Suggestions for a '05 Limited KJ Modest Lift

[Ding01]

Hello, got a '05 Limited KJ for a decent deal last year and new to the Liberty family. I'm wanting to use it for overlanding this year and have been looking around for lift suggestions as stuff gets a bit more overwhelming the more you read and look into it lol.

I don't plan on doing crazy off-roading with it. Mainly going on logging roads/rough gravel roads. I want to have something that's at least better than stock since my suspension I have now feels shot. Hoping anyone has suggestions for a modest lift.

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[derekj]

OME or H&R springs and Bilstein shocks will give you the best ride/handling - night and day difference over stock. Search this section for all you need to know - this has been covered in detail many times.

 

[u2slow]

I went with a Teraflex budget-boost kit. Been on for over 100,000km now. The only real catch was I needed aftermarket upper control arms to bring the camber back from eating tires.

Anyway, here is an cheaper knockoff of the Teraflex front spacers: https://a.co/d/dq07W6a
On the rear I have since gone to 97-02 4runner coils with part of the pigtail cut off.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

I'd suggest dropping the brush guard and installing OME "medium" front springs and "light" rears. Go with rancho shocks, including those for a dodge dakota truck on the rear. That'll be about a 2.5-3" lift and provide a comfortable ride (and I mean comfortable for any car).

 

[Ding01]

OME or H&R springs and Bilstein shocks will give you the best ride/handling - night and day difference over stock. Search this section for all you need to know - this has been covered in detail many times.

Was looking at OME. I saw this kit on Rocky Road for reference. Sorry for my lack of knowledge on lifts lol. This would be my first time lifting something.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

I went with a Teraflex budget-boost kit. Been on for over 100,000km now. The only real catch was I needed aftermarket upper control arms to bring the camber back from eating tires.

Anyway, here is an cheaper knockoff of the Teraflex front spacers: https://a.co/d/dq07W6a
On the rear I have since gone to 97-02 4runner coils with part of the pigtail cut off.

Oh I agree, the front upper control arms from JBA are basically a necessity for functionality after a lift. Not because of the caster adjustment (but that too), but because without them the lift springs will literally hit the stock upper control arms in full compression. The longer front control arms (that correct the caster) also solve that interference issue. After being a skeptic, I'm now a believer having tried it both ways.

Also, not an absolutely necessity with a lift but a VERY worthwhile upgrade: purchase/install the Iron Rock adjustable upper control arm. It not only replaces the upper control arm, but it allows for easy pinion angle adjustment. Adjustable lowers are really only necessary to lengthen/shorten wheelbase.

 

[u2slow]

Oh I agree, the front upper control arms from JBA are basically a necessity for functionality after a lift. Not because of the caster adjustment (but that too), but because without them the lift springs will literally hit the stock upper control arms in full compression.

Mine are RRO. They were mainly for camber correction. I burned off 40% of my new tires at an angle before I got them.

With sufficient lift, any upper arm can hit the spring on full-droop (not compression).

 

[mercdudecbr600]

You’re right, spring extension not compression. Thanks for the correction

 

[derekj]

Was looking at OME. I saw this kit on Rocky Road for reference. Sorry for my lack of knowledge on lifts lol. This would be my first time lifting something.

Yup - can't go wrong with the OME parts - some people have not had great experiences with that company and might encourage you to buy from another OME seller. I'm in Canada so I can't speak to that company's reputation.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

RRO doesn’t make the OME springs, ARB does, so I think it’s safe

 

[u2slow]

RRO had a good price-point on certain items when i bought 10 years ago. Worth checking anyway.

 

[Ding01]

Im surprised I got a lot of replies for a first post. Thank you all for the info!

 

[GreatWhiteBob]

I went with a Teraflex budget-boost kit. Been on for over 100,000km now. The only real catch was I needed aftermarket upper control arms to bring the camber back from eating tires.

Anyway, here is an cheaper knockoff of the Teraflex front spacers: https://a.co/d/dq07W6a
On the rear I have since gone to 97-02 4runner coils with part of the pigtail cut off.

