So forever I've been paranoid about getting a lift.  I've always wanted one, but scared of the driveline vibes and stuff I've debated within myself :touche: and finally one day, I decided to get an alignment.  They said my trackbar was no good.   I could get a factory type one put in for about $200, or I could get a JKS adjustable tracbar (for 2-4" of lift if I remember right) for a little more.

I order that, and while thinking about a Rubicon Express 2" bb since I talked to a guy who had one and he really liked it, I found a Rusty's kit here I got for $95 shipped.

Later I found that I had leaky axle seals in the Dana 35, so it was good that I put the lift on when I did, despite my dad's supportive "you don't need a lift, leave it alone, it'll be unstable" words.  If I had taken that advice, I would probably not know that the axle seals were leaky, and chances are would think that the sucky brakes is just because it's a little truck, and they're a far cry from the Grand Am and Saturn SC2 (the sporty ones, the '1' cars are slow) I had before.  Enjoy.

Pics 1 and 2: It feels like Christmas!



Inside the box from the fellow forum member (he sold his XJ before installation)


Inside the JKS box (if you lose instructions, they are available at their website)

...at my girlfriend's house... I put the coil compressors (rent them from import zone:devbug: ) on before lifting the Jeep.  This saves a lot of time.  It helps to have the wheels turned one way, and then the other for each spring compressor.  A 3/4 inch wrench turned those bolts, and it takes a long time.  Good bicep builder though.


I couldn't get these bolts out for the life of me... yup I did the 1 week dailly wd40 soak.



So I dropped the shocks from the upper mounts!  The shocks dropped right out with the swaybar disconnected, and I put my girlfriend to use guiding the shocks back into place while I jacked the axle up (Jeep supported by jackstands) and reinstalled bolt, bushing, and washers.  I left the swaybar undone until the other side was finished.



I disconnected the swaybar for more flex, the torx bolt looks retarded and when I get something to get that stupid thing out, I'm going to lengthen the swaybar links and do a manual quick disconnect setup with hitch pins and stuff.  You can tell that they're a bit short at 2" of lift!  I have new bushings but I'm not using them until the aforementioned things are finally done.


This is at full droop, make sure you install the pucks with the little u-shape down so the spring sits up in there nicely.  Before removing the coils, there's a little clip and a bolt that was a pain to get undone.  Make sure you wd40 soak that too!

The coil retainer clip is a little above the wd40 soaked lower shock bolts.


I repeated everything for the other side of the Jeep, and got started on the rear.  It started to rain right as I was starting on it, so I cleaned up really quick and decided to finish the rest at home.  Besides, the gf wanted me inside, so all the signs seemed to say "go inside".:)