Lifting a 2002 Liberty on a budget

[Chevy]

My friend has asked me to help lift his 2002 Jeep Liberty. I don't know much about the suspension of the Jeep yet, but from what I have found online there are multiple kits available. Are these two kits compatible to create a total lift of 5"-6"? Or would putting them together cause problems?

3.5" X Factor System by Rock Krawler and Other Jeep Parts and Jeep Accessories by 4 Wheel Drive Hardware-RH3

Skyjacker Suspension and Other Jeep Parts and Jeep Accessories by 4 Wheel Drive Hardware-RH3

Thanks for any help

 

[SUPERD]

you cannot combine those kits for 6" of lift, his control arms & brake lines are too short.
without spending 2-5 grand on a custom suspension you will never get that ammount of lift & it still be safe to drive.
I'd go with the Rock Krawler kit with the strut forks, it will still have the factory ride quality.

 

[Chevy]

I understand the control arm part, but brake lines can be extended. Are there any aftermarket control arms to be able to take that kind of lift? Are there aftermarket spindles for thee Jeeps? Do you have a link a kit that we could get this ammount of lift?

 

[SUPERD]

as far as I know there are no comercially available lifts for a liberty other than the budget boost, coil lift or strut forks.
all in the 2" to 3.5" lift range.
full custom 3 or 4 link with a solid axle is probably your only choice

 

[SUPERD]

send AZ Outlaw a PM, he's into the KJ stuff pretty deep

 

[AZ Outlaws]

I can't help him out. My KJ is stock height with full skids and A/T tires. Don't know much more about KJ lifts than what SUPERD already mentioned in his previous post.... 2.5~3.5" max without doing a SFA conversion.

My suggestion would be to get with Daspes or Google a KJ specific site (or follow the link in my signature).

 

[02liberty]

I have a Rusty's 2.5 suspension lift and run 245's and have no issues when wheeling etc. I would stay away from the rock krawler lift , haven't heard good things on it. Jeepin by Al sells upper control arms and a 2.5, 4 and a 6inch lift for the KJ. He also has many other custom things for the KJ. All J products makes the frankenlift which is a 2.5 but usually ends up higher. I am thinking of redoing my lift either the franky or Jeepin by Al's just depends on the money situation I would love to go the 6inch but budget wise I don't see it, but who knows, Hopefully I helped ya a bit Here are a few links for ya to check out.


Jeep Liberty lift kits, Specializing in upper control arms & axle swaps

All J Products - Jeep Liberty KJ Products, ARB bumpers, Daystar, Frankenlift, Super Skid, Rancho, OME and more

 

[Chevy]

The 4" and 6" suspension kits for jeepinbyal are rediculous. My wife and I own two Chevy Colorados and I thought the 5" suspension kit for almost $2k was expensive. There is less invloved in the Jeep kit and it costs $5k

I haven't looked under the Jeep yet to see what it will take to lift it. Maybe I will get lower control arm and front diff. drop fabricated and then do the two kits I posted originally. Then I'll move on and see what it will take to do the rear. Maybe a custom 2-link with larger coils

 

[Chevy]

I really don't see any problem with putting the kits together. The jeepinbyal 6" lift is just a 6" extended coil-over for the front with new brake lines, upper arm, and steering knuckles It should work

6in Install Pictures

 

[SUPERD]

yeah they are expensive but they work and were engineered to work properly without making it an unsafe POS on the street.
I was on his site for an hour last night, he has done his homework.
the reason the price is so high is because of all the R&D he put into this, what looks good on paper & is acceptable off road doesn't always work in the real world.
hope your friend has something else to drive daily.
keep us posted

 

[Chevy]

Homework? The guy is selling a VERY basic kit for a rediculous price. Adjustable coilovers are nothing new, nor are custom 2-link setups. And they aren't that expensive either. The only reason his kits are so much is because he knows the demand isn't high and no one else makes them. If anything, even his kit isn't perfect. Look at the angle of the cv-axel on his 6" lift. It's going to tear up the boots on the axel like crazy with that angle. For that price he should have some kind of diff. drop along with a driveshaft extension.

 

[ridenby]

Have a Franky myself,works well. The front diff. is a weak link,alum.,pinion walks up ring gear busts housing. Limited to 31in. tires pretty much. You might want to check out some of the SFA conversions that have been done.

