Georgia Trail Riders Forum
SHOP TALK => Wrench Day => Topic started by: Nu2Jeeps on September 04, 2019, 08:06:18 AM
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Ok, so i am wondering about the true difficulty of a drive install. I have seen several people on youtube wrenching on their jeeps, and it doesnt look too overwhelming. My fear is doing something slightly wrong and causing a catastrophic failure once i start driving (since i am not a mechanic). I am reading some install directions and it seems do able.
I am wondering about the axle drooping, and falling too far. I have the floor jacks for the frame but do i control the axle with the floor jack?
The last thing i want is an axle across my forehead, that might impede my offroading.
I am pretty handy and mechanical and have tinkered on cars and motorcycles most of my life, but have never taken on something detailed as a suspension.
Thanks for the advice and honesty
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You should at least the following:
Torque wrench that will go to 175 lb-ft
Metric sockets and wrenches to 19mm (17,18,19 are used a lot)
Good floor jack (2 of them are better to have)
2 - 6ton jackstands (4 is better, 12 ton is better)
Pipe wrench (for the large locking nuts on the control arms
A second set of hands
If you have any hesitation, just take it to a shop. AllSouth gives member discounts.
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Thanks so much. Was hoping to save a few hundred bucks, so i could add a winch too ;)
I am leaning toward a professional install.
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Thanks so much. Was hoping to save a few hundred bucks, so i could add a winch too ;)
I am leaning toward a professional install.
Bolting on a Rock Krawler lift on my old JK was the first automotive modification i ever did other than speakers. Take your time, read the directions and watch a youtube video or two. Its honestly incredibly easy if you have the tools mike mentioned. Add in a breaker bar for loosening the nuts and you're set
You'll never need to get under the axle, so your forehead will be safe
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Thanks so much!
my confidence is building.
I saw a sticker at jeepfest the said "certified youtube mechanic" ;)
I should have gotten it
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Thanks so much!
my confidence is building.
I saw a sticker at jeepfest the said "certified youtube mechanic" ;)
I should have gotten it
Just etch it into the metal on your bumper with a dremel or a chisel.
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If you can change the oil in your Jeep, successfully, you can install a bolt on kit.
Just give yourself a extra day of install time for the unexpected.
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Beer and Pizza will normally get a second set of hands.
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Clark would probably help supervise. I would gladly drink beer and make comments from the peanut gallery.......
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Beer and Pizza will normally get a second set of hands.
If you need any help just let me know.
That was directed to Chris.
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Thanks guys!
My biggest concern is getting under the jeep, or better yet getting it off the ground. I dont have a floor jack, but i am working on borrowing one. now i am wondering if i should do a set of control arms at the same time just to be safe.
I have read a lot in the last couple of days about people's opinions on that subject with a 2.5" lift.
Sounds to me like it would be best to do it at the same time as the left install since installing them will be about the same work as install on the lift. No reason to do the same work twice.
Thanks again for all of the help.
Trying to get it ready for Alabama in a few weeks.
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Go to Harbor Freight and buy one of their 3 ton+ jacks and some good jack stands. You'll end up using it more than you'd think
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Thanks guys!
My biggest concern is getting under the jeep, or better yet getting it off the ground. I dont have a floor jack, but i am working on borrowing one. now i am wondering if i should do a set of control arms at the same time just to be safe.
I have read a lot in the last couple of days about people's opinions on that subject with a 2.5" lift.
Sounds to me like it would be best to do it at the same time as the left install since installing them will be about the same work as install on the lift. No reason to do the same work twice.
Thanks again for all of the help.
Trying to get it ready for Alabama in a few weeks.
Torque on control arm bolts is important, and some of the numbers are high. Need a good long arm torque wrench.
Suspension Arm Lower Axle Bracket Nut 125 ft-lbs
Suspension Arm Lower Frame Bracket Nut 125 ft-lbs
Suspension Arm Upper Axle Bracket Nut/Bolt 75 ft-lbs
Suspension Arm Upper Frame Bracket Bolt 75 ft-lbs
Track Bar Frame Bracket Nut 125 ft-lbs
Track Bar Axle Bracket Bolt 125 ft-lbs
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Down load the coupons.
On a Den Of Tools video he showed where the President of HF uses the same exact factory in China that makes the Snap On jack. The only difference is the paint.
