John L, what springs did you use or would you recommend? I assume they would have to come from a aftermarket company. I want to fix it right the first time.
Thanks for everyones advice.
I know you are not planning to lift your jeep, but stay in the truck while I explain this...
I had the same concern you did, what do I do to keep the front end off the bump stops after I mount a bumper and winch. I knew I wanted to lift the jeep with a budget boost (BB), so i started looking at what the vendors had available. My bumper of choice was the Shrockworks stubby and for the winch I wanted to go with the Warn Powerplant, or about 182lbs.
What I eventually found and purchased was the Teraflex heavy duty 2.5" BB with shocks. I called Teraflex and spoke with the design engineer there, and was told this kit was made to keep the jeep level with their bumper and a typical warn winch, or about 200lbs worth of extra weight while maintaining a 2.5" lift. It also came with front swaybar quick disconnects
What makes it HD is instead of spacers in the front they give you new springs that are taller and stiffer (different rate). At the time of install, I had yet to purchase the bumper and winch. It rode tall in the front and the ride was a bit on the stiff side, but I attributed some of that to the new shocks.
I now have the Shrockworks stubby mounted up and it is still just a touch tall in the front, and the ride has noticably smoothed out. A friend of mine has a Powerplant not yet mounted (mines on the way), so last weekend we put it up on mine and it leveled out like it was made that way. I didn't drive it, as we just stuck the winch in the hole, but I'm sure it will be even closer to stock ride characteristics.
To the point, it would be easier to lift and level the jeep than just leveling it after the bumper/winch install if you wanted to do it with springs. On another forum, a member there has my exact bumper/winch setup and his front end set on the bump stops before he started to shim it with spacers. Here is a part of the post....
Quote:
Originally Posted by John L
That's a really nice looking bumper. I think it's the first time I've seen it in black.
I see in your sig you have a 2"BB, how much was taken away with that setup?
Thanks...
The bump stop is sitting on the BB spacer...I am going to put in a 2" coil spacer to get the range of motion again...it's a pretty rough ride right now...
I believe he eventually went with some taller front coils like nam6869usmc did.
Right now I don't know of anyone offering a +stock ride height spring.....but....if you have a local spring shop, give them a call. They can make you a set if they know how much extra weight you want to put in the front. They can measure the rate of the stock ones and make your new ones ride like the old ones.