Old Man Emu 1.5” lift kit / max tire size

[Okie michael]

Howdy. New to the forum. Just received an Old Man Emu 1.5” heavy load lift kit for my 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade. I am wondering what max tire sizes I could consider on stock alloy wheels 16x8. Would like to go as wide as I can without having significant rubbing issues. Any recommendations for sizes or advice for modifying to allow for wider sizes? Thanks y’all. Below is the kit.

Old Man Emu 1.5" Suspension Systems for 02-07 Jeep Liberty KJ with 3.7L

These systems include front and rear coil springs, and Emu Nitrocharger shock absorbers. This system will allow fitment of 31" tall tires for maximum performance. Please specify Light, Medium or Heavy Load Suspension.

www.quadratec.com

 

[tommudd]

IF you mean 927 / 948 combo of springs as heavy load then you can go to a 31 inch tall tire which in reality is 30.5-30.6
Stock wheels are not 16X8 they are 16X7 , a 245-75-16 fits on them well with pinch welds pounded over
Also if buying a whole kit, rear shocks are too short you would need the 132Ls for the rear

 

[Okie michael]

Thank you. Would 265/70 16 be too wide? Or 255/70 16? Is there another issue?
Re: rear shocks - Why would Quadratec sell a whole kit with shocks that are too short?

 

[Johnny O]

Thank you. Would 265/70 16 be too wide? Or 255/70 16? Is there another issue?
Re: rear shocks - Why would Quadratec sell a whole kit with shocks that are too short?

Because it’s quadratech and they know nothing about Libertys. I mistakenly purchased that kit back when I first got into these and it arrived with stock springs… took forever to do a return and get a refund.

Save yourself time, money, and headaches and listen to the gurus here.

Also, be advised there is a two month lead time on the 132Ls right now so plan your build accordingly. Is a two to three week lead on OME springs if the seller does not have them on the shelf.

 

[tommudd]

Thank you. Would 265/70 16 be too wide? Or 255/70 16? Is there another issue?
Re: rear shocks - Why would Quadratec sell a whole kit with shocks that are too short?

Because that is just what is in the " kit "
Since they list them as giving 1.5 inches they would work, but since they actually give 2.5 you need the longer
But if you want full articulation out of the rear you want 132Ls or Bilstein 24-185660s

 

[tommudd]

As far as 265-70-16s you said you were running a stock wheel which id 7 inches wide
SOOOOO, a 245-75-16 works best , even a 255-70-16 may hit the UCA on a stock width wheel depending on brand of tire

 

[Okie michael]

As far as 265-70-16s you said you were running a stock wheel which id 7 inches wide
SOOOOO, a 245-75-16 works best , even a 255-70-16 may hit the UCA on a stock width wheel depending on brand of tire

Do you have recommendations if I want to look at upgrading the wheels? I like the look of these Moab wheels at 16x8 in gun metal. https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/moab-wheel-wrangler-yj-tj
Would that be better if I want to get to 265 or 275 range?
Would I need to upgrade the Upper Control Arms to achieve that or other things (bump stops?) I saw these UCA mentioned elsewhere https://jbaoffroad.com/jba-upper-a-arms-for-02-07-lifted-jeep-liberty-s.html

thanks so much! Great forum

 

[tommudd]

True MOABs are way better and stronger than the knockoffs if you can find them ( came on 03-06 Wrangler Rubicons )
But yes 265-70-16 sit on the Moabs real good and sit the tire/wheel combo out to the edge of the flare
Can not go 275-75-16s with just 2.5 inches of lift
The JBA UCAs are a great upgrade and you can rebuild the ball joints if you ever need to
Teraflex front bumpstops of course
2 hockey pucks per side bolted down to the lower spring perch in the rear

 

[long_tall_texan]

Just return that lift kit, and then come pick up my 2007 KJ that has Frankenlift, top spacer plate, JBA extended UCAs, and set of 5 Moabs on it already. Rob the parts you need, and save the rest for later. Then you'll also have a whole shell of spare/upgrade parts. See the listing in the FS section. Make me an offer!

OH, and I ran 265/75-16 tores for years on this setup.

 

[James Akemon]

I like the 33-185859 Bilstien over the 24 185660

 

[tommudd]

I like the 33-185859 Bilstien over the 24 185660

???