Stock suspension replacement

[05 Blue Unlimited]

Thanks!

As rob has said, ill probably upgrade to all new, usually how my OCD runs me for integral parts like this, plus i have her loaded all the time, use her for work so i always have material and tools, and when i dont work shes loaded with recreational gear
Thanks for the offer though.

No problem my offer was tongue n cheek. You don't want a set of used stock springs.

 

[Capt'n]

for the springs...I called Moog for springs and their tech department gave me these part numbers: front 3224 rear 3229

Curious what MOOG said about the 3224/3229 set up and what you decided on. Im considering the 3226/3227 setup per conversation here but am a bit unsure if i really need a higher spring rate since im not installing/ hauling anything heavy. Im trying to not change the basic stock spring rate or change height... just upgrade the old springs. 2003 4.0 X

 

[pagrey]

Im trying to not change the basic stock spring rate or change height... just upgrade the old springs. 2003 4.0 X

The spring rate is identical on those springs, the 6/7 are just about 3/4" longer free height. The ride will be about the same and the height will depend on your curb weight but obviously about 1/2" higher with the longer springs. When you are talking small height changes it really is just a guess how much your current springs have sagged and what the new springs will do.

 

[Rob5589]

Curious what MOOG said about the 3224/3229 set up and what you decided on. Im considering the 3226/3227 setup per conversation here but am a bit unsure if i really need a higher spring rate since im not installing/ hauling anything heavy. Im trying to not change the basic stock spring rate or change height... just upgrade the old springs. 2003 4.0 X

Height increase will be minimal to none on yours. My SE (4cyl and soft top) ended up about a 1/4" over stock. A 4.0 will end up stock height. The higher spring rate does not affect ride, it helps prevent as much sag under weight. Two passengers in the rear is enough to cause bottoming out with the stock rate spring.

 

[Capt'n]

Height increase will be minimal to none on yours. My SE (4cyl and soft top) ended up about a 1/4" over stock. A 4.0 will end up stock height. The higher spring rate does not affect ride, it helps prevent as much sag under weight. Two passengers in the rear is enough to cause bottoming out with the stock rate spring.

Thanks for this input @Rob5589 @ pagrey , I have a tendency to overthink things. So im going to run with your suggestions. 3226 / 3227. What else will i need to purchase to install these springs? Coil spring insulators? Spring seats? New terminology to me after 30 years of teaching cellular biology and human anatomy im feeling like a complete freshman. Ha!

 

[pagrey]

You might spray the shock bolts a few days in advance, they can be a pain. I wouldn't replace anything else. All the stuff on my 04 wasn't too bad when I did them recently. It's really easy on a stock height Jeep if the bolts cooperate.

 

[Capt'n]

You might spray the shock bolts a few days in advance, they can be a pain. I wouldn't replace anything else. All the stuff on my 04 wasn't too bad when I did them recently. It's really easy on a stock height Jeep if the bolts cooperate.

Good call on the presoak. Ive been PB blasting all my shock bolts, control arms, and front steering components for several days in prep for wrench time. Hoping for some good wrenching....

 

[pagrey]

Might seem obvious but if you are doing control arms and springs do the control arms while the springs are out. It makes the job so much easier.

 

[Rob5589]

You do not need anything extra. But depending on how many miles you have and how worn things could be, new spring isolators and jounce bumpers would/could be a good to do since you are there.

 

[Capt'n]

Might seem obvious but if you are doing control arms and springs do the control arms while the springs are out. It makes the job so much easier.

Seriuisly Thanks... thats the kind of advice im really thankful for! Shocks, springs, control arms, .... anything else thats attached that i might need a heads up on? Since im shooting for a basic stock jeep, should i simply get the moog control arms. Was thinking of their CK problem solver series. Any other control arms i should consider?

 

[Capt'n]

You do not need anything extra. But depending on how many miles you have and how worn things could be, new spring isolators and jounce bumpers would/could be a good to do since you are there.

Im only at 74,000. I just didnt want to dig back into all this after im finished with a "dang... shoulda done that".... As its been like forever since working on an "older" rig where ever i look underneath my TJ i think..."now that looks crappy" Ha! But like I said, i tend to over think things..

 

[pagrey]

Since im shooting for a basic stock jeep, should i simply get the moog control arms. Was thinking of their CK problem solver series. Any other control arms i should consider?

