Help? Frankenlift install

Troysterr · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:21 pm

JUST IN CASE THERE'S SOMEONE MUCH SMARTER THAN ME ONLINE RIGHT NOW...

I bought a Frankenlift through Rock Lizard a while back and finally got around to taking my KJ in to a shop to get it installed. (I know, I should install it myself, but I've been swamped with work, etc.)

They are having fits installing the front strut assemblies. They are having the same problems a lot of people have reported--they can't get the fork onto the lower control arm. If they force the arm down, it pushes the hole too far toward the center of the Jeep, so when they try to push the bottom of the strut in, the spring hits the frame solid and can't go any further.

I have suggested that they use the strap, but it doesn't seem (to the untrained eye) that it would work, because the spring is still hitting the frame.

QUESTION: Does the strut actually flex a little when you apply the strap? That's the only way I can see it working, but it seems really stiff.

They didn't think the strap would work. I suggested that maybe the strut assembly would flex a little from the strap, but they thought it would be too stiff.

They're talking about dropping the cradle an inch or so to make it easier. That seems a little extreme to me.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:00 pm

I have done one Franky and 4 OME modified ones and always use the strap trick and they pull right up in , never have I dropped or loosened the LCA or anything that extreme. The Frankenlift does take some extra effort but I use on strap on each leg that way I could pull on each side to get it to come in straight, worked first time on each side. Tell them that the straps work not sure what you mean by the spring is still hitting the frame ? If they unhooked everything you should be able to start the top strut bolts and then the bottom will be sitting on the LCA and then just pull it up into position

Troysterr · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:26 pm

Thanks, Tom. I guess they decided that dropping the cradle was easiest, so that's what they did.

I've got pictures that show what I mean by the spring hitting the frame...but I guess it's a moot point now. Maybe some day I'll have an opportunity to watch someone who knows what they're doing do this install so I can see what they were doing wrong.

trailman · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:28 pm

Wow, using a ratchet strap seems a lot easier to me, than dropping the cradle. I was having the same problem with my Frankenlift that I got from All J's. (Spring hitting inside the wheel well.) I called All J's and talked to the owner. I then went out and purchased a ratchet strap and finished installing the lift. You just have to put the two hooks on the other end of the front skid plate, and have the strap portion wrapped around the lower part of the clevis. Once you get one hole lined up, stick the clevis bolt in and ratchet till the other hole lines up and tap the bolt through with a little sledge hammer. If you ever need to take your front end apart again, I would recommend buying a $20 ratchet strap and do it yourself. It's real easy after the first time. edit: Oh and it doesn't matter which side you start the bolt in.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:55 pm

Maybe stupid question: did they remove the stabilizer bar from the LCA's?

Makes things a whole lot easier...

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:13 pm

tonycrd wrote:

Maybe stupid question: did they remove the stabilizer bar from the LCA's?

Makes things a whole lot easier...

Thats what I was thinking that they did not tear it down as fas as we do and trying instead to wrestle it in, now someone ??? will have to pay more for their unknowing ways

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:51 pm

i had a lot of trouble the first time i did it. It gets easier each time especially after you drive it for awhile to loosen up the strut. I did it by myself the last few times. The rachet strap and a crowbar is the key.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:58 pm

Troysterr wrote:

Thanks, Tom. I guess they decided that dropping the cradle was easiest, so that's what they did.

I've got pictures that show what I mean by the spring hitting the frame...but I guess it's a moot point now. Maybe some day I'll have an opportunity to watch someone who knows what they're doing do this install so I can see what they were doing wrong.

The spring hits the metal when you install it but when the tire is on and aligned the weight of the vehicle pushes it away. They probably dropped the lower a-arm, not the cradle.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:23 pm

Whatever they did they didn't have to. The KJ is one of the easier 4 WDs I have ever lifted. Mostly people are scared of IFS since they have never done much to them.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:29 pm

That's funny,the ratchet strap trick works every time besides if your trying to install a JBA 4" lift with 450lbs rate coils :evil:

.My front suspension has been apart so many times I don't even need the ratchet strap anymore,just push the strut a little and the holes line up.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:46 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

That's funny,the ratchet strap trick works every time besides if your trying to install a JBA 4" lift with 450lbs rate coils :evil:

.My front suspension has been apart so many times I don't even need the ratchet strap anymore,just push the strut a little and the holes line up.

Yours must be like mine, lay the tools out and mine starts taking itself apart almost :wink:

Not even sure how many times it been torn down and tried new things and put back together.

Help? Frankenlift install

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