New WK owner (Build thread?)

[Jeepnout]

So I picked up a new (to me) 2007 WK Limitied, (Quadra-Drive II and 5.7 HEMI) last month, and and now it is time to start building it up. So I figured that there are a few of you that have WK's and can answer questions that I might have along the way, hence; a build thread.

The first thing I am planning on getting is a 2" Old Man Emu lift. The one question I have is about Upgraded Upper Control Arms. I have read that people say you should get them, which I am planning on doing. But I was wondering if you cold still use the lift without them for a while. I am planning on getting the JAB control arms (which I hear the the best ones out there) that are $450. That price is a bit steep for me right now. So I was think I could go on the stock control arms until I can get the cash to get the JAP ones.

MY thinking is that the Old Man EMU lift should be fine without the upgraded upper control arms since ARB builds these "Kits", test them, the sell them without mention of upgrading the control arms. Am I correct with this thinking?

As far a the OME lift I am thinking about going with the Medium duty kit, since I heard the Heavy Duty changes the ride on the Jeep if you do not have heavy duty bumpers - which I am not planning on getting. The the question I have is; Is the MD lift have enough "strength" to carry the weight of a loaded Jeep? I don't go on that may trips through out the year so I am still trying to keep the ride close to stock as a daily driver as possible, but still be able to load up every once in a while and go exploring.

Thanks

 

[paroxysym]

So I picked up a new (to me) 2007 WK Limitied, (Quadra-Drive II and 5.7 HEMI) last month, and and now it is time to start building it up. So I figured that there are a few of you that have WK's and can answer questions that I might have along the way, hence; a build thread.

The first thing I am planning on getting is a 2" Old Man Emu lift. The one question I have is about Upgraded Upper Control Arms. I have read that people say you should get them, which I am planning on doing. But I was wondering if you cold still use the lift without them for a while. I am planning on getting the JAB control arms (which I hear the the best ones out there) that are $450. That price is a bit steep for me right now. So I was think I could go on the stock control arms until I can get the cash to get the JAP ones.

MY thinking is that the Old Man EMU lift should be fine without the upgraded upper control arms since ARB builds these "Kits", test them, the sell them without mention of upgrading the control arms. Am I correct with this thinking?

As far a the OME lift I am thinking about going with the Medium duty kit, since I heard the Heavy Duty changes the ride on the Jeep if you do not have heavy duty bumpers - which I am not planning on getting. The the question I have is; Is the MD lift have enough "strength" to carry the weight of a loaded Jeep? I don't go on that may trips through out the year so I am still trying to keep the ride close to stock as a daily driver as possible, but still be able to load up every once in a while and go exploring.

Thanks

congrats on the new purchase.

as for control arms- you can run the kit without the upgraded control arms, hell I run the OME MD kit on my WK with just a set of moog UCAs and I have had no problems. UCA failure usually occurs on high mileage rigs that throw a lift on and don't check the condition of other lift parts. also running too big of a tire I have seen cause an issue with the UCAs. there are quite a few people that run the OME HD kit or MD without the upgrade JBAs or ROR UCAs and have no issues. most the time its peace of mind.

as for HD or MD, theres a couple guys on JF running the MD with the hemi or CRD(being as theyre the heaviest power plants). I know Omelet(member on JF and owner of a very well built WK) started off with the MD lift, some skids and 255s and was content. he ultimately ended up with a modded 6" SL and some 35s/37s. personally with factory skids, full size spare and the 4.7 in my WK- the MD rides just perfect. I couldn't imagine the HD, I hear it can be harsh for some. just depends on what youre looking for- I knew i wasn't addeding bumpers or anything crazy to my jeep, just wanted a nicer ride and my stock springs had 160k on them. I know MOST WK owners on here run the HD kit and love it. im hear to tell you the MD is perfectly fine with the hemi.

 

[jeepgc]

Congratulations on the WK Hemi purchase.

+1 on the OME lift without upgrading the control arms.

We've been running an OME lift on our Hemi for nearly 3 years now without any issues, I think about 60k miles.

HD on the rear, MD on the front.

BTW, where are the pics?

 

[Jeepnout]

Cool, it is good to know that I really don't need the upgraded upper control arms and that the MD kits is good too, maybe I'll just replace upper control arm with new ones just to I know they are good - if I can get them for a decent price. I'll have to really look at them first.

