Saggy Butt

[sheddercrab]

Ok ... here's my situation ......... 2006 Liberty / Auto / 4x4

I am a small boat charter captain out of New Jersey, towing 20 foot rigs at around 3,000 lbs. Proper tongue weight of 275 lbs.

Extended hitch to avoid spare compounds this issue for obvious reasons.

Liberty pulls boats fine (way better than my Highlander with same size motor) but, at night, I am constantly getting blinked down with high beams when mine are not on. I admit my lights are up in the trees a bit. It is an obvious problem.

So at 165k miles all original stuff in vehicle now what should I do, or have done, to resolve this issue?

Love this little vehicle but I am looking for the best bang for the buck ….. so to speak.

Thanks in advance and ………………. “Tight Lines”

Captain Dan (sheddercrab)
dirtypilotcharters.com

 

[CzarKJ]

Welcome. First of all your suspension is done for which is why you are sagging so bad. While doing that you could also get Monroe load leveling rear shocks as well.

 

[ShawnS]

Sounds to me like your suspension may be worn out, or your trailer hitch is too long. I have a 2004 Liberty with 131k on it and I tow my boat just fine. It's a 20 foot carolina skiff and all together with the trailer, fuel, and gear it weighs close to 4000 pounds. I never have any issues with the suspension. I've even used it to tow heavy rack trailers used to haul canoes and kayaks over the summer (I work for a rental company). That obviously causes some drooping in the rear but it's still not terrible. The only solution I can think of would be upgrading the suspension but I would do more research before doing so because that can get expensive. The extended trailer hitches don't really help either... I have a standard length hitch on mine and in order to avoid the spare tire I'll either take it off when I'm towing, or I'll open the back door and hook up to the trailer. After its hooked up I close the door and nothing gets in the way. That doesn't always work however so I usually just remove the spare. Maybe before anything else, try using a shorter hitch and see if that helps. If not, your suspension might just need some TLC.

*Catch 'em up*

 

[M38 Bob]

Welcome. First of all your suspension is done for which is why you are sagging so bad. While doing that you could also get Monroe load leveling rear shocks as well.

Load Levelers were my first thought as well. While they are available for lifted Libs as a Dakota part, they aren't make for stock height Liberty's. I already looked.

Bob

 

[tommudd]

Ok ... here's my situation ......... 2006 Liberty / Auto / 4x4

I am a small boat charter captain out of New Jersey, towing 20 foot rigs at around 3,000 lbs. Proper tongue weight of 275 lbs.

Extended hitch to avoid spare compounds this issue for obvious reasons.

Liberty pulls boats fine (way better than my Highlander with same size motor) but, at night, I am constantly getting blinked down with high beams when mine are not on. I admit my lights are up in the trees a bit. It is an obvious problem.

So at 165k miles all original stuff in vehicle now what should I do, or have done, to resolve this issue?

Love this little vehicle but I am looking for the best bang for the buck ….. so to speak.

Thanks in advance and ………………. “Tight Lines”

Captain Dan (sheddercrab)
dirtypilotcharters.com

Well Captain Dan first your suspension is about 100,000 miles over due for springs and shocks. Could go back to the same old stock crap, but if you're pulling a boat all the time its time for an upgrade to either OME or Ironman suspension to better handle the weight, then add Monroe Sensatrac load leveler rear shocks from a 99-04 Dodge dakota 4x4 . Be lifted some ( 2.5 inches over new stock height with OME 927/948 combo) , better ride, handle the boat better etc
Get rid of that hitch extension as well since it will be lifted some and can run a 2 inch or so drop hitch
Stock springs are weak to begin with anyways, mine were tossed at 20,000 miles and I waited 19,999 miles too long to replace them
Stock, new your KJ sat about 19 inches from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare in front. Bet you are at least down to 18 inches or lower by now.
Have seen then almost two inches lower than new stock when they came rolling in to my garage:happy175:

 

[tommudd]

Sounds to me like your suspension may be worn out, or your trailer hitch is too long. I have a 2004 Liberty with 131k on it and I tow my boat just fine. It's a 20 foot carolina skiff and all together with the trailer, fuel, and gear it weighs close to 4000 pounds. I never have any issues with the suspension. I've even used it to tow heavy rack trailers used to haul canoes and kayaks over the summer (I work for a rental company). That obviously causes some drooping in the rear but it's still not terrible. The only solution I can think of would be upgrading the suspension but I would do more research before doing so because that can get expensive. The extended trailer hitches don't really help either... I have a standard length hitch on mine and in order to avoid the spare tire I'll either take it off when I'm towing, or I'll open the back door and hook up to the trailer. After its hooked up I close the door and nothing gets in the way. That doesn't always work however so I usually just remove the spare. Maybe before anything else, try using a shorter hitch and see if that helps. If not, your suspension might just need some TLC.

