Frankenlift II premium arrived today!

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:10 pm

I just purchased last month an 06 CRD. I also recently purchased the Frankenlift II premium which was on my doorstep to my pleasant surprise when i got home today. My plan is to install it this weekend

Does anyone have any tips or advise above and beyond the included instructions to help with this job? (I purchased the premium so i don't have to deal with the strut assembly)

The Frankenlift folks advised me to adjust the tie rod ends by one full turn out on each side after the install. From there they said to drive like this for one week to let everything settle in and THEN take it in for alignment.

They also mentioned to find a shop that offers "lifetime" alignments, so you can go back over time and have it adjusted without cost. Does anyone know or can recommend any shops near the Tucson area that might offer this?

Hopefully next week my moab wheels, and skid plates will arrive to finish it off.

I will try to document this procedure (picture rich) and any other mods to the best of my ability so others may benefit from my experience with this project.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

PCT 1981 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:38 am

This is for a gasser, not sure how much help it will be. I used these instructions on my 02 and all went well.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29193

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:46 am

Thanks for the link, and it has good information, and looks like it will help out alot.

Rich · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:34 am

I can't believe this!!!!! they sent the lift to your house?!?!?!? WTF!

Sorry about this inconvenience, you can send that lift right over!

riptricket · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:50 am

that was shipped to the wrong house.....

anways, i have heard firestone does lifetime alignments, but I would go with hibdon tires plus, only because if you live where I live, they are everywhere and they do an excellent job!!! oh and it's not a one time fee... but for 60 they check it whenever you want for that 12K or 1 year is up

ZERO6 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:21 am

wicked...

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:57 pm

Finished the installation - went really smooth, knock on wood. Now i have to figure out how to post pictures. Can anyone give a tip on that?

Rich · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:05 am

redrubi1 wrote:

Finished the installation - went really smooth, knock on wood. Now i have to figure out how to post pictures. Can anyone give a tip on that?

upload to www.photobucket.com

once you upload there is an option for links... you want to post the code {img}image url{/img} where {} = []

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:11 am

Rich wrote:

upload to http://www.photobucket.comonce you upload there is an option for links... you want to post the code {img}image url{/img} where {} = []

Transfer pictures to final album(or they will disappear when moving pictures later), autosize to medium, then img it!

I found out Big O tires has a deal also. 180 bucks or lower depending on how hungry the shop is for a 3,4, or 5 year plan. I paid $160 for 5 years.

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:17 pm

Well the lift is good. It is higher than i expected - appx 3" front and back. I noticed that i get a small driveline buzz/vibration between 40-50mph on acceleration. I am concerned about the pinion / output shaft angles. I was thinking at 2" lift the vibes would go away, which makes me wonder if the OME springs will settle an inch or not. Does anyone have experience with this?

On a good note, the skidplates and wheels showed up today.....

About the pics - i have started powerpoint with all the pictures and my notes. Feel that might be easier to post (50 pics) and also have better notes.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:34 pm

It will settle 1/4 to 1/2 inch depending...
50 pictures :shock:

ridenby · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:41 pm

Pics...someone say pics???

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:47 am

tommudd wrote:

It will settle 1/4 to 1/2 inch depending...
50 pictures :shock:

We'll settle for 5 pictures.
Mine hasn't settle at all and it's been a month.

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:13 am

candpliberty wrote:

tommudd wrote:

It will settle 1/4 to 1/2 inch depending...
50 pictures :shock:

We'll settle for 5 pictures.
Mine hasn't settle at all and it's been a month.

How much lift did you gain with the kit? Did you experience and vibration after the install? Perhaps i am jumping the gun with the diagnosis since i have not done the alignment yet. The only thing that makes me feel like it has nothing to do with the alignment, is that i don't feel anything through the steering wheel or front of the vehicle, and the vibration seem to be coming from the rear. I was going to put a vibration transducer (i have access to this at work) and see if i can see any axial or radial vibration on the rear differential.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:41 am

After my install the toe was way out of wack to the point I couldn't drive it faster than 10 mph. An alignment took care of everything with no vibration. There is a vibration damper on the rear end of your Jeep already. Could it be a tire that is causing the vibration? An off the car balancer takes care of axial and radial imbalances.

