First, I apologize for the poser shots here, but I spent most of the day Saturday and a few hours today finishing up. But my Silver Rubi has a new attitude now

Second, a huge thanks to David at Northridge4x4. I am still amazed that you had the best prices delivered for all my components by far. And you're all the way across the country from me!

What got installed:

• Old Man Emu Suspension (619 / 618 springs, N196 / N198 shocks)
• Full Traction Adjustable Track Bars (F&R)
• AEV Bumper, Winch Mount, Tow Loops, and Skid
• RockHard 4x4 Oil Pan Skid
• RockHard 4x4 Evap Cannister Skid
• Kilby Muffler Skid
• Warn 9.5 Ti
• Viking winch rope
• Warn Wireless Winch Remote

Realizing that , I'll cut straight to the pictures ....

Before The Work Started











After Work Completed













How Much Lift did I Get?

Well, I did some measurements before, during, and after installation. The hardest part is picking points to measure. Since I was not changing tire size, I chose frame to ground measurements at the following points:

1. The round cross-member where it penetrates the frame rail in front of the front axle.
2. The lowest point on the front LCA mount on the frame for the front axle.
3. The top of the "notch" below the bolt on the LCA mount on the frame for the rear axle.
4. The bottom of the bumper bracket for the rear bumper at the frame.

My measurements are shown in the picture below. Note that the first section is ground to measurement point raw data. the second section is net lift. Granted the springs will settle, but I got a pretty impressive amount of lift. Also note that before adding the winch, bumper, and armour that most if not all of the factory front to rear rake was removed. The additional stuff brought back some of the rake, but not as much as stock.



"In Process" Pics and other thoughts

Front spring free length comparison:


Rear spring free length comparison:


Front shock extended length comparison:


Rear shock extended length comparison:


Front suspension complete (less track bar) at full droop. Note the brake lines still have slack. Also note the front sway bar links are just barely long enough:


Unfortunately, my camera hiccuped on the rear shot, but the brake lines are too taught for my likes at full droop. I will remedy this by either buying or fabbing up some drop brackets. Overall, I am favorably impressed with the street ride of this setup. can't wait to get it off the road!

 

let me be the 1st

nice job

good info at the end for those thinking the same set up

now go get some 35's and you're all set to go

 

Thanks MAW .....

Thoght I'd add some info.

Thoughts on AEV Bumper

The bumper install took more time than the suspension. It is a fairly complex installation, but relatively straight forward assuming you have small hands (I do not) .... you have to put some bolts and nuts in tiny places. I cheated a little on the most complex step: cutting the crush cans out of the OEM bumper. I picked up a stock bumper bar with crush cans ahead of time (a freebie from another forum member) and took it to a custom fab shop with the template that AEV provides. 20 minutes later, thanks to a plasma cutter, I had the crush cans free of the bumper .... a lot quicker than I could have done with a porta-band and a grinder. One thing to be careful of, AEV provides one template for the crush cans, but do not cut them out exactly the same ... they have to be mirror images of each other. You can see this in the directions if you pay attention to the pictures / drawings.

Also make sure you measure twice and drill once. I had one hole a little off.

One more thing ... even if your JK has the passenger side bumper mount trimmed from the factory, take a little more off of it. The AEV installation guide states that the later JK builds do not need the trimming, but mine was trimmed from the factory and I still had minor interference with the 9.5Ti.

Speaking of directions, AEV does not include an installation guide in the box. Instead, they refer you to their website for the instructions. The instructions are very good with color pictures. Every picture is there of a reason and usually shows some subtle detail that would be complicated to spell out in words.

• Overall, a very well designed product.
• Extremely well packaged for shipment (I have worked in the packaging industry for 18 years and I know quality shipping packaging ... my guess is that the packaging material is $80 - 100 per bumper at wholesale prices).
• Time consuming install, but not overly difficult ... between 2 & 3 bananas on the howler monkey scale.
• Well worth the effort.

The other stuff (winch, wireless remote, skids) is pretty much straight forward and quick installs.

My $0.03 (used to be $0.02, but I had to account for inflation).

 

see, that´s how all of us shuould post about our jk´s... beautiful ride

 

Nice! I like it.

 

Awesome! Looks great and thanks for the measurements. I wish everyone would do that.

 

Thanks for all the kind comments ... This is not the first Jeep I have "built" and probably won't be the last ......

benmar, check your PMs

 

Looks Great.

But get some jack stands, using jacks is just dangerous for you and could break a lots of stuff, including your garage floor.


Sam (the other Sam).

 

Hey Sam, thanks for the concern. What you cannot see in the picture is the fact that I have my 6 ton jack stands on the frame just behind the LCA mounts. The floor jacks are there to raise and lower the axle. In the picture where you can see the jacks, I have actually raised the axle from where it had to be to in order to install the front springs without the use of a spring compressor (I hate those things!).

I actually have 4 pairs of stands up to 20 ton ...see below for old drool shots complete with jack stands ....

(Pics from Feb / March 2003 when I swapped in a custom D44 front and CRD 60 rear in my old TJ)






Sam (the good one )

 

Great write up Sam! I sent you a PM, I do see that the rake is pretty much gone, which is a must for me.