Warning, Idaho Hillbilly Debauchery.....
So, initially I installed the 1.75" Coil spacers on top on the Zone 4" springs, that's right, and yes I know that is super lame but I wanted to see how it looked and figured the Zone coil may settle. Needless to say it is too high and with the 1" body lift installed afterward it was waay too high.
So I ordered those Rubicon express .75" spacers and OME shocks to install from Quadra-fleece, a company I have always liked and does have decent service I guess. The shocks are great, and they ride awesome. I did some bouncing around out back of the shop and flexed it out on our car hauler ramps and was impressed with initial performance. On road they are smoother than the zone shocks. Off road and with more time/wheeling we will see.
I must say I will be another voice saying I do not advise the Zone lift kit to anybody that actually wants to do any off roading. I will run the coils and see how long they last, they are smooth and not harsh at all. But I feel they will probably sag. Maybe not.
I installed the front and rear Rubicon express coil spacers and lowered the Jeep and drove home. I was happy with how it rode being 1" lower in the suspension. I rolled under the Jeep to double check all my bolts and lines ETC at home. I did notice the new spacers seem softer than the old which I figured may be good. Well, the rear coil is smasing the spacer all the way down on both sides so not good. Waay too soft. On the front they seem fine, the rear needs a harder, maybe even metal spacer. Or something that expands the entire space of the coil bucket like OME.
On the Front they look great still, I did install them on top of the factory rubber isolator in the front. I debated ordering OME's rear isolator and running that, which i may.
But, I called Quadratec, oh Quadratec you guys.......So friendly on the phone to me. The first guy let me know I installed them wrong in the back. I don't see how that's possible but OK. He asked for pics and will "send" them to Rubicon Express. Right, I sent him pics and then called back and received a Mildy friendlier person who let me know I am within the 30 day return policy and can email me a label. I said yes please and I will remove them. So, I will get my 30$ back eventually
This Jeep had spacers on it when I bought it, whatever they are made out of is WAY harder than the RE spacers. So, I figured why not just cut the rock hard spacers down to .75 and "try" that.
That's what I'm gonna do, Hillbilly I'm sure and probably not the coolest but it's what I wanna try and its free. It takes me about 25 min to swap the spacers out on my hoist at work in the rear so not really a big deal.
I just hacked the spacers down with a sawzall.....that's Chevy squarebody Jeep XJ stuff right there.
I am Running my shocks now the correct length, and I have both bump stop extensions and extended bump jouncers which stop the tire in the perfect spot for me.
I did cycle the suspension with the floor jack and no springs and the tires installed at work. Am I am happy with the results.
