Paul E
06-06-2005, 10:18 AM
Well, after losing about what seems like 50 pounds in sweat this weekend (hot and humid!), everything is DONE! My helper (son) had some classes this weekend, so I did all of this solo.
What was expected to be about a 2.5" lift ended up being closer to 3.5" over what I had before! The rear springs are the OME's for an Unlimited (HD) and the front are the HD for the regular Wrangler. I'm sure it will settle a bit and end up around 3" until I add my winch. In the pics below, it doesn't really show up too well, but a couple of measurements on the rear showed nearly a 4" lift using the method described in OME's stuff vs what I had before I started. I think my stock stuff was definitely worn!
I'm not going to a writeup as there are LOTS of posts on how to do an OME writeup, but I'll add my experiences for those doing this same thing.
First, jack stands, a good floor jack, and the proper tools are a MUST!!! Before I started this, I went to Harbor Freight for their sidewalk sale and got a new set of open-ended wrenches REAL cheap when I was buying my right angle drill attachment. A rental spring compressor from Autozone is great too, esp with taller springs.
Second, do the bar pin installation BEFORE you do this. This saved me a LOT of sweat and frustration!
Third, take digital photos if you can of how everything goes together BEFORE you take it apart. I referred back to mine a couple of times to make sure I was doing it right. While the OME instructions are EXCELLENT, having photos helps me greatly.
Fourth, the rear suspension is a TON easier with that **** gas tank out of the way! I am SO glad I waited to do the Kilby at the same time. Once I finished the front, I realized this was NOT a 2.5" lift! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif So I started on the rear by doing the first part of the Kilby install and relieving fuel pressure, and dropping the tank. Set it outside while doing the work gave me a lot of room to get to the rear shocks and to do the trackbar relocation.
Fifth, that trackbar relocation bracket is a PITA to install, even with the gas tank out! I did the front in about 1.5-2 hours. The rear took probably twice that! The instructions have you put the rear springs back on before doing it, but you have to remove the driver rear spring to be able to drill the holes you need for the relo bracket. No biggie because once you unhook the trackbar, the rear sags down JUST fine to fit the springs in there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hooking it back up, well, that is a little more challenging!
Sixth, the Kilby installed just fine, once the hoses are all routed properly. One thing I did NOT see in the instructions is the stuff about the ground strap for the gas tank. I tore mine when I dropped the tank and realized that when I was about to put the new one on and saw a piece of something hanging from my frame... What's THAT? OOPS! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Well, creative electrical engineering, electrical tape, and duct tape work wonders to reattach that (for now).
Seventh, the Kilby is a tight fit and it wanted to fit towards the front of its mounting slots. Well, a 6' steel bar took care of that so I could shift it back a bit and give the track bar some more flex room. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Eighth, remember to reconnect your gas tank wiring and hoses before you start the Jeep. Easier to start that way. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ninth, I had to install the t-case drop. Vibes were not bad, but noticable enough that it bugged me. Thank goodness for breaker bars (picked one up at HF Sat morning too)!
Driving impressions:
DAAAAAMMMMMNNNNNNNN it rides REAL smooth on road and has no problems with potholes or bumps. I heard a couple of BANGS on the first test drive as everything settled. I stopped to make sure nothing fell off and everything was tight (took tools with me on the drive). I suspect it was just the springs coming into place finally. Alignment is not an issue - Kermit tracks straight and true. But I'll probably verify the alignment another evening just to make sure. The front axle is off a bit, but I'm not going to drill a hole in the trackbar. After messing with the rear, I'll just by an adjustable front bar from Rusty's at some point and call it good. For now it is fine.
Below are a few pics of before and after. If you have any questions, just let me know! More pics are in my gallery (http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/showgallery.php?cat=15426).
Before:
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15311/medium/163DSCN00771.JPG
After:
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15426/medium/DSCN0129.JPG
What was expected to be about a 2.5" lift ended up being closer to 3.5" over what I had before! The rear springs are the OME's for an Unlimited (HD) and the front are the HD for the regular Wrangler. I'm sure it will settle a bit and end up around 3" until I add my winch. In the pics below, it doesn't really show up too well, but a couple of measurements on the rear showed nearly a 4" lift using the method described in OME's stuff vs what I had before I started. I think my stock stuff was definitely worn!
I'm not going to a writeup as there are LOTS of posts on how to do an OME writeup, but I'll add my experiences for those doing this same thing.
First, jack stands, a good floor jack, and the proper tools are a MUST!!! Before I started this, I went to Harbor Freight for their sidewalk sale and got a new set of open-ended wrenches REAL cheap when I was buying my right angle drill attachment. A rental spring compressor from Autozone is great too, esp with taller springs.
Second, do the bar pin installation BEFORE you do this. This saved me a LOT of sweat and frustration!
Third, take digital photos if you can of how everything goes together BEFORE you take it apart. I referred back to mine a couple of times to make sure I was doing it right. While the OME instructions are EXCELLENT, having photos helps me greatly.
Fourth, the rear suspension is a TON easier with that **** gas tank out of the way! I am SO glad I waited to do the Kilby at the same time. Once I finished the front, I realized this was NOT a 2.5" lift! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif So I started on the rear by doing the first part of the Kilby install and relieving fuel pressure, and dropping the tank. Set it outside while doing the work gave me a lot of room to get to the rear shocks and to do the trackbar relocation.
Fifth, that trackbar relocation bracket is a PITA to install, even with the gas tank out! I did the front in about 1.5-2 hours. The rear took probably twice that! The instructions have you put the rear springs back on before doing it, but you have to remove the driver rear spring to be able to drill the holes you need for the relo bracket. No biggie because once you unhook the trackbar, the rear sags down JUST fine to fit the springs in there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hooking it back up, well, that is a little more challenging!
Sixth, the Kilby installed just fine, once the hoses are all routed properly. One thing I did NOT see in the instructions is the stuff about the ground strap for the gas tank. I tore mine when I dropped the tank and realized that when I was about to put the new one on and saw a piece of something hanging from my frame... What's THAT? OOPS! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Well, creative electrical engineering, electrical tape, and duct tape work wonders to reattach that (for now).
Seventh, the Kilby is a tight fit and it wanted to fit towards the front of its mounting slots. Well, a 6' steel bar took care of that so I could shift it back a bit and give the track bar some more flex room. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Eighth, remember to reconnect your gas tank wiring and hoses before you start the Jeep. Easier to start that way. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ninth, I had to install the t-case drop. Vibes were not bad, but noticable enough that it bugged me. Thank goodness for breaker bars (picked one up at HF Sat morning too)!
Driving impressions:
DAAAAAMMMMMNNNNNNNN it rides REAL smooth on road and has no problems with potholes or bumps. I heard a couple of BANGS on the first test drive as everything settled. I stopped to make sure nothing fell off and everything was tight (took tools with me on the drive). I suspect it was just the springs coming into place finally. Alignment is not an issue - Kermit tracks straight and true. But I'll probably verify the alignment another evening just to make sure. The front axle is off a bit, but I'm not going to drill a hole in the trackbar. After messing with the rear, I'll just by an adjustable front bar from Rusty's at some point and call it good. For now it is fine.
Below are a few pics of before and after. If you have any questions, just let me know! More pics are in my gallery (http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/showgallery.php?cat=15426).
Before:
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15311/medium/163DSCN00771.JPG
After:
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15426/medium/DSCN0129.JPG