Lift install dificulty level

[Liutas]

I'm lifting my '06 TJ rubicon 4", debating installing myself or having the shop do it for me. As for me, I'm a licensed A&P so I can find my way around a shop and a tool box. My concern is that I don't have a lift or shop bay to do the install. I have a complete set of your basic shop tools, air, jacks, jack stands, etc. and an open level place to do the work. What I don't want to happen is to get the thing torn apart and need to run for something I'm missing. So is it a pretty basic job that a farily experienced mechanic can accomplish? BTW, I lifted my two CJs myself, but of course that's a completely different animal.

The difference in paying the shop to do it versus doing it myself is the difference between getting wheels with my new tires or just putting them on the stock rims.

 

[xt master]

From the sounds of it you should be able to do it your self.Me and friend did his outside with some tools 2 jack stands and HI-Lift jack.Biggest problem we ran into was the silly pitman arm did not want to come off.

 

[Liutas]

Doesn't the rubi already have a dropped pitman?

 

[TerryMason]

The main question for me would be how much does the shop want to lift it?

You can do it yourself in a weekend, then you'll need to immediately drive to a shop and have them align it for you and check your angles.


As for special tools, you'll need a pickle fork if you're changing the trackbar (you probably will be). A set of air tools makes things go by faster. A good breaker bar also helps.

It's not overly hard, so I'd give it a try.

 

[Liutas]

The lift costs $800ish and they said the total if they install will be $1200, so they want about half the cost of the lift to install it. If it takes an entire weekend to install it I'm screwed because I'd be doing it at work and would have no way to get home before the job is done.

 

[Sid1966]

took me about 8 hrs to install susp lift on my 97 tj including t case drop and front adj track bar, no air tools or hoist,just basic tools and jack stands,for $400 i would do it my self

 

[jps4jeep]

do it your self, if you have the ability to read and understand direction, you can install a lift kit. there should no specialize tools other than a pitman arm pull, which can be rented from a parts storer for free.

and no, rubi's do not have a stock dropped pitman arm.

 

[jfrabat]

I agree with jps4jeep; do it yourself and save the money. I did mine with my wife (yeah, that's when she still liked the Jeep!) over a weekend (of course, mine is a YJ, so it's a bit easier than the TJ, but it is still not rocket science). Actually, I found the SYE install harder than the lift (that darn snap ring!).

 

[Liutas]

Oredered the lift this afternoon, I'll pick it up in store on Friday, will install when I know my wheels and tires will be ready, in other words, at a time to be determined.

Yay for not needing a SYE! ;D

 

[54cj3b]

weigh out the options
do it yourself down day or so busting knuckles may run into not having a certain tool ect if somethings done wrong you cant point the finger

if shop does it back most likely same day no sweat off your back any thing goes wrong they got to fix it and you get the pleasure of pointing that finger
$400. is worth having it done rather than all the stressful agrivation fumbling around under the jeep and or not having proper tools plus work is most likely gauranteed if its done by shop

 

[bobcat481]

weigh out the options
do it yourself down day or so busting knuckles may run into not having a certain tool ect if somethings done wrong you cant point the finger

if shop does it back most likely same day no sweat off your back any thing goes wrong they got to fix it and you get the pleasure of pointing that finger
$400. is worth having it done rather than all the stressful agrivation fumbling around under the jeep and or not having proper tools plus work is most likely gauranteed if its done by shop

I do agree, but ther's nothing like saying that you did it yourself, AND saved $400. I say, as long as it's not your daily driver, and you can have it sit for lets say TWO weekends (worst case senario), that's $100 bucks a day you paid yourself, AND you learn a little somethin' somethin'. I say go for it. You'll have a story to tell the grandkids down the road.

 

[jfrabat]

weigh out the options
do it yourself down day or so busting knuckles may run into not having a certain tool ect if somethings done wrong you cant point the finger

if shop does it back most likely same day no sweat off your back any thing goes wrong they got to fix it and you get the pleasure of pointing that finger
$400. is worth having it done rather than all the stressful agrivation fumbling around under the jeep and or not having proper tools plus work is most likely gauranteed if its done by shop

I disagree with you on this one; while what you say is true, I think if you wheel your Jeep, you should get as much mechanical knowledge as you can, because if it breaks out in the boonies, you are going to be fixing it under the worse possible conditions (very limited tools, no garage, etc.) and many times, you will need to McGyver up a solution to limp back to camp or to the nearest road to get you rig brought home. That is difficult to do if you dont know how stuff works and goes together. Hence my recommendation for hands-on experience.

