Installing a lift for the first time
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JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 55
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From: Oklahoma
Installing a lift for the first time
Our AEV 3.5" Premium Lift came in last night and my dad and I are going to begin the install this evening. Neither of us have done this kind of work on a vehicle before but I'm fairly positive we'll be able to handle it. It mainly just involves unbolting and re-bolting things in with a small amount of drilling. Any advice before we get started? I'd just like it to go as smoothly as possible. Thanks.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Get at least 4 good jack stands (tall 6 tons) and a 3 ton floor jack, 1/2" torque wrench, 1/2" impact wrench, 15mm,18mm,21mm sockets and open end wrenches, long punch to help line up the control arms to the mounts, thread lock, dead blow hammer, and creeper. Jack the whole jeep up and put it on the jack stands and remove the wheels don't get in a hurry, loosen all the suspension bolts and do the arms 2 at a time like upper front then lower front use the floor jack on the axle to get it lined up on the mounts. leave everything loose until the wheels are back on an the jeep is on the ground. bounce the jeep a couple of times to seat the bushings and torque everything to spec. A paint marker is good to have on hand to mark the bolt head after you torque it so you can double check easier. There is a great torque chart on this forum if you do a search on it, print it out so you have it with you. You will more than likley need to driveshafts too.
Also, the AEV lift comes with Front Lower CA brackets that utilize the stock CAs. The rest of the CAs are left alone. We're looking at possibly replacing the CAs later on down the road though.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Our AEV 3.5" Premium Lift came in last night and my dad and I are going to begin the install this evening. Neither of us have done this kind of work on a vehicle before but I'm fairly positive we'll be able to handle it. It mainly just involves unbolting and re-bolting things in with a small amount of drilling. Any advice before we get started? I'd just like it to go as smoothly as possible. Thanks.
• a complete metric wrench and socket set that goes up to 21mm and includes 18mm. some tool sets are missing these and, being that they are a common size on the JK, they are important to have.
• a ft. lb. torque wrench that goes up to 150 ft. lbs.
• a good floor jack that has a lift height of about 20"
• 2 tall jack stands (harbor freight has 6 ton stands that are nice and tall and for cheap)
with these things and a good set of instructions, you should be good to go.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Last edited by wayoflife; Jan 11, 2011 at 08:38 AM.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
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JK Super Freak
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From: East Meadow, NY
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 55
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From: Oklahoma
Thank you all. Seems like I have all the tools I'm going to need. The Jeep is a 2 door 2011. So far I've gotten the front end off the ground and the wheels off.
Because it's a 2011 I had to order extended brake lines. Anyone know where I can find good instructions on how to install these? I didn't receive any with them or the lift and AEV hasn't been answering their phone or returning voice mail.
Because it's a 2011 I had to order extended brake lines. Anyone know where I can find good instructions on how to install these? I didn't receive any with them or the lift and AEV hasn't been answering their phone or returning voice mail.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Be sure to measure everything you can think of before the lift and after (heights, angles, etc). So a pen and paper help.
I don't know how preset the AEV kit is, but don't forget the angle meter to set caster (adjusting the control arms) and measure angles of you swaybars (adjusting the links). Also a ratchet strap helps for recentering the axles when you need to adjust the track bars.
I don't know how preset the AEV kit is, but don't forget the angle meter to set caster (adjusting the control arms) and measure angles of you swaybars (adjusting the links). Also a ratchet strap helps for recentering the axles when you need to adjust the track bars.