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Post by LibertyFever on May 8, 2008 6:25:34 GMT -5
Well I'm not going to give my Libby a cute name, its simply the "Libby". I don't know why people name them, except of course when the break down. Then the Jeep is often called...well...something profane. Like Johnny I have a few projects planned for my Libby. - a cheap spacer lift to install
- Paul's rims & 30 x 9.5 tires
- a Surco roof rack
- trail lamps for the roof rack
A future project will have to be gas tank skid plate. My gas tank already has a couple of dents ;D
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Post by lostkj on May 8, 2008 14:35:43 GMT -5
I think I paid 130 for my gas tank skid here at bayside ... (whatever the book said minus 10-15$)
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Post by LibertyFever on May 10, 2008 16:53:50 GMT -5
Well I've been anxious to get my lift on my Jeep but I didn't want to occupy Paul's time. He's still trying to get his Jeep back together. So I began the lift with the rear axle. It seemed like an easy job, pull off the wheels, drop the axle & slip the new spacers under the stock coils. I had to drop the axles all the way to the ground & jack up the frame to get the coils out. yes I know I need new brake rotors... I don't remember anywhere in the instructions that they recommend using a spring compressor but believe my it was necessary to fit the stock coil back in place on top of the new coil seat. Guess which coil seat is the stock one. It wasn't easy getting the shocks on either. I had to lower the axle to the ground & lack the frame up in the air until the bolts lined up. Now, the results. Before the lift I measured 32" from the top of the rear wheel well to the ground. Now I measure 33 1/2" from the top of the rear wheel well to the ground. Sure its not the 2.5" you would expect but it sure looks nice. I don't like the feel of the new shocks, the ride is "bouncy". Maybe I can use it for an excuse to buy a set of BDS shocks. Or better yet a set of air ride shocks for towing. I still plan to use the Libby for a tow vehicle. Maybe tomorrow I'll get the front spacers on. Oh, one last thing. When I bought this lift kit I thought it was a Rusty's Offroad lift however the carton it came in doesn't have a name on it. I suspect it may be a "knock off" Rusty's Offroad kit. The shocks were made in Mexico.
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Post by onecooldude on May 10, 2008 18:21:02 GMT -5
probably a rusty lot of shock made in mexico
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Post by LibertyFever on May 11, 2008 9:12:47 GMT -5
Well I pulled the front tires off of the Libby and read over the instructions a couple of times and studied the Libby's IFS and decided its not something to try in the driveway, any driveway. I'm going to have to take it to a garage. Its simply too difficult & dangerous. With the nuts off the top of the strut it still won't drop out. If I can't get it out I won't ever get it back in. Putting in a spacer lift in a TJ is simple in comparison because of it's flat axle. With IFS the coil spring is under tension and can't easily be removed without dismantling the entire control arm assembly.
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Post by onecooldude on May 11, 2008 15:58:14 GMT -5
remove the nut on the bottom of 15, the spring is held on the shock by14 and 21, then remove the 4 nut on 21 and pull the shock out, bolt the spacer and reinstall the shock , the spring will stay put... garantied
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Post by LibertyFever on May 18, 2008 7:32:31 GMT -5
Well I got the rest of the 2.5" lift installed on my Libby and the Surco roof basket & trail lamps. Now all I need are bigger tires and maybe more lamps Okay, maybe not 33's ;D I decided to take the Libby to a local garage to have them put the front spacer on top of the shock strut and do the front end alignment. I simply couldn't get the strut out. I can't imagine trying to get it back in with the spacer. It was worth the $186. Besides a small noise with one of the rear shocks the ride is the same. Yesterday we did a small stock trail in Quebec and there were some concerning noises underneath and the transmission overtemp lamp came on. I'll have to take a look the Libby and see where it came from.
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Post by lostkj on May 18, 2008 10:21:46 GMT -5
I'm Jealous! ... Guess I give Rogs another call ... I want my OME lift kit ...
I realy Like the roof rack ... tempting to get one ... but first is finish lift and skids ... then tires ... then well... the long list of parts ... and needing more money ... haha
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Post by LibertyFever on May 18, 2008 13:32:12 GMT -5
Sorry Johnny, I didn't mean to make you jealous My lift was cheap & quick to install. Your's is a better quality lift Johnny. Is Rog & Ron's going to put it in for you? The rear axle could be done in the driveway but I don't think the front can be. I think the front coil spring is just too small to fit a spring compressor around. Brand new Surco roof basket are about $350 so you might want to watch for a used one. I thought of fabricating one but it just wouldn't look as good.
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Post by LibertyFever on Jun 25, 2008 8:09:35 GMT -5
I've learned a lot after putting a Rusty's Offroad lift kit on my Libby. Because the Rusty's kit puts a metal spacer on top of my strut it can stress the OEM strut (my front struts have failed ). A Daystar lift would involve a poly spacer under the strut and thus not stress the strut. Right now because my vehicle inspection is due shortly I'll have the OEM shocks replaced with OEM and shop around for a Daystar lift, some proper Rancho shocks, 31" tires and more skidplates. I've got to get over my fears of "pinstriping".
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Post by lostkj on Jun 25, 2008 10:48:09 GMT -5
I've got to get over my fears of "pinstriping".
You see my libby up close? you will see pinstriping - not all from the woods either ...lol
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