Lifting the KK

[zombie J]

Hi all,

I am considering lifting my KK.

However, other than increasing ground clearance, what else does the Mopar Lift or CRDSTU lift kit do to the KK? I've heard conflicting outcomes of ride, handling and fuel economy, so if anyone could help clarify, that would be fantastic!

nb: assume no change in stock tires

1. Ride quality - improves or worsens?
2. Handling - better or worse?
3. Fuel consumption - worse?
4. Wheel travel - better yes?
5. Any other outcomes?

Cheers.

Zombie J
KK Ltd 3.7 | Silver and totally chromed

[sssadamsss]

The more you spend and the lower you stay, the better the result.

[Mikzor]

I have the Mopar lift, had it installed on my new KK at the 1000k inspection and have done about an additional 6k on the new lift. I love it and that with a decent set of tyres you really improve the capability and looks of your KK!

CRDStu also does fantastic work so be sure to check him out too!
http://www.murchisonproducts.com.au/

1. Ride quality - improves or worsens?
On daily tarmac driving you could argue the ride worsens slightly. The springs are stiffer so you do feel the bumps a little more than the spongy default springs. It's not enough to annoy me though and after having a lifted TJ Wrangler in the past it's nowhere near as bad as that was and certainly something I was expecting going into it.
Edit - After swapping the stock 18" rims and tyres to a set of 16"s with 245/70 tyres the ride quality has improved greatly. The stock low profile tyres felt like they were made out of concrete compared to now.

2. Handling - better or worse?
Better - Stiffer means you can corner like a dream and the body roll is reduced significantly. Steering has been fine and I don't get any pull left or right hitting a bump at speed.

3. Fuel consumption - worse?
No Difference - Well none that I noticed. I still get 12.1L-12.5L (Petrol) per 100km driving my highway to work each day.

4. Wheel travel - better yes?
Better, but don't expect to be rock crawling But with a lift you'll have a lot more fun on the tracks and feel a damn lot safer clearing those ruts and obstructions!!!

5. Any other outcomes?
If you're even considering taking you're KK off-road then a lift is a no-brainer... go get it. We're way too low off the showroom floor at 190mm and NEED the lift to get out there and start eating up those tracks!

You can see my post and photos comparing my cars stock suspension to the new heights of my lift here when I first got it.
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...d.php?t=112627

[zombie J]

Thanks for the responses.

Mikzor, I am blown away by the pics of your lifted KK... makes me want to get it done right away!

Good to know that fuel economy does not suffer, and handling improves. But poorer ride... Can't get everything I guess eh?

But according to Stu's website, it says KK's lack general damping, and that his lift kit would fix this. Given my lack of knowledge of physics, higher damping would result in better ride comfort/quality?? Or am I reading this wrongly?

[VladKK]

Hey Zombie_J welcome on board. The KK is a pretty capable machine for offroading, and without a lift, you'll be dragging ur belly all over the place. The stock standard height is definatelly not enough. I have had the CRDSTUs lift intalled now for about 50,000kms and could not be any happier. The handling i get on the blacktop is far better then before and offroad, the flex you get out of it is pretty decent for a 2" lift. Anyways the answeres to your questions...

1. Ride quality - improves or worsens?
Heaps better, both on and off road, even driving over speed hums is more better and smoother.
2. Handling - better or worse?
Taking the corners, roundabouts and such definatelly gives you less body roll, hence much safer.
3. Fuel consumption - worse?
Couldnt see any difference at all. Well except when i chuck the muddies on, tends to drink a little bit more.
4. Wheel travel - better yes?
Heaps better in the ruts.
5. Any other outcomes?
If you're seriusly looking at taking it off road, definatelly get a lift, but i would also recommend the skid plates as well, it gives you that protection and peace of mind of doing less damage underneath, just in case you pick the wrong line.

Hopefully that helps out. Check out my garage for some pics.

Cheers Vlad...

[Digger]

Hi Zombie,
I have had the CRD STU lift onboard since early March. Put about 4000 kms on it since then. I highly recommend it, it changes the whole dynamics of the vehicle and generally makes it a far better ride in all respects.

1. Ride quality - far better, live rear axle less twitchy on corrugations?

2. Handling - far better, more setlled, sits flatter in bends. No body roll unlike before.

3. Fuel consumption - same as far as I can tell

4. Wheel travel - much more travel available than stock.

5. Any other outcomes? -Yes - Confidence you are not about to lose your sump or diff on a tiny rock sticking out of the track.

I have just come back from two days out around Lithgow and took an otherwise stock KK up some tracks which previously I would not have been confident of travelling on. One particular section was about 150mtrs of continuous deep ruts. I did not bottom out at all with judicious wheel placement. Before I would have backed up and not gone there at all. Someone mentioned flex and I too had a situation with one wheel in the air and three others on the track - it pulled through quite effortlessly without so much as a creak or scratch.
I highly recommend the CRD Stu lift - none better imop.
Digger

[zombie J]

Thanks for your thoughts, Vlad + Digger.

By the way Vlad, awesome pics of your awesome machine.

It looks like the CRDSTU lift is the way to go. Did you guys run into warranty issues getting the CRDSTU lift done? The only advantage of going with the mopar lift, from how I see it, is not to void the warranty on the vehicle?

