NEW Liberty owner! Upgrade suggestions requested!! :)

[Montezumas_viper]

Hey all, Ive cleared a deal on a new liberty limited. Its an 05 auto 3.7 w/ tow and offroad package and trac-loc rear diff 61k on the clock. I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades.

First, I would like to buy the "spacers" to do the 2.5 to 3 in Lift - where can I find this? (note: this is as far as I ever expect to go with suspension mods unless otherwise warranted)

Second, This will be primarily a snow vehicle - What would be the tallest tire I could reasonably use without any further modification? I don't necessary need to go wider (although i'm not opposed to it) and I plan to seat these tires on 4 new Ebay (stock) rims for winter time use only

Third, I'm looking for a good STRONG grill guard and tail light guards. You guys have any suggestions?

Fourth, Winch - I'd like to have one w/ say 5 or 6k minimum pull. Suggestions? Do you prefer a particular brand?

Finally, How do you guys feel about ECM upgrades? Do they improve anything and if so what do you guys suggest

On a final note. I'm just getting into 4x4, i've been a C5 Corvette guy mostly

Any feedback is appreciated

Cheers

 

[LibertyOrDeath]

Hey all, Ive cleared a deal on a new liberty limited. Its an 05 auto 3.7 w/ tow and offroad package and trac-loc rear diff 61k on the clock. I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades.

Ditch the trac-loc. If you can afford it get ARB front and rear lockers.

First, I would like to buy the "spacers" to do the 2.5 to 3 in Lift - where can I find this? (note: this is as far as I ever expect to go with suspension mods unless otherwise warranted)

Daystar spacers or Old Man Emu HD springs. Anything else will seriously damage you KJ. Emphasis on the OME gear.

Second, This will be primarily a snow vehicle - What would be the tallest tire I could reasonably use without any further modification? I don't necessary need to go wider (although i'm not opposed to it) and I plan to seat these tires on 4 new Ebay (stock) rims for winter time use only.


225/75R16, best tire for no lift. You can still get a few decent MT style tires and not worry about lifting or rubbing.

Third, I'm looking for a good STRONG grill guard and tail light guards. You guys have any suggestions?

ARB Bumper and um nothing I am aware of for the rear tail lights.

Fourth, Winch - I'd like to have one w/ say 5 or 6k minimum pull. Suggestions? Do you prefer a particular brand?

Whatever Warn makes that fits into the ARB bumper.

Finally, How do you guys feel about ECM upgrades? Do they improve anything and if so what do you guys suggest

The only electronic upgrade is made by Jet. Stage 1 or 2, stage 2 requires some hardware upgrades.

On a final note. I'm just getting into 4x4, i've been a C5 Corvette guy mostly

Sweet

Any feedback is appreciated

Cheers

I gave you as much info as I can pull out of my head without checking for new products.

 

[tjkj2002]

Hey all, Ive cleared a deal on a new liberty limited. Its an 05 auto 3.7 w/ tow and offroad package and trac-loc rear diff 61k on the clock. I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades.

First, I would like to buy the "spacers" to do the 2.5 to 3 in Lift - where can I find this? (note: this is as far as I ever expect to go with suspension mods unless otherwise warranted)

Second, This will be primarily a snow vehicle - What would be the tallest tire I could reasonably use without any further modification? I don't necessary need to go wider (although i'm not opposed to it) and I plan to seat these tires on 4 new Ebay (stock) rims for winter time use only

Third, I'm looking for a good STRONG grill guard and tail light guards. You guys have any suggestions?

Fourth, Winch - I'd like to have one w/ say 5 or 6k minimum pull. Suggestions? Do you prefer a particular brand?

Finally, How do you guys feel about ECM upgrades? Do they improve anything and if so what do you guys suggest

On a final note. I'm just getting into 4x4, i've been a C5 Corvette guy mostly

Any feedback is appreciated

Cheers

1st skip the spacer lift thought all together if you want to have a winch,you will sag fast with spacers and stock coils.Just get the OME lift with the HD coils and good shocks all the way around.A good suspension has drastic effects on other vital systems on your vehicle like braking performace.

2nd the biggest tires(lifted) would be in the 245/75R16 range,with some cutting and pounding you can fit 265/75R16's but then it's time to regear the diffs.Keep the OE rims(will rub on swaybar with wide tires) or only use a 7" wide rim with 4"-4.5" of back spacing for the least amount of rub issues.

3rd they don't make any,all are cheap plastic or crap pot metal.

4th I would recommend the WARN M8000,but you will need to either custom make a winch bumper or the like or just get the ARB bumper which may be very hard at the moment.Never go below 8000lbs for a KJ,they are heavy vehicles.

Can't say on the 5th thing but just remember your KJ is not a corrvette,it will never be as fast or corner like one,or even get the same mpg's.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Hey all, Ive cleared a deal on a new liberty limited. Its an 05 auto 3.7 w/ tow and offroad package and trac-loc rear diff 61k on the clock. I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades.

First, I would like to buy the "spacers" to do the 2.5 to 3 in Lift - where can I find this? (note: this is as far as I ever expect to go with suspension mods unless otherwise warranted)

Second, This will be primarily a snow vehicle - What would be the tallest tire I could reasonably use without any further modification? I don't necessary need to go wider (although i'm not opposed to it) and I plan to seat these tires on 4 new Ebay (stock) rims for winter time use only

Third, I'm looking for a good STRONG grill guard and tail light guards. You guys have any suggestions?

