2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension questions

[Moab]

My son bought a 2006 Grand Cherokee. It has a 1" lift with new coils, struts and shocks. The previous owner stated the lift was just "blocks". I assume that means a body lift? How much trouble is it to remove the lift? Does that also entail replacing the coils, struts and shocks? If it does require replacing those items what are the best stock replacement parts? Should we go with Rancho shocks like a TJ? Our local mechanic (not a 4x4 or Jeep guy) said it would cost about $400-$500 replace all this. I'm unsure if all these parts need replacing with only a 1" lift.

As you can see it looks a little goofy with the lift and stock tires and wheels. (Even more goofy on flat ground.) We don't need the lift. And I think it will ride better without it. It's a limited with 118k and quadratec 4 wheel drive. It was a tow behind on an RV though. It's a tiny bit bouncy in the ass end. And makes a kind of spring squeaky noise when you go over large bumps. I'm hoping getting rid of the lift and going back to a stock configuration will solve that. Don't want to spend a ton of money doing it. But if there are parts like the Rancho shocks that will make it ride even better. I'm all ears.

 

[derekmac]

It's a unibody, so no body lift to be had. Probably coil spacers, aka budget boost (BB). It shouldn't be overly difficult to remove the spacers, but I have never done so with an IFS rig.

 

[Moab]

It has new coils. Could it be longer coils? And if so would everything else need to be changed?

 

[PatriotMB]

These budget boosts are just blocks on top of the coils to provide the additional lift. In order to remove you'll have to remove the spring / strut up front and remove the spacer on top and replace back into the Jeep.

This is instructions for a Teraflex kit, but same process. https://teraflex.com/file/attachments/5482222e0b585633b30071ec.pdf

 

[Moab]

These budget boosts are just blocks on top of the coils to provide the additional lift. In order to remove you'll have to remove the spring / strut up front and remove the spacer on top and replace back into the Jeep.

This is instructions for a Teraflex kit, but same process. https://teraflex.com/file/attachments/5482222e0b585633b30071ec.pdf

So no need to replace struts and shocks? The shocks are yellow. Any idea as to manufacturer? And if Ranchos would give us a better ride?

 

[PatriotMB]

So no need to replace struts and shocks? The shocks are yellow. Any idea as to manufacturer? And if Ranchos would give us a better ride?

Stupid question but what color are the shock boots? If they are a light blue with yellow shocks they are Bilstein. If they are yellow with black boots they could be OME.

Rancho 9000xl shocks which are adjustable are probably the best riding shocks I've had. Although if you remove the budget boost it would probably ride better with even using the same shocks.

 

[Moab]

Stupid question but what color are the shock boots? If they are a light blue with yellow shocks they are Bilstein. If they are yellow with black boots they could be OME.

Rancho 9000xl shocks which are adjustable are probably the best riding shocks I've had. Although if you remove the budget boost it would probably ride better with even using the same shocks.

The entire shock is yellow.

What about lift in the back? Are there blocks there too?

 

[PatriotMB]

The entire shock is yellow.

What about lift in the back? Are there blocks there too?

Maybe there is a part # on the shocks to google search. Sounds like it could be OME.

Yes there will be spacers in the back. Not sure without looking to see if it’s on the top or bottom of the spring. Should be really easy to remove as the spring is holding it on.

 

[PatriotMB]

Actually, I’m not sure how you can get 1” of lift with new coils and spacers. Most budget boost kits are just spacers and minimum net 2” lift.

Can you take a pic of the suspension? Check the rear for the spacers on the bottom.

 

[Moab]

Actually, I’m not sure how you can get 1” of lift with new coils and spacers. Most budget boost kits are just spacers and minimum net 2” lift.

Can you take a pic of the suspension? Check the rear for the spacers on the bottom.

I can see the fronts and the spacer looks like 2 inch. Not 1.

Does this mean there is lift in the coils too? So i need to change them to stock height too?

Ill take pics. Thank you sincerely for this help.

 

[Moab]

My concern is whether or not the coils, struts and shocks are part of the lift. And thus need to be exchanged for stock height parts as well. Or if we can just have the spacers removed.

 

[PatriotMB]

View attachment 192120

View attachment 192119

My concern is whether or not the coils, struts and shocks are part of the lift. And thus need to be exchanged for stock height parts as well. Or if we can just have the spacers removed.

I’m not a 100% positive but based on the height of the Jeep in your first post and that it has a spacer. I’m going to say it’s just spacers and original coil springs. You should be able to take the spacers off and put the strut back in.

To my knowledge no lift kit has ever been sold with taller springs and a spacer. It would defeat the purpose as spacers are a cheap lift. I can’t tell if the shocks are going to be too long for stock height. You’d have to have someone measure stock length and compare. Hopefully it’s a free fix by just removing the spacers.

take the spacers off and drive it. It should drive a lot better.

 

[Moab]

I’m not a 100% positive but based on the height of the Jeep in your first post and that it has a spacer. I’m going to say it’s just spacers and original coil springs. You should be able to take the spacers off and put the strut back in.

To my knowledge no lift kit has ever been sold with taller springs and a spacer. It would defeat the purpose as spacers are a cheap lift. I can’t tell if the shocks are going to be too long for stock height. You’d have to have someone measure stock length and compare. Hopefully it’s a free fix by just removing the spacers.

take the spacers off and drive it. It should drive a lot better.

Thanks so much!

 

[JMT]

That’s a spacer lift common to struts. 2” of lift is significant. The shocks most likely are longer than stock and came with the lift or were added to it by the PO. You’d need to replace both.

 

[Moab]

That’s a spacer lift common to struts. 2” of lift is significant. The shocks most likely are longer than stock and came with the lift or were added to it by the PO. You’d need to replace both.

They replaced the struts too. Any idea if those need replaced too?

 

[JMT]

They replaced the struts too. Any idea if those need replaced too?

I think you just remove the spacer up top. I'd probably look up some videos. Might be easier to just get some bigger tires to fill the wheel well. I wish I knew more. I only know a very little because I looked into lifting our GMC Yukon, and I was looking at spacer lifts just like those on your Cherokee.