Frankenlift install in Massachusetts

MassJeepGirl · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:56 pm

I am wondering if anybody knows a place that would install the lift? Planning ahead for when I get my KJ

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:04 pm

WELCOME MassJeep Girl there's a few of us from Ma. ( me being one )

don't realy know of anybody to do the lift except there is a place you might wanna try in Townsend,Ma. called Elias 4wd they do lifts but don't know if they'll do an outside one,make sure you check out LOST NorthEast in the clubs section & sign in we're going to be doing by monthly rides real soon & they are stock friendly trails

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:14 pm

Why dont you NE'rs have a wrench-a-thon and help a KJ'er out?

MassJeepGirl · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:36 pm

Thank you raceinfan. I will definately check it out once I get my KJ. I'm assuming the Frankenlift is the most recommended lift of all for KJ's correct? I just want to do it right the first time

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:40 pm

we could do that but as far as I know none of us have experiance with this lift the only one that did do a lift ( daystar ) is away for awhile in the service most of us just take it somewhere so if there's a problem we can go back to that place & they'll fix it,I myself am not mechanicaly inclined when it comes to suspentions

oh we do have one but he (se7en lc) went to Maine, just dawned on me but it's his sisters boyfriend he might offer assistance

MassJeepGirl · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:28 pm

Thank you raceinfan. I will definately check it out once I get my KJ. I'm assuming the Frankenlift is the most recommended lift of all for KJ's correct? I just want to do it right the first time

Noscapegoat · **Joined:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:45 am **Posts:** 104

Good to see you picked the KJ

Yes the FrankenLift is the most recommended lift its been used by many members at MOAB with great results.

SKIDOG · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:50 pm

Not to complicated to install. If I remember correctly Mutt and I only used a minimum of tools a floor jack, jack stands, a small tie down strap to pull the lower part of the clevis back. Two or three people can handle it very easily using the instructions on the site here and the article in 4WD & SUV Mag. Just take your time and you'll be proud of what you've done. The ride is a thousand times better then stock....

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:39 am

MassJeepGirl wrote:

Thank you raceinfan. I will definately check it out once I get my KJ. I'm assuming the Frankenlift is the most recommended lift of all for KJ's correct? I just want to do it right the first time

Good choice! yeah, the Frankenlift seems to be the most highly-recommended lift for the KJ. I'm sure you've probably read all about it by now, how they made the kit by combining parts from other kits until they got a system that worked the best. There are a lot of other kits that are much cheaper, but I'm with you on that - I just wanted to do it right the first time! I figure if I spent 24k on a new jeep another $900 to get a top-of-the-line suspension is worth it.

I think I am the only frankenlift in MA, and I have no idea where to go to get it installed. The guy I got to do mine is sorta family and he just put it in on the floor of a friend's auto shop on a weekend, took about 2.5 hours (not a typical install time, though, a lot of people say 4-6 hours or so). Not sure if he's looking to get into the business of installing these things, and it's not like he has the insurance to cover if anything goes wrong (torn boot or something, who knows).

Any jeep or offroad shop should be able to do the install if you give them the parts and the article from 4WD magazine. It's really just a matter of pulling out the old springs, struts and shocks and slapping in some new ones, the rest is all the details of trying to make it fit.

Or you can always plan a driveway install, it's not too bad if you have access to the right tools.

So you decided on the KJ over the TJ, I take it?

MassJeepGirl · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:19 am

Yes, I think I've decided on the KJ over the TJ. Now my question is what is the difference between the Limited and Renegade? I'm assuming the Renegade is more trail ready? If so I think that's the one I want to go with. Are there any quirky problems with KJ's? I know my current Cherokee has some issues so I was just curious if the Libby's are the same. Thanks again everybody for all the help. I can't wait to get the KJ and join L.O.S.T. Northeast!

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:56 am

MassJeepGirl wrote:

Now my question is what is the difference between the Limited and Renegade? I'm assuming the Renegade is more trail ready? If so I think that's the one I want to go with.

Yes and no. Here are some of the major differences between the Renegade and the Limited. Only applies to 2005+:

Renegade:
Flat hood
bumper-mounted fog lights
160A alternator
Plastic "Bolt-On" fender flares

Limited:
Rounded hood, same as sport + pre-2005 models
In-grill fog lights
136A alternator
Body color flares.

Everything else about the renegade is an option package, so while it may be more common on a renegade, it's not the only way to get it:

- Trac-Loc limited slip differential, available for 2002-2005 models, included in renegade offroad package, available on other models as an option.
- "All Terrain" tires, 235/70R16 size (as opposed to the 225/75R16 size). Included in renegade offroad package, available as an option on other models. IMO not worth it, if you want upgraded tires, just buy better tires (and if you're lifting, you'll want bigger anyway)
- Roof-Mounted light bar. Included as part of a renegade option package, available as a dealer or self-install kit for other models
- Skid plates, rock rails, tow hooks, ligth guards. Included in the renegade offroad package, available as an option on other models or aftermarket.

