KJ build, well, sorta

[jschenck]

Okay, almost every day someone is asking for advice on what to do to build up their kj, lifts, performance, etc. Well, I have a slightly new spin on that.

I am the owner of an 04 kj, but unlike many on here, mine is 4x2. So many of the build articles can become irrelevant for me very quickly.

I need some good suggestions for practical 4x2 build ideas. Seeing as I'm only powering two wheels, the most off road I'll typically see is a pasture, dry logging road, light snow. Most of the kj's work will be light towing. So, what are some things I should look into for enhancing the practicality of my kj?

 

[Aaron2345]

Transfer case front drive shaft , diff ..... jk lol. My only advice would add things to make it your own. A cb radio. Some off road lights things of that nature

 

[first&lastKJ]

I use our KJ for light towing as well (under 2,000lbs). I added one upper coil spring isolator to each side in the rear. A few hundred pounds of tongue weight really made my 07 squat bad. The extra isolator gave me an extra 1/2 inch of lift.

 

[speedracerbubba]

I imagine OME springs and upgraded shocks, at least for the rear, would be a worthwhile upgrade. Can't go won't with more lights (just ask Ryan lol).

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[Minimike]

A 2 wheel peeler eh... Lower it down and put phat rims on it! j/k

I would do things to make driving it nicer and more comfortable. Such as vent visors over the window, great sound system, maybe some nice driving lights. HID's are really nice to have in the libby, they are not only a visual mod but make night driving more fun. You could also do a rear sway bar delete. I tow a heavy camper (4000lbs) in the summer and removing the rear sway bar made the vehicle feel better. The rear sway bar is a bit of a joke. I also know there is a kit somewhere for about $100 that can add heated seats to your liberty, I am actually looking into it now for me.

Most of all do what you want to it, don't worry about what other people would say about your mods, if you want to lower it go ahead! if you want to raise a 4x2 go ahead. Its nice to see creative vehicles!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I think a lowered 2WD would be interesting....

I'd add some air bags to the rear suspension for towing!

 

[jschenck]

Thanks for the advice so far! Keep itcoming! My wishlist at the moment is step bars, roof rails&basket, and maybe a 2 inch lift. I'm 6'4" and my kj sits at the right height to make getting in and out awkward. I've considered bags. Will definitely do lights when I get a basket on the roof.

If I did pursue a lift, what'd be the best/most cost effective route for me? Considering I don't wheel. I know there are different types.

 

[speedracerbubba]

I, too, am 6'4" and the height I am at with 927/948 and Boiler top plate in front and extra iso in rear is perfect for me.
Mine is 4x4 so I don't know if you would be better off with the 926 or even 925 up front. Someone mo smarter than me can chime in (Where is Tom? )

 

[tommudd]

even if it is a 2 wheel drive ( I've actually been looking for one for a new project) but lift it , it will ride and handle so much better than it does now, give it some attitude as well
Nice wheels and tires and be done
will tow just fine even lifted

 

[jschenck]

What about a front winch on a 2WD? I don't see it as worth it, but I've had some say that I might need it to get out of the snow/ditch when no one's around. I mean, I'm not gonna be taking the Jeep places it's not capable of handling, but it is a good point. Bodes the american addage, "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."

 

[KeswickDave]

I've been going through the same thoughts with my 2WD Ranger, especially with Winter coming, and limited "off-road" use at the farm, just down to the barn with a load of hay or feed.

Initially I'm looking at some good tires and a locker or at least LSD for the rear, been researching but haven't decided exactly what yet. I would like to put a modest lift on as well down the road.

 

[jschenck]

What would be the advantages of an LSD or a locker? I'm clueless about these...

 

[Atrus]

Wasn't it Long Tall Texan over on LOST that had a lifted 2wd?

I'd say lift and throw a locker in the rear then. Long Tall actually has his really high since he doesn't have to worry about unfavorable CV angles. You'd still be limited by the IFS setup, but I'd think could actually lift it taller than a 4x4 KJ.

