Time to lift 97 Pathy

[AlumniCU]

Greetings from Highlands Ranch. I think it's time to get the AC spring lift and shocks/struts and rear link/bushings on my 97 Pathy. My shocks and struts are shot, and my rear end has the precarious wobble at high speeds.

As I look at ordering the lift, I see the backspacing requirement precludes using the stock rims. For now, I'm going to keep the stock rims and tires, so I assume the backspacing is not an issue until I get taller tires - is this correct?

Could someone describe to me the exact parts I need fix to the wobble? And any advice on which lieft package would be great!

Met a Pathy owner at the Great Sand Dunes National Park last weekend.

AlumniCU

[tmorgan4]

What were your plans for replacing the rear bushings? Stock or polyurethane?

I've been talking with a few people recently about building some heavier duty links that will withstand some abuse offroad and include either polyurethane bushings or a bushing/flexjoint combination. It would be awesome if you were local since I could help install them and make sure they fit right.

With a bushing on each end the price is actually a little cheaper than if you were to replace all 4 complete links. The bushings are replaceable, but you've still got the weak OEM links and a ton of work to get the old ones out and new ones in.

[tmorgan4]

As for the front, I've never really paid a whole lot of attention as to whether all the stock wheels work. Is yours an XE/SE/LE? I think each model has different backspacing on the wheels but I ran 10.5" wide tires on stock SE rims.

I'd get either the KYB or Old Man Emu struts. I personally ran the KYB struts with Old Man Emu HD springs (not quite as much lift as AC springs) and I was happy with the combination. I've been very impressed with ARB products so I'm sure the Old Man Emu struts are very nice as well. People have mentioned that the Rancho struts don't have the brake line brackets in the correct places and really don't sound like the greatest quality.

Are you aware of all the other little parts you need to replace while you do it? OEM strut bearings are necessary, and sometimes the strut mounts too.

If you have a budget that you'd like to stay within I'd be happy to try and help pick out the best parts.

[tmorgan4]

I tried to help, but it's real hard when you get no response. :confused:

[AlumniCU]

Hey there - sorry to be quiet - long days at work and short nights with my kiddos.

I've a 97 SE. Looking at poly bushings on the existing arms. I've got the stock SE wheels for 97. I'm putting together a parts list for installation in July. Likely to be AC springs, struts and shocks (where I really need a specific recommendation on specific parts numbers), camber adjustment, OEM strut bearings, possibly manual hubs, and whatever else I'm going to need (?).

While I do most of my own work on my cars (honda hybrid, honda odyssey, pathy, wrangler (sold)), the more I read, the more I think doing the struts and front end may be more of a pain then its worth. I've some shade tree mechanic friends that could help, but I'm tempted to find someone to do the work (recommendations?). I live in Douglas County.

Budget isn't too tight for all that I need to do, but I need to be (somewhat) reasonable.