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:03 am

Today I installed all the skid plates today, did oil change and fuel filter change since all the parts finally arrived - another step closer to being done. The vibration seemed to be just a tad less today over yesterday, not sure why. Only have 210 miles since the lift install and dont think it has settled that much. I did email Tom Woods custom driveshafts and asked them if they had anything for the liberty. Looking at site and products it appears that they have extensive experience with jeeps and this type of issue. They were quick to respond and Honest. Here is the response:

"We are currently experimenting with another customer on this issue and do
not have a firm answer yet to be able to even know if something can be done
on the Liberty. May I suggest you wait a couple weeks then get back with me
on this question?

Thank you,

Tom Wood
Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts Inc."

I suspect they don't have a solution because not enough people are asking for it. Developing something for such a small market is low priority, and i understand. I will wait and see what they come back with.

I looked around on the net to see if there was anything else or to find a kit to install a double cardan driveshaft setup. Could not really find anything that suits the situation. Found there are some extreme lifts, but that looks like tons of custom stuff that would not work for medium lift. So it looks like I will be on my own for finding something. I was looking at the rear wondering about adjustable arms or even shims for the spring perch. Not sure which direction to take yet.

For the time being I have decided to live with the situation until i get the new wheels and tires installed. I plan on installing 245/75/R16 BFG AT's, (FYI - they go on sale at costo (all BFG's) starting FEB 1 according to the tire guy there). After that i will get an alignment. So once that is all done, i hope to have enough miles to sag the springs, new tires, and alignment. If the vibe persists afterwords i will start to figure something out to address it.

Other than that i need to start thinking of where the next chunk of cash to fly out of my wallet will go - front bumper & winch, rear bumper, Greendiesel mod????????? 2010 Rubicon (I wish)??????

(almost forgot, one other mod that i want to do and cannot find anything online. I want to install stainless steel braided brake lines on the front and rear. I did not like the relocation bracket that i had to install for the rear drivers side brake. The line comes to close to the fuel tank, and i am not comfortable trying to bend it anymore, as i dont feel like replacing that long line $$$$. So i figured SS front and back would be the ticket, anyone know where these can be found?)

candpliberty · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:01 am

http://jeepinbyal.com/cat-Brake_Accessories,_Jeep_Liberty-6.aspx

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:14 am

I always get an alignment as soon as possible on the ones I do then after 750/1000 miles get another one. Works pretty good every time. You'll lose about 1/2 inch after the alignment at least due to getting the tires standing up where they should be
Also the ujoints are now running on a different plane of course, if they had any rust in them at all that will cause some vibration as well
Should not need a custom driveshaft over 100,000 on the first lift and the second already has about 3000 and no vibrations/ no problems

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:22 am

If you need an alignment, Firestone does lifetime alignments for $139 and you can take it back and get it aligned anytime you want.

Their regular, one time alignment is $69, so if you get it aligned twice then the lifetime has paid for itself.

redrubi1 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:45 am

Yesterday, I took care of the alignment. Went to Firestone (thanks for the tip) and purchased the lifetime alignment. I have the wheels but have not purchased the tires yet. I figured i will go back in for a follow up alignment after the new wheels and tires are on and a few more miles on the trails. The vibration in the driveline is still there, but to a lesser degree. I do believe it is the pinion angles, as it still sits up 3 inches higher, and no sign the springs settling a little. The vibration comes from the rear, is only during acceleration and is reduced when there are 4 people in the car. Again, i will put more miles on, and worry about it once i get the new tires and wheels on.

Frankenlift II premium arrived today!

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