I just replaced the bushings on mine. Through rockauto.com it cost less than $40 for all of them but I'm cheap and I have the time to do it. A ball joint press, which you can rent for free, works to pop the old ones out and put the new ones in. I used sockets to keep the arms from bending. Some people like to spend the money on the complete arms. I guess it depends on your skill level. The most difficult bushing is the top one on the dana 30 and you'll probably need the press for that one anyway. I have nothing good to say about that bushing, sorry it is just a pain no matter how you look at it. I really have no idea which brands are better or worse but I'd stick with stock style.

 

[Capt'n]

I just replaced the bushings on mine. Through rockauto.com it cost less than $40 for all of them but I'm cheap and I have the time to do it. A ball joint press, which you can rent for free, works to pop the old ones out and put the new ones in. I used sockets to keep the arms from bending. Some people like to spend the money on the complete arms. I guess it depends on your skill level. The most difficult bushing is the top one on the dana 30 and you'll probably need the press for that one anyway. I have nothing good to say about that bushing, sorry it is just a pain no matter how you look at it. I really have no idea which brands are better or worse but I'd stick with stock style.

Thanks. I will consider replacing the bushings as an option. I'll look at my control arms after I dig into things and see what their overall condition is... They may be worth just cleaning up and refitting... I will keep you posted as the "big" day gets closer what I end up doing...

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

But like I said, i tend to over think things..

Ha, are you me? Keep us posted on your repairs/upgrades - it sounds like you're going for the same/a similar build as I'm gradually working towards (no lift, slightly improved stock build; primary concerns are reliability and a balance between on road/light off roading for easy trails, fishing/camping)

If so, I'll be curious to hear what you do and how it turns out. I've looked around several times and have yet to find a thread for that kind of build. Not lifting places us in the minority I think. Hope you like the Moog springs and Ranchos...

 

[Rob5589]

I just replaced the bushings on mine. Through rockauto.com it cost less than $40 for all of them but I'm cheap and I have the time to do it. A ball joint press, which you can rent for free, works to pop the old ones out and put the new ones in. I used sockets to keep the arms from bending. Some people like to spend the money on the complete arms. I guess it depends on your skill level. The most difficult bushing is the top one on the dana 30 and you'll probably need the press for that one anyway. I have nothing good to say about that bushing, sorry it is just a pain no matter how you look at it. I really have no idea which brands are better or worse but I'd stick with stock style.

Depends on arm condition as well. Old rusty arms make the bushings a major pita to remove so new arms make sense. Us CA folk don't have to deal with that too often

 

[Capt'n]

Ha, are you me? Keep us posted on your repairs/upgrades - it sounds like you're going for the same/a similar build as I'm gradually working towards (no lift, slightly improved stock build; primary concerns are reliability and a balance between on road/light off roading for easy trails, fishing/camping)

If so, I'll be curious to hear what you do and how it turns out. I've looked around several times and have yet to find a thread for that kind of build. Not lifting places us in the minority I think. Hope you like the Moog springs and Ranchos...

I looked at your profile. Your a teacher. I just finished a 30+ career teaching high school. If you are a teacher than you are patient enough to build a TJ and thick skinned enough to do it your way. Ha! I got a 2018 JL Rubicon that is more than enough to satisfy my big rig desires but I picked up this stock 2003 TJ because it looked like so much fun to fix up and use as my grocery getter..

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

30+?! That's hardcore. Congrats and please direct me to the nearest lucrative teaching position as I would like to also make money someday

Yeah man they're pretty cool, I never had more than a passing interest in cars until I got this guy.

 

[Capt'n]

30+?! That's hardcore. Congrats and please direct me to the nearest lucrative teaching position as I would like to also make money someday

Yeah man they're pretty cool, I never had more than a passing interest in cars until I got this guy.

30 years was a good time... and hard time. I think im officially looney. So the TJ project fits that acquired personality. Money? I thought all teachers were simply intinsically motivated. Ha...

 

[csierra88]

I'm about to undergo this exact process here in a few weeks (gotta get through this work travel first). Any progress on how it went? I'm looking for any gotcha's that I might need to keep in mind.

 

[JC97]

I'm about to undergo this exact process here in a few weeks (gotta get through this work travel first). Any progress on how it went? I'm looking for any gotcha's that I might need to keep in mind.

In honesty, i tend to presume i need things i dont before checking that i need them. The springs are actually good still. Im surprised at the resiliance of this older higher mileage jeep. Springs are fairly simple, but havent done them on a TJ. And tjs are easy to work on. Check your bumpstops while you do them, easier to change those then, i would assume