Implications of MOAB's on a Stock KJ (and Lift Kits of course)

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OxLibertySport

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I'm probably about to ask questions/advice on a topic that's been asked hundreds of times; but, I've read so much - across three forums - that, I'm about as confused as before I started.

Background - I've managed to pick myself up a '04 Liberty Sport (Gas, 4x4, 3.73's) at a Salvage Auction. It was a theft recovery, and only had 55k miles on it - the thief busted a vent glass window, buggered up the ignition & door lock, and added a few extra cosmetic blemishes. Other than that, it's a typical '04 with worn ball joints, leaky power steering hoses, & failing window regulators.

Plans for it are simple ... mostly it'll serve as a secondary vehicle w/ the occasional trail ride. No serious off-roading, but I like the off-roading stance.

I've fixed most of the issues related to the theft; and. I'm preparing for suspension upgrades - I've also picked up a set of '04 MOAB's off a Rubicon. The more I read on these, the more it seems mods are needed that are not really in the scope of work that I'd like to do. I'm willing to put a decent 3" lift on, even knowing that it won't make use of it - but, I'm not really looking to re-gear, pound pinch welds, & cut fender liners.

So, let the questions begin:
- What 3-inch "kit" is recommended? I see many posts, but the content is getting dated, broken links, etc.
- Keep the MOAB's? Or go back to stock to avoid what I mentioned I didn't want to do?
- I see that 265/70 R16's are the largest tire size "supposedly" not to rub w/ a 3-inch lift. Is that factual with real world experiences on MOAB's? 

I apologize for the redundant questions that I'm sure folks are getting tired of answering.

For giggles, here's a pic of the Lib in its "yard" state ...
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tommudd

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I'm probably about to ask questions/advice on a topic that's been asked hundreds of times; but, I've read so much - across three forums - that, I'm about as confused as before I started.

Background - I've managed to pick myself up a '04 Liberty Sport (Gas, 4x4, 3.73's) at a Salvage Auction. It was a theft recovery, and only had 55k miles on it - the thief busted a vent glass window, buggered up the ignition & door lock, and added a few extra cosmetic blemishes. Other than that, it's a typical '04 with worn ball joints, leaky power steering hoses, & failing window regulators.

Plans for it are simple ... mostly it'll serve as a secondary vehicle w/ the occasional trail ride. No serious off-roading, but I like the off-roading stance.

I've fixed most of the issues related to the theft; and. I'm preparing for suspension upgrades - I've also picked up a set of '04 MOAB's off a Rubicon. The more I read on these, the more it seems mods are needed that are not really in the scope of work that I'd like to do. I'm willing to put a decent 3" lift on, even knowing that it won't make use of it - but, I'm not really looking to re-gear, pound pinch welds, & cut fender liners.

So, let the questions begin:
- What 3-inch "kit" is recommended? I see many posts, but the content is getting dated, broken links, etc.
OME 927/948 spring combo and bilstein shocks is cheapest, gives 2.5 inches of lift and can easily go 3 inches with top plate in front and one extra upper iso in the rear= 3 inches ( plus bumpstops etc )
- Keep the MOAB's? Or go back to stock to avoid what I mentioned I didn't want to do?
Lifted you can run MOABs with the 265-70-16s
- I see that 265/70 R16's are the largest tire size "supposedly" not to rub w/ a 3-inch lift.
Is that factual with real world experiences on MOAB's? 
LOL YES this is factual, I also ran MOABs / 265-75-16s on my 04 with over 4.5 inches of lift , 4.10s etc, and on the 03 pictured below. You mean you don't believe what you read on here ? LOL At least you are here and not Fakebook asking questions.
I apologize for the redundant questions that I'm sure folks are getting tired of answering.
Yes we do but its all in good fun
For giggles, here's a pic of the Lib in its "yard" state ...
You must be registered for see images attach
There is a start
Now if you want a really really great ride jeepinbyal has the adjustable coilover kits as well
Below is my 03 with Moabs, 265-70-16 on Moabs and 2.5 inches of lift, 4.10s due to I like more power and gas mileage ( Lift is the JBA Total Control, all 4 shocks adjustable as far as compression and rebound plus fronts adjustable height wise )
Also I pounded over the pinch welds but do that to 98.892 % of the lifts we do here, easy to do I have pictures of how to properly do it as well
You must be registered for see images attach

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tommudd

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Plus this remark.........?????
"Other than that, it's a typical '04 with worn ball joints, leaky power steering hoses, & failing window regulators."
Not typical maybe balljoints but none of the other stuff , replaced the 04s at 90,000 miles and they're still on there at way over 221,000 miles
Drove my 04 for 12 years ( bought it new ) with none of those issues.
generally the window regulators were later models
 
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dude1116

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265/70/16s should be just fine with a 3" lift. You might get a little bit of rubbing at full lock...but nothing a little heat gunning can't solve. I run 265/70s in a D range tire and I lost quite a bit of mileage (from 22/23 max to 17/18). If you mind that loss in MPG...I would highly suggest running a P-rated tire. It will give you slightly better gas mileage than an LT tire due to less weight.
 