I went with the H&R springs and Bilstein shocks. The H&R springs are easier to source in Canada. The control feel is definitely better. One caveat is the ride will definitely be stiffer. I used the moog upper control arms and haven’t had any issues. I did install 2” wheel spacers to give a little more space between upper control arms and give the Jeep a wider stance. There are mixed feelings about using wheel spacers. I’ve had no issues with my setup.

 

[u2slow]

i use wheel spacers/adapters too, 1.25" i think they are. I felt the handling improved.

 

[Shankster]

This is my setup - still very happy 5 years later. Ride is a lot better (softer) than stock.

I too have wheel spacers - It looked really dorky lifted with the wheels tucked way back in there. Mine are 1.5". As long as you buy quality wheel spacers and torque them a couple of times a year (re torque them after 100 miles from initial install too) you'll be fine. If you don't own a torque wrench you should buy one, especially if you plan to run wheel spacers.

My experience with RRO quality and customer service was generally good (UCAs only). If you're on a budget you could try the lift with your stock UCAs - I did but my passenger side rubbed on the spring, driver's side was fine for some reason. I'm guessing some Libertys will work OK on stock UCAs and some will not. I didn't have camber issues on the stock UCAs with my lift but I'm right on the limit with the RRO UCAs - no uneven tire wear though. Maybe JBAs are better in that regard? The rubber bushings on my RROs deteriorated and tore after about 4 years so they may be using cheap rubber - again, JBA might be better.

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[u2slow]

I'm at 12 years on the RRO arms... same bushings.

I loctite the spacers on. Retorque the wheels only. hasnt been a problem in the same 12ish years.

 

[Ding01]

From what I gathered here and looking around other threads, I'm planning on doing the ol' OME lift. I kind of went beyond the whole "modest" lift thing but oh well... also the yellow looks really good lol.

Springs:
OME 2927 front
OME 2948 rear

Shocks:
OME NS131 front
OME N132-L rear

I was debating on getting softer springs but I was thinking if I ever wanted to get a aftermarket bumper, it might be smart. As for the rears, I went with the 2948s instead of the 2947s because I plan on adding a rooftop tent so it's doing to add some weight to the rear. I'm open to more suggestions on what springs to get.

I might also get some JBA A arms and replace the stock ones while I'm down there.

As for bumpstops, I hear you can only get the Teraflex ones by contacting them directly. Not sure if that's still a thing or not. I'm a little confused on the rear bumpstops. I'm not exactly what people do for that or what part # there is.

 

[derekj]

From what I gathered here and looking around other threads, I'm planning on doing the ol' OME lift. I kind of went beyond the whole "modest" lift thing but oh well... also the yellow looks really good lol.

Springs:
OME 2927 front
OME 2948 rear

Shocks:
OME NS131 front
OME N132-L rear

I was debating on getting softer springs but I was thinking if I ever wanted to get a aftermarket bumper, it might be smart. As for the rears, I went with the 2948s instead of the 2947s because I plan on adding a rooftop tent so it's doing to add some weight to the rear. I'm open to more suggestions on what springs to get.

I might also get some JBA A arms and replace the stock ones while I'm down there.

As for bumpstops, I hear you can only get the Teraflex ones by contacting them directly. Not sure if that's still a thing or not. I'm a little confused on the rear bumpstops. I'm not exactly what people do for that or what part # there is.

Rear bumpstops are stock and then you add 2 hockey pucks to the lower spring perch with a nut and bolt.

Where did you order your OME springs from?

 

[klc]

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[mercdudecbr600]

Rear bumpstops are stock and then you add 2 hockey pucks to the lower spring perch with a nut and bolt.

Where did you order your OME springs from?

I’m an outlier- I haven’t replaced any bumpstops. Just use factory even with lift. No issues to date.

I think because I have modest tires and stock wheels that in my case they aren’t needed - ie tires can be fully stuffed at full flex with little or no rub.