 

[prariepunk]

I'm installing a 4" skyjacker on my '05 TJ Saturday... it's just a basic lift but I'll let you know how it goes... I've heard horror stories about the transfer case drop & drive shaft vibrations & such... but I'm winging it anyway

 

[jfrabat]

I'm installing a 4" skyjacker on my '05 TJ Saturday... it's just a basic lift but I'll let you know how it goes... I've heard horror stories about the transfer case drop & drive shaft vibrations & such... but I'm winging it anyway

It really depends on the Jeep. If I were you, I would try it without the TC drop kit or the SYE and see how it goes. Most likely, you will get some vibes. If you do, install the TC drop kit until you get around to getting a SYE kit (keep in mind this involves changing the angle of the rear axle; I dont know how this is done on a coil sprung Jeep, but on my YJ, it involved taking the spring perches off and welding in new ones at the correct angle). A TC drop is actually not hard to install, but they dont always fix the vibration issues from what I heard (I actaully went to a SYE right from the start, so I dont have first hand experience, but you still need to drop the skid plate, which is what you need to do to isntall the TC drop kit).

 

[prariepunk]

I may do that... I don't have e the funds for the SYE right now but It'll be going on some day.

I've had some concern about the front of the skidplate interfering with the front drive shaft. My skidplate is extended in the front & that kinda worries me.

 

[ljrubitm]

If you have done a lift before on a CJ you can do this. It's only bolts.On a Rubi you should not need a SYE because of the TC ( they don't need one ) If you have the LJ Rubi you should be fine with out the TC drop.
Read everything first, look at what you need to unbolt and make sure you have all the right sizes and sockets to do it before you start.The rear track bar bolt takes a specal socket.
Just to let you know, me jeep is a 06 rubi- LJ -4'' lift no TC drop, stock R/ DS
with no problems for 4 yrs.

One more thing. Start early in the morning.

 

[Liutas]

So I got it done today. At least, I got the majority of it done. I wasn't able to get the front sway bar drop links off, is there a trick? I got the nut off but couldn't get the bolt to come out, it was like it was pressed in. I also didn't bother with the rear drop links as I was running short on time, and I wasn't able to get the rear track bar bracket on because I my set of torx bits only goes up to 45 and doesn't include the super gigantic one they used on the bracket but I can always do them later. I didn't install the transfer case drop kit and I didn't seem to get any driveline vibration, at least up to 50mph on the drive home. What I DID get, however, was a bit of the infamous Death-Wobble when I hit a bump doing about 50. I'm hoping that getting it aligned this week when I get my wheels/tires will make that go away. I'm a little nervous to take it on the freeway right now knowing that could happen again, which is going to add a good 15 minutes or so to my commute to work.

All in all I'm very happy with it. It rides a bit rougher than before, which I was expecting, but not nearly as rough as my CJs did.

I welcome any advice, criticisms, reccommmendations, suggestions or comments. Especially regarding the Death-Wobble and any possible cures.

 

[TerryMason]

Congrats on getting it installed. It feels good to do it yourself.

As to your death wobble - chances are your caster is off. Did your lift come with adjustable control arms? If so you're good, if not then you should get some adjustable caster bolts from the dealer - they should be pretty cheap.

When you go to get it aligned you should ask them what they normally set the caster at. Many places will set caster to the stock 7-8 degrees, which is fine for a stock Jeep, but probably too high for a lifted one. My Jeep seemed to like 6 degrees buy your milage may vary..

 

[Liutas]

Thanks Terry. No adjustable control arms, I was told a lot of people end up not liking them as they tend to wear and go out of adjustment. I DO however have the adjustable cam bolt, although when I had them out, they looked like regular bolts to me. Do the jeeps without the cam bolts still have the little plate with the degree marks all around it?

 

[ljrubitm]

I'm sorry , I just saw you live in Fort Lauderdale. I'm here in Pembroke Pines just west of 75. If you need help just drop me a line and I'll do what I can for you.