And, like others said - creature comforts...vent shades, CB, seat covers. I love my Husky liners - carpet looks grand new 4.5 years in. I upgraded the stereo with a bluetooth JVC unit, added in a 10" sub. Could always upgrade the brakes, rims, tires. Add auxiliary lighting if it's something you'd want and it'd benefit you.

 

[Atrus]

What would be the advantages of an LSD or a locker? I'm clueless about these...

Think of it this way.

Regular 2wd vehicle with an open differential (non-locker or LSD) is really 1 wheel drive - only 1 wheel is really doing the work, the other is along for the ride.

A 4 wheel drive with open diffs is really 2 wheel drive.

More drive wheels = more traction. So, adding a locker or LSD allows for both wheels on the axle to drive the vehicle. It doesn't mean that a 2wd with a locker is exactly as capable as a 4wd with open diffs, but the locker or LSD on a 2wd vehicle can greatly enhance it's capability in incliment conditions.

 

[tommudd]

Wasn't it Long Tall Texan over on LOST that had a lifted 2wd?

I'd say lift and throw a locker in the rear then. Long Tall actually has his really high since he doesn't have to worry about unfavorable CV angles. You'd still be limited by the IFS setup, but I'd think could actually lift it taller than a 4x4 KJ.

Can't go much higher due to the springs hitting the control arms I think he has me maybe 1/4 inch or so but thats about it,
Just doing a normal lift and drive it you'll have a bunch of fun!

 

[KeswickDave]

Think of it this way.

Regular 2wd vehicle with an open differential (non-locker or LSD) is really 1 wheel drive - only 1 wheel is really doing the work, the other is along for the ride.

A 4 wheel drive with open diffs is really 2 wheel drive.

More drive wheels = more traction. So, adding a locker or LSD allows for both wheels on the axle to drive the vehicle. It doesn't mean that a 2wd with a locker is exactly as capable as a 4wd with open diffs, but the locker or LSD on a 2wd vehicle can greatly enhance it's capability in incliment conditions.

Yeah what he said Just to elaborate a bit, a locker "locks" your differential (either manually selectable by you (expensive) or in an automatic way) so that both wheels have traction instead of the one with less traction spinning, like with an open diff.

An LSD (Limited slip diff) does basically the same thing except as the name implies it "slips" to allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds, for example when cornering.

There's a lot more to it than that and my head is going to explode from researching them, but that's it in a nutshell

 

[Atrus]

Can't go much higher due to the springs hitting the control arms I think he has me maybe 1/4 inch or so but thats about it,
Just doing a normal lift and drive it you'll have a bunch of fun!

Well, right - but with some JBA UCA's, it'd allow for additional lift, right?

With the OEM UCA's, 926's, and 3/8" top plate spacers, I can't do any type of clevis lift on my 2007 - UCA is too close to the spring. I'm basically maxed out right now unless I get JBA UCA's

 

[dude1116]

I feel like coil spacers will be good enough for a 4x2. You won't really need the durability that you do off road, and it's your cheapest yet most effective option. Anyone else agree?

 

[Atrus]

I feel like coil spacers will be good enough for a 4x2. You won't really need the durability that you do off road, and it's your cheapest yet most effective option. Anyone else agree?

Depends what you want - I don't see durability as any more or less of an issue on a 4x2 than it is on a 4x4. Spacers are good enough for a 4x4 if you don't care about ride quality.

4x4 or 4x2, spacers will make it ride worse.

 

[speedracerbubba]

Depends what you want - I don't see durability as any more or less of an issue on a 4x2 than it is on a 4x4. Spacers are good enough for a 4x4 if you don't care about ride quality.

4x4 or 4x2, spacers will make it ride worse.

X2
I ran daystar spacers for a while but the springs sagged quickly and killed the shocks. I would not run them again on the kj. Even without armor and just rock rails I made the 927/948 rancho combo is much better in terms of ride and handling than the daystar was.
But, some people love their spacer lift so it may be preference or mauve even a lack of having a good comparison to new shocks/springs.

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