Close

  • 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. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by HavD55 View Post
      what is really the difference between a lift and leveling kit? because the level kit says it still jacks the back up about an inch.
      The RK will be taller. You will get 2 inches in the front, and 1 inch in the back, (over rubicon height)

      If your truck is not a rubi, you will get more lift from where you are....

      Leveling - keeps same basic height, and brings up the nose. "level" but not look stupid with your stock tires. The inch will not be a drastic change

      Lift- This is to fit larger tires. Will level, and lift, and still look ok with Rubi tires, at a minimum. More noticable change.
    1. HavD55's Avatar
      HavD55 -
      Hey thanks a lot a lot of info to take in.. But I'll probably wood up going the rk route. The tri rate springs just seem so badass. Now I'll have to wait until my stock jku ugly tire wear lol so I can replace them
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      buy the new tires and sell the stockers. I got my 33's for $544 for a set of 4 then sold the stockers and bought my matching spare.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      buy the new tires and sell the stockers. I got my 33's for $544 for a set of 4 then sold the stockers and bought my matching spare.
      Good Advice. It takes a LONG time to wear out tires. who can wait for that?... Craigslist
    1. HavD55's Avatar
      HavD55 -
      I plan to upgrade soon. But the stock rims will rub with bigger wider tires so I plan on upgrading the rims with a 4.5 vs but that's gonna hurt the wallet
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      With my 285/75-16 Rocky Mountain ATS II's I only have a very minor rub at full lock to the left on my sway bar. Hopefully in a week or two I can post a pic of how they look with the 1.5" coils.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Finally got my RK 1.5" triple rate coils installed with Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I played around with the shock settings and have found 3 in front and 2 in the rear seems to be a good balance for my current setup. Overall ride is improved with large bumps on the highway being soaked up easily. I choose to go with just the coils and shocks for now to save a little money. The geometry is all within factory specification, at least according to the dealer that did the install and alignment, had to turn it over as I am currently suffering from a messed up knee. For a budget minded setup it is a great way to go. Plus with the Rancho $100 rebate it came in below my budget. Now for what everyone wants Pics.

      The before


      After






    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Looks great!

      What's next? Chop the flares and go to 37s?
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Probably, just a front bumper and winch for now. I don't see me going to 37's with this setup, but maybe 35's after this set wears out, and a set of flat tube fenders. I must say after dialing in the shocks for highway driving I am loving this setup.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Well others have asked elsewhere and while this may duplicate some information across the different forums I figured someone might ask about measurements.

      Ok, got some measurements from as level of ground as I could find.

      Front

      Driver side center of hub to bottom of fender 23 1/4". Ground to bottom of fender 38"

      Passenger side center of hub to bottom of fender 22 1/2". Ground to bottom of fender 37 1/2".

      Rear

      Driver side center of hub to bottom of fender 22 1/2". Ground to bottom of fender 37 1/2".

      Passenger side center of hub to bottom of fender 22 1/2". Ground to bottom of fender 37 3/4".

      Not certain what caused the difference with the front of 3/4", but the rear appeared to be a change in the pavement surface for a curb, but my tape measure wasn't touching the curb on the front just at the rear tire. I hope that helps. I am going to measure a co-workers jeep that is a stock sport JKU with sport S tire and wheels. He had 18/59 springs as opposed to my stock 16/58. Prior to the install of the RK coils and with my 285/75-16's from the ground to the lower part of the front fender his was 1 1/2" taller than mine. I am going to try and get a picture side by side.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Changed my front shock setting to 2 and it made street driving very plush with good control.
    1. chetsnuts's Avatar
      chetsnuts -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      Finally got my RK 1.5" triple rate coils installed with Rancho RS9000XL shocks....
      May I ask what size Rancho shocks you ended up choosing? 29 & 30?

      My springs are on the way and I want to order the shocks before the rebate ends at the end of June, but I can't find a clear winner for the best size. It seems like some choose smaller than the 29/30 combo.

