. Another £250. Think I will take the risk for now.
By the way, where did you get your side steps? I've had an eye out for some for a while. I am also on the look out for an A Bar, but am yet to find one that doesn't look too big on the front. Difficult to know when to stop spending isn't it?!?
Banditsteve
Full Access Member
Her you go Jez.
Measure with the Jeep sat on its wheels on level ground etc.
OME springs are arguably the best you can get and without a doubt are better than the original spec stuff but you will need new shocks suited to the OME springs if you get them as the OME springs are a bit longer than the standard springs so they will take your original shocks out of their "comfort zone" and wont have any movement on the "upstroke".
My mate made my running rails for me out of thick stainless. Expensive but worth it I think.
I have lookes at a few A bars but the ones I looked at were only good enough to hang a towel on! First nudge or knock and they would just crease and be ruined.
And its easy to know when to stop spending - When your wallet is empty! :happy175:
Hope the measurement thing makes sense Matey,
Cheers, Steve :smokin:
Attachments
Thanks Steve for your help. Think my decision is made. I have spent the day measuring ride heights and caravan hitch heights and the dimension that you show above is 88mm on the passenger side and 100mm on the other so definately in need of replacement. I have concluded that I need to gain 50mm for my caravan to tow level so OME it is. will go for the shocks as well. The front will have to wait a while though.
Off now to see if Wales can do the business against France in the rugby after England helped us out so valiantly.:happy175:
Off now to see if Wales can do the business against France in the rugby after England helped us out so valiantly.:happy175:
Banditsteve
Full Access Member
You're welcome. Hehe. You know what they say about rugby - It's a game played by men with odd shaped balls! :happy175: Good luck with the OME stuff. Rear is a piece of cake to do. Ur coffee won't even be cold by the time you are done. Unless you are in the Brecon Beacons and it will be so foggy you won't find your coffee anyway! :happy175: Let us know how you get on and don't forget the before and after photos. Cheers, Steve :smokin:
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