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need help with lift

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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:05 PM
  #1  
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From: erie, pa
Year: 1997
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Default need help with lift

i just got a rustys 3 inch lift. i got it with the full leaf springs in the rear. i went to a local shop to have them put it on for me but they said no it was to difficult on the cherokee's? this is my first jeep so im learning i used to be into honda's, and ive done suspension work on them. how hard is it to lift this thing??
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:08 PM
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It's really simple. I did my lift in a garage with limited tools, by myself. If you've done any suspension work on vehicles, changing leaf springs is simple. If you have help, bolt one side of the leaf spring on, get to the other side, line the bolt up, and have someone else put the bolt in.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:14 PM
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From: erie, pa
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how long did it take you to put your lift on? and would i need a spring compressor
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:16 PM
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No, stay away from those cheap spring compressors. I have seen someones jaw taken clear off due to one failing. These arent little tonka toy springs.

Drop the front axle, use a large pry bar to push one end down farther, have someone else put the springs on and lift the axle up into the spring with a floor jack.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by MFlans360
how long did it take you to put your lift on? and would i need a spring compressor
My lift took about 2 weeks. However, i put on a 4.5" Long arm lift, along with SYE and new driveshaft. Yours shouldn't take more then a day. Also, i was only able to work on mine an hour or two at a time here and there by myself, which is why it took so long. I rented a spring compressor, but as Diesel said, you have to be EXTREMELY careful. However i didn't even use mine, because i dropped the axle to install the long arms.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:22 PM
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From: erie, pa
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ok, cuz some people say you need them and some dont. just less money i have to spend.

and i hate the sagging in the rear with cherokee's. should i be alright with the new leaf springs or is there more i need to do
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:23 PM
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Id do 1/2" shackles just to compensate for any sag
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:27 PM
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From: erie, pa
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ok cool and i have 31in bfgoodrich A/T but plan on getting new tires this winter will 33's fit with trimming?
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:31 PM
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From: Wantage, NJ
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You could fit 35s with enough trimming.

Just before you go to 33s, regear to 4.56.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:35 PM
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i should be able to move 31s with stock gearing tho right?
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by MFlans360
i should be able to move 31s with stock gearing tho right?
31s on stock gears will be fine. I'm running 32's on stock gears currently, and i didn't notice any huge changes. I can tell shift points are somewhat off, but no big deal.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by MFlans360
i just got a rustys 3 inch lift. i got it with the full leaf springs in the rear. i went to a local shop to have them put it on for me but they said no it was to difficult on the cherokee's? this is my first jeep so im learning i used to be into honda's, and ive done suspension work on them. how hard is it to lift this thing??
I installed my rustys 3" AAL in about 4-5 hrs. with all hand tools and no helper. I also did not use a spring compressor just a floor jack. Good Luck and have fun.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:51 PM
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From: Wantage, NJ
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Originally Posted by MFlans360
i should be able to move 31s with stock gearing tho right?
Yea, alot of people recommend 4.10 gears, but if your going to move up to 33s just wait and do 4.56
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 12:56 PM
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From: corpus christi, texas
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i did my lift in two days because i did a little one day and a little the next. walmart crappy jack and hand tools
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 01:03 PM
  #15  
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From: erie, pa
Year: 1997
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hey SteelBlue99 i see you have goodyear wrangler duratrac's. how do you like them cuz those are what im thinking about getting soon
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