 

[Chevy]

Have a Franky myself,works well. The front diff. is a weak link,alum.,pinion walks up ring gear busts housing. Limited to 31in. tires pretty much. You might want to check out some of the SFA conversions that have been done.

Any links to something like that?

 

[ridenby]

LOST JEEPS • View forum - SFA LIBERTY Discussion

 

[SUPERD]

Homework? The guy is selling a VERY basic kit for a rediculous price. Adjustable coilovers are nothing new, nor are custom 2-link setups. And they aren't that expensive either. The only reason his kits are so much is because he knows the demand isn't high and no one else makes them. If anything, even his kit isn't perfect. Look at the angle of the cv-axel on his 6" lift. It's going to tear up the boots on the axel like crazy with that angle. For that price he should have some kind of diff. drop along with a driveshaft extension.

never said coilovers were "new", also its a 3 link rear not a 2.
he reccomends machining the cv axles for clearance, did you not pay much attention or what. I saw the angles too, this kit is mainly for bragging rights as the flex is limited by those short coilovers & CV axles up front.
upper control arms are more than just some bent tube, the angles have to be spot on or shit binds & breaks, his don't.
not trying to start an argument but lifting anything with IFS is a waste of time & money if you plan on actually wheeling it, especially with that aluminum center section.
you asked for links & advice, you got it from several people.
take it for what it is worth!

 

[Dave]

The best lift for a KJ is OME springs and Rancho shocks. That will net you 2.5". If you want to check JeepKJCountry or LOSTjeeps you will find a lot of info from people running that lift or a Frankie which is about the same thing. The KJ is pretty capable off road with that while retaining on road manners.

There are also some SFA conversions on those sites with info and height specs.

Depends on budget and what your friend wants to do but for the cost of what some have put in the SFA conversions you could just go out and buy a TJ and start with that.

Just some thoughts trying to help in your research.

Dave

 

[Chevy]

never said coilovers were "new", also its a 3 link rear not a 2.
he reccomends machining the cv axles for clearance, did you not pay much attention or what. I saw the angles too, this kit is mainly for bragging rights as the flex is limited by those short coilovers & CV axles up front.
upper control arms are more than just some bent tube, the angles have to be spot on or shit binds & breaks, his don't.
not trying to start an argument but lifting anything with IFS is a waste of time & money if you plan on actually wheeling it, especially with that aluminum center section.
you asked for links & advice, you got it from several people.
take it for what it is worth!

$4k for bragging rights? I have made control arms before, I know the process but thanks anyways. If done right, IFS can do just fine. Maybe not for a hardcore rock climber, but for a moderate to moderate+ mud slingler it works great. If I were going to design a kit for these Jeeps (from what I have seen of the suspension) It would be a MUCH better kit and it wouldn't cost near as much. Lower control arm drop, larger spindle, long-travel coilover, front diff. drop (to reduce angle on the CVs) drive shaft adapter, custom top arm with a lower ball joint mount. For the back, it would pretty much be like the jeepinbyal kit

 

[SUPERD]

IFS doesn't have a spindle, they have unit bearings & knuckles, for that matter anything since the 90's has unit bearings, solid or IFS. they did away with replaceable wheel bearings long ago.
I'm not saying that it can't be done & work, your original question was "how to do it on a budget". that can't be done!
my statement about lifting an IFS was mis worded also, I meant lifting one 6" or so was a waste of time because you will always be limited by the travel of the cv axles unless you drop the diff too then you are defeating the purpose of lifting it in the first place.

 

[Chevy]

Your logic is flawed. ALL IFS have spindles. It goes between the two arms and the rotor is mounted to to it along with the caliper and the tie rods. You know what a spindle is right? and dropping the diff to get be able to add more lift is no different than a straight axel. you get bigger tires for clearance

 

[SUPERD]

Your logic is flawed. ALL IFS have spindles. It goes between the two arms and the rotor is mounted to to it along with the caliper and the tie rods. You know what a spindle is right? and dropping the diff to get be able to add more lift is no different than a straight axel. you get bigger tires for clearance

It's called a knuckle, been called that for years if you knew what you were talking about, not trying to start an argument with you, been a mechanic since before you were born.
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=1557+10856+4294962489&Ntt=Steering knuckle
here's a link to one smart ass