I looked at a lot of threads of other people adding spacers this past week, trying to be prepared to install yesterday. I made sure I had all the tools including buying a 19mm wrench according to the TF instruction sheet. I bought a 3 ton floor jack from Walmart (will complain about that later lol) I allowed myself 4 hours, 1 hour per wheel and started at 8am...

Started with the drivers front. I had bought the whole leveling kit which includes (2) 1" spacers for the front, (2) 1"spacers for the rear and longer sway bar links. I was told on here if I only do 1 spacer in the front I could just keep my factory sway bar links.

After various combinations with jack stands, boards, factory scissors jack I got some good droop BUT the brake lines were being pulled tight! The instructions mention nothing about unbolting the line mounts - someone on here was kind enough to suggest it after I went on the forum in a panic.
I disconnected the bracket near the brake caliper and this gave me plenty of room to lower it. I never found a use for the 19mm wrench, either that is a mistake or it's for the TF sway bar hardware that is included in the kit. 2 1/2 hours killed already I move to the passenger side. Took longer to remove and replace the big wheels/tires than to put in the spacer I was thrilled.

Took a drive, and it actually seemed aligned BETTER (had been pulling to the left some after my 35" tire/wheel install) so after a quick lunch I started on the rear...

Drivers side rear, was a challenge getting enough droop to put in the thick rear spacers but I got it done in about an hour and went over to the passenger side. Had a little more trouble REMOVING the spring but got it out. By the time I put the new spacer over the factory isolater the spring seemed to extend 2" !!! I tried adding boards to get my jack higher and despite the most rigged up job imaginable 3 hours and nothing but failure. I then had to ride my bike bc my gf was out of town to the auto parts store to get a spring compressor, I live in rural Carolina lol. Another hour shot. A had to compress the $%%% out of that spring to finally get it in there! It didn't seem the spacer was going in properly so it was taking an extra inch or so of room. I had a stack of 1" weather treated lumber and 2 scissor jacks and jack stands in case of epic breakage which was close!

Put it back together and took it for a ride, the pass side seemed a bit higher but settled some. Will check it again when the sun comes up!

Pics to follow.

 

Death waiting to happen trying to get 2 more inches with boards and various jack combinations.

 

I know you get what you pay for and the 3 ton Walmart "Professional series" jack makes me wonder how many people have already sued the company that makes it! The cotter pin holding the jack handle fell out after the first wheel was done! The face plate fell off and the adapter popped out once while the jeep was up! thank goodness for jack stands for backup!

 

Sounds like a great time... At least you got it done right?

I hope I have better luck next weekend when I install my Rock Krawler Stock Mod kit.

 

I had no choice to get it done, no other vehicle and home alone for the weekend haha, it was a nice change from building a deck the last 3 weekends!

 

It would not had been anyones fault but your own. Obviously you were not prepared to safely work on your rig. Very risky method to say the least. Glad you got it done and the results look great. Harbor Freight has 6 ton jack stands that extend plenty high to do suspension work on your jk for around 45 bucks from time to time on sale, When I installed my leveling kit I used 2 of them and unbolted the shocks on both sides as well as the sway bar links. No issues at fighting the springs in and out and the jeep was very secure while working on it. Like I said, your result turned out well and it looks great, but why risk injury for 50 bucks.

 

11 hours? Damn that is like a 2 hour job max.
Maybe next time let your girlfriend do the wrenching. Lmao.

 

Glad you got the kit installed and did not get injured in the process. But by the looks of your pics, the reason why you were having a hard time getting the axle to droop low enough was because you lifted only one side at the time and the other axle was still on the ground with the weight of the jeep on it. Hind sight is 20/20 but it would have been a whole lot easier if you had the whole front of the jeep jacked up and resting 6 ton jack stands. This would have allowed the axles to droop enough for the springs to come off. Thereafter you would do the same for the rear. Having the right / proper equipment would have made the job a lot easier and safer. Jeep looks great and thanks for sharing...

 

I agree. the axle wasn't pivoting enough due to fighting the weight of the rig. It is ok to do one side at a time but all weight off the axle.

 

One thing that called my attention was the break lines being tight. I do not recall reading about releasing or replacing them in the write-ups I read. Is it necessary?