Putting together a lift kit, 2003 liberty sport

[LionAndTheLam]

I'm new to lifting jeeps, but i have done my research, and have decided to spend the money on quality parts other than a spacer kit. I have a 2003 Liberty sport, with 85,000 miles on it.

My questions are

-What parts fill fit well together, and will they reach my goal of a 2.5" lift?
-Will the 85,000 miles contribute to sagging, and if so, can it be fixed with new springs/ shocks

-I have heard that OME 927 front springs and 948 rear springs are kosher, but where can i find them?
-Blistein Shocks? Where to buy and will they contribute to a 2.5" lift?
-And what do Bump Stops really do? how do they contribute to a lift? (Teraflex)
-What else besides Springs/Shocks are required for a successful 2.5 lift?

Please excuse me if i have asked a dumb question, just trying to get it right the first time :grd:

Thanks

 

[mongo]

Welcome to the forum

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f203/lift-faq-read-before-asking-questions-47137/

 

[LionAndTheLam]

ok, thank you, that answered some questions, but i still really dont know if the components will equal a 2.5" lift, and where can i purchase the components?

 

[Luke]

At least 2.5. You can estimate and get close ... but every KJ is different .. you won't know exactly until they are under your Jeep. Then you can fine tune...

http://jeepinbyal.com/

http://www.boulderbars.com/

 

[tommudd]

I'm new to lifting jeeps, but i have done my research, and have decided to spend the money on quality parts other than a spacer kit. I have a 2003 Liberty sport, with 85,000 miles on it.

My questions are

-What parts fill fit well together, and will they reach my goal of a 2.5" lift?

USING OME SPRINGS WILL GIVE YOU THE 2.5 INCHES OF LIFT YOU WANT WITHOUT ANYTHING ELSE
-Will the 85,000 miles contribute to sagging, and if so, can it be fixed with new springs/ shocks

NEW SPRINGS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE SAGGING SINCE THE SPRINGS ARE WHATS CAUSING IT

-I have heard that OME 927 front springs and 948 rear springs are kosher, but where can i find them?

YOU CAN BUY OME SPRINGS AT MOST ANY "GOOD" 4 WHEEL DRIVE SHOP OR IF GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE ETC THEN Home page OR All J Products - Aftermarket Jeep Products, Boulder Bars, Bumpers, Jeep Lift Kits, Skid Plates and MORE!

-Blistein Shocks? Where to buy and will they contribute to a 2.5" lift?

SHOCKS DO NOT CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO A LIFT, THEY DO HOWEVER CONTROL THE DAMPINING OF THE SPRINGS SO YES NEW ONES ARE NEEDED. AGAIN YOU CAN BUY THEM FROM JEEPIBYAL OR SHOCK WAREHOUSE
-And what do Bump Stops really do? how do they contribute to a lift? (Teraflex)

-What else besides Springs/Shocks are required for a successful 2.5 lift?

NEW SPRINGS WILL GIVE YOU 2.5 INCHES OF LIFT

Please excuse me if i have asked a dumb question, just trying to get it right the first time :grd:

Thanks

Keep asking we'll give ya heck for asking without researching but never if you've tried :waytogo:

 

[LionAndTheLam]

So i pieced together a setup according to what i've heard is a good buy, and ive come up with:
BILSTEIN - Heavy Duty 2.5" Lift Rear Shock
BILSTEIN - Heavy Duty Front Strut
Ironman Front Coil Springs
Ironman Rear Coil Springs

it came out to $680 w/shipping. Good deal?

But i've also found a kit called "Rusty's KJ liberty 2.5" Suspension Kit" for $525 shipped.
Comes with front struts, rear shocks, front springs, and rear springs.

Is it too good to be true? and is it worth my money?

 

[CzarKJ]

Avoid the rusty's... all I read on those was bad things. Iron man or OME are the way to go!

 

[tommudd]

So i pieced together a setup according to what i've heard is a good buy, and ive come up with:
BILSTEIN - Heavy Duty 2.5" Lift Rear Shock
BILSTEIN - Heavy Duty Front Strut
Ironman Front Coil Springs
Ironman Rear Coil Springs

it came out to $680 w/shipping. Good deal?

But i've also found a kit called "Rusty's KJ liberty 2.5" Suspension Kit" for $525 shipped.
Comes with front struts, rear shocks, front springs, and rear springs.

Is it too good to be true? and is it worth my money?

Rustys front springs are rated same as stock at 310 lb and will sag quick
their rear shocks are junk , period not worth the time nor money to install
I've only installed one of these and the guy lived close by. I got to watch it sag more and more every time he came by the garage

Oh and if Rocky Road pops up on your screen go the other way as well

 

[LionAndTheLam]

Haha, thank you for the feedback. Ill definetley stay away from that!

another question, on multiple websites, one will say a specific shock will fit my jeep, another will say that it won't. I don't know what to trust. Are shocks/struts and springs universal (to an extent)?

And how do you feel about Rancho RS5000 Shocks/Struts?

 

[TheBlueKJ]

For rear use stock length shocks off a Dakota 4wd and for the front use your stock length

 

[LionAndTheLam]

Ok, thanks.

If I were to use 1.5" lifted front coils, and add a 1" spacer, would that level out with a set of 2.5" lifted rear coils?

 

[tommudd]

Ok, thanks.

If I were to use 1.5" lifted front coils, and add a 1" spacer, would that level out with a set of 2.5" lifted rear coils?

Too much lift
OMEs give you about 2.25-2.5 inches of lift without anything else
1.5 is advertised for insurance purposes so pay no attention to that number

rear shocks 99-04 Dodge Dakota 4 wheel drive is the ones you want

 

[TheBlueKJ]

rear shocks 99-04 Dodge Dakota 4 wheel drive is the ones you want

woops forgot that tid bit

 

[LionAndTheLam]

so im assuming the ironman front springs that are "1.5inch" are actually 2.5" just like the ome?

 

[Luke]

^^^ Now you got it!

 

[LionAndTheLam]

awesome! now the only thing i require would be front STRUTS that would fit a 2.5" lift. can anyone provide a link to a strut that wont break the bank anymore than i already am? lol

 

[VAhlene]

There is no extended length front shocks for the KJ so just go with the ones made for the Jeep and Bilstein and Ironman are some of the better ones. Check out shock warehouse if you haven't already they have always treated me right and have fast shipping.

 

[Luke]

or OME :waytogo:

Note : to avoid any future criticism .. the KJ uses Shocks not Struts

 

[LionAndTheLam]

Thanks so much for all the input, guys.

Well, with all this info i got. i ended up with:
-Ironman Front Coils
-Ironman Rear Coils
-Ironman Front Struts/Shocks
-Skyjacker Nitro 8000 Rear Shocks

Came out to roughly $640. Does that sound about right?
Now, can anyone vouch that all or one of these parts fit a 2003 libby?

 

[tommudd]

I wouldn't use Skyjacker rear shocks but.............