Snap On $700 < HF $200
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do the complete opposite of everything that you see here in your garage:
(https://i.imgur.com/Z6bucgx.jpg)
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;)
thats kinda what i am afraid of
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Nu2Jeeps, Where are you located. Its not in your profile and people would likely be more willing to help if they knew what kind of drive they are in for. Just a thought
Pilot
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Nu2Jeeps, Where are you located. Its not in your profile and people would likely be more willing to help if they knew what kind of drive they are in for. Just a thought
Pilot
If you went a step further and looked at "show posts"
It's in his very first post were he introduces himself.
http://www.gatrailriders.com/GTRForums/index.php?topic=18353.msg349450#msg349450
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Nu2Jeeps, Where are you located. Its not in your profile and people would likely be more willing to help if they knew what kind of drive they are in for. Just a thought
Pilot
If you went a step further and looked at "show posts"
It's in his very first post were he introduces himself.
http://www.gatrailriders.com/GTRForums/index.php?topic=18353.msg349450#msg349450
Not just to go against Kevin, but an added benefit: Pilot, I support what you stated; If I have to do research to help you, then you probably aren't going to get my help. Good item for 'best practices' of Wrench Day posts.
Maybe the OP intends it that way...who wants help from someone who won't do research for how to help them?
Regardless, Nu2Jeeps is allegedly located in Marietta, presumably Georgia, USA.
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presumably is correct
i went to HF the other day and looked at the floor jacks, but wasnt sure how much travel I would need to get it off the floor, 18 or 24 inches of travel. So I left.
i will look out for a coupon, i would love to grab one at a lower price, and i am afraid if i get a good FJ i WILL be under it more than i think ;)
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presumably is correct
i went to HF the other day and looked at the floor jacks, but wasnt sure how much travel I would need to get it off the floor, 18 or 24 inches of travel. So I left.
i will look out for a coupon, i would love to grab one at a lower price, and i am afraid if i get a good FJ i WILL be under it more than i think ;)
Do not get under anything without the additional use of jackstands
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presumably is correct
i went to HF the other day and looked at the floor jacks, but wasnt sure how much travel I would need to get it off the floor, 18 or 24 inches of travel. So I left.
i will look out for a coupon, i would love to grab one at a lower price, and i am afraid if i get a good FJ i WILL be under it more than i think ;)
Do not get under anything without the additional use of jackstands
Ditto
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@Nu2Jeeps saw your PM but can't reply because your mailbox is full. Which skidplate were you asking about?
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Do not get under anything without the additional use of jackstands
[/quote]
THIS IS A MUST! Ask me how I know!
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Do not get under anything without the additional use of jackstands
THIS IS A MUST! Ask me how I know!
[/quote]
Where's the pic Kevin? Hows that finger doin?
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thanks. I have some jacks stands I used on a former SUV i owned, but i will double check the tonnage on them.
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thanks. I have some jacks stands I used on a former SUV i owned, but i will double check the tonnage on them.
Tonnage isn't usually the issue, it's height.
I built some cribbage blocks to allow me to use some smaller stands with my jacked up Jeep.
You might find a lightweight jack at Costco. I think I bought an arcan aluminum one a couple of years ago for 99 bucks...and I thought I saw one there recently for about the same price.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190930/794071b2cefc5fedcc5367d6be64da11.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190930/fb928308520675e78a008b1fb845b933.jpg)
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You need to be very careful when replacing springs.
When you use spring compressors it would help to
have an impact wrench. If not you will be doing a
lot of ratcheting. Compressed springs are like a gun
cocked waiting to go off.
Here is when I went from a 2'' lift to a 4'' lift.
Done the front one day then the rear the next
day by myself. (I think around 2007 maybe)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48825064208_3dfa290003_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hovdxS)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48825064043_b7ac287e07_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hovdv2)
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Yeah, Kevin speaks truth...be careful, lots of force being constrained by cheap compressor devices.
Short control arms and long springs make it tough to install those lifts. Disconnecting the track bar and removing a lower control arm may make it possible to install a spring without needing to compress the spring all of the way down, those reducing the strain on the compressing tool.
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Thanks guys. I have seen guys use the spring compressors in videos and they have mentioned how dangerous they are ("remember they are trying to kill you").
I will check COSTCO for a jack, thanks for that piece of advise.
I am hopeful the lift goes in this week/weekend.
Hopefully i can hold off on the jack so a couple of other mods can be placed on the belly soon.