OxLibertySport

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Also I pounded over the pinch welds but do that to 98.892 % of the lifts we do here, easy to do I have pictures of how to properly do it as well
You must be registered for see images attach

But, the pinch weld mod is avoidable - even with the MOAB's - as long as I lift up at-least 3". Right? I read somewhere that over 3" could/will damage the CV's ...

Also, your flares are spot on - what'd ya do there? Mine are faded & even flaking (plastic flaking?).

Plus this remark.........?????
"Other than that, it's a typical '04 with worn ball joints, leaky power steering hoses, & failing window regulators."
Not typical maybe balljoints but none of the other stuff , replaced the 04s at 90,000 miles and they're still on there at way over 221,000 miles
Drove my 04 for 12 years ( bought it new ) with none of those issues.
generally the window regulators were later models

My ball joint boots, upper & lower - both sides, are busted. I blamed it on age. I've had to replace the passenger front regulator - had a fuzzy snake sticking out of the door panel. In research, it seemed pretty common? I was generalizing with the rest.
 
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OxLibertySport

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265/70/16s should be just fine with a 3" lift. You might get a little bit of rubbing at full lock...but nothing a little heat gunning can't solve. I run 265/70s in a D range tire and I lost quite a bit of mileage (from 22/23 max to 17/18). If you mind that loss in MPG...I would highly suggest running a P-rated tire. It will give you slightly better gas mileage than an LT tire due to less weight.

Thanks for that, I'm willing to go down a tire size to avoid the rubbing. With the wider MOAB's, I was worried I made a mistake vs. just getting a set of aluminum Liberty rims.
 

tommudd

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But, the pinch weld mod is avoidable - even with the MOAB's - as long as I lift up at-least 3".
All depends on tires, what tread design and what size , but the pinch weld is very easy to do.

Right? I read somewhere that over 3" could/will damage the CV's ...
I've ran my 04 for over 100,000 miles at 4 inches ( and above ) Just have to build it right from the get go. Also you would need the jeepinbyal UCAs over 3.25 or so
Also, your flares are spot on - what'd ya do there? Mine are faded & even flaking (plastic flaking?).
Painted them



My ball joint boots, upper & lower - both sides, are busted. I blamed it on age. I've had to replace the passenger front regulator - had a fuzzy snake sticking out of the door panel. In research, it seemed pretty common? I was generalizing with the rest.

reason for my questioning that remark is I've been on the forums for over 12 years, Moderaotr on here and LOSTJEEPs ( another one of the first KJ forums) so heard a lot, read a lot and lifted over 35 of them
Have to remember that if people don't have issues you rarely hear from them, only the ones complaining post usually.
 
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tommudd

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Thanks for that, I'm willing to go down a tire size to avoid the rubbing. With the wider MOAB's, I was worried I made a mistake vs. just getting a set of aluminum Liberty rims.

255-70-16s would be the other size you could run, 1/2 inch smaller in height than the 265-70-16s, 30 inches -vs- 30.7
 

dude1116

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As Tom stated, 255/70 are about the smallest you SHOULD fit on these rims. Since they're 8 inches wide...best to run a wider tire with it. 255/70, 265/70, and 265/75 work well on the well. 245/75 will work...but will leave you with minimal sidewall to protect the rims. Also a greater chance of breaking the bead (causing a flat).

As for pounding the pinch weld...you probably won't get away with not doing it. I was surprised when I went up to 4" and I still had to pound it out. It's the extra width of the wheel that does it.
 

forcefed44

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I'm on 255/70s on the Moabs on a bone stock '02 Renegade with worn rear springs.. The front rubs the liner and right through to pinch weld. I'll take care of that when I install my 2" lift.
 

tommudd

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I'm on 255/70s on the Moabs on a bone stock '02 Renegade with worn rear springs.. The front rubs the liner and right through to pinch weld. I'll take care of that when I install my 2" lift.

2 inch lift ?
What are you installing?
Just don't say spacer lift ha ha

But worn out springs and shocks, need to stay a lot smaller, not good on tires, etc
 

OxLibertySport

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I'm on 255/70s on the Moabs on a bone stock '02 Renegade with worn rear springs.. The front rubs the liner and right through to pinch weld. I'll take care of that when I install my 2" lift.

So, after the lift, your clear the liner, etc. with the 255/70's easily?
 

the_dealer

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There is a start
Now if you want a really really great ride jeepinbyal has the adjustable coilover kits as well
Below is my 03 with Moabs, 265-70-16 on Moabs and 2.5 inches of lift, 4.10s due to I like more power and gas mileage ( Lift is the JBA Total Control, all 4 shocks adjustable as far as compression and rebound plus fronts adjustable height wise )
Also I pounded over the pinch welds but do that to 98.892 % of the lifts we do here, easy to do I have pictures of how to properly do it as well
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
Can you pm me those pictures? Getting ready to move up to a 265/75 on my Teflon coated moabs and want to go ahead and do the pinch mod

Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
 

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