Just bought a used JK (2007) - has 4" Full Traction lift with 35's. Nose was a little low and I was considering putting some spacers on the front coils to fix it. Now, I've just installed a new front bumper and it's even worse.

Measuring from the top of the tire up into to the wheel well, I get about 10" in the back and about 8" in the front. I doubt that adding 2" spacers makes sense and would likely cause driveline headaches...

Now for the questions:
1) Why would the front be low to begin with?
2) What size spacers should I use and/or how much could I get away with?
3) Are there other options without having to throw too much money at it?

Thanks in advance!

 

In my opinion I would add 1 3/4 inch daystar spacers in the front. You are only bringing the front of the jeep back to where it is supposed to be so there should not be any driveline issues that would not have been there anyway. Please remember though from the factory the JK is about 3/4" lower in the front than the back. this gives you better mileage and less wind noise. so you may want to go with 1" teraflex spacers instead.

 

Thanks for the advice...

I guess I still wonder why the lift wouldn't have set it nearly level to begin with...

It seemed much more than 3/4" low in the front before I ever changed out the bumper.

Any other Full Traction lift owners out there that can comment? Is that kit designed to set things level front to back?

 

That is a good question. Most lifts are designed to remove the rake and set the jeep level. If you are lifting the jeep you are much more likely to want the better looks of a level jeep than the .25 to .5 mpg advantage of the factory rake.

Is your jeep a 2-door? Unlimiteds are much heavier in the back end.

In my opinion I would think the springs are either the wrong spring rate for the lift (someone grabbed the wrong springs when they put the parts in the box) or they are sagging under the load.

I have had both a teraflex 2.5" coil lift and 4" coil lift on my jeep and the springs on both are strong enough to have a heavy bumper + winch on the front and both lifts still kept it level.

 

It's a 4 door...

My understanding from the previous owner was that they had some issues with the steering damper bracket breaking off of the axle. After getting it "tacked" back on once only to break again and then have someone try to sell them $1500 of axle upgrade / repairs - they instead chose to go back to the shop that did the original work of putting it on in the first place (Screaming Lizards in Fort Worth).

For less than $500, they fixed it once and for all. Problem is - I don't know what all they did and if they ended up changing out any lift components.

I just don't want to end up getting into that problem again - but I don't think I will...

BTW - the sag from the new bumper is slight. The rake wasn't all that good to begin with...

 

I would suggest calling SLC in fort worth and seeing what they did. I am sure they would be happy to help, and could tell you what they did to fix the problem in the first place, and what action to take in leveling the jeep.

 

The rake is there for reasons from the factory. The only reason to remove it is for looks not function. We did not change this with the lift kits. The rake is normal.

We do sell a heavy duty coil for the front for after market bumpers and winch. If looks is all your after you can install a spacer in the front but you need to add longer bump stops. If you don't add longer bump stops it will over compress the coil and damage it. Then it will sag.

Check out Lunatic customs in your area. Gerry knows our lifts very well and knows how to fix problems on your steering dampener. He's on the forum as well.

 

You guys are the best. Thanks for all the advice!

I'll make some calls and see which route to take.

Thanks!

 

talk about good service!!!

 

No lie! I wish I could purchase all of my goods from this forum!!