      Thanks!
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      You are correct 29/30 is what I am running. I am running a 1 inch bump stop extension up front.
    1. chetsnuts's Avatar
      chetsnuts -
      Thanks, that's what I was hoping.
    1. RulerZigzag's Avatar
      RulerZigzag -
      [QUOTE=ljvsnyder;1843]Finally got my RK 1.5" triple rate coils installed with Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I played around with the shock settings and have found 3 in front and 2 in the rear seems to be a good balance for my current setup. Overall ride is improved with large bumps on the highway being soaked up easily. I choose to go with just the coils and shocks for now to save a little money. The geometry is all within factory specification, at least according to the dealer that did the install and alignment, had to turn it over as I am currently suffering from a messed up knee. For a budget minded setup it is a great way to go. Plus with the Rancho $100 rebate it came in below my budget. Now for what everyone wants Pics.

      After



      i just got a set of these springs and Bilstein 5100s. what else did you need for the instal? longer brake lines? longer sway bar discos?
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      [QUOTE=RulerZigzag;2153]
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      Finally got my RK 1.5" triple rate coils installed with Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I played around with the shock settings and have found 3 in front and 2 in the rear seems to be a good balance for my current setup. Overall ride is improved with large bumps on the highway being soaked up easily. I choose to go with just the coils and shocks for now to save a little money. The geometry is all within factory specification, at least according to the dealer that did the install and alignment, had to turn it over as I am currently suffering from a messed up knee. For a budget minded setup it is a great way to go. Plus with the Rancho $100 rebate it came in below my budget. Now for what everyone wants Pics.

      After



      i just got a set of these springs and Bilstein 5100s. what else did you need for the instal? longer brake lines? longer sway bar discos?
      We didnt change the brake lines, And we didnt change the disconnects.

      I would change the disconnects however. Make sure they are quick release.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      Rulerzigzag nothing other than the springs and shocks. I am debating between a torsion sway bar and regular disconnects, but since I am not really pushing her right now the stock sway bar links are fine and still within acceptable specification, according to my Jeep dealer. I do plan on building up to a full flex system in the future with larger tires and flat fenders. It is true what they say that once you are bitten by the mod bug you cannot stop. On another note I was parked next to a JKU while on vacation running a budget 3" system and 35's. I sat nearly as high, with maybe an 1 inch difference in overall height.
    1. WhiteRavenRR's Avatar
      WhiteRavenRR -
      Your lift will settle in over time. It also makes a difference with any aftermarket armor that may be added. That will bring any lift down to it's advertised height.
    1. ljvsnyder's Avatar
      ljvsnyder -
      No settling as of yet that I can tell, the rear has a smittybilt src bumper and full size spare. I have about 4000 miles on the lift now, with 2200 or so miles with her loaded down with the full family (4 ladies and myself) and their accompanying luggage. Wish I would have measured the lift with everything in it, but didn't think about it. I will say on the long trip it handled well. Part of the trip was going through the Great Smokey Mountains. I drove this pre lift and tires earlier in the year, and can say there was noticeable performance difference. She tended to want to run in 4th gear going up hill a lot more than she did without the lift and tires. The corners were a breeze, without any extra body roll. I will try to remeasure at the same location I did before to let you all know if there has been any settling of the springs.
    1. RulerZigzag's Avatar
      RulerZigzag -
      Quote Originally Posted by ljvsnyder View Post
      Rulerzigzag nothing other than the springs and shocks. I am debating between a torsion sway bar and regular disconnects, but since I am not really pushing her right now the stock sway bar links are fine and still within acceptable specification, according to my Jeep dealer. I do plan on building up to a full flex system in the future with larger tires and flat fenders. It is true what they say that once you are bitten by the mod bug you cannot stop. On another note I was parked next to a JKU while on vacation running a budget 3" system and 35's. I sat nearly as high, with maybe an 1 inch difference in overall height.

      thanks for the info. i found some spings with low mileage for $200. Rivercityoffroad has a pretty good deal on any of there kits with Bilstein 5100s as well. cant make a decision on which route to go since i do plan on going bigger down the round
    Untitled Document