Help returning 5" suspension to stock.

Hello, my name is Chris. I recently purchased a 2009 Jeep Wrangler X with a 5" suspension lift kit. I am 57 years old and don't like climbing in and out of it, plus don't like how it handles with the lift on it and would like to return it to stock. I am new at this lift kit stuff. I really want to do it myself but don’t know what was changed out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Um, I'd like to purchase your 5 inch lift parts. Is it just shocks, springs, and control arms? Or does it have aftermarket tie rod, etc?

Post pics if you can.

 

Depending upon the 5" lift kit used on your Jeep there may have been multiple changes that may not be 100% reversible. The task may not be impossible but changes from cutting, welding of the frame, mounts or bump stops etc may make the job harder. Post some pics of the front and rear suspension for some internet discussion. Sourcing OEM parts by visiting some junk yards or searching CL/ebay for parts that jeepers tend to discard after a lift kit is installed are some ideas for getting all the parts you will need. Too bad the 5" lift did not discourage you immediately from completing the transaction.

 

Actually had a mechanic friend look at it. I know nothing about lift kits. He said all he sees that I need to change is the coil springs, shocks, sway bar links, an maybe bump stops. I would be willing to sell it once I remove it. I do a lot of my own mechanical work but just never have dealt with a lift kit before.

 

With a five inch lift I would guess your Jeep would be running over-sized tires. Factor in buying new OEM size tires and possibly new wheels if the offset was chosen to match the lift. Previous owner may have re-geared to accommodate larger tires too.

 

He did go with bigger tires. Stock tires are 225. He went to 285. I will probably drop back to 255. Bigger than stock but not as big as he had.

 

What do you mean re-gear?

 

Some jeepers may decide to change the axle ratios when larger than stock tires are installed to regain some of the original pep and torque. For example when I increase my tire size from 32s to 37s my 3.73 axle ratio will effectively change to something like 3.23 making acceleration laggy and could affect the shift points on AT vehicles.

 

According to the previous owner he didn’t change the ratio. Thanks for mentioning it though.

 

@Chris0824 Try and pick up 17 front springs and 59 rear springs from takeoffs, if you can, and the suspension will be perfect. I just put these on my 2011 2 door, and it handles better than the stock 13s and 55s. I put on 255/75/17 tires using stock Jeep wheels and that works well too. There are lots of these available as used takeoffs. It has about the same height as a stock Rubicon. A little higher than a stock sport with 225/75/16 tires, but very civilized. More importantly, it handles well. Nice and firm, corners flat like a sports car with no lean. It can easily carry modest cargo in the back as well. My wife and I are both 72 and we don’t have any problems getting in and out, but it does sit up a bit - nicer than stock.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

@Chris0824 here’s a photo so you can see how it sits. I forgot to mention that when I bought my Rubicon take off suspension, it came with almost new red Rubicon shocks. These are different from the stock black ones that you see on stock Sports. The red shocks are gas filled, and work well on my 2 door JK. The stock black shocks are hydraulic, and softer. Ok, I wouldn’t buy new red Mopar shocks for my Jeep, but if you can get them almost new for almost free, they’re great, lol!

 

I contribute as a freelance writer occasionally to 4 WD Magazine, a Canadian publication out of British Columbia. Here’s their current issue, with a story about the suspension swap on my JK. You can order single issues, or perhaps find the story on line, I’m not sure how these are published. I’ve seen other stories I’ve written for them circulating as content on the internet though. I’d be happy to share it, but unfortunately the content is owned by 4 WD Magazine.

 

I will search for it. Thank you so much!!