Been awhile...need general info for suspension

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offrovering

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I've successfully been able to continue keeping my wife's 2003 sport running. Well over 120k miles, been fine as of late, typical older car issues.

Anyhow, need to get the suspension refreshed. Clearly this is a commuter, it isn't even a mallcrawler so no need for lifting or over the top parts.

Can someone tell me what a good replacement set of springs and shocks would be for near sport stock suspension? If an OME setup is the way to go, I'm fine with that, just tell me what I should get to refresh this thing.

Is there a retailer that sells a kit that I can get a good deal on? Should I just go to napa? I've been out of the kj world so I need some help. I've got the lift and all that junk on my rover, I just need help here.

Thanks!
 

tommudd

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If it was me I'd upgrade somewhat to the OMEs just for a better spring than stock, you could go to the 925s in front which are rated at 350 lbs little more than stockers ( at 310 lb) give a better ride over all but with only a slight amount of lift over new stock height. Of course with the miles you have on yours any new springs may give you an inch or more.
so 925s front could even just do mediums in the rear ( 947s) with a goodset of shocks and be good to go
 

offrovering

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ok thank you. sounds good, looks like this is a basic setup, are there recommended vendors, etc. to pick up a full set? looks like best bet I am around $800 - for my needs and age of vehicle, should I look at something cheaper or am I paying for what I get here?

- OME 925
- OME NS130
- OME 947
- OME N132

Anything else needed to get this job done? Again, just looking to refresh the vehicle.
 

scld1354

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Chrysler spent lots and lots of money on R&D for our Jeeps. They didn't just throw some springs and shocks under the Liberty and hope for the best. Especially with this being your wife's every day ride, remember that the firmer springs you put in, the harsher the ride will be. I drive a Bronco every day and I can feel every bump I drive over. When I get to drive my wife's Liberty around, I can really tell the difference (and it's a lot nicer driving the Liberty).

While shocks do need replacing every so often, what makes you think you need to replace your springs? The only reason I would replace the springs is if there is sagging. If I were to replace them, I would go with stock springs. As far as shocks, go with a stock replacement. I am currently running Gabriel Ultras. They were relatively inexpensive and my wife has no complaints so far...
 

offrovering

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they are sagging. I am fine putting whatever is best for replacement. I do not want to be back under this thing for awhile, it just needs to hold up.
 

Cardhu

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Looking forward to seeing the measurements after completed with 925 / 947s. Doesn't seem to be a lot of comparisons out there although i'm sure we can ball park it.

Only thing i'm certain of is the vast improvement over stock/worn out.

Anybody got any feedback on the difference between NS130 vs NS131 for front.
 

tommudd

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Chrysler spent lots and lots of money on R&D for our Jeeps. They didn't just throw some springs and shocks under the Liberty and hope for the best. Especially with this being your wife's every day ride, remember that the firmer springs you put in, the harsher the ride will be. I drive a Bronco every day and I can feel every bump I drive over. When I get to drive my wife's Liberty around, I can really tell the difference (and it's a lot nicer driving the Liberty).

While shocks do need replacing every so often, what makes you think you need to replace your springs? The only reason I would replace the springs is if there is sagging. If I were to replace them, I would go with stock springs. As far as shocks, go with a stock replacement. I am currently running Gabriel Ultras. They were relatively inexpensive and my wife has no complaints so far...

Ah hate to say it but with an aftermarket set of springs and shocks it will be 100 times better than stock.
What all car builders throw in anymore is pretty much junk after 30-40,000 miles Your bronco may ride rough due to a bad lift
Come let me take you for a ride in a well setup system and then compare, but not until you have rode in one that has been done right
 

BjBnet

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Ah hate to say it but with an aftermarket set of springs and shocks it will be 100 times better than stock.
What all car builders throw in anymore is pretty much junk after 30-40,000 miles Your bronco may ride rough due to a bad lift
Come let me take you for a ride in a well setup system and then compare, but not until you have rode in one that has been done right

You beat me to it. Since I put in the HD springs and the lift the ride has never been better. It's a heavy vehicle so the HD springs serve it well.
 

scld1354

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NOT trying to hyjack the thread....

I really don't have anything else but the Bronco to compare the Liberty to. Compared to the Bronco, the Liberty rides 100% better and is 100% stock. That being said, the Bronco is more or less built on a truck frame, and it rides like a truck.
 

tjkj2002

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NOT trying to hyjack the thread....

I really don't have anything else but the Bronco to compare the Liberty to. Compared to the Bronco, the Liberty rides 100% better and is 100% stock. That being said, the Bronco is more or less built on a truck frame, and it rides like a truck.
If your driving a full size Bronco you either have the TTB or a soild front axle with rear leaf springs,just by that nature it will always ride worse then a IFS/SRA KJ with coil springs all the way around.

The coils and shocks go bad at such a slow rate that you do not even notice when there bad until you put new in and it's a night and day difference.The OME coils will give such a better ride then stock it's almost unbelieveable,yes the ride is firmer but in a good way and even better with a good tire.Your springs and shocks do so much more then you think and directly effects braking performance also.Brand new from the factory your KJ should be about 19" from center of the front wheel to the bottom of the flare and .5" is considered "sagged" or "worn out" by the factory.
 

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