Front Struts

So what's the recent consensus on struts for our KJ's? My front end has become unbearable...bottoms out when coming down any kind of decline, gets squirrelly when over rail road racks at normal speeds... My jeep's BDS lifted but with factory struts...I think still the original with...well lots of km's...

Anyway, I have been reading conflicting reviews on the Rancho RSX's...anyone have any thoughts on these....

Also, in regards to the OME...which ones would we want...stiff, super stiff (I can't think of the terminology that OME uses but you know what I mean) I don't have an after market bumper or a winch but I do have a set of 245/75 Cooper STT which are a heavier that normal tire.

What other options for struts are out there that you guys are happy with?

Thanks in advance....

Tires are not going to affect spring rates. Their weight is supported by themselves so that is not a issue. Because of that size whatever you do you need to keep your lift or get new tires.

I found the factory stuff to just suck. I didn't know how bad until I got my OME and then it was revealed to me.

My factories bottomed out all the time, bounced, swayed just overall sucked as#.

I don't know if this was due to age but I think they probably came that way. I really can't remember cause I was so happy to be in a jeep again!!!

I know nothing about the rancho's. The Ome struts are only one type its the coils that are different. HD coils for arb bumper and winch, standard for normal or light additions to the front. If you plan on a rock lizard rear bumper and lots of gear maybe a HD rear coil too.

If you are staying pretty much stock then the you want the medium or standard coil. They say you can add 80-100 pounds on that with out too much sag. I don't know cause i haven't tried yet.

Some guys swear by the HD even if they aren't running a ARB and winch. Personal taste as to ride may be involved here.

I may get a winch with my standard coils but I plan on using the detours winch mount instead. It is much lighter than the ARB.

I don't know if the OME strut will work with the BDS lift but you probably need to replace both your shocks and struts.

IMHO

The BDS kit is like the kit from 4WD.com. It uses the strut relocation bracket (thicker top strut plate) to push the suspension down thereby lifting the Jeep. But doing this puts more distance between the bump stop and the top of the upper A-arm. What happens now is that the strut fully compresses before the a-arm contacts the bump stop and this eventually destroys the strut. Bigger bump stops are needed to prevent this and make the bump stop the first point of contact. Whatever strut you get as a replacement will be at risk unless you narrow the gap between bump stop and a-arm.

I'm gonna get on my Rancho soapbox again. I've been incredibly happy with my Rancho 5000s. They were cheap and the ride on washboard roads in incredible now. It also rides like I think it should on the street.

Hey, thanks for the replies. Priell 3...that makes sense...kind of makes me mad that BDS wouldn't include bigger bump stops in their kit. Anyway, any advice on where to look for different bump stops? Was speaking to All J products and will probably order a set of the OME heavy duty front struts.

Liberty Titan said:

Hey, thanks for the replies. Priell 3...that makes sense...kind of makes me mad that BDS wouldn't include bigger bump stops in their kit. Anyway, any advice on where to look for different bump stops? Was speaking to All J products and will probably order a set of the OME heavy duty front struts.

Click to expand...

Skyjacker makes extended bump stops that you can get from quadratec.com.

priell3 said:

The BDS kit is like the kit from 4WD.com. It uses the strut relocation bracket (thicker top strut plate) to push the suspension down thereby lifting the Jeep. But doing this puts more distance between the bump stop and the top of the upper A-arm. What happens now is that the strut fully compresses before the a-arm contacts the bump stop and this eventually destroys the strut. Bigger bump stops are needed to prevent this and make the bump stop the first point of contact. Whatever strut you get as a replacement will be at risk unless you narrow the gap between bump stop and a-arm.

Click to expand...

Unless you purchase Al's A-Arm