lifting my CJ

[deloachman]

Hey guys can anyone give me the short version of doing a 2.5" lift on my CJ. A buddy of mine and I are going to attempt it and I just don't want to drop it on us. I'm thinking I need to support the frame on stands (wheels off and off the ground) with the springs unloaded and axle supported then remove the springs. Is this right or am I missing something? :-?

BTW I'm going with a 2.5" because I don't want to have to change pitman arm and other things if I go higher. Is this the maximum or can I go 4" without other mods?

Mike[addsig]

[jprtroy]

Thats pretty much it! place the jack stands right behind the front leaf hangers and just in front of the rear leaf hangers. use a floor jack to support the weight of the axle your working on. For the front, you have to remove the brake calpiers from the rotor, DON'T remove the brake line! Leave it conneceted! Just tie the calipers up out of the way. It can be done with out removing the calipers, but you can also rip the brake line out if the axle falls. Remove the front shocks, then hit the spring hanger plate bolts, both sides. (to loosen up the spring plate) Lastly, remove the bolt from the front spring shackle (you may have to jocky around the floor jack or another bottle jack to get the bolt to come free due to the weight of the axle pulling on it) get both front spring hanger bolts out then move to the back hangers for the front springs. (Axle should be held up by the floor jack still) Install the new springs, (BEWARE, the new bushings may be a PITA to put in) reinstall the spring hanger plate, (both sides, make certine to center the pin in the new leafs) use the floor jack to lift the rear of the springs into the frame mounts. line everything up, bolt up everything, torque the bolts,reinstall the brake calipers, the shocks, move on to the rear.
The rear will be easier, no brake calipers to deal with, and you just finished doing the same thing on the front! Do the same thing for the back. Don't be shocked if the new leaf springs don't want to go into the old spring hangers! you may have to persuade them (BFH) Changing out springs is easy when you sit back and look at what has to be done.


edited by: jprtroy, May 06, 2003 - 02:37 PM[addsig]