springs/shocks

[Simmer]

If I get something like the Icon upper control arms which mentions something about a "delta joint" - does that replace the upper ball joint or is that separate?

 

[phattyduck]

If I get something like the Icon upper control arms which mentions something about a "delta joint" - does that replace the upper ball joint or is that separate?

You don't need new control arms unless you are lifting - and even then you really don't if it is a mild lift. New upper a-arms are for higher lifts (adjusted geometry), more droop travel and more tire clearance. For safety-sake, only the lower ball joints are needed (OEM only). Other parts are gravy.

If you want stock-like ride, get new stock components. They will be for sure the most comfortable. OEM rubber bushings, OEM shocks, etc.

Poly bushings will tighten up the ride - whether that is more comfortable is subjective. (I personally like it, but I drive around in cars with coilovers all the time...)

Another thing for comfort offroad - tire pressure! Of course, that assume you have the time to air down and back up...

-Charlie

 

[BackRoadSeeker]

Plenty of talking about the Bilstein 5100s and OME 880/906 combo here already, I'll just add in another vote for this setup. I had it on my old 01 and loved the ride and look with 265/75/16 tires. All I wanted to do was replace sagging rear springs and freshen up the suspension, but the mild lift was a bonus. No funny business needed either with control arm upgrades, diff drops, etc. Got the fronts pre-assembled from Wheeler's Offroad so no need to stare death in the eyes with spring compressors.

My 2000 currently has factory front springs and Moog rear springs with Bilstein 4600s all the way around and air bags (from PO) in the rear, set to 5 psi. I think my 01 rode better with the 5100s and OME coils. I'll duplicate that setup when time and funds allow.

 

[Simmer]

So what about the lower control arm? Is the lower ball joint separate from the lower control arm? Should they both be replaced oem?

 

[Brian.]

So what about the lower control arm? Is the lower ball joint separate from the lower control arm? Should they both be replaced oem?

Ball joint is separate and the only thing that needs to be replaced (Yes OEM, the 4 mounting bolts too and there are 2 different sets for different years... there's also a "kit" with both L and R which can be a little cheaper ~ all of this is covered in great detail elsewhere). Control arm only needs bushings unless it's damaged or you're modified way past stock... if you can't or won't do the bushings yourself, it might be cheaper to buy a whole new one.

 

[Simmer]

Thank you guys very much this was all super helpful. I decided to go kinda all out and got a set of King shocks, Icon upper control arms, upper/lower ball joints, and all the bushings as well. Can't wait to feel the new ride! I'm going with a very mild 1" lift on the back (icon springs) and will do slightly below level up front for cargo/towing purposes.

 

[cl4Rk]

With 880 not being side specific, how much of a ride height difference do you have in your front driver & front passenger sides?

What are your center hub to fender measurements front & rear?

Ok took some measurements.

This was with a half tank of gas, full size spare in stock location, and about 30-50 pounds of tools in the back, roughly evenly distributed. New poly body mount bushings (no body lift).

The ground looked pretty level, about as level as I could find. It was in a CVS parking lot on an extra level looking row of handicap spots.

The lift only has about 200 miles on it, so I’m sure things will continue to settle a little bit.

Measured from center hubs to the bottom edge of my oversized fender flares:

FRONT DRIVER: ~ 21 1/16”
FRONT PASSENGER: ~ 21 1/4”
REAR DRIVER: ~ 22 1/4”
REAR PASSENGER: ~ 22 1/4”

So, the front driver side lean is just a little less than a 1/4”.

Rear side to side is level.

Once everything is done settling, I might add a 5mm trim packer to the driver front. (I should have done the trim packer with the initial install. Oh well.)

 

[phattyduck]

Once everything is done settling, I might add a 5mm trim packer to the driver front. (I should have done the trim packer with the initial install. Oh well.)

The front suspension has about a 2:1 motion ratio. That 5mm spacer would add ~10mm of ride height, or ~0.4" Don't mess with success...

-Charlie

 

[cl4Rk]

The front suspension has about a 2:1 motion ratio. That 5mm spacer would add ~10mm of ride height, or ~0.4" Don't mess with success...

-Charlie

Ahh excellent I didn't think of that. I'll leave well enough alone. Thank you!!

 

[mennisrodman]

You could definitely snag some 5th gen springs for cheap, you can use both front and rear and 5100’s all around and it’s pretty decent. I don’t think you’ll be blown away but it’s a good budget option for sure and I’m currently running that as well.


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How much lift did you get all around? I'm in the same boat as OP, I want to freshen up the springs and shocks just for the time being so I can figure out what's a better long term set up and what kind of trailing I want to get into.

 

[fourfive]

Ok took some measurements.

This was with a half tank of gas, full size spare in stock location, and about 30-50 pounds of tools in the back, roughly evenly distributed. New poly body mount bushings (no body lift).

The ground looked pretty level, about as level as I could find. It was in a CVS parking lot on an extra level looking row of handicap spots.

The lift only has about 200 miles on it, so I’m sure things will continue to settle a little bit.

Measured from center hubs to the bottom edge of my oversized fender flares:

FRONT DRIVER: ~ 21 1/16”
FRONT PASSENGER: ~ 21 1/4”
REAR DRIVER: ~ 22 1/4”
REAR PASSENGER: ~ 22 1/4”

So, the front driver side lean is just a little less than a 1/4”.

Rear side to side is level.

Once everything is done settling, I might add a 5mm trim packer to the driver front. (I should have done the trim packer with the initial install. Oh well.)

Thanks for those measurements & explaining how you took your measurements, makes a big difference for comparison consistency. I recently purchased 880/bilstein 24-248730 & 906/bilstein 24-249966 for my 2001. Assuming the information on Cruiser Outfitters is correct, 880 & 881 have the spring rate & bar diameter but 881 free height is 10mm taller than 880. Since OME rear springs (906, 890, 891, 861) are side specific with a 10mm height difference, I was thinking about experimenting with 881 on the driver side & 880 on the passenger instead of using different perch settings or spacer.