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  • Rock Krawler 1.5" Spring Budget Build

    When this all started, There was no 1.5" spring available for the our jeeps.

    There is a sweet spot for this level spring for people who are trying to do certain things with their trucks, but are not trying to go nuts with them.

    You can build a very cool jeep without spending a lot of money and in this thread we are going to show you how.

    Here is a picture of Black Betty, who's mods are out of control and beside her is "Lola"



    Lola is a Sport. Her owner has taken the first step by replacing her tires with the stock rubicon tires BFG KM 25575r17.

    So she's starting to look a little meaner, next we are going to put her 1.5'' RK springs in.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Rock Krawler 1.5" Spring Budget Build started by JeepLab View original post
    Comments 84 Comments
    1. Tommy Boy's Avatar
      Tommy Boy -
      Looking forward to seeing it!
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Frank The Tank View Post
      1.5" Rock Krawler springs are hopefully going on this Sunday!
      Thats the goal. We need to figure out if our jack can lift the truck high enough to release the tension on the current springs, and then we can stick the new RK springs right in.

      The current shocks should be ok for the time being.
    1. Frank The Tank's Avatar
      Frank The Tank -
      Quote Originally Posted by JeepLab View Post
      Thats the goal. We need to figure out if our jack can lift the truck high enough to release the tension on the current springs, and then we can stick the new RK springs right in.

      The current shocks should be ok for the time being.
      Turns out the jack was enough, thanks to Pete for his wisdom and balls to do these springs.
    1. Frank The Tank's Avatar
      Frank The Tank -
      Attachment 309

      Here is the before shot of Lola, pre-lift
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      So the plan with this build was to keep it on a budget.

      The question was, what do we have that we can keep?

      answer - flares, wheels, tires, shocks,

      We wanted to keep from changing one thing, that forced us to change EVERYTHING. Enter the RK 1.5 springs.

      By using these springs, we could keep the upper and lower control arms, trackbars, even the shocks dont NEED to be changed right away. It allows the budget to recover before making the next move.

      The tires are the 255/75r17 Rubi Stock tires, so they are aggressive enough for now.

      Attachment 310

      Attachment 311

      The first step was lifting the truck far enough to release the spring. We tried to avoid disconnecting as much as possible but in the end, Shock, swaybar link, all had to be disconnected to get the droop necessary to change the spring.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here is a shot with the first spring in, but everything else disconnected

      Attachment 315

      Really a pretty easy install and the results were very good for the investment.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here is the "before" measurement

      Attachment 328

      Here is the "after" measurement

      Attachment 327

      It looks like we gained about 3 inches in the front, but this truck really has no extra weight on it, and a new spring will settle a little, It will probably end up being more like a little more than 2 inches before a steel front bumper.
    1. Tommy Boy's Avatar
      Tommy Boy -
      Came out Great!
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here's the rear. No spring... then... spring

      Attachment 349

      Attachment 350
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here is a shot of the RK springs
      Attachment 351

      Here is a shot of the RK spring next to the stock rear spring
      Attachment 352
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Here is a shot us loosening our brake line so we can droop the rear far enough to get the coil in.

      Attachment 360

      And us using the high lift to get the rear up high enough to place the spring. THIS IS NOT WHAT A HIGH LIFT JACK IS FOR. Do not get under a truck you jack up like this. Its a risky move. I become a safety officer when things are jacked up, having been under a truck with a jack that failed once. The only reason we did this was because we were not taking the tire off.

      Attachment 361

      In retrospect. We should have used the standard jack with a secondary jack under the rear axle, and took the tire off, and lowered the axle to the ground with no wheel or tire.

      It would have worked to release the tension on the spring.
    1. Pznivy's Avatar
      Pznivy -
      is there a clear before and after coming? I love this low cog builds.

      Once installed you need to twist it.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Pznivy View Post
      is there a clear before and after coming? I love this low cog builds.

      Once installed you need to twist it.
      Ask and ye shall receive....

      Before
      Attachment 392

      After
      Attachment 393
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      This change really did come out good.

      The springs we took out had seen their day. The stock shocks work with the 1.5 springs, but are on the list of stuff to upgrade later. With this kind of build you really can take your time. You could drive this truck as it is forever. You dont NEED to change shocks or tires, or wheels, but later when you get the itch, or want to put a winch on, your springs can handle the weight.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Talked to the trucks owner, and the review was that the ride change was fantastic.

      Now we have to wheel it.
    1. Pznivy's Avatar
      Pznivy -
      Lets get this thing dirty and show us how it climbs. Does this suspension offer any off road benefit? Or is it just drivability and its weight holding capability?

      I ask because you didn't change the control arms or shocks. So even with the harder springs, I don't think this truck as any more articulation.

      Correct?
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Pznivy View Post
      Lets get this thing dirty and show us how it climbs. Does this suspension offer any off road benefit? Or is it just drivability and its weight holding capability?

      I ask because you didn't change the control arms or shocks. So even with the harder springs, I don't think this truck as any more articulation.

      Correct?
      Longer shocks would allow for further droop. That will be the next step
    1. Frank The Tank's Avatar
      Frank The Tank -
      I agree time to get Lola dirty
    1. Yoinkers's Avatar
      Yoinkers -
      If we cut those flares.... Could we fit 37s in and still wheel?

      Im lift shopping...
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Yoinkers View Post
      If we cut those flares.... Could we fit 37s in and still wheel?

      Im lift shopping...
      No, you are not getting 37s into the 1.5" lift. There is just not enough room for that size tire to articulate. Could you drive on the road like that? Sure...

      You could also put 22s on your jeep. Same issues.
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