"changing" from whats installed now? or change from what you ordered?

 

From what's ordered. You do raise a good point though. When I originally created this thread before Metalcloak kindly let me put my order on hold. Since the order is on hold I can call and see if excluding their springs from the kit is an option. They originally told me I could only exclude one item from the kit when I asked for the kit minus a few things (I'm going with an IRO's double shear trackbar). Worst case I'll have them leave out the Coils and just run their track bar.

 

IDK Fred, I don't think there's anything wrong with the lift kit as it is. I have it installed, and the rear end isn't too much higher than the front. It's really close to level with a full tank of gas, and just a hair above that when empty.

Once I install a rear bumper with tire carrier, it'll level out really nicely. If I'm not happy with the level down the road, I have the option of removing a leaf and using extended shackles to bridge the difference.

Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to buy this lift again if I had to go back and start over from the beginning. That's just my $0.02 though.

Scott

 

That's good to know. All the reports I've read of those rear springs (OME CS033RB) has them at over 4" settled. I guess I'll just have to find out.

I've been torn between that kit and a quasi low COG build for months. I normally don't buy "kits" and piece together my own setups. However, that kit has the control arms I want, shocks, and springs.

Jeep Driver made an excellent point. If I can get that kit without their coils, and get the OME 1.75" instead I'd be set. With the OME springs and spacers I can dial in the front where I want it.

I don't mind the *** being higher than the front. I just don't want a 4"+ lifted jeep or a squatting jeep lol.

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Fortunately I'm not committed to this kit like I thought I was. This thread has inadvertently helped me narrow down what I'm really looking for with my suspension build.

 

Add a winch

 

No not a " hodgepodge" of items but a higher quality of the items the YOU want instead of a kit made for everyone. Do your research, with knowledge comes better decisions by far. I knew very little about Jeeps till 5 yrs ago when I bought my first one but a long automotive background.


I spent 6 mo reading here before I joined and then bought my first XJ. It was here through others with long periods of time here that guided me on products and through my own research of them that helped me to just buy once and not over and over.


Rule #1 never listen to anyone that tells you about a product that hasn't owned one ever and if they were so bad/great ask them compared to what. Then for a bad product ask for photos of it, I have asked for this at least a hundred times and have ever to see a single one.


Do yourself a favor and study on this longer.


BTW last here at home the AC went out it was a central heat/cool high efficiency unit that I had installed when I built this house in 1992. So made the decision to replace entire unit these are never planned on costs so I feel your pain on the electrical.

 

That's good advice Fred. However, I have a feeling my "odd" questions and indecisiveness give a false impression of the amount of research I've done. I've spent 20-30 hours a week for 4-5 months researching this suspension (sadly that is not an exaggeration...It's been slow at work lol).

I built my first car from the shell of a 240sx when I was 16 and have been building fast cars ever since. This is my first venture into the realm of 4x4 and as you know it's a whole new ball game.

My hodgepodge comment was regarding the spring rates and could be my performance car bias. For example, I would think that OME coils, Leafs and shocks would have better matched spring rates AND shock valving than a mix of components. No?

With performance cars data is everywhere regarding valving, rebound, and spring rates. I've have a list of front coil rates for Cherokees but am lacking the rest of the data needed to find the right match.


I'm not some dumb *** looking for a kit to slap on and call good.

I was going to assemble my own suspension and have a spreadsheet with 5 separate suspension combinations I've spec'd out. That MetalCloak kit is very close to several of the build's I've spec'd out and save me a ton of money.

Let's walk through the Metalcloak kit:

Shocks: The OME long travel shocks have a great track record and aren't much more than the the 5100's. If I were to piece together a kit I'd go with these or 5100's.

Leafs: Same as above, OME has a great track record, I dont have the funds to test a ton of setups. If I were to piece together a kit I'd get these.

Coils: The Metalcloak dual rate design makes sense and seems superior to running a spacer with a shorter coil (as would be the case with an OME coil at anything over 1.75").

Control Arms: I spent over a week researching control arms alone. Metalcloak's duraflex busing seems far superior to any johnny joint or a standard bushing setup from an engineering perspective.

Track Bar: This will be excluded from the kit as I'm planning to run the Iron Rock double shear.

Sway bar disconnects: I'd prefer JKS from their reviews but the Metalcloak ones look like they'll do the job

Bumpstops: The Metalcloak kit comes with adjustable bump stops that are nicer than the **** I'd buy piecing together my own kit.

Other stuff: F&R brake lines, leaf srping bushings, and U bolts are all included.

$1650 shipped is ~$300 less than than the cost of a similar pieced together builds I've spec'd out (shipped), and that's with the DIY builds having inferior control arms, brake lines, and bump stops. THIS is why I like this kit.


This "Kit" if I choose to proceed would end up as follows:

Shocks: OME Long Travel
Leafs: OME CS033RB
Coils: Metalcloak dual rate or OME with spacers
Control Arms: Metalcloak
Track Bar: Iron Rock double shear
Sway bar disconnects:Metalcloak
Bumpstops: Metalcloak adjustable (without removing)
Shackle Relocation: Liquid Iron No lift with stock shackles
Upper Control Arm Bushings: MOOG
SYE: Iron Rock HD with with drive shaft (the same driveshaft can be reused when I switch from my D35 to Ford 8.8)
Pinion Shims: Iron Rock

From the research I've done, and I think most would agree, that is a bad *** build.

I'm wanting a ~2.5" lift front and ~3" lift rear. I started this thread to see if it was possible to get the front closer to 2.5" with the 3.5" Metalcloak coils. The reason being their coils extend superbly (wont come unseated at flex) and are a good match for the long travel shocks. I wast sure If there were lower profile spring isolators or ways to modify the mounts. No one has answered this yet. The CS033RB Leafs are the OME 2.5" AND The 3.5" leaf. They were designed to be modular and have a leaf removed to get the height wanted. I'm not ripping a leaf from a pack that's not designed and tested to do so. In reality the leafs give either a ~3" or ~4" lift. ~3" is exactly what I'm looking for. I can add the leaf back if I need to offset a rear bumper tire carrier, same with spacers in the front.

Hopefully this explains my position better. Thanks again for your continued input.

 

That's a lot of cash for a short arm kit. But, looks decent.

 

Dual-rate coils always are. He's got top-tier suspension parts. You'll always pay more for those.

 

At least your rig won't look like mine. Still trying to find a good time to lift the front. 2in front, zone 3in leaf and 1in shackle on rear (5in. net).

 

So your front is already lifted 2" or you will be lifting it 2" so it will still have a reverse rake?

 

I bought her with a 2in bb with blocks and spacers. I got a zone 4.5 lit kit and have only installed the rear springs and shocks....and an the sye. The front is still at 2. Haven't touched it yet. I have the 4.5 springs and other stuff waiting for my day off.

 

The stock spring isolaters are the thinnest available at 5/8" - 3/4"..

Coil mount modification would be too much effort for what would be gained..

A coil that has been cut will not seat well in the coil bucket, the last wind is flattened out to fit the flat base of bucket.

BDS has 7-leaf springs that are 3.5" lift and also designed to have a leaf removed for tuning.
I had Skyjacker soft-ride leaf springs but they were too soft and the jeep would 'dance' when in the rough stuff.

The pumpkin on the 8.8 axle is large and hangs low. On 31" tires, I understand it can drag when offroading.

 

LOL!!!