*Catch 'em up*

You're way past due as well for new springs and shocks :icon_lol:

 

[Leeann]

I tow my boat with my unlifted Liberty and don't need an extender. I do open the rear door while hitching to make it easier, but can close it as soon as it's hooked up.

 

[tommudd]

I tow my boat with my unlifted Liberty and don't need an extender. I do open the rear door while hitching to make it easier, but can close it as soon as it's hooked up.

Another trick that many don't know about:gr_grin:

 

[Dave]

I tow my boat with my unlifted Liberty and don't need an extender. I do open the rear door while hitching to make it easier, but can close it as soon as it's hooked up.

That's the only way I can hook up since I am lifted with a bigger spare hanging off the back. The drawbar has a 21/2" drop too and it still won't clear without opening the door. ( I do have a 14" drawbar in the garage but I hate using it)


Dave

 

[LibertyTC]

Have seen them almost two inches lower than new stock when they came rolling in to my garage:happy175:

That would have described my Jeep before the lift !!!
I could barely slide two fingers wide, between the top of tire and fender well!!!
How embarrassing, imagine what it was like with even two persons in there!
I pull boat and have OME 927's in front and 948 springs in rear.
Boat loaded, rear of Jeep loaded with heavy coolers, two passengers, rides like a dream.
What rear end sag??...... Drives awesome, even loaded with boat on!! :gr_grin:
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[sheddercrab]

Thanks ......... more questions now.

OK .......... please excuse my ignorance to the terminology but it took me all afternoon to figure out that Old Man Emu wasn't somebody's uncle.

So here we go ........... OME 927/948 combo refers to the springs. 927 being the front and 948 being the rear ! ........ look at me go.

Now as far as the REAR shocks ........ Monroe Sensatrac Load Leveler ......... I would order them as if I owned a 2001 Dakota 4x4 correct ?

Me tinks that is Monroe number # 58649 ........ correct ? ? (dakota 4x4 #)

So what about the front shocks ? I assume they get replaced at the same time.
Let me know ......... you guys are the best !
....................OME.......EMU...........E..I..E..I....O

 

[tommudd]

OK .......... please excuse my ignorance to the terminology but it took me all afternoon to figure out that Old Man Emu wasn't somebody's uncle.

OME MADE BY ARB IN AUSTRALIA

So here we go ........... OME 927/948 combo refers to the springs. 927 being the front and 948 being the rear ! ........ look at me go.

CORRECT

Now as far as the REAR shocks ........ Monroe Sensatrac Load Leveler ......... I would order them as if I owned a 2001 Dakota 4x4 correct ?

YES 99-04 ALL THE SAME

Me tinks that is Monroe number # 58649 ........ correct ? ? (dakota 4x4 #)

So what about the front shocks ? I assume they get replaced at the same time.
Let me know ......... you guys are the best !
....................OME.......EMU...........E..I..E..I....O

OME, Ironman or Bilstein in that order
Have installed and installed them all with OME springs

 

[LibertyTC]

Ya Old Man Emu wasn't somebody's uncle..LOL...

2-927 HD OME front springs, 2- front OME shocks-#90009 & two terraflex front bump stops #1903200
2-948 rear springs and two Monroe Sensatrac # 58649 is correct. Link about the Sensatrac:http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f203/monroe-load-adjusting-shocks-installed-56297/
While in the rear add one more Isolator pad each side for top spring perch Mopar #52088707-AA And two hockey pucks per side as rear bump stops.
And consider using a new upper control arm in the front. Jeepinbyal 4.5 $385 extra
This will give you better handling an alignment once lifted.
The basic kit is here Link: OME 1.50" lift kit KJ
I guess you would have to contact him and request the above without the rear shocks.

 

[tommudd]

Ya Old Man Emu wasn't somebody's uncle..LOL...

2-927 HD OME front springs, 2- front OME shocks-#90009 & two terraflex front bump stops #1903200
2-948 rear springs and two Monroe Sensatrac # 58649 is correct. Link about the Sensatrac:http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f203/monroe-load-adjusting-shocks-installed-56297/
While in the rear add one more Isolator pad each side for top spring perch Mopar #52088707-AA And two hockey pucks per side as rear bump stops.
And consider using a new upper control arm in the front. Jeepinbyal 4.5 $385 extra
This will give you better handling an alignment once lifted.
The basic kit is here Link: OME 1.50" lift kit KJ
I guess you would have to contact him and request the above without the rear shocks.

Why add one extra rear iso if he is staying with basic kit?

 

[LibertyTC]

The front may still be taller than the rear, and may help once he is loaded up.

 

[tommudd]

The front may still be taller than the rear, and may help once he is loaded up.

If using the Monroes as an assist rear will be somewhat higher than front

 

[LibertyTC]

Good to Know.. Tom's the expert, and knows all the configurations so well!!
So forget I even mentioned the extra isolator then!