New air struts and Lucky 8 SYA kit

[CaliLee]

Hi Everyone,

Been lurking and finally signed up. I have a 2010 V8 HSE with 139k on it, I’m the second owner and bought it in 2014 with 55k on it.

I’ve probably put more than 20k into this thing just in maintenance so far, the list is long. Fortunately or unfortunately the family loves this vehicle and we are going to rebuild it from the ground up over time.

We test drove a Defender and decided to keep our LR4 and buy a Raptor too lol.

To get to the point here the front end is dropping completely overnight. I had my Indy shop take a look and they say it’s the struts, the right front is particularly bad.

Im trying to decide what struts to go with and am getting really confused. The dealer sells them for $1150 and supposedly they are bilsteins. My Indy shop recommended a bilstein 6 for $800 each (I saw Rover north has for $750). Looking on the forums Delphi is OEM and Atlantic British has for $329. Is the Bilstein really an upgrade?

I’ve wanted to go up on tire size to 255/65r19 with the duratracs. I don’t really want to replace all my 19” rims. I’ve been looking at the lucky 8 SYA kit as I’d rather not turn into a speed bump if I lose the air suspension.

These kits appear to be spacers that go above the strut, can anyone confirm that? They’re labeled as bump stop kits, is the strut dropping all the way considered the bump stop? I’m still trying to figure out how the lift rods interact with the bump stop kit, are they just compensating for the height difference with a spacer over the strut? Should I go with just the bump stop kit and adjust height with a GAP tool?

FYI, we will use this on fairly difficult trails. I do the rubicon every year with some Jeep buddies and would love to show up with it and make it through though I don’t think 32’s will be quite enough for that...

Sorry about the endless questions, that’s probably half of what I really want to ask lol.

Lee

 

[ryanjl]

Search for Bilstein on here. The one person I can recall using them wasn't impressed. I know they are a big, well-respected name in suspension, but maybe it's just their LR4 stuff that isn't great.

Probably not a bad idea to replace the springs--and if your indy says it's a spring, then it probably is--but when the whole front end drops, I'd be concerned it's an issue with the center valve block or maybe the front valve block.

The Lucky 8 spacers are just that: spacers that go above the strut. They'll raise everything 2" or so. And when you drop to your bumpstops, your bumpstops will now be 2" taller, too. Allows you to run larger tires without fear of becoming immobile should all hell break loose and your suspension drops to the bumps.

You'll need the rods with the spring spacers just to adjust the suspension sensors in accordance with the spacers.

If you are thinking of running the Rubicon, you'll need to get 18" wheels. None of the 19" tire options have strong enough sidewalls for trails like that.

 

[mm3846]

I wouldn't describe LR4s as being able to tackle "fairly difficult trails," but I come from wheeling Jeeps with axle swaps and big big tires.

You can do the Rubicon, but its going to suck read this:
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/an-lr3-on-the-rubicon.159420/

If rocks are your jam, you need 18s and you can get skinny 35s on the thing with a lot of trimming. These trucks work best with 31/32" tires and not a lot of other mods. Just my $.02.

 

[DaytonaRS7]

if both fronts drop, it could be 1 bad strut and the EAS self leveling as it notices one corner is low, or it could be a bad valve block.

Maybe im not familiar enough with why you want a bump stop kit, but maybe just fix the suspension, get the GAP tool and raise the ride height?

You can get Arnott struts from rock auto for $1200, all around.

 

[CaliLee]

Thanks for the replies all.

When I said I'd love to bring it up there and make it through I don't think Ill actually try it, I'm pretty sure I'd have to make it crap to drive to make it capable enough. Though it is still tempting... I've been going every year since 2002 so I'm very familiar with the terrain. It would do well on 90% but that last 10% would suck. All the vehicles my friends bring (95% jeeps) are on 35-37' tires, there is a samurai on 33's that is awesome though.

I've read that thread from the guys that did it, stacking rocks all day is not my idea of fun.

The reason I'm looking at the bump stop kit is to maintain the ability to move the vehicle in the case of an air suspension failure, with 32's you would drop the fenders onto the tires and not be able to roll. The bump stop kit prevents that.

I'll check the Arnott struts out, my shop said they were $600 each but maybe they meant a pair. If I'm going to remove all 4 to get the spacers in place I may as well just replace all of them. I'll have them check the valve blocks as well.

Someday I'll probably make the change to 18" wheels but with all the money I'm laying out on this I just can't justify it now. I am currently at $3800 spent so far this year and it's only February, that is before doing the struts. Fan assembly, radiator, mass airflow sensor and purge valve done in January. At least that stupid tick, tick, tick noise is finally gone!

 

[mm3846]

you will be able to roll on bumps with 32s. There are only two 255/65-19 tires available right now, the goodyear adventure and duratracs. 255/60-19 there are a couple more, toyo AT3 being the one to get IMO.

 

[DaytonaRS7]

I'll check the Arnott struts out, my shop said they were $600 each

maybe list price? check out rockauto.com

 

[CaliLee]

You sure 32's still roll? That would save me some money... though I still like the idea of having my full range of air lift with a 2" higher ride height. I've been considering the AT3s but I really want that extra inch of tire height and some sidewall room to air down a bit. The 255/60's would help with the spare as well. Too bad LR didn't make this easier on us...

 

[CaliLee]

maybe list price? check out rockauto.com

Under $1300 for all 4, that looks pretty good to me. Thanks! 70% less than what the dealer wants....

 

[ryanjl]

You sure 32's still roll? That would save me some money... though I still like the idea of having my full range of air lift with a 2" higher ride height. I've been considering the AT3s but I really want that extra inch of tire height and some sidewall room to air down a bit. The 255/60's would help with the spare as well. Too bad LR didn't make this easier on us...

265/65/18 has long been the standard "biggest tire on bumpstops" answer. Those measure out to be around 31.5". A 32" tire would only be .25" more sidewall, so who knows.