The first time I did this lift, I had the jack like you did, and I remember having to use coil compressors to remove/insert springs. The second time I did the lift (when I sold it to a friend), we had the jack under the center of the axle, and it worked soooooo much better -- no coil compressors required for removing the springs, although we had to be creative on inserting the new ones (by not doing the bumpstops first).

Honestly, I thought the jack placement was what made the difference the second time, but maybe he had something weird going on with his brake lines that helped too???

Crap, it's only 9PM Pacific time, where is everyone else!?! lol

 

If it helps motivate at all, here's a pic of the jack towards the center of the axle (that's my buddy in it), and a pic of the finished JK (with the owner in it).

 

I got it out. I had to manipulate the brake lines, and it was a tight squeeze but I got it. Getting it back in may be another story!

 

Cool! And yeah, getting it back in is more difficult, esp if you fully insert the new bumpstop before you try to put the new coil back on!!!

 

Don't stretch them to tight....if they are then just unbolt your caliper!. Yes it;s more of a PITA, but it will drop your axle more and the brake line will not be the limiting factor of dropping your axle. Also, you will have more room for the new coil springs. Just get a wire or coat hanger to hang the caliper up in your fender flare.

 

Still no pics????? I hope all went well for you today. I really want to see the finished product!

 

I am still working on it. All I have left to do is get it off the jack stands, tighten everything up and install the front track bar

 

You don't need to unbolt the caliber. You can undo the bracket that holds the lines on the axle. It's a single silver colored bolt that is on the side of the bracket facing the caliber, like a small 10mm bolt. I can see it in the lower right corner of the pic you posted of your tight lines.

I never saw this mentioned anywhere but once I discovered this it was much easier to install the spring up front. I only noticed it was there after doing the first side without undoing that brake line bracket. Made a huge difference on the second side.

 

Thats why I said a spring compressor would make things faster. I didn't say you had to have one... I had one laying around to use. waiting for some more pics...

 

If I ever do another lift I will DEFINATELY have a spring compressor. I know most people say it is optional, but I am with you, it was a PITA without one.

I stopped after I got everything on the ground. It was MUCH higher in person than I thought it would be. 3.3 inches up front 2.2 in the back. Pics coming tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am going to tighten all the control arms, install the front track bar, center my steering wheel and I should be golden.