@jeepgc - What made you do HD on the rear?

I'll have to get some pictures of it soon. either toady or tomorrow. haha.

Again, thank you for the info!

 

[jeepgc]

We went with HD on the rear only due to the loadout (Extra weight at the rear) of our WK.

We have a custom storage solution in the rear and a full size swing away that supports a wheel and spare fuel can.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113768
WH(WK) Expo to Iceland with family August 2013

 

[Jeepnout]

We went with HD on the rear only due to the loadout (Extra weight at the rear) of our WK.

We have a custom storage solution in the rear and a full size swing away that supports a wheel and spare fuel can.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113768
WH(WK) Expo to Iceland with family August 2013

Oh, okay, make sense. That is a nice loadout on the rig! That Iceland trip looks amazing!

I am guessing that MD vs HD kits are just diffrent spring? So if I did decided to go with HD in the back at a later point, it would be a matter of changing out the springs?

 

[Charles R]

Welcome to the club!

I also run the moog uca's. I currently run the ome MD's in the rear and did notice they are stiffer than stock. So your choice will depend on your loading.

I'll be getting the ome MD fronts when I start building my skid setup. I currently use a stock spring with the bilstein 5100 adjustable height shock.

I also use, and like very much, the 4xguard rocker guards.

Technically if you use a heavier spring, the shock valving should be different. But you should be able to verify the part numbers of the various components on the ome site. But odds are they'll be close enough that you could mix the parts a little, and suffer no real poor effects.

 

[jeepgc]

Oh, okay, make sense. That is a nice loadout on the rig! That Iceland trip looks amazing!

I am guessing that MD vs HD kits are just diffrent spring? So if I did decided to go with HD in the back at a later point, it would be a matter of changing out the springs?

HD is a spring and shock combo, but as Charles states you should be able to mix and match.

Thank you, the Iceland trip was fantastic, we went back the following year, now hoping to get back there as soon as we can.

I look forward to reading about your trips in your WK.

Have a look at Bob Freda's and SSF556's WK builds for more ideas, there are a few WK threads around here.

And of course my fellow UK member Crossed-up's thread:

WH (WK) Preparation for the Pyrenees

Sorry, tried inserting a link to his thread, but didn't work.

 

[Jeepnout]

Hey again thank you for the info. Sorry for delay in responding I have had the Flu for the last week so I really haven't done to much with the wk this week. I'll try to post more later.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[jeepgc]

You're welcome, no problem

Hope you're feeling better.

Look forward to reading your next posts and viewing your pics

 

[Jeepnout]

Ok, well I finally got around to taking a picture of the WK,

(also added it to the first post haha)

Also changed out the front chrome grill to a black one - too much chrome for my taste haha. Also installed some Cover King Tactical Seat covers to protect the leather seats that it has.

As far as the lift, I ended up going with the OME MD lift. it should be good enough for me for now. I'll I need now is some time to install it. Hopefully I can get to it next week. Woohoo!

 

[jeepgc]

Looks good Jeepnout, great colour.

 

[Jeepnout]

@ jeepgc - Thanks man!

Well, I spent the last two days installing the lift kit! so that is in, now to get it aligned, haha.
It was too dark to get a good picture and didn't have a my good camera with me, so I'll get pictures up soon.

When I was taking off the wheels I noticed the chrome area on the wheels felt a little hollow to me. Does anyone know if those are plastic "hub caps" or it it just my imagination? Thanks.

 

[Jeepnout]

@ jeepgc - Thanks man!

Well, I spent the last two days installing the lift kit! so that is in, now to get it aligned, haha.
It was too dark to get a good picture and didn't have a my good camera with me, so I'll get pictures up soon.

When I was taking off the wheels I noticed the chrome area on the wheels felt a little hollow to me. Does anyone know if those are plastic "hub caps" or it it just my imagination? Thanks.

 

[Jeepnout]

Ok, time for me to get new tires. The big question I have is, are the 29.5" tiers ok for off-road use or should I end up going with 31" tires and appropriate wheels/rims. Does the 2" difference really make that much of a difference. Right now it it already lifted 2" with the OME Lift. I was wondering because I am heading to the Vermont Overland Rally (in Vermont) at the end of next month and was hoping to be able to save some cash by just getting some decent 29.5 inch tries until I am able to save up and get some bigger wheel/tires later on in the year.

Thanks again!