[Van]

Doesn't matter which kit you buy, I don't think it affect the warranty. But choose the cheapest one because the quality is same. Cost beetween $1200 to $1300 including labour.No more than that.

[VladKK]

Originally Posted by zombie J

Thanks for your thoughts, Vlad + Digger.

By the way Vlad, awesome pics of your awesome machine.

It looks like the CRDSTU lift is the way to go. Did you guys run into warranty issues getting the CRDSTU lift done? The only advantage of going with the mopar lift, from how I see it, is not to void the warranty on the vehicle?

No warranty issues for me thus far. The CRDSTU kit includes a very well known brand parts so shouldnt have any issues. Obviously the dealer wont warrant the suspension, but everything else should be fine. Check with your local dealer to be sure, but they will most likely recommend the Mopar lift. At the end of the day, it's your call mate.

Cheers Vlad...

[Digger]

No warranty issues with the CRD STU lift at all Zombie. As some will have read my KK was in the dealership for about 5 weeks recently. They were very interested in the lift and asked where it came from. I gave them the details but have no idea if they followed it up at all.

[btalyor218]

Here's my 2 cents....

1. Ride quality - improves or worsens?
I didn't notice any change, but I've always though the ride is very good.
2. Handling - better or worse?
It is amazing how much better it is, especially when cornering. The stock springs must have been made out of sponge!
3. Fuel consumption - worse?
I can't really comment, cause I changed the tyres at the same time, and have a bar. But I don't think it was good to start with
4. Wheel travel - better yes?
Yes, but again, I have bigger tyres
5. Any other outcomes?
Just the confidence when off roading. Not bottoming out tends to puff out your chest a little bit

Also in regards to the worries people have with the warranty, this is strait out of the 'Service and Warranty hadbook' for the KK;

"8. Modifications that will or may void your Warranty

In the event that (a) non-Chrysler approved "lift-kits" are fitted to the suspension of your vehicle; (b) Non-Chrysler approved suspension, driveline, engine or steering modifications are fitted to your vehicle; (c) non-original specification tyre rims are fitted to your vehicle, then the warranty will not cover these unauthorised after-market modifications or components or part of the vehicle that are damaged or need to be repaired as a direct or indirect result of the fitment or operation of the unauthorised after-market modification will void your warranty"

In plain engrish - Chrysler won't warrant the after-market lifts, or take responsibilty of the damage caused by the after-market lifts kits. The rest of the warranty is unchanged.

I sometimes chuckle when I hear people say that lifting the car will void the entire warranty. Imagine taking your car to the dealer saying the radio has stopped working, and the response you get is 'sorry, that's not a mopar lift, so we can't fix your radio under warranty'.

[chase]

After seeing Ben T's KK around a bit and purchasing a rather large upgrade to the girlfriends ring finger I finally ordered my lift off Stu.
I did a lot of research and no not all lifts are the same. Stu's lift seems to offer the right length components in the rear and a level ride with the right dampening up front.
Stu fielded quite a few calls and emails from me and was always happy to give me his time and all the information I wanted.
Looking forward to getting it delivered and installing it in the next few weeks.
I'll let you know my thoughts after a shake down run in a few weeks.

[VladKK]

Originally Posted by chase

After seeing Ben T's KK around a bit and purchasing a rather large upgrade to the girlfriends ring finger I finally ordered my lift off Stu.
I did a lot of research and no not all lifts are the same. Stu's lift seems to offer the right length components in the rear and a level ride with the right dampening up front.
Stu fielded quite a few calls and emails from me and was always happy to give me his time and all the information I wanted.
Looking forward to getting it delivered and installing it in the next few weeks.
I'll let you know my thoughts after a shake down run in a few weeks.

Well done chase, you wont be disappointed one bit.

Be sure to post some before and after pics of your rig.

Cheers Vlad...

[CRDSTU]

Originally Posted by Van

Doesn't matter which kit you buy, I don't think it affect the warranty. But choose the cheapest one because the quality is same. Cost beetween $1200 to $1300 including labour.No more than that.

Incorrect.

Quality is not the same by a long shot. Ours is certainly premium in quality and engineering. We have MORE front and rear wheel travel and in the front out we have less top out than the Mopar Kit.

Coil Material is different, spring rates are different, shocks are VERY different in valving and quality - OURS IS ALL AUSTRALIAN MADE and coils come with our LIFETIME WARRANTY.

We also install this kit quite often for the Jeep Dealerships at the customer's request of which the dealer's have no problem's with as the ride height is similar.

Thank's for some of your uneducated internet generalising..........

[Carlos-Notlaw]

I've had the CRD STU lift on for two weeks and its made a vast difference to the car. It was fitted in Melbourne by Double Black Off Road. There's an instant difference to the on road manners of the car less sway, pitch and roll on the tarmac.

Off Road the KK with STU's lift is very capable and took us places on the holiday weekend I didn't think possible. The car also handles loads much better, the heavy duty rear springs minimise drop that the standard set up couldn't.

After reading the opinions on this site and from DBOR plus my own experiences I am sure the CRD STU is the way to go.

And finally it looks great, photos to be posted.

[Carlos-Notlaw]

Before and after lift pics.