Took the plunge

Nope, I'm already married, but I did order my 2.5 inch lift from fourwheeldrive hardware. I'm pretty stoked about it. I seriously thought about the BD 3 inch kit, but was too concerned about angles for that. It should be here next week when I get back from Detroit. I hope to install it next weekend. I have new shackles to go in as well. I have been looking forward to this for a long time.

Any suggestions on install procedures??? I know I am going to shoot an ample amount of liquid wrench on everything the night before to ease in disassembly.

thanks
High5

 

Yeah I prefer the burn out method , then I cut the bushing out with the torch. I replaced alot of those type bushings in my life on peanut combines so I have alot of practice wacking them out with a torch.
Watch your brake lines . If you have them looped in the front unloop them before you do anything if you not replacing them.Ive saw the loop kink sevral times in my life and then you will have to replace them , which is the best policy anyway.
I torch all my old ubolts off ,its not worth the time fighting them.
HTH

 

The torch method works fine, I have used it many times. It is smelly and messy though. A ball joint press works the best but are spendy, Harbor freight sells cheaper ones that I have heard work OK. The method that I use now is an improvised press made from 2 1/2 in drive sockets, 7/16 all thread and a couple of nuts and washers. Of course if you have acess to a lathe you can make a better setup. For the socket method you need a regular socket that is just slightly smaller in ID than the outer bushing sleeve and a deepwell that is large enough in ID so you can push the old bushing into it. Then just run the all thread through both sockets and tighten the nuts. Once it pops loose it comes out easily the rest of the way.

 

Burt out the rubber bushings. Go get yourself a $30 air chisel from TSC to remove the outer bushing. You will thank me for this

 

I just picked up an air chisel kit from HF for $7, on sale.

 

"Jacksoncj5" just put a 4" lift on his '75 last week. His thread was called "bout to lift it". You may be able to find some help there.

 

Made a puller for these little buggers. Used a 7/16 socket head grade 5 bolt and a number of washers and 1/2 galv. pipe nipples. Still had to score the outer ring and drive it out with a chisel. Spray the mount with carb cleaner to soften up the rubber the night before. Broke the first bolt before I learned this. No heat to burn paint and total outlay of $3.50.

 

Hey guys,
Just got back from the Super Bowl. I might not have mentioned, but I already have poly bushings in there. That is one thing we did do the first time. Will they be that difficult to get out??? I don't have a torch, nor do I have an air compressor yet. I'm sure I should take the poly ones out that are in there right??? I shouldn't reuse them?? Or if they are in good shape can I re use them???

I really can't wait for this thing to come in. I finally sold and got rid of the hard top that I was selling. That and some gift certs from X mas funded the upcoming project.

Thanks for the advice and keep it coming,


High5

 

Well,
I wouldn't call them "new" They were put in when we re did the Jeep about 12 years ago. I would put money on that the bushings don't have more than 10,000 miles on them since then. What do you think now??? If they look alright should I just leave them??? How hard will it be to get the poly bushings out??? And install new ones???

Thanks guys and my lift was shipped out yesterday and should be here by the end of the week.

High5

 

Hey guys,
Got the lift. I need someone to ease my mind. Are the rear springs longer than the front on my 75??? I tried to stick a tape on the Jeep to see what they measured, but it wasn't working very well. The new fronts measure around 38 inches and the rears are like 42 or so. Does that sound right???

I'm really itchin to put this kit on, but the weather here has been less than spectacular lately. All of Jan was like 15 degrees above normal, now we got snow last night. It just figures

this weekend isn't supposed to be much better. I might be able to put a heater in the garage and get after it. I sure wish I had my gas burning heater hooked up out there. It's just taking up space right now.

Somebody holla back at me, I just want some clarification on these springs.

Thanks,

High5

 

Congrats on your new lift! I know how you feel. I saved change in a piggy bank for mine.

The biggest problem I had was getting the pitman arm off. I'm not sure if you replace the pitman arm for a 2 1/2" lift. Mine was a 4".

 

Hey guys, I have an update.

I finished up the rear of the Jeep today. I ended up taking the grinder to the U bolts in order to get them off. I couldn't even get them to budge with a breaker bar and lots of penetrating oil. No major problems, had a bit of an issue with the shims I had made. Had to drill them out a little to get them to fit. The Jeep now has a hell of a rake to it. Looks funny. I'm sure it will flatten out a bit once I get the new front springs in place. I have heard that you should drive a while before putting your shocks on, is this true???

Anyway, it was only about 25 to 30 degrees here today and I was working in the driveway I didn't know if I could get the Jeep out of the garage once the lift was on. It was pretty sunny so it wasn't too cold. I'm going to hit the front tomorrow. I will post pics once I have some finished ones.

High5

 

Never heard about driving them without shocks 1st.

 

I had heard from somewhere that it helps to break in the springs?? Anyway, I put them on. I now have the lift completely on. It didn't seem to lift the front much, maybe an inch or so. I'm not sure if there was a lift on it or not, but there is now!! I also got my shackles put on, but I haven't got the center brace in yet. I'm not sure how I will cut this and make it straight. A band saw would be great, but I don't know anyone around here that has one. My uncle does, but he's 200 miles north. I might just wait on those till I get back home sometime. I will post some pics tomorrow from work. I can't figure out my picture program here at home.

I can actually push down on the front or rear bumpers and make the springs work. Before it would budge. I hope this four wheel drive hardware lift rides as well as they say.

One more thing. How tight should the shackles be?? I went 15 pounds like the directions said. Sound right???

High5

 

Hey guys,

Here's some pics of this weekends work. For some reason it doesn't look much higher in the front, but it is about two inches at the axle. Same in the rear. It almost looks like I could use some add-a-leafs to even things out. All in all, not a bad project. I also swapped out the starter and solenoid Sat. morning. It's starting much easier. I'm sure I'm going to catch some slack for using 2X8's as spacers for my jack stands, but that's all I had. I did the fronts in the garage since it was snowing a little yesterday. I drove it to work today and the springs are a bit stiff, but I think they will improve once I get some miles on it. On to the next project
Top pic is the finished product, after the snow melted.
High5

 

Good Job! Have you tried fitting it in the garage yet?

 

Yep, fits in the garage. I did the front end in there on Sunday. It was close, real close. Everything seems to be working as it should so I'm happy so far. I hope that the springs break in a bit.

High5