Remember your first time installing a lift?
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
The best way to figure out how your rig is put together is to work on it yourself. There is nothing more satisfying than looking back at the end of the day and saying to yourself "look what I just did"
My #1 piece of advice would be to triple check your parts list. Worst thing you can do is to tear apart your rig only to find out you are missing a bracket or much needed bolt. This is especially true if your Jeep is your only method of transportation.
Jump in there, get your hands dirty and have fun!
My #1 piece of advice would be to triple check your parts list. Worst thing you can do is to tear apart your rig only to find out you are missing a bracket or much needed bolt. This is especially true if your Jeep is your only method of transportation.
Jump in there, get your hands dirty and have fun!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
thank you everyone for all the helpful replies. I think this helps me feel better about tackling it myself. just need to pick a weekend with enough time in it. and unfortunately, I asked my old man about his compressor and air tools set but he's sold it.
I'll see if I can find some elbow grease and a new JK friend.
I'll be back with questions.
cheers!
I'll see if I can find some elbow grease and a new JK friend.
I'll be back with questions.
cheers!
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
What was this 4 JK's ago?
JK Jedi
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 1
From: Gray, GA
Listen to Matt he knows what he's talking about.... just don't block a road off to do it!
What was this 4 JK's ago?
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=478450"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=478451"/>
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Listen to Matt he knows what he's talking about.... just don't block a road off to do it!
What was this 4 JK's ago?
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=478450"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=478451"/>
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Listen to Matt he knows what he's talking about.... just don't block a road off to do it!
What was this 4 JK's ago?
Attachment 478450Attachment 478451
What was this 4 JK's ago?
Attachment 478450Attachment 478451
i think these photos just answered a question I was about to ask about the safest way to raise the Jeep for the install. buying four jack stands are sufficient?
JK Jedi
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 1
From: Gray, GA
I own a nice floor jack and two jack stands. Don't lift the while jeep up at once. Use the jack to elevate then the stands to hold up the front or rear, not both.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: Pa
I agree with everyone else. I've worked on my own cars before but never touched suspensions. Follow the instructions and you won't (shouldn't) have too much of a problem. Always good to have a mechanically sound friend there to help you out! Even if they are there just to watch over what you are doing, it makes you feel better about what you are doing.
One thing I will say after doing my lift, make sure all of your bolts are tightened down before moving on to the next step. Toward the end of the day, I was getting tired and missed tightening a bolt. I realized it pretty quickly before anything got screwed up.
One awesome tool to have is an 18mm (correct me if I am wrong on size of this) ratcheting wrench. The top bolt for the front shock was a huge pain for me to get too. It took forever to try to loosen the old and then tighten the new. I actually ended up going out and buying one ratcheting wrench that I used just for this.
Other than that, grab a friend, get some beer and food, and learn something about the jeep! It is quite rewarding when you do your own work and see how it turns out in the end.
One thing I will say after doing my lift, make sure all of your bolts are tightened down before moving on to the next step. Toward the end of the day, I was getting tired and missed tightening a bolt. I realized it pretty quickly before anything got screwed up.
One awesome tool to have is an 18mm (correct me if I am wrong on size of this) ratcheting wrench. The top bolt for the front shock was a huge pain for me to get too. It took forever to try to loosen the old and then tighten the new. I actually ended up going out and buying one ratcheting wrench that I used just for this.
Other than that, grab a friend, get some beer and food, and learn something about the jeep! It is quite rewarding when you do your own work and see how it turns out in the end.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Irwin, CA (But Willamsburg VA is home)
If you have the tools and space..... install it yourself. I let my kids (12 and 7) install the front springs and shocks of my OME lift. Of course I supervised..... but if those two could install it successfully, then anyone with motivation can install a basic lift kit.
As a side note.... make it a family project. A family that installs together Jeeps together
As a side note.... make it a family project. A family that installs together Jeeps together