Basically any KJ you get can be made to be just as offroad worthy. Pick your sub-model based on the things you can't (easily) change later. Renegade/Rocky Mountain for example is the only model with the flat hood, renegade has the "bolt-on" fender flares, Limited + Rocky Mountain have the body-colored flares, etc. Pick the one you like the look of and mod it accordingly.

Quote:

Are there any quirky problems with KJ's? I know my current Cherokee has some issues so I was just curious if the Libby's are the same. Thanks again everybody for all the help. I can't wait to get the KJ and join L.O.S.T. Northeast!

The only major known issue is the short-lived balljoints, due to a manufacturing defect allowing water to get inside and corrode them. The recall for 2002-2003 models involved adding a heat shield to protect the boot from melting allowing the water in, but the real defect is the fact that when water gets in it stays in, so that part is on ALL years. replacement balljoints are available which fix this, and warranty typically covers balljoints, but there is sometimes an issue when they see that you lifted it (which makes sense, lifting the jeep DOES have an effect on the balljoints, but there's nothing concrete that says it makes it worse).

So are you going to look for a 2005 still on the lot, get a 2006 model, or order one? Let us know what option packages you want and we can answer some questions about them if needed. For example, if you want heated seats and a lightbar, we can tell you that you can't order both options from the factory, but the dealer can install it for you, etc.

shadow · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:56 am

MassJeepGirl wrote:

Yes, I think I've decided on the KJ over the TJ. Now my question is what is the difference between the Limited and Renegade? I'm assuming the Renegade is more trail ready? If so I think that's the one I want to go with. Are there any quirky problems with KJ's? I know my current Cherokee has some issues so I was just curious if the Libby's are the same. Thanks again everybody for all the help. I can't wait to get the KJ and join L.O.S.T. Northeast!

I think Se7enLC covered basically all the differences...
I went with the Renegade because it has more aggressive styling and I really like the look of the flat hood better...
I upgraded to the D package which includes the Skid Plate Group, 6 CD in dash, and a few other things I think...
The only other option I added was the power sunroof... Can't go topless but I can at least put a hole in the roof!

And one other thing... They don't offer the Limited in manual tranny...
I loooove my 6 speed!

raceinfan · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:42 pm

if you go with the renegade it comes with some of the skid plates which is a realy good thing , the limited I believe doesn't come with skids so you'll have to purchase seperate & is most important thing to have so you don't have any major breaks also the renegade comes with tow hooks up front because you never know :wink:

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:34 pm

Seems lame, but I would recommend actually looking for the skids, hooks and stuff and not assuming that all Rene's have them. Especially if it's used.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:47 am

CaKJFreedom wrote:

Seems lame, but I would recommend actually looking for the skids, hooks and stuff and not assuming that all Rene's have them. Especially if it's used.

Agreed. skids, hooks, and rails being a part of the renegade is a misnomer. They are NOT standard on the renegade, they are just part of one of the option packages that are typically ordered with the renegade (one of the trim packages includes them as well, I think, either D or X, I forget which). But anyway, you can just as easily order a renegade without skids as you can order a limited with them (or a limited with cloth seats and a renegade with leather), so just look for a jeep that has the stuff you want, the only *known* things are the hood shape, alternator amperage, and fender flare styles. Pretty much everything else can be changed by getting a different option package, so make no assumptions!

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:27 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

CaKJFreedom wrote:

Seems lame, but I would recommend actually looking for the skids, hooks and stuff and not assuming that all Rene's have them. Especially if it's used.

Agreed. skids, hooks, and rails being a part of the renegade is a misnomer. They are NOT standard on the renegade, they are just part of one of the option packages that are typically ordered with the renegade (one of the trim packages includes them as well, I think, either D or X, I forget which). But anyway, you can just as easily order a renegade without skids as you can order a limited with them (or a limited with cloth seats and a renegade with leather), so just look for a jeep that has the stuff you want, the only *known* things are the hood shape, alternator amperage, and fender flare styles. Pretty much everything else can be changed by getting a different option package, so make no assumptions!

One exception is that the factory will not put both the Lightbar and heated seats in the same vehicle. Some people have reported sucess having the dealer install the lightbar after delivery.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:42 am

If you are looking for an honest shop, try www.massdiesel.com Scott is an honest guy who is very knowledgeable on anything mechanical. The shop is located in Walpole.

MassJeepGirl · **Posted:** Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:59 pm

Straight6Jeff Thank you for that. I am going to get in touch with him.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:14 pm

Just got back to reading the posts. Scott was just returning Monday night from Indianapolis for a Diesel event. he may be a bit tough to get a hold of at the moment.

Frankenlift install in Massachusetts

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