Hi all!

Ok, well long story short I sold my 2010 Jeep SRT8 and bought a 2008 JK Unlimited X w/manual trans about a month ago with 5,000 miles on it lifted with Mopar Rock Bumpers, a winch and 35's. Seller said he had the lift installed right after he bought it but only used it on weekends. He also said it was a 4" lift but come to find out it is definitely not. Regardless, I was unhappy with the ride and had some rubbing from the springs that got to me. Plus not knowing what kind of lift this is bothers me. As this is my DD as well as a big toy on 35's that my wife beats me up to drive it and I have a 15 month old son that rides in it, so I want to be free from as many quirks as possible. I have previously owned 2 YJ's that I lifted myself as well as replaced the engine in 1 of them myself with the help of a good old Haynes Manual so I can sorta follow a set of install instructions.

This brings me to my current task of building up this Jeep. So far I have had the following done:

• Installed EVO D30 gussets and sleeves
• Re-geared from 3.21 to 4.88's
• Installed JKS Front Trackbar brace
• Installed JKS Adjustable Front Trackbar
• Installed Skid Row Evap Skid Plate
• Installed ARB D44 Diff Cover
• Installed JKS Quicker Discos
• Installed Dynatrac ProSteer Ball Joints

Now this Sunday I have the following list of parts that hopefully I will install:

• ARB D30 Diff Cover
• Teraflex Rear Trackbar Bracket
• Teraflex 3" Springs
• Old Man EMU Long Travel Shocks
• Crown extended braided brake lines
• JKS Adjustable Front Upper & Lower Control Arms
• JKS Adjustable Rear Upper & Lower Control Arms
• Teraflex 1/2" Rear Guide and Spacer
• Teraflex 1/2" Front Spacer
• Northridge4x4's Steering Stabilizer that fits the JKS Brace
• Teraflex Bumpstops
• JKS Rear Coil Spring Retainers
• Some Royal Purple to change the break in gear oil

Tools that I have to hopefully make the job easier:

• Snap-On 18V Rechargeable 1/2" Impact
• All the listed Metric and SAE wrenches and socket sizes that were in the write-ups (why there are both on a 2008 is beyond me...)
• 2 sets of Coil Spring Compressors
• 3 Ton Jack
• 4 3 ton Jack Stands
• 4 Redbulls
• 6 Pack of Yuengling
• Brake Cleaner and Drain Pans for Diffs
• Most importantly...My Laptop

Now, I have read and re-read as many write-ups as I can find here and at another site but I am looking for some more advice on a few specific things plus some general advice. And come Sunday, I am sure I will be pleading for solutions to problems that pop up.

Anyway, here are my questions:

1. Since this is such a mix of tasks, would there be a specific order to do things that would work "best"? Or should I just go in the logical order?
2. To save me time, is there anyone that has the JKS CA's and TF 3" springs that remembers what length you set all your CA's to? If not what would be a good starting point as I couldn't find any numbers for the 3" TF and the JKS arms
3. I have read the write ups and I think I have all the specified tools, but is there anything you can think of that you found to come in handy?
4. Can you see any problems as far as compatibility with the parts I have?
5. Are there any parts that are not on my list that I am missing?
6. Should I soak the bolts in PB Blaster tonight AND tomorrow night...Will it make a difference doing it two times?
7. Anyone have any tips for me on things I will probably experience doing this?

If you are reading this, I truly want to thank you! Even if you have no advice to offer, the fact that you read my entire post is good enough LoL.
For those that can offer advice, if we ever meet up...I got your first

 

Do the hardest first. Lift components.

That way you will have the most energy.

Diff covers and gear oil are easy and can be done even if exhausted.

I'd suggest the goal is to have it driveable asap, which means suspension stuff first. You can always do the diff stuff in an evening in the dark with only a flashlight.

 

See now that is exactly the type of thing I was looking for! I didn't think of it like that so I appreciate the advice and will definitely start with the lift stuff

 

I didn't see any reference to new drive shafts and it's possible you'll never need them with this lift. The front LCAs are needed to adjust caster after a lift and the front UCAs can be used to fine tune but aren't necessary. Try setting the front LCA to 23" eye to eye for a good starting point. Adjustable rear upper control arms are normally used with aftermarket drive shafts to dial in the correct pinion angle. I would wait until you add an aftermarket drive shaft before you put on the rear control arms. JMO

 

Hmmph... I wanted to do everything in one shot, is there any negative you can see to putting them in now? I am shooting for overkill here, like I said my wife drives it to work and the gym plus my son rides in it so I want no breakage.

 

Go ahead and install the rear arms also, you can use them to recenter the axle in the wheel well. When you lift it, the rear will move forwards some.

For arm length, check out the teraflex website and look at the instructions for their arms. They give a recommended length for different spring heights. That should get you close.

 

Thanks! I just printed out their lengths to reference during install

 

Bump for more advice please

I think I am going to hit all the major bolts with the impact really quick to try and break them free today and any really tough ones soak overnight.

 

Just an update: This afternoon I went out and loosened all the bolts on the control arms that I could get to with my rechargeable impact with the Jeep still with it's shoes on and not jacked up. I figured if there were any bolts that the impact couldn't break loose I would just be sure to soak them with liquid wrench but so far not one has given the impact a problem.

I'll start the job first thing in the morning, supposed to be a frigid morning...With wind chill looking at 12 degrees so hopefully everything goes nice and quick for me.

 

Shouldn't need drive shafts with that lift on a 4dr manual. Good luck with the install and don't forget pics.