Hey everyone! I just installed a leveling kit on my wife’s 2018 Laredo and while it looks much better, we are wanting more. As the title says, can a loaded strut assembly be added to the front with the leveling spacers to achieve more lift? Obviously rear will be brought up too if front can be done. I know after adding the leveling spacers, the geometry/angles of the front suspension look virtually unchanged and it’s 2 wheel dig so no worries about CV angles. It looks to me like 2.5” lift loaded strut could safely be added but wanted some others thoughts.
Leveling spacers plus loaded struts
Spanky9
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Hey everyone! I just installed a leveling kit on my wife’s 2018 Laredo and while it looks much better, we are wanting more. As the title says, can a loaded strut assembly be added to the front with the leveling spacers to achieve more lift? Obviously rear will be brought up too if front can be done. I know after adding the leveling spacers, the geometry/angles of the front suspension look virtually unchanged and it’s 2 wheel dig so no worries about CV angles. It looks to me like 2.5” lift loaded strut could safely be added but wanted some others thoughts.
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There are several lift threads about, don't recall one talking 2WD, however. I don't think there is anything different about the 2WD suspension, but vendors probably don't list parts for them because they haven't test fit them.
Your choices are to use thicker spacers or a spring kit. The spring kits, like OME, work better. Forum sponsor Kolak may be able to set you up with the right parts.
There is the option to fabricate spacers.
Your choices are to use thicker spacers or a spring kit. The spring kits, like OME, work better. Forum sponsor Kolak may be able to set you up with the right parts.
There is the option to fabricate spacers.
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Other than suspension geometry, what is wrong with it other than it just being “not right”? In theory, it is no different than adding the spacer on top a stock strut…If upper and lower ball joint angles are fine, on a 2wd at least, what is bad about it? I want to know if there is a safety/part compliant problem that I’m missing other than the “it’s not the right way”
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A loaded strut is the best way to provide lift, nothing wrong with it. You will want matching coils for the back too for the best driver satisfaction. There are not many vendors that sell struts, let alone loaded ones, for the WK2 however.
The OME kits are loaded struts with matching rear springs. The RockyRoad spring lift kits tend to leak within a year or so. There isn't anything different from what you want to do than those adding lifts kits to a 4WD Jeep, except you don't have a front axle to deal with so it is an easier install. There are tons of threads, some indexed in the modification sticky thread, which discuss the advantages and disadvantage of various vendor products and strategies.:
Modification Write Ups and Index.
The only difference is I'm not sure anyone sells a kit for a 2WD. You'd probably need to take a chance on a 4WD kit and make it work.
The OME kits are loaded struts with matching rear springs. The RockyRoad spring lift kits tend to leak within a year or so. There isn't anything different from what you want to do than those adding lifts kits to a 4WD Jeep, except you don't have a front axle to deal with so it is an easier install. There are tons of threads, some indexed in the modification sticky thread, which discuss the advantages and disadvantage of various vendor products and strategies.:
Modification Write Ups and Index.
The only difference is I'm not sure anyone sells a kit for a 2WD. You'd probably need to take a chance on a 4WD kit and make it work.
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For instance, we have the rough country 2” spacer on the front. Since those have the ride level, I was thinking about getting the 2” lift springs from dobinsons for front and getting the rear springs with 2.25” lift with no load (1.75” with 200-300 lbs.) for additional lift. In theory, this would have the front fender height at 37-37.5 in. and rear would be 37.75 in. unloaded and 37.25 in. loaded. Looking at ball joint angles, those appear to have room for the extra lift. Steering shaft angle isn’t really a factor. Tie rod angles I would think are fine seeing as they’re mainly stressed side to side so tires put more strain on those but not 100%. Rear wouldn’t be lifting higher than kits available so I know the r&d has been done there! Anything I’m missing for the front??
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