The upside of having a Jeep in your backyard is its ability to be upgraded or improved to meet your expectations from the vehicle. For example, if you like off-road adventures, then the jeep can be upgraded and enhanced to make it suitable for this type of driving. And one way for the Jeep to be ready for an off-road adventure is to install a lift kit into the vehicle.
But how to install a lift kit on a Jeep? Is it possible to do it in your garage? Is it hard to install a lift on your own? These questions and other related information will be answered in this article. We are doing this article to provide information and encourage everyone to install a lift kit independently. However, if you are not mechanically included, I suggest having it installed by the experts.
Installing a Lift Kit on a Jeep
Let’s face it, installing a lift kit on a Jeep does not come cheap, and if you combine the expenses of buying the kit, the costs will go up further. Because of this situation, many bike owners tend to do it on their own when installing the lift kit on the Jeep. Yes, this is possible provided that you should be mechanically inclined to do this type of job. If not, then you have no choice but to acquire the services of professionals.
Apart from being mechanically inclined, it is also essential that you have our shop or garage with complete tools. It is because installing a lift kit is upgrading your Jeep, and you will need all the tools required for the installation. With that said, check out the step-by-step process below on installing a lift kit on your Jeep using a Teraflex 4” kit.
Preparation:
When it comes to doing something like this, safety is of utmost priority. Use gloves and an eye protector before starting the installation process. Then, secure the Jeep with four jack stands and remove the two front tires to give you the best access during the installation process.
Step 1: Removing the Shock
Start by removing the shock, removing the upper nut using a 5-inch end wrench. Then remove the lower bolt using an 18 mm socket wrench. Then, remove the shock slowly and keep it on the side safely.
Step 2: Removing the Track Bar
With the shock set up the wait, the next step is to remove the track bar using the 21 mm socket set. My advice is to have someone hold it while untightening, or it might fall off the ground when you are doing it alone. It is also good to store the OEM bolts in the factory hole to prevent misplacing them or forgetting where they came from.
Step 3: Loosen the bolts of the controller
The next step is to loosen the bolts of the controller but do not entirely remove them during this time. Not yet. We just want to have a space to fit the new and bigger springs. Also, do not forget to remove the bolts of the brake lines with a 10 mm wrench, remove the brake line bracket, and remove the sway bar links.
Step 4: Removing the Spring
The next step is to carefully lower the axle and allow it to sag for you to remove the spring with ease. With the axle lowered, you will remove the factory brake line bracket using a 10 mm socket and proceed to extend the brake line with the new longer line provided in the lift kit. Please make sure to bleed your brakes after doing this step.
Step 5: Preparing for new spring installation
To prepare for installing a new spring, remove the spring isolator and the factory bump stop. Please take note not to discard this part because we will be reusing them later on. Then put the spring spacer and the isolator back on the bump stop before installing the new bump stop extender. A little bit of grease or lube will also help to put the components into place. You can also use the strike pad provided in the kit with the aid of the floor jack to compress the bump stop and the extender back into the tube.
Step 6: Exhaust Modification and clearance
The exhaust needs to be pushed back about an inch and a half with the exhaust spacers. This action will ensure proper clearance for the drivetrain and exhaust. Using a 13 mm wrench, remove the plug bolts, then loosen the clamps at the white pipe. Once loosen, hammer off the index stuff so that the pipe can slide into each other once the spacer is fitted. Using a pry bar, carefully separate the two pipes while sliding the spaces in place. Secure with the longer bolts provided in the kit, which checking the exhaust clearance throughout.
Step 7: Installing the control arms
Once the exhaust has the needed clearance, the next step is to install the control arms. Start with the lower control arm and then move with the upper control arm. It is a good rule of thumb to always keep these two control arms at ease with the axle at all times. The upper control arms are hidden behind the heat shield that can be removed with a 10 mm socket. The arm itself is secured with an 18 mm bolt and capture them. The lower control arm with the prior 10 mm socket is to be removed. I found that installing the lower control arm was easier once the upper control arm is installed. If you are installing an adjustable control arm, you want to make sure that you measure the correct length from eye to eye. These measurements are usually provided in the instruction manual.
Step 8: New Strike Pads Installation
To install the new strike pads, you want to mark the center and drill a hole. I recommend hitting it with some paint to prevent possible rusting in the future. The kit comes with a self-tapping screw that you need to get started with the holes. And then reinstall the strike pad once the spring is fitted.
Step 9: Installing the Shock
To install the shock, make sure to install the shock bushing in the correct order. Install the new shock starting at the top and tried it until the bushings have no room to move. Getting the lower shock bolt lineup can be tricky. But a pry bar and a careful tap will do the trick. With an 18 mm socket, remove the front body mount to install the sway bar front bracket. Reattached the 18 mm bolt with the bracket facing upward. The axle side sway bullet is facing inwards. The hardware is provided. Do not forget to install the grease fitting on the sway bar links before installation.
Step 10: Installation of the New Adjustable Track Bar
The track bar can be adjusted by loosening the two clamps and swiveling either end to extend the track bar. To make sure that the length is correct, you may check the instruction for proper measurements. After that, reinstall the wheels back and check your Jeep.
Conclusion
Learning how to install a lift kit on a Jeep can be a fun skill to have, but I suggest thinking about it so many times before doing it. If you are mechanically inclined and confident to do it, you can give it your best shot. You should also have complete tools and a suitable place to do it. After all, it is all about being confident in doing what seems to be an impossible task. But, you must be extra careful and practice safety all the time. If others can do it, and so do you.