Thoughts on how to build up a 2012 Liberty...

[jjohnson1892]

If I could do it again, I would go:

JBA 4" lift (go big or go home, right?)
245/75/16 Duratracs
Rocky Road Outfitters Adventure Rack
Front Recovery System (Look on LOST Jeeps in the KK section for AtTheHelm)

I went OME 2" (happy about it), 245/70/16 GY Silent Armors (indifferent), and the RRO Rack (love it).

 

[tommudd]

Not a huge fan of the RRO junk much nicer racks out there
As far as spacer lifts go, they're good on a brand new vehicle but with the weak KJ/KK springs they sag way too quick and you lose whatever you had

Yes Marlin (JBA) is making KK UCAs

 

[bob91yj]

I tell everyone that will listen on a novice build the same thing.

Get the maintenance caught up...not sure if a fluid has been changed, change it, start with a solid platform. Skid plate/armor/recovery points are next. Most armor/skids will work with any future lifts. Put the biggest AT tires under it that you can on the stock suspension. Now go drive the hell out of it, wear out that set of tires, figure out what the Jeep doesn't do that you want it to do, and build it to meet YOUR needs.

I've seen way to many internet monster builds that the owner regrets ever doing.

What works for the guy wheeling forest tracks back east may or may not work for your area and intended use.

 

[kojackJKU]

I tell everyone that will listen on a novice build the same thing.

Get the maintenance caught up...not sure if a fluid has been changed, change it, start with a solid platform. Skid plate/armor/recovery points are next. Most armor/skids will work with any future lifts. Put the biggest AT tires under it that you can on the stock suspension. Now go drive the hell out of it, wear out that set of tires, figure out what the Jeep doesn't do that you want it to do, and build it to meet YOUR needs.

I've seen way to many internet monster builds that the owner regrets ever doing.

What works for the guy wheeling forest tracks back east may or may not work for your area and intended use.

best advice ever.

Im in a jku. I am running teraflex leveling kit with monroe reflex shocks and the suspension works for me great, for now. once I add bumpers and such, im going to have to upgrade to a heavier spring. I really don't want more lift that what I have, but with the heavy bumpers, I have to compensate.

that being said, I am not sure how the stock lib springs are, but my JK springs have been great with the spacers.

 

[tommudd]

Liberty springs are rated at 310 lb, very weak and sag by the time most have 45000 by 75000 they have sagged over an inch. I had one with 79,000 miles I did a lift on here that was sagged 1.75 inches. So using spacers on these is not the best route. Most everyone who initially installs a spacer style lift move up to a full spring in a couple of months just due to ride/sagging etc. Plus extra wear and tear. Full spring will not wear out parts as fast as a spacer lift.
For example I upgraded to after market UCAs with 79,000 on my full coil lift, buddy used a spacer lift and went through 5 UCAs in less than 25,000 miles and he never went off road

 

[kojackJKU]

I beg to differ on the wearing out of parts, if you lift with springs or a spacer both lift the same amount and wear out the same parts. the only different things would be the springs wearing out.

 

[matthewp]

I beg to differ on the wearing out of parts, if you lift with springs or a spacer both lift the same amount and wear out the same parts. the only different things would be the springs wearing out.

The issue with the front springs is a build flaw of the Jeep Liberty. My 2007 had the front springs sag over an inch before it hit 40,000 miles. It's a case of putting aftermarket parts on an already weak suspension.

 

[phxtoad]

I beg to differ on the wearing out of parts, if you lift with springs or a spacer both lift the same amount and wear out the same parts. the only different things would be the springs wearing out.

I was just referring to the stock UCA's wearing out with any lift. Non-greasable/non-replaceable upper ball joints is a design flaw.

 

[kojackJKU]

I was just referring to the stock UCA's wearing out with any lift. Non-greasable/non-replaceable upper ball joints is a design flaw.

Yes, but its not the spacer vs. spring causing that, its a design flaw. if you put a set of lift springs in with the stock UCA's it would still wear out

 

[tommudd]

Yes, but its not the spacer vs. spring causing that, its a design flaw. if you put a set of lift springs in with the stock UCA's it would still wear out

Ah but there is a difference. I've done over 30 KJ lifts here at my place, worked on a lot more that were done other places or by their owner, helped owners install theirs on even more. I've seen stock UCAs with 95-100,999 miles on them while lifted 3 inches and still be good. On my first lift I ran mine over 75000 miles with close to 4 inches of lift and when I swapped them out they went on a budget lifted KJ with 48,000 miles ( 19,000 lifted) and both were toast.
Yes any lift will cause extra stress on front end parts but a full spring will cause less than a cheap budget lift .

 

[tommudd]

The issue with the front springs is a build flaw of the Jeep Liberty. My 2007 had the front springs sag over an inch before it hit 40,000 miles. It's a case of putting aftermarket parts on an already weak suspension.

Totally agree, front springs are junk from the get go
As a matter of fact have 5 sets thrown out on the trailer now waiting for the junk dealer

 

[fisher205]

[/QUOTE]

What wheels are these? The only stock steel I've come across are spoked.

 

[tommudd]

What wheels are these? The only stock steel I've come across are spoked.[/QUOTE]

Those if I remember right were from Stockton wheel. A few aftermarket companies have similar ones available. Check Summit Racing also they have a wheel that looks the same

 

[Espo78]

Yep I have the summit ones...Just painted them white should be getting them mounted on my JK tomorrow hopefully. Not many people seem to know about them.

 

[fisher205]

Thanks,
It looks good.