Just the mounts.
Great mounts (did i mention awesome customer service )!
I may try mount them on again now that the Jeep idle better.

LOTS of pics coming up on my lift installation....stay tuned

 

x2 on the customer service Karol from Brown dog posted in my build thread cause she noticed i had installed the plate wrong and had me call her and we got it ll sorted out...plus its free shipping on everything...

 

x2.
Was surprised when she call me back at 8pm (Las Vegas) shortly after i emailed her.
If you are reading this.....Great customer service/support Karol!!!


Oh, a question about my new custom DS...
Missing Grease Zerk?

 

That is the grease zerk, it takes a needle adapter on the grease gun.

 

Thank you!!!

 

Good to see the preventive maintainance you do. Makes for a reliable rig. Nice to follow, down trails, when the guy in front of me is like you. Clean 99 too

 

Thx.
What trails?
My second Jeep and i've not gone offroading yet ....soon i hope

 

For those who are interested in this kit.....THINK AGAIN.
There has been a lot of complains about the rear leaf springs being too short....Is True!
Unless you went with Shackle Relocation Bracket, the ride is gonna be very very sift and bumpy because of wrong shackle angle.

Other than that, great deal for the kit.

Parts
>RC 4.5" X-series
>RC Control Arm Drop Bracket
>RC Performance 2.2 Stabilizer
>Daystar Bumpstop
>RE 6* Shims
>Rugged Ridge SYE
>Adam's Custom Driveshaft
>BFGoodrich KM2 (32x11.5)
>ZJ Tie Rod/Sleeve/Ends
>Draglink Bushing
>Hockey Pucks




Here are some tools rented from AZ (Coil spring compressor NOT needed, see 7))

Oh, and a lot of PB Blaster. I used up 6 cans in the process.

Since i'm totally new at this, i followed the instruction religiously.

As per instruction, i started with the front.
1)Remove Shocks
2)Remove Swaybar Link

Here is a very easy way of removing the swaybar mounting bolt i learn (Pic borrowed from sanchezcruz_20, here is his build/write-up, must read for newbie!)


3)Remove Trackbar
A breaker bar, pickle fork and a bfh should do the job

OEM vs RC Adj Trackbar



4)Remove coil spring retainers


5)Disconnect Brake Line
Do not let the fluid in the master cylinder go too low, otherwise you would required to bench bled the master cylinder (based on what i read).


6)Remove lower control arms
NOTE: Do not remove upper control arms at this time.

7)Remove Coil Springs
This came pretty easy as i already have the jeep on a fairly high jack stands (6 tons) and i was able to let the axle drop a fair bit and simply slide out the springs.
I will be installing some hockey pucks (with liquid nail) so i clean up the coil spring perch.
Note: Trial fit the coil spring retainer bolts making sure threads are not stripped, is easier to tap the threads without the coil springs installed


7.1)Install my Extended Bumpstop


Old vs Extended


8)Install RC coil springs
Make sure the lower spring is seated properly on the cup.


With both springs installed, jacking up the axle should get the spring to seat nicely (this is why the UCA should not be removed in the first place).

Support axle with jack stands.

9)Install coil spring retainers
My first obstacle

Time to order some HD coil spring retainers
......
HD coil spring retainers did not work for me...



Self tapping/screwing bolt???


When ahead and took the tapping route.
I removed the coil spring for easier tapping.

Installed (I use loctite blue for safe measure)


10) Install shocks

 

10)Assemble and adjust lower and upper control arms to proper length.
As per instruction, with my 4.5" and RC CAD bracket, LCA was set to 15.75" and UCA to 15".

Here is a good link for those with different lift height or RE CAD bracket.
Video of X-Flex Joint Installation.

Here are some pics of the "NEW X-Flex joints"....haven't see an old one (there was some issue with their old bushing....so i read), so i can't compare.



Assembly






New vs Old


All ready for installation .
.....

 

11)Remove Driver's Upper Control Arm

Good time to check upper control arm/axle bushing.
Mine looks fine


Took some time to check my ball joints and give them a good lube.


Oh, here is a little show off of my Powerslot Rotor and Hawk Pad which i installed.


CAD brackets next.....

 

12)Installation of RC Control Arms Drop Brackets
Here is another very detailed write-up on RE CAD Bracket.



Been looking at this kit for almost a year and I JUST realize that it lowers BOTH control arms (upper and lower)

Is an easy job if you figure out which parts goes with which . Wish RC would label them.

Here is my DRIVER'S side installation
a)Install LCA bracket by using provided hardware (hand tighten) on the alignment shoe holes, this should hold the LCA bracket in place.
b)Install provided bolt and sleeve thru the factory LCA hole, no nut installed yet as UCA bracket goes onto the bolt


c)Install UCA bracket with provided bolt and sleeve thru the factory UCA hole
d)Hand tighten all bolts and nuts at this time



Here are some pics with both the bracket installed


Arrows show New UCA location, if the holes align, you should be good to go.




e)Tighten bolts and nuts on factory alignment holes and leave the rest hand tighten (is easier to get the New control arms in).

Installation of the brace came together with my LCA installation but since i'm here, i might as well add some info.
Instruction says to use 11/32" drill for brace/frame holes but since i can't find any in our local store, i used 5/16" instead and it works just fine.
I also have to grind off part of the factory alignment hole bolts as it was obstructing the brace.




The finished product!


Dont understand the purpose of the brace.....it doesn't look strong enough for anything. Its held on to the frame by a couple of self tapping bolts and 2 nuts to the factory alignment bracket
Anyone care to share???

 

very well detailed and even though i have installed a couple lift kits its still enjoyable to read and sorry to say this but i have never seen rough country flex joints up close like that...they are tiny...

 

Thank you.
Tiny huh? Wish i have the $ for a Clayton .

 

Before i started installing the arms i took some time to re-torque my exhaust manifold and oil pan


Note: Not sure is i'm doing right but i apply grease to any rubber contacts and antiseize to metal contacts

12)Install UCA (hand tighten for now)
It went smoothly since i have my CAD bracket loosely fastened, just need to support the axle with a jack, and i was able to move the axle and align the UCA bolts.

13)Install LCA (hand tighten for now)
a)Install factory alignment shoe (i can't figure out why i need those since i have adj CA but i did it anyway....as per RC instruction)
I push the shoe all the way back to the bracket, no shims required with the adj arm.


b)Install LCA to bracket making sure the grease zerk is facing up


c)Install LCA to axle

14)Torque all bolts to spec (UCA, LCA and CAD bracket)



14)Repeat passenger's side CA installation.

Done!

 

Since i'm still waiting for my HD coil spring retainer to arrive, i did not install the shocks for now.

15)Install Adj Track Bar
a)Install front wheels
b)Lower Jeep onto ground (making sure the wheels are in a straight forward position)
c)Bounce the front of the jeep a few time and let it settle, making sure the axle is centered.
Pushing a 2x6 against the tires, and measuring the fender fare and wood give me an estimate (pretty close if you ask me).

Driver's side

Passenger's side


d)Install trackbar/axle end
e)Adjust trackbar (frame end) until it track bar line up with the factory track bar bracket
f)Torque to spec


16)Adjust Draglink
At this point if you get into the Jeep, you will realize that the steering wheel is probably upside down