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Thanks guys. I have seen guys use the spring compressors in videos and they have mentioned how dangerous they are ("remember they are trying to kill you").
I will check COSTCO for a jack, thanks for that piece of advise.
I am hopeful the lift goes in this week/weekend.
Hopefully i can hold off on the jack so a couple of other mods can be placed on the belly soon.
The jack will be used repeatedly, so keep that in mind. I have used my floor jack many times to support skid plates, so my priority order would be the jack stands, floor jack, and then skid plates.
BTW, hi-lift would be WAY down the list...and of course, it would be after winch and lightbar :)
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Thanks guys. I have seen guys use the spring compressors in videos and they have mentioned how dangerous they are ("remember they are trying to kill you").
I will check COSTCO for a jack, thanks for that piece of advise.
I am hopeful the lift goes in this week/weekend.
Hopefully i can hold off on the jack so a couple of other mods can be placed on the belly soon.
The jack will be used repeatedly, so keep that in mind. I have used my floor jack many times to support skid plates, so my priority order would be the jack stands, floor jack, and then skid plates.
BTW, hi-lift would be WAY down the list...and of course, it would be after winch and lightbar :)
My hi-lift is just rusting away in the garage. I'd much rather use my bottle jack/jackstand combo
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Thanks guys. I have seen guys use the spring compressors in videos and they have mentioned how dangerous they are ("remember they are trying to kill you").
I will check COSTCO for a jack, thanks for that piece of advise.
I am hopeful the lift goes in this week/weekend.
Hopefully i can hold off on the jack so a couple of other mods can be placed on the belly soon.
The jack will be used repeatedly, so keep that in mind. I have used my floor jack many times to support skid plates, so my priority order would be the jack stands, floor jack, and then skid plates.
BTW, hi-lift would be WAY down the list...and of course, it would be after winch and lightbar :)
My hi-lift is just rusting away in the garage. I'd much rather use my bottle jack/jackstand combo
Yeah...mine just sits on my trailer most of the time, but I did use my hi-lift when I had to change the starter and the control arms were in the way in normal position.
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Bottle/jack stand in one, was one of the most useful items I’ve bought.
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Bottle/jack stand in one, was one of the most useful items I’ve bought.
True. Not as useful for some things, but still good to have around.
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i saw the bottle jack stand in one yesterday but i already purchased a couple of 3 ton stands. I am hoping to get everything done this weekend, hoping
i have to get brakes on the wifes car first though
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i saw the bottle jack stand in one yesterday but i already purchased a couple of 3 ton stands. I am hoping to get everything done this weekend, hoping
i have to get brakes on the wifes car first though
Brakes?? I’m sure they can wait :)
Good luck with install
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i get what you are saying ;)but i prefer to wait on my lift and get her brakes done asap, since she and the kids are in it each day i would prefer to do those first.
quick question about the jack placement
on the front axle the pumpkin is off center, so will it hurt the axle to place the floor jack directly in the middle or should i left each side and place a stand and then move to the other side?
Thanks guys, I am hopeful this gets done this saturday!!
keep an eye on the board bc i may need expert help in Marietta and i will by the drinks [beer] [beer]
if this happens then you can feel free to say [imwstupid]
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I've done it both ways
That's one of those things you usually try each
way on your own and see which way you prefer.
Heck some times it takes doing both to get you
where you want to be.....especially on the front
end which is heavier. Rear end is easier to lift.
Just keep safety in mind at all times.
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ok thanks, thats why i was asking, trying to be as safe as possible. I wasnt sure if would damage the axle tube by lifting from that point. I will probably lift from the side and then place the stand and repeat. makes sense about the back being easier to lift. I am excited to get started and get some pics up.
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It's not going to hurt the axle tube at all.
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great to know! that makes things a bit easier. [slammin]
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How’s the lift install going?
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I ended up using 4 jack stands, 3 ton on the frame and 2 ton on the axles. I kept the jack slightly engaged under teh axle as well.
now i need a taller jack lmao
i posted pics in the project thread.
I appreciate all of the suggestions and help
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I ended up using 4 jack stands, 3 ton on the frame and 2 ton on the axles. I kept the jack slightly engaged under teh axle as well.
now i need a taller jack lmao
i posted pics in the project thread.
I appreciate all of the suggestions and help
a 4 x 4 x 4 block of wood does a world good...but be careful and use it solely to lift the axle high enough to get the jack stands under it, probably one wheel at a time.