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.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/snow/storm018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/snow/storm003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/snow/storm010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/snow/storm016.jpg

[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
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/cutbumperII002.jpg
Mine and a friend of mines yesterday after we installed a new CV in his, his has the Frankenlift
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/tommudd/cutbumperII013.jpg

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.

[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

[BIGdaddy]

DetoursUSA has a winch mount that he could customize for you.

[frumpy]

Looked into that one but its $325US plus $115US to ship plus brokerage and taxes (about $100) plus I would have to pay for it to be installed due to lack of garage/shop. Probably would be close to $1000 and still have the plastic front bumper. I like the looks, but for the price I don't think its worth it.

[tommudd]

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

Not many out there to choose from, ARB of course, then the cheap worthless brush guards thatare paper thin , look good but if you hit anything they fold up like paper, those will cost you more in the long run than a good solid bumper. My ARB has taken out two deer and a Toyota Camry, besides a few little scratches in the powdercoat still looks like new. Would never have anything else

[jeepmedic46]

I know I'm going to be going with the Detours bumper as I don't want the weight of the ARB.:ylsmoke:

[frumpy]

there aren't many options, I like the arb but its way too heavy. Detour looks like a decent option but quite a large install and after getting it across the boarder quite pricey. I may just go with a front hitch and call it a day. Cheap, easy, simple and get my recovery point/winch mount.

As for tires I am leaning towards the BFG ATs or kumho ATs. Should have my roof rack after this weekend too.

[tommudd]

Good luck in finding a front hitch as no one makes them any longer, have to search for a used one.
The Kumhos are a decent tire for the money. At least 50/60 less than the BFGs at least here in the US.
Get the build started and post some pics! :)

[jeepmedic46]

You could always make your own front tow points. Cheap and not hard to do. Here's mine. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq153/icefisher45/th_P6010021-2.jpg (http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq153/icefisher45/?action=view&current=P6010021-2.jpg)

[frumpy]

Any more info on what you did? Also, I am really hoping to find a front receiver for my winch but I guess if it has to be rear only then thats what I'll do (at least until I buy/build a custom front bumper.

[frumpy]

I will be picking up my rack on Tuesday and get a few pics up although its not much to see. As for tires I found the general grabber AT2s for $850cnd installed and taxed. I am also going to head into the dealership to find out how much factory tow hooks cost (although I think I may need to cut up my bumper for that as well)

[frumpy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/100_1623.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/100_1625.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/frumpybikes/100_1628.jpg

heres the roof rack I'm getting. Not exactly what I asked for so waiting for a response before I go pick it up (asked for bottom floored and there is a gap at the front and back) and asked for 38" wide but looks a lot wider than that. I'm fine with the width as long as its not wider than the rails. Looks decent though, especially for $350cnd

[jeepmedic46]

looks like a nice rack and a good price. What did it come off of?:ylsmoke:

[tommudd]

Rack doesn't look too bad depending on size.
You will more than likely need a air defletor on the front as when I had a regular rack on top it hurt mileage and was quite loud until I made a deflector.
Now with the Rock Lizard Gecko Rack no noise and doe not affect mileage!!

[frumpy]

its 42" wide wich is wide than what I wanted (it will sit outside of the roof rails instead of inside like I wanted). Also, I wanted two cross bars at the front and back to hold it and he has it just sitting on the rails (and I don't think it will sit flush on the rails from looking at it).

Rack was custom built for me, but there are a few things wrong/different with it