FlyingWen's 2002 Jeep Liberty KJ

[datrupr]

Remember, Wil. remind Wen that the snorkel is for safety.

 

[flyingwil]

Thats a great looking Kj.:sombrero: Is that a RTT on the rack?

Nope just loaded for their vacation, we bumped into them near a dry salt flat on the way to Uluru (ayers rock).

Remember, Wil. remind Wen that the snorkel is for safety.

Exactly.


Well I though I would get started on lifting, or re-lifting the KJ today. What a pain. I was hoping to get the front done before it got dark, so I started around 3:30 PM. I started on the passenger side since it has the CAI and I figured it was easier than pulling the battery and electrical goodies.

So off I went and pulled out the old struts, springs and upper A arms. To my surprise, I went to pull the tire off and notice it was missing 2 lug nuts. The studs had been completely broken off. (note to self, next time torque wheels to specs). So good thing I had a few in the spare parts bucket for the Jeep and I allready had everything off, so just one more thing added to the list no big deal.

So I got everything off which was rather easy. Here you can see the old lift compared to the new lift for the front:

To allow for maximum travel on the front with the JBA 4.5 A arms, we needed to cut the pockets a bit more. Here is before and after:

Before:

After:

Testing with out the springs in allowed the A arms to go clear to the top and clear to the bottom (where it would interfere with the springs). So I hit it all with a coat a paint, and pounded a bit more of the pinch weld, and areas the 245/75R16 rubbed since we are now running 265/75R16's. Then hit it all with under coating after the paint had dried to touch. Will have to report if future rubbing issues occur.

Now came the fun part. I was alone and doing this in my driveway, installing the clevis is a PAI. MAJOR PAIN! It took me about 2 hours to line them to the lower arm to get the bolt through. what fun... Luckily FlyingWen came out at that point to help and we were able to get it to line up.

Got everything on and back together, and at this point it was getting late to be using air tools in the driveway, so only the front passenger side is done, but I am excited to get the other side complete and get the rear done.

Here is the best pic I could get at 10:00pm and as she sits now. I like!

List for tomorrow:

1. install drivers side suspension
2. install new battery tie down
3. rear suspension
4. Fix lectrical issues with coms and sunroof
5. try and finish before dark and not over heat (at least it is cooling down and tomorrow is a foretasted high of 97°)
6. TEST DRIVE!!!

 

[Signcutter21]

New springs look great Wil. Is this your first time messing w/ the KJ front end? Two hours isn't bad. It took my buddy and I half a day to get one side done. Need to throw some undercoating or paint in the fender wells.

Agreed a snorkel is in order. plus it'll help increase gas mileage that you're gonna loose with those big tires.

later,
mike

 

[mrbishi]

Hmmm... when I was around Alice Springs, the tire of choice seemed to be the MTZ's or the BFG All Terrains.

I know a lot of people here go for the BFG ATs because of the name and there relatively long life. Mine were terrible - the MTRs were better on the road, in the wet, offroad and less noisy than the new BFG ATs I had.

There are 4 blokes in our club with MTZs which are pretty new and chipped to hell - they hate them and no one will be touching them again. Coopers are a pretty big no no here - so many reports of problems with them its not funny!

For our driving the Bighorns and MTRs have proven themselves to be the tire of choice

The lift looks great!

 

[jeepmedic46]

Looks Great.:wings:

 

[JChatary]

Man....that is one awesome looking KJ! Makes me want to do more to my WJ!!!! I really dig the graphics too!

 

[flyingwil]

Lift Phase Done

Finally finished... What good is this thread with no pictures huh?

Here you can see the driver's side installed and ready to go.

Of course the chrome lug nuts had to go with the black wheels!

Rear's installed and all ready to go:

New Battery Tie Down:

All done:

All and all it went well... Mid front I looked down and saw the drippings from the PB Blaster, and some red fluids. I kept trying to figure out how the jeep could be leaking hydraulic fluid. Well I guess the saying "blood sweat and tears" came into play.

Warning Graphic Pics Click links if you want to see.
Ground View

Jeep View

All it was, was a small nick on my elbow the size of a common plantar wart. LOL

 

[jeepmedic46]

Looks awesome:smiley_drive:

 

[mrbishi]

does anything rub offroad ? There ain't much space between the tires and guards!

 

[ryguy]

Very Nice!

 

[flyingwil]

Looks awesome:smiley_drive:

Thanks...

does anything rub offroad ? There ain't much space between the tires and guards!

Not sure yet, I did pound the pinch welds a bit more and the trim the area's the 245/75R16's rubbed. We will not be able to test it out until we get the front driveline fixed. See here. SHould be sometime next week or so...

Very Nice!

Thanks!

 

[datrupr]

Nice, Wil. I just saw you or Wen driving west bound on the 101 at about Cave Creek Rd. We were heading east bound. It looks good.

 

[flyingwil]

Nice, Wil. I just saw you or Wen driving west bound on the 101 at about Cave Creek Rd. We were heading east bound. It looks good.

Yup that was us we had a co-ed baby shower to go to in your neck of the woods. today I have to fix that front fender!

 

[FlyingWen]

As some of you may already know, I occasionally get heckled at gas stations with others accusing me that I am driving my "husband's jeep". Well, as a solution to this, I previously had Wil spray paint my Hi-Lift a nice pretty Lavender color to ward off these comments:

Much to Wil's dismay, today he finished another one of MY mods: He painted the "Jeep" on my center caps a matching lavender to match my pretty Hi-Lift. The pic doesn't do it justice (possibly due to dirt), but hopefully you can see it in the first pic.

Oh Yeah!

 

[jeepmedic46]

Looks great.:sombrero: