Thinking about building my KJ

[frumpy]

I have been dd'ing a stock KJ for the last little bit. It has been left stock largely due to my flip flopping of turning it in off lease next Sept. However, since it is due for new tires now and I'm at 71,000km of the 80,000km lease I am leaning towards buying it out.

This means since I am getting new tires I might as well get some muds, and since I am getting muds I might as well get a bit bigger of a tire, so I might as well get a lift while I'm at it... I think you can see where this is going.

I am leaning towards a 2" spacer lift, and and 31s (not sure if I am going to stick with the stock rims or steelies). I also have a hitch mounted winch sitting in my basement too. Long range plans will be skids, rock sliders, rear locker and winch from bumper (or front hitch).


Any input on what lift and what tires? Will I have any major rubbing issues with stock rims? I am leaning towards the new MTRs, Interco SS-M16, or xterrains

 

[BIGdaddy]

kj's are fine when offroaded in within their capabilities. they have a ladder frame, good aftermarket from ARB, and the OME kit that is likely available is top notch.

see if you can find the "liberator" somewhere on a google search. Very nice rig.

What year is your KJ?

 

[frumpy]

I forgot to mention that, its an 06 rocky mountain edition. The one problem I have found is a lot of the liberty aftermarket stuff ends with the 05s or "some modifications required" for 06's.

I have been quite impressed with what the KJ can do with having to drive in bad snow storms etc and think with the stuff I listed it can tackle most trails in my area.

These pics were from last winter, at the time I left we had 18" of snow and my street, and the street mine is off of were not plowed. Had 24" by the end of the day and I was one of the few vehicles out.

 

[JDaPP]

You might try this sight for some ideas http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php

 

[jeepmedic46]

The Kj is a great vehicle. The Lost kjs site is definately a great site for ideas. The OME lift is a good lift as is the Frankenlift. If you don't want a ARB bumper but still want to put a winch on you can try the Detours bumper at www.detours.com

 

[frumpy]

Thats not bad looking at all. I haven't seen them at all in Canada though and I know shipping/duties will be insane as per usual.

I was planning on just adding front factory tow hooks and a front receiver and leaving the bumper alone. I haven't really seen much I like and the ones I do are insanely priced.

 

[tommudd]

Lots of good reading over on LOST JEEPS
If you have that many miles on it, do yourself a favor and do a full spring lift. The stock coils and shocks are going south about 35,000/40,000 miles.
You have a couple of good choices. The Frankenlift which is around 1000 bucks and uses OME HD coils, and either Rancho or OME shocks. You can put together your own lift with OME 927 springs and Rancho RSX 17505 in the front and in the rear OME 948s with RSX 17004 shocks. These are for a Durango but fit perfect and have the extra length needed.
You will also need front bumpstops which are available from Teraflex, rear bumpstops can be made from hockey pucks, cheap and work great!

just for reference this is my Heep, 04 with OME / Rancho lift, ARB front bumper 265-75-16 Goodyear Duratrac Tires/ Moab wheels. All my tools and the spare tire is off here so its sitting a little high in therear. By the way my lift has over 95,000 miles on it, just repaced the rear springs

Mine and a friend of mines yesterday after we installed a new CV in his, his has the Frankenlift

So stop over on LOST JEEPS and check everything out. We have several members who live above the line I'm the President of the Ohio chapter so say hello if you get in there

 

[tommudd]

Thats not bad looking at all. I haven't seen them at all in Canada though and I know shipping/duties will be insane as per usual.

I was planning on just adding front factory tow hooks and a front receiver and leaving the bumper alone. I haven't really seen much I like and the ones I do are insanely priced.

OME springs are available world wide so should be no problem to get up there. Also if close enough to the border run over here, have a lift installed and head back home!:smiley_drive:
I have done 9 or 10 here at my place so fairly easy to do!

 

[frumpy]

Thanks for the info. There are no shops close to the border where I live now (so it would have to be shipped there then picked up). Also, through work I can get 0% financing at the local 4x4 shop so thats another option.

Also, its 71,000km not miles (about 44,000 miles). New shocks are part of my reasoning a lift to the wife as well, guess the spring argument will work too lol.

Guess I have lots of reading to do over at LOST.

Any recomendations on tires/sizes for the KJ? As I mentioned above I'm leaning towards 31s in the new MTRs, Interco SS-M16, or xterrains. Also, any input on the rough country lift kit?

 

[tommudd]

Rough Country ....just say NO!
tire size? a 245-75-16 works great with few problems with rubbing, if any. LOts of people run that size. May have to pound over the pinch weld, and maybe minor rubbing on the front of the bumper . In the one picture the other KJ has 245-75 MTRs on
If you have any more questions feel free to ask:ylsmoke:

 

[jeepmedic46]

Tom your Kj always look great.:sombrero:

 

[frumpy]

Whats wrong with RC? There quality or the style of lift? I know they had issues a while back but they have been corrected and the customer service is amazing

 

[jeepmedic46]

A few people on Lost have had them and have had nothing but problems with them and ended going with another lift. I know someone personally who had the RC lift and got rid of it. Depending on what your adding to the Kj as far as accesories and what you'll be carrying you'll want heavy duty springs. For example if you put 2" of lift on and you put enough weight to drop it down then you will have lost the ability for bigger tires.

 

[frumpy]

Makes sense. The liberty wont see any crazy loads, just the usualy camping gear, winch, possibly roof rack, and in the future an offroad trailer... ok maybe a fair bit.

 

[jeepmedic46]

I'm going to be going with the OME lift and hopefully modify it to run 32s. Not sure which springs I'm going with. Going either with the heavy duty or the CRD springs. I'm thinking of a RTT on the roof.