Suggestions for a '05 Limited KJ Modest Lift

[Shankster]

I'm at 12 years on the RRO arms... same bushings.

I loctite the spacers on. Retorque the wheels only. hasnt been a problem in the same 12ish years.

I wonder if RRO went to a cheaper supplier for the bushings in later years?

My concern is that with aluminum spacers, with the stresses of driving and braking and vibration etc, the lug nuts work into the aluminum deforming it to match the shape of the lug nut and things can loosen up which creates more opportunity to eat into the aluminum which progressively makes things worse and accelerates wear even more. That's why you need to retorque new aluminum rims after a few hundred miles - it's disturbing how much rotation you can get on the lug nuts on that 2nd torquing. By loctiting the spacers on you're fixing the lug nuts in one position when I believe you should be snugging them periodically to take out any slack caused by deformation of the aluminum.

 

[Shankster]

As for bumpstops, I hear you can only get the Teraflex ones by contacting them directly. Not sure if that's still a thing or not. I'm a little confused on the rear bumpstops. I'm not exactly what people do for that or what part # there is.

You can get generic Teraflex style front bumpstops on eBay - mine still look new after 5 years:

Pardon Our Interruption...

I went with trailer ramp bumpers instead of hockey pucks for the rears. It's like they were engineered exactly for the purpose. With the hockey pucks the bolt ends up being what absorbs the hit which didn't seem right to me. The bumpers are also cheaper:

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Shankster]

Not sure if my eBay links will come through? If not just search for bump stops for a Jeep Liberty and for trailer ramp bumpers

 

[Shankster]

Oh, and not sure about your 05, but on my 02 I had to extend the bracket for the rear brake line to prevent something from ripping off under full flex after the lift. I'm not familiar with how that is set up with the disc brakes on your 05 (vs the drums on early vehicles)

 

[Shankster]

As for the rears, I went with the 2948s instead of the 2947s because I plan on adding a rooftop tent so it's doing to add some weight to the rear.

I don't want to get your string sidetracked but proceed with caution if you're going to put a rooftop tent on a Liberty. I was about to pull the trigger on one but my buddy talked me out of it. He has a similar tent on his Toyota Tundra and hates what it does to his driveability and gas mileage. Storing the beast when it's off his truck is also a nightmare and it took 4 of us to get it off and on the vehicle. His very powerful (V8) truck is constantly downshifting on the highway to maintain speed due to the increased wind resistance and gas mileage went from bad to horrible. My experience with putting bikes on the roof of my Liberty is similar and as gutless as the 3.7L is (with 3.73 gears) I think it would be much worse with a big heavy rooftop tent. I still really like the concept though but would prioritize low weight and small x-section above all else. My research led me to the Inspired Overland Rooftop Tent - standard or XL and at $799 or $899 it's on the low end price wise. It's not going to be real roomy but I think that's a necessary sacrifice if you have a Liberty. Shipping is pricey so if I get one I'll pick it up at the nearest dealer (Castle Rock CO for me). Their new Trailpeak tent is just as light and a lot roomier but almost 2x the price.

 

[Ding01]

Oh, and not sure about your 05, but on my 02 I had to extend the bracket for the rear brake line to prevent something from ripping off under full flex after the lift. I'm not familiar with how that is set up with the disc brakes on your 05 (vs the drums on early vehicles)

From what I gathered from this thread, it was a thing for 06 and 07s with ABS. I don't have ABS so I hope that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Ding01]

I don't want to get your string sidetracked but proceed with caution if you're going to put a rooftop tent on a Liberty. I was about to pull the trigger on one but my buddy talked me out of it. He has a similar tent on his Toyota Tundra and hates what it does to his driveability and gas mileage. Storing the beast when it's off his truck is also a nightmare and it took 4 of us to get it off and on the vehicle. His very powerful (V8) truck is constantly downshifting on the highway to maintain speed due to the increased wind resistance and gas mileage went from bad to horrible. My experience with putting bikes on the roof of my Liberty is similar and as gutless as the 3.7L is (with 3.73 gears) I think it would be much worse with a big heavy rooftop tent. I still really like the concept though but would prioritize low weight and small x-section above all else. My research led me to the Inspired Overland Rooftop Tent - standard or XL and at $799 or $899 it's on the low end price wise. It's not going to be real roomy but I think that's a necessary sacrifice if you have a Liberty. Shipping is pricey so if I get one I'll pick it up at the nearest dealer (Castle Rock CO for me). Their new Trailpeak tent is just as light and a lot roomier but almost 2x the price.

