Thinking about building my KJ

[frumpy]

For now I wont really see any crazy loads, just enough gear for a night or two and a winch sitting in the back plus a small trailer (under 1000lbs).


I think I am leaning towards the OME kit,or rubicon express. I still need to decide on tires and if I should run aftermarket rims or the stock rims (or even wheel spacers).

 

[jeepmedic46]

Jeepin by al has lifts 4" and 6" big money though. Check out Lost, Definately a lot of great info there.

 

[frumpy]

I've been looking at lost a bit, lots of good info there. Don't plan on going that big, at least right away anyway. Just a 2-2.5" lift for now and 255/70/16s or maybe even just stock size MTs

 

[tommudd]

Does Rubicon Express even have a Liberty lift, never seen or heard of anyone having one. Best is the OME and will give you about 2.25 to 2.5 inches of lift. You will need that much to go with 255-70-16s with ease.
I think once you drove yours with the OME HDs you would like the ride and better handeling over stock. Huge difference.
If going with aftermarket rims besy to stay at 7 inches wide and 4 inches of back spacing least amount of rub even with larger tires

 

[frumpy]

Oops, meant Frankenlift. No idea where rubicon express came from

 

[JDaPP]

I have a CRD so I used the OME heavy duty coils and have been happy. I looked at the frankenlift and came very close to getting it because everyone raved about it, and I did use ALL Js to get the CRD coils and they have excellent customer service.

 

[jg45]

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

I started out with the RC lift. It's design adds a spacer between the strut and the clevis fork. The problem is that it will kill the struts in short order. I now run a Frankenlift in the front with 2" poly spacers in the rear with the RC springs. I will be replacing the rear setup with OME springs soon as the spacer and RC springs really showed their weakness in Moab. Don't forget to get JBA upper control arms. The new design seems to be very stout and will fix alignment issues with the lifted front end. The only drawback I have right now is that my 255/70/16 on stock wheels will rub the JBA arms. The temporary fix was some Spidertrax style spacers. Eventually I will switch to 245/75/16 tires and that should correct the issue.

 

[frumpy]

I just got a quote on the OME lift, $1050

 

[jeepmedic46]

I think Sierra Expeditions is selling the OME lift for around 750.

 

[frumpy]

Thats CND $$$

 

[frumpy]

I found a good deal on tires ($120 each free mount and balance) for the kumho KL71's. I like the looks of them and they look like they will do good in the wet/snow too.

 

[tommudd]

Kumhos are pretty good tires I ran them one winter and summer, I would say they are as good as the Firestone Destination ATs

 

[jeepmedic46]

What size are you going to?

 

[frumpy]

I've been thinking and may just go with stock tires for now and hold off on the lift for a bit. Rather than jump into it blind I may just get some skids, rock rails, etc and see where to go from there.

 

[frumpy]

Anyone know who makes a brush guard, bull bar, or front receiver for a liberty? Or a decent front bumper that doesn't weight a million pounds