Self install

[homebrew]

I take pride in working on my own vehicles, with that said wanted to get some feed back from those who have installed their own lift kits. I will be installing a Zone 6in kit on my truck soon. I've lifted many of jeeps in my time, but this is my first full size. Any tips/pointers would be appreciated.

 

[RamWrayzor]

The bolts for the frond diff mount are a PITA to remove and the upper rear shock bolts were a pain to get to as well. Had to go between the frame and over the gas tank to access the driver side rear shock. I say 2 people minimum for certain parts of the lift.

 

[brandonjansen]

The Zone lift kit is fairly easy to install. I'd recommend taking a good read through the instructions and make sure you feel comfortable with everything that it requires. I'd say cutting off the rear front cross member is probably the most difficult and that's not real that bad if you have the right tools. As mentioned above the diff bolts and rear shock bolts can be a little difficult but if you have the right tools and extensions they aren't too bad. You'll also want to make sure you have all the right tools. The hub bolt takes a pretty large socket. If I remember right it's a 35mm.

 

[homebrew]

Ordered my lift kit today gotta get some taller jack stands then I should be good to go. Is the zone kit much different than the rough country kit? There is a pretty good video o. YouTube that goes step by step basically. Hoping that'll help as a ready reference on my iPad while under the truck.

 

[RamWrayzor]

Ordered my lift kit today gotta get some taller jack stands then I should be good to go. Is the zone kit much different than the rough country kit? There is a pretty good video o. YouTube that goes step by step basically. Hoping that'll help as a ready reference on my iPad while under the truck.

Not much different at all except no spacer on the rear. The rough country printed instructions are easier to follow, so I used a combo of both instructions when installing mine.

 

[homebrew]

Installing my lift this weekend wanted to ask for any more tips/tricks/words of wisdom yall may have. Been reading up on the rear shocks, someone mentioned removing the spare tire which gives some extra room to move. Hoping to not have to remove the fender liners. I plan on taking notes and lots of picture that I'll pass along when I get done.

 

[deangtp]

I did rear shocks a couple weekends ago. I took a 13/16 wrench and cut the box end off about three inches. Then it's like a nut with a anti-spin tab. Just slip it on the nut, wrench your bolt(wheel side). Install was the reverse. Being it was a box end though, when you tighten it. The leg of your modified wrench will be tight against the shock mount. If you stick a flat head screwdriver up there in between the leg and the mount. Once it's tightened pull the screwdriver out and it'll give you the wiggle room to get the modified wrench out. A new craftsman 13/16 is like 13 bucks. I'm sure you could snag a Stanley for a few bucks at Wally World. It worked for me. No extensions or wobbly doo dads.

 

[homebrew]

Day one of install notes. It's easier to remove the rear fender liners to get at the top of the shock. Zone instructions are about worthless, they leave a lot up to the imagination. Misses put on her angry eyes so I'll have to finish up tomorrow but here's a teaser.

 

[Ox69]

The best way to get to the rear shock bolts imo would be to remove the inner wheel liner. Made a world of differents for me.

 

[homebrew]

A little confused on the tie rod replacement step, exactly what it supposed to be trimmed?

 

[homebrew]

Finally finishing up my lift tomorrow. The instructions are very vague, can someone tell me it there a certain way to install the cam bolts on the crossmembers?

 

[Dantheman]

For the tie rod ends, I didnt trim them like it said to do and everything worked out fine, but that may just be me. As for the cam bolts, if you remember what position they were in you can try and set them back to what they were before you added the new crossmember. When you get your alignment, they should be corrected for you.

 

[homebrew]

Yeah didn't make sence to me that they give you shorter tres and you still have to trim the rod.

 

[homebrew]

Finally finished!!! Don't mind the rear tire it's in a hole. Truck sits pretty level. Bils set at 2.1, the angle is actually better than it was when I was running just the bils.

 

[homebrew]

The rear tire is in a hole.

 

[homebrew]

Idk why my pictures are coming out upside down, but here's a pic of the upper ball joint.

 

[homebrew]

Better picture. Zone 6in/5in coils bils at 2.1 35in toyo open country ATs

 

[Ox69]

Looks great!! Good work

 

[homebrew]

Thanks! Said a lot of bad words, but got it installed almost completely by myself. The misses helped me hang the front diff

 

[14RAM4X4]

Looks great!! I've still deciding between 4" & 6" lift. Not sure If I am gonna go Superlift or RCX. Both look like pretty good kits, but I do like rear springs vs spacers.

Are you running spacers on those stock wheels? I'm running stock 20x8 wheels and 295/60 nitto terra grapplers and I get rub a full lock.

I've been crawling around under the truck here & there and I think I'm gonna miss how simple the JK suspension was to work on. Everything was pretty easy to get to.