Thanks for the input! I had my eye on this tent. It's 115lb and less than 5" in thickness when stored. The advantage of hard tops are is that they pack thin but damn expensive. I probably will hold off buying it for a bit.

 

[Ding01]

Rear bumpstops are stock and then you add 2 hockey pucks to the lower spring perch with a nut and bolt.

Where did you order your OME springs from?

I haven't bought anything yet. Got to look around and hopefully I can find somewhere local that can order them in.

 

[GreatWhiteBob]

From what I gathered here and looking around other threads, I'm planning on doing the ol' OME lift. I kind of went beyond the whole "modest" lift thing but oh well... also the yellow looks really good lol.

Springs:
OME 2927 front
OME 2948 rear

Shocks:
OME NS131 front
OME N132-L rear

I was debating on getting softer springs but I was thinking if I ever wanted to get a aftermarket bumper, it might be smart. As for the rears, I went with the 2948s instead of the 2947s because I plan on adding a rooftop tent so it's doing to add some weight to the rear. I'm open to more suggestions on what springs to get.

I might also get some JBA A arms and replace the stock ones while I'm down there.

As for bumpstops, I hear you can only get the Teraflex ones by contacting them directly. Not sure if that's still a thing or not. I'm a little confused on the rear bumpstops. I'm not exactly what people do for that or what part # there is.

Rear bump stops use hockey pucks. Canadian Tire. Drill hole in middle and bolt in place. You can see them in on of the posts in this thread.

 

[Gyro]

I haven't bought anything yet. Got to look around and hopefully I can find somewhere local that can order them in.

I got my new set last year at Tdotperformance.ca in Toronto,they shipped from Lethbridge, to Nova Scotia.
Check them out.

 

[Ding01]

So update. I am struggling to find certain parts because of availability/discontinuation. I did look on the ARB/OME website and according to their official updated December 2025 catalogue, they are suggesting this setup:

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I did notice that RRO updated their KJ lift kit on their website and is selling this exact kit here. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback or experience with these parts.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

So update. I am struggling to find certain parts because of availability/discontinuation. I did look on the ARB/OME website and according to their official updated December 2025 catalogue, they are suggesting this setup:

You must be registered for see images attach

I did notice that RRO updated their KJ lift kit on their website and is selling this exact kit here. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback or experience with these parts.

I use the ome 947 in back, it gives a good compliant ride and matches the gas spring’s ride height. The 948 will probably push the rear higher than front and give a racked look. To balance use spacers in addition to the springs for the front but then you might start having cv axle issues and brake line binding. Your call.

 

[Shankster]

So update. I am struggling to find certain parts because of availability/discontinuation. I did look on the ARB/OME website and according to their official updated December 2025 catalogue, they are suggesting this setup:

You must be registered for see images attach

I did notice that RRO updated their KJ lift kit on their website and is selling this exact kit here. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback or experience with these parts.

I can't speak to that kit specifically but I googled all the individual part numbers in my previous post and everything seems to be readily available. Countless happy KJ owners are using those springs and struts together and I bet you'll save a few hundred bucks buying the individual parts instead of buying a kit. Go with what's proven - just do it!!!

 

[Surf4evers]

Hello, got a '05 Limited KJ for a decent deal last year and new to the Liberty family. I'm wanting to use it for overlanding this year and have been looking around for lift suggestions as stuff gets a bit more overwhelming the more you read and look into it lol.

I don't plan on doing crazy off-roading with it. Mainly going on logging roads/rough gravel roads. I want to have something that's at least better than stock since my suspension I have now feels shot. Hoping anyone has suggestions for a modest lift.

You must be registered for see images attach

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I used Rocky Road Outfitters...they have a liberty 3" lift, with JBAOFFROAD.COM upper control arms and you will get awesome ground clearance.