If you were to replace suspension without a lift.....

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wbw

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I have a few bucks set aside and will probably receive a few more from my MIL for Christmas, so I'm thinking maybe replacing the suspension on my '02 with 97,000 miles. I just had the steering rack and tie rod ends replaced.

I'm thinking no lift because I seriously doubt that this jeep will see much in the way of off-roading. Besides, according to tommudd the early 2002s were already close to an inch higher anyway (mine was built in October of '01).

So if you were going to replace this suspension without lifting, would you use Mopar, Monroe, KYB, Moog etc.? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for the very best. Who knows what other problems will arise that will require money to be thrown at them. So keeping middle of the road expense wise, what would you recommend if I do this?

Thanks for your help.
 

HoosierJeeper

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All of the stock replacement parts will take you back to new height for a lowered KJ. Can't get pre lowered stuff new. Wouldn't bother replacing the stock stuff with garden variety auto part store or Rockauto stuff. Monroe, what ever, it's all going to be crap in 30k miles if not sooner. Running that grade of stuff will be probably $400 easily.

I'd get OME light duty coils for the front and medium duty rear (925 and 948, respectively) with OME shocks. Might be $750 and it'll ride AWESOME. Seriously. Height wise, you'll be around 20", so about an inch higher than your KJ was new. Not enough to cause any issues. Heck, you'd probably cause more wear leaving it all saggy. It wasn't designed to be like that.

Hopefully I saved the Rev. some key strokes. :D
 

renegade 04

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Wrong, you can get pre lowered parts. I was originally going to go the pre lowered route. Moog I believe is the one who makes pre lowered springs.
 

renegade 04

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Stock suspension for the liberty is just junk and has the wrong spring rates and also to soft of a rear shock as well.
 

sparky123321

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Try the H&R springs with Gabriel Ultra shocks. They'll get you to around 20" and won't break the bank. I have them on my 02 and wouldn't change a thing unless I add an ARB bumper and a winch. Even if I do I will try a JBA top plate to offset the additional weight before going to a heavier spring rate. Rides so much better and more confidently than the stock suspension on and off road. Very comfortable on road. You don't feel every little bump and crack in the road as you can with some of the heavier spring rates.

Not knocking OME. Just throwing out another option for you to consider.
 

tommudd

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I have a few bucks set aside and will probably receive a few more from my MIL for Christmas, so I'm thinking maybe replacing the suspension on my '02 with 97,000 miles. I just had the steering rack and tie rod ends replaced.

I'm thinking no lift because I seriously doubt that this jeep will see much in the way of off-roading. Besides, according to tommudd the early 2002s were already close to an inch higher anyway (mine was built in October of '01).

So if you were going to replace this suspension without lifting, would you use Mopar, Monroe, KYB, Moog etc.? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for the very best. Who knows what other problems will arise that will require money to be thrown at them. So keeping middle of the road expense wise, what would you recommend if I do this?

Thanks for your help.

Although they may have been " 3/4 " inch higher in 2002 it wouldn't be any longer
All the above are about the same, not even worth my time to install
My recommendation would be OME 925 and 947 springs. They are rated at 350 lbs compared to stock at 310 lb, very small ( an inch ) over your 02's new stock height
You would hardly notice any lift at all but ride would be way better.
Plus then use OME or Bilstein shocks, way better than your list above .
 

tommudd

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Try the H&R springs with Gabriel Ultra shocks. They'll get you to around 20" and won't break the bank. I have them on my 02 and wouldn't change a thing unless I add an ARB bumper and a winch. Even if I do I will try a JBA top plate to offset the additional weight before going to a heavier spring rate. Rides so much better and more confidently than the stock suspension on and off road. Very comfortable on road. You don't feel every little bump and crack in the road as you can with some of the heavier spring rates.

Not knocking OME. Just throwing out another option for you to consider.

Top plate will not help with the ARB etc
 

wbw

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Would it be OK to just replace the springs? I'm fairly sure it's the springs that I hear groan every now and then in the back.

I don't want junk, but then again I don't want to spend a great deal as I'm sure other problems will crop up.
 

HoosierJeeper

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It would be a waste of money. Springs and shocks work as a system and replacing just one doesn't really give you any benefit.
 

u2slow

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Rockauto has more variety than most parts counters. Prices and shipping usually better. What you choose is up to you.

The Moog parts I've bought for the KJ say 'made in China' anyway.

IMO, only replace parts that are worn out.
 

tommudd

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Would it be OK to just replace the springs? I'm fairly sure it's the springs that I hear groan every now and then in the back.

I don't want junk, but then again I don't want to spend a great deal as I'm sure other problems will crop up.

If you replace just springs, replace the shocks, it would be like buying new shoes with large holes in your socks

Like Hoosier mentioned
 
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HoosierJeeper

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If you replace just springs, replace the shocks, it would be like buying new shoes with large holes in your socks

Like Hoosier mentioned

Or buying nice merino wool socks and going barefoot into the snow, you'll still get frostbite even though the socks are good.
 

southernwake

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I have to replace my suspension on my KJ. I am looking at the 1.50 lift from JBA, looking at what you said earlier in the post Tommudd regarding the 925/947 springs, this probably wont raise the jeep much, which for me is fine right now, I just want it to ride better.
That being said, do I need to invest in the JBA upper control arms for lifted jeeps as well since it would be a little higher than stock height? I want to make sure that I get it all done right the first time.

Thanks,
Andrew
 

tommudd

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I have to replace my suspension on my KJ. I am looking at the 1.50 lift from JBA, looking at what you said earlier in the post Tommudd regarding the 925/947 springs, this probably wont raise the jeep much, which for me is fine right now, I just want it to ride better.
That being said, do I need to invest in the JBA upper control arms for lifted jeeps as well since it would be a little higher than stock height? I want to make sure that I get it all done right the first time.

Thanks,
Andrew


Hey Andrew
You " don't need " the JBA UCAs but they are a nice addition.
Check yours though since many by the time they have 65-70,000 miles are done in or the boots are bad at least
Yes with the 925/947 combo won't be much lift over stock but ride and handling will be way better
 

duderz7

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Hey Andrew
You " don't need " the JBA UCAs but they are a nice addition.
Check yours though since many by the time they have 65-70,000 miles are done in or the boots are bad at least
Yes with the 925/947 combo won't be much lift over stock but ride and handling will be way better

If you're doing minimal lift as stated you might consider jba stock size arms rather than lifted ones, Marlin or Tom I'm sure could lead you on the right direction.
 

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