Upgraded arms are only need when using crappy spacer lifts. Spacer lifts put unneeded stress on the UCA's because they limit up travel and don't limit down travel which causes stress on the UCA. I'll be running the OME MD coils with Bilstein 5100's, but I have a 2014. 2016+ are not able to use the Bilstein 5100's for level/lifts because of a change in the front suspension. Most I've seen are happy with the full OME lift kit. The only downside I've seen, it will still have the factory rake. If you want to level the front with the rear you will need to add the OME front trim spacer.

 

Upgraded arms are only need when using crappy spacer lifts. Spacer lifts put unneeded stress on the UCA's because they limit up travel and don't limit down travel which causes stress on the UCA. I'll be running the OME MD coils with Bilstein 5100's, but I have a 2014. 2016+ are not able to use the Bilstein 5100's for level/lifts because of a change in the front suspension. Most I've seen are happy with the full OME lift kit. The only downside I've seen, it will still have the factory rake. If you want to level the front with the rear you will need to add the OME front trim spacer.
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To date I have lifted 4 Grand Cherokee’s, a 95ZJ, an 04WJ and an ‘11/14 WK2 of my own and 5 other WK2’s. Both the ZJ and WJ were 3 1/2” kits with 32.5’s under neath. Still have the 04, and sold the 95 to my Brother. All the WK2’s were lifted from Rocky Road Off Road’s 2 1/2” lift kit or their 1.75 front leveling kit. None and I Repeat none have had issue with any UCA failure from the “crappy spacer’s Lift” I have even modified both of the lift’s on my personal ‘11 WK2 and our current ‘14, to gain some more lift or to level the stance more.appropriately. There are some spacer lift’s that have a preload spacer that you have to take the top of the strut off place it between the spring and top plate and and bolt back down. Mind you I would never recommend that as it places a “preload” on the spring and reduces spring travel and will cause an awful ride. But the RRO kit sit on top of the strut plate and does not preload the spring. It will limit some up travel but it’s negligible and it’s offset by the gains on the trail you’ll make or the stance you desire. If you’re going to doing a lot of wheeling off road then keep an eye on your Front UCA’s, but unless you’re really into the “stuff” on a regular basis, which most of us aren’t then you’ll be fine. And the front upper control arms will fail on GC’s regardless under heavy use off road. I was one of the very first to use RRO’s spacer lift and will continue to use them and modifying or adding to them as I need too.

 

Enjoy your crappy spacer lifts. I'll pass!!

 

Thank you and I will. I appreciate your opinion and since the 2011 WK2 model was introduced how many of our member’s that use spacer lift (and not a “preload spacer,”) have had an UCA failure from the “crappy spacer lift” under normal use. By normal I mean mostly daily driven, intermittent off road use, and or very limited heavy trail use? Most people don’t buy Grand Cherokee’s to really wheel ‘em heavy off road. I’ve never seen a post or had anyone mention it.
I’m glad that the Old Man Emu work’s for you and any other’s that like it. I would gather from your post that you’ve had a “crappy spacer” lift and it’s failed, and if not why comment on something you have no experience with? I’ll back this up, when I say you’re set up doesn’t do anything any better than the RRO spacer lift. Some people think that a name brand mean’s that it’s better or it’s the only way to go to get your point across but if two thing’s can do the same thing and one does it cheaper why waste your money..? I think we should have 2 or more WK2 owner’s get together that have each set-up, an Old Man Emu, a Bilstein 5100 adjustable, An RRO “crappy spacer” lift a Rough Country “crappy spacer” lift and throw in a Tuff Country “Pre-load”, “crappy spacer” lift. I can’t bet dollar’s to doughnut’s everyone’s hates the Tuff Country because of the pre-load and they like the RC, RRO, and Bilstein 5100’s over the old Man Emu because they give the stance you want the upgraded off road ability and do the same thing at a cheaper price. Then they could even do a long term use and see what if any failure’s result for real world use. I’d def be up for it as , my knowledge comes from hard won experience. And besides anytime I want to do some real heavy off road would wheelin’ I don’t use our 14 GC Limited, I use use my 12 Power Wagon.

 

You sure do have a lot to say to defend your crappy spacers, which I find funny when someone feels they need to defend their choice that nobody even asked about. Haha
I'm not even sure why you posted when the person is asking about a true lift kit, but you do you and enjoy!!

 

Stop please! And thanks

 

I've learned a lot about spacers, but I'm still waiting for feedback on the OME lift kit.

 

Im running the kit. 2” MD springs it rides great a little stiffer than stock which i wanted. Havent got to take her on a trail yet but i plan to go to either rousch creek or AoAA in PA this December

 

Looks great! What tire size are you running?

 

275/55/20. If and when these do decide to blow. I will switch to dobinsons because those are rebuildable. More expensive but i will probably save more over time

 

I'm wondering how the two systems compare performance and durability wise. The OME suspension on my Xterra lasted almost 150K miles without a seriously blown shock or strut.

 

They're probably both comparable since they're both monotube design, outside of Dobinson being rebuildable. In all honesty I almost went Dobinson, but the extra $700 over my Bilstein/OME setup just wasn't worth the money. The rebuildable would be nice, but by the time I might need it, I will probably have another vehicle, or just buy new 5100's at $460 and be good as new and money ahead. It sucks Bilstein hasn't updated new struts for 2016+. Eibach does make them though separate from their suspension lift.

 

Does anyone have a side shot photo of their rig with OME suspension and the RRO dead level strut mounts?
Also looking for feed back on the dead level mounts themselves. Does anyone have them, and do they increase NHV over the stock mounts?
I'm looking at purchasing the pre-assembled struts from RRO. Due to my recent shoulder replacement surgery, I'm out of the wrenching game for a while.