Fourth, Winch - I'd like to have one w/ say 5 or 6k minimum pull. Suggestions? Do you prefer a particular brand?

Finally, How do you guys feel about ECM upgrades? Do they improve anything and if so what do you guys suggest

On a final note. I'm just getting into 4x4, i've been a C5 Corvette guy mostly

Any feedback is appreciated

Cheers

First off, do a search on all the questions you have asked.
As they have all been asked and answered many many times before.

But seeing I'm here now anyway, I'll post my ¢0.02 worth.

1st. With that amount of mileage on your KJ, your front coil springs are simply
worn out and you should really consider purchasing Heavy Duty front coil springs for your Liberty.

This also answers question number two, three, and four!

As fitting taller tires are going to weigh substantially more than "Stock" tires.
Especially considering you are going to want rubber that is suitable for snow.
(Tire size of 245-75-16 are the usual size, but with three inches of lift,
235-85-16)

And seeing your stock front coil springs are sagged and bagged out, once you add a grille guard (Which incidentally will make it very technically difficult for you to mount a winch, as grille guards for KJ's are not designed for winch mounting applications unless you heavily modify any grille guard! And I have never seen a winch mount/grille guard commercially available!)

Your only option would be to purchase a Detours Off Road "Backbone" winch mount.
http://www.detoursusa.com/kjbackbone.php
"This product is temporarily unavailable. Check back soon!"
But you could always contact Mark and see what's up!

Even then, a winch weighs in at around 85 lbs. and the backbone 38 lbs. and a grille guard weighs in around 85+ pounds
That's an additional 123(approximate weight for just a winch and backbone)
or 208 lbs +/- 15-25 lbs for a winch, backbone, and grille guard.

Your factory front coil springs and shaocks will simply will not carry the load and cause your coil's to bind/stack and make your Liberty do a nose dive and render your front suspension null and void causing all sorts of parts failure and
not to mention give you ZERO ride quality.
Not to mention unsafe for you, your occupants and other fellow motorists!

Sorry, but that's just how it is!

Check this link out:
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47172

As far as ECU upgrades are concerned, you also need a whole host of other upgrades in addition to just an "ECU".

Once again, do a thorough search here and over on LOST for very detailed answers!

Cheers

 

[Montezumas_viper]

Thanks for the response guys. This is much more information than I honestly expected. A lot of what is being said isn't terribly suprising but a couple things are somewhat alarming. You say 60000 miles and the front coil springs are going out? Assuming it hasn't been beat to hell, how is this possible?

I'll keep trolling the forums, a front spring upgrade is certainly something I can do. Any off the top suggestions? I'll keep you guys updated on what I go with, thanks again.


30mpg on the highway @ 410 hp w/ the vette, i imagine that won't be the case with the jeep lol

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Thanks for the response guys. This is much more information than I honestly expected. A lot of what is being said isn't terribly suprising but a couple things are somewhat alarming. You say 60000 miles and the front coil springs are going out? Assuming it hasn't been beat to hell, how is this possible?

I'll keep trolling the forums, a front spring upgrade is certainly something I can do. Any off the top suggestions? I'll keep you guys updated on what I go with, thanks again.


30mpg on the highway @ 410 hp w/ the vette, i imagine that won't be the case with the jeep lol

In all honesty?
Save your cash and do the lift the right way the first time and buy Heavy duty Old Man Emu coils springs if you would want an ARB and winch!

Here are a three pic's to give you additional ideas...

First pic: Is LibertyTC's KJ on the left with Satina "Cop" push bar solidly mounted... Ask Tim!
Jen and my on the right.
Ours with 4 inches of modded Frankenlift and Backbone/9500 lbs. winch

Second pic: Ours
Third pic: Off of a website. Showing a Mopar brush guard and I believe a home brew winch mount (It can be done!)

 

[LibertyFever]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Jeeps Montezumas_viper

I can't possibly add anything better than what's already been stated in reply to you question. I can however share with you my experience.

I have an 04 Liberty Sport that with a spacer lift on and 245/75R16 AT's. Even though my Libby is quite capable I regret not doing a proper OME coil lift. I've already blown the front stock shocks once, likely because of the spacers without bumpstop extensions.

A proper suspension lift for a Liberty isn't any more expensive than one for any other Jeep. I'm saving up for mine.

Oh one last thing, if you have any questions regarding your Libby feel free to use the forum's search tool. There are a lot of articles posted on a lot of different problems & projects.

 

[tommudd]

Whats been said is correct springs sag over time, we see a lot of 60-80,000 mile springs that have sagged an inch or so
Doing one correctly saves you time and money in the long run, of course there are those who don't listen and come back 6 months later with their tail between their legs
Heres a little sample of the difference between a stock with the start of a sagged out suspension and mine ( the black one) Your lift may vary in height some LOL
( please note that with taller tires like the 265-75-16 or 235-75-16 regearing is needed)

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[LibertyFever]

Okay if you're going to start posting pics to compare lifts I'll toss in my contribution;

You must be registered for see images attach

Both Libby's are 04's, the one on the left is a Frankenlift and the one on the right (all mine) is a spacer lift on stock springs. You can clearly see the difference in clearance within the wheel wells.

 

[tjkj2002]

Or better yet sell the corrvette and SFA the KJ:grd:


My SFA KJ next to a stock KJ.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[LibertyFever]

I'm with tjkj2002 :big_banana_Dance: