Just finished my 2.5" poly-spacer lift and have some helpful hints (I think!?!). They are probably common knowledge, but I haven't seen them on what I've read.

HELPFUL HINT #1

When installing the rear spacer the coils just about fell out, but once the poly-spacer was put in place they had to be compressed. The problem was, the coil spring compressor wouldn't allow me to put the compressed coil in and when decompressed the compressor probably would have been difficult to remove. The solution? BAILING WIRE.

The coil had to be compressed to 9" to slide in over the poly-spacer.

Notice my sons flip-flops. A true-blue, all American shade tree mechanic. Makes a father proud.

Next bailing wire was wrapped several times around the coils on opposite sides


Then the compressor was removed and the coil installed. A floor jack was placed under the trailing arm bracket to compress the coil until the bailing wire was slack and it was easily removed.

(Note the brake line extensions on each side of the coil)


HELPFUL HINT #2

The front bumpstops were a pain in the stupid to install. One blog suggessted trimming...good suggestion. Another blog showed a shovel (I think) being placed in the coil just below the bump stop and pried up..another good suggestion. Here's how I did it.

I used a Dremel to bevel the top edge of the bumpstop to just above the tab pocket.


A little WD-40 and a crow bar in the coil just under the bumpstop meant a little upward pressure and it popped right in.



HELPFUL HINT #3

When removing the UCA it is suggested that you patiently tap the UCA with a BFH until it drops...good suggestion. A little friendly persuasion helps. As with the bumpstop a crow bar (or wooden stick) prying up on the UCA while wedged in the coil helps.



I hope these pictures help folks with their install. It was for an '06, but they should apply to most KJ's.

John

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"Keep the shiny side up and the oily side down"
'06 4X4 KJ, skid plates, Daystar lift, Wrangler MT/R 245/75/16, Reese hitch, Surco Safari Rack/Hella 500's, Cobra 75 wxst/Wilson 4' Firestick, Optima Red Top, Pilot fog lights, Detours KJ Backbone/Smittybilt XRC8 winch, Spidertrax spacers.

'04 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHRI Bagger

First rear spring R&R I have done a bunch and never have used a spring compressor, complete waste of time!
Either 2X4 over the drum/disc and pry down if you have help or the stock jack betwwen the frame and the drum/disc, easy as pie and you can do it yourself in 3 minutes.And thats been mentioned several times before

The bumpstop, the ridges you trimmed off are what helps hold it in there

I could go on but

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Good post jhblackwell. That's what I love about forums... So many people trying to help the next guy.

Like you I haven't done a dozen lifts, nor have I read every single post for the last so many years. So I don't recall everything that's ever been said on here either. So I can respect your ingenuity. And your son's flip flops. Good job.

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2004 Liberty - 2009 JKU

sorry I won't help the next guy let him do it the hard way

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

If that was true, I don't think you would have 10,000 posts and a world of PM's to delete.

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2005 Patriot Blue Sport 3.7L 4WD
Alpine Headunit/2 12" Kenwood Subs/620 Watt Power Acoustik Amp
Teenage Driving/K&N Drop-In/MOPAR Tow Hooks & Skids/Debadged
BDS Coils/BDS 5500 Shocks/15x8 Cragar Soft 8's/31x10.5xR15 MTR
Teraflex Bumpstops/Rear Bumpstops/Trimmed Bumper

http://murphyman1.mybrute.com/

I just hate it when a guy takes the time to take pics and post tips to try to help the next guy, only to be told that what he did is a "total waste of time". And that what you have said has " been mentioned several times before".

He's got 65 posts. Probably hasn't been on here long enough to see every other post about this topic. And not everybody jumps right on the "search" button.

Your post just seemed to be shooting the guy down and make him look like a dumb stupid for doing it his way. Your post just looked very antagonizing and arrogant to me.

I know, you've been on here a long time and done a lot of lifts. Obviously you do know your stuff.

And maybe I just mis-read the "attitude" behind the text. If so, I sincerely apologize. Maybe looking to cut the guy some slack and asking for tact when telling a guy his work was a waste of time.

I'm not trying to make enemies. Just seemed like a rude response to his post.

</hi-jack>

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2004 Liberty - 2009 JKU

When I couldn't get my bumpstops in with the shovel trick, I just tried to force it in with my hands... And BAM! It worked! Haha. 5 seconds of work per bumpstop is all it took, just have to get a lot of leverage and yank that bad boy.

But hey, everyone has their tricks. And these tricks worked for ya. There's always one than more route to take when doing stuff. I'm all done with my lift as of now, but I'm sure these will help a fellow member out.

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2005 Patriot Blue Sport 3.7L 4WD
Alpine Headunit/2 12" Kenwood Subs/620 Watt Power Acoustik Amp
Teenage Driving/K&N Drop-In/MOPAR Tow Hooks & Skids/Debadged
BDS Coils/BDS 5500 Shocks/15x8 Cragar Soft 8's/31x10.5xR15 MTR
Teraflex Bumpstops/Rear Bumpstops/Trimmed Bumper

http://murphyman1.mybrute.com/

Wasn't trying to be a jerk, but pointing out better ways of doing something. I have seen what coil springs can do when they let go with the energy that they have,

Yes I appauld the OP in taking the time, but what if the next person puts some wire on and then it either slips around or breaks. If you could of seen what my buddies face looked like or what his Mother had to go through for several years feeding him before he died from the head injuries then maybe you would see where I am coming from.

I don't sugar coat things and try and smooth things over like some, what it is , is what it is take it or leave it.
As far as only having 65 posts or something, when I came on here I never posted for 2 months , just took my time and read through posts and learned !!!!!!

Sunday morning sermon is over

Thank you for your time!

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

GOOD GOOBELDY GOOBERS!?!
I must say I didn't expect this kind of reaction to my post, if any at all.
Tommud, you can say what you like. I am not offended. I've been a member since May, '06, right after purchasing my KJ, and have read quite a few posts about quiet a few mods. I'm still a newbie to modifying and fabricating and appreciate all the help and comments I can get. As far as the coil install, I tried what you suggested and experienced great difficulty with the coil wanting to pop out. It may be an '06 thing, I don't know. I must admit I was apprenesive about the wire, but being an old farmboy I know it's strengths and weaknesses and thought it worth a try. This particular wire is what the electrical co-ops use to wrap around the transmission lines that hang from the support cables from pole to pole....very strong.
It sounds like you had a bad experience, or a friend did, and are understandably concerned about stupid people doing stupid things. As an old Vietnam combat veteran I completely understand and will continue to voice my opinion in opposition to any war...especially political. Stand by your guns, Tommud, even if you feel like a voice in the darkness someone may hear and learn.
And the rest of ya'll....BACK OFF!
This is a free country and an open forum. The man is just expressing his opinion, and I appreciate everyone's input.

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"Keep the shiny side up and the oily side down"
'06 4X4 KJ, skid plates, Daystar lift, Wrangler MT/R 245/75/16, Reese hitch, Surco Safari Rack/Hella 500's, Cobra 75 wxst/Wilson 4' Firestick, Optima Red Top, Pilot fog lights, Detours KJ Backbone/Smittybilt XRC8 winch, Spidertrax spacers.

'04 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHRI Bagger

Thanks JH , an old farm boy myself and yes have done some things that have others running for cover at times!

But all is well in the Land of LOST

So what is next in 'upgrading' your beloved KJ ???

Have a great day!

Tom

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I'm fixing to head to Tractor Supply Co. and check out their 2" draw bar shackle to replace my factory front tow hooks with. If successfull I'll post the results so ya'll can arque about that.

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"Keep the shiny side up and the oily side down"
'06 4X4 KJ, skid plates, Daystar lift, Wrangler MT/R 245/75/16, Reese hitch, Surco Safari Rack/Hella 500's, Cobra 75 wxst/Wilson 4' Firestick, Optima Red Top, Pilot fog lights, Detours KJ Backbone/Smittybilt XRC8 winch, Spidertrax spacers.

'04 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHRI Bagger

I have heard of using the scissor jack/stock jack between the frame and the axle. But I havent seen a picture to give me a good idea of what exactly this means.. When doin the front end, do you put the jack in between the cv axle and the frame somewhere? I would just like to see a pic of what you guys are talkin about. My daystar lift didnt go as smooth as hoped, but then again, I didnt use anything but spring compressors to get the job done. And when i put the struts in, I Had to still use the compressors to compress the strut enough to get everythingt back together. Was a tough SOB to get them compressors off after that!!!

I am doin a frankenlift here soon and just wanna be able to slap it on. I will do a write up on it for sure this time. Also, since I know the admins look at everything... I suggest that we make a section for write ups. I cant seem to work the Search very well, so I dont have to post ?'s on topics that have been discussed time and time again.

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Anyone wanna buy a Jeep? One Owner, One Gear, ONE DOLLAR
Installed-Frankenlifted II Premie w/ daystar spacer in rear, Tow hooks, Mopar skids, Dura-Tracs on Soft 8's, amsoil lubricants in everything, weather tech mats, RRO UCA's, RRO rock rails(bought but not installed...YET). I know I am missing something...

Folks,
not everyone here is a really experienced engineer or mechanic. This is one of the harshest displays I've seen on this site.
I was quite shocked.
This is a bloke (whom I don't know) trying to do his best.

If he got it wrong in your opinion - help him sort it please. Is that not what we are here for?

I plan to offer food for thought regarding the Pro-Vent (an addition). I'm sure this will open a can of worms....& I have no criticism of any work done before me re Pro-vent.

I hope I don't get this reception....AAAH I really don't care! It will help some so I'll do it anyway.

Auberon

Nice write up.
I just unhooked the rear sway bar and stood on the axle while a buddy inserted the spacer.....but you're solution truely comes from the shade of the mighty oak.
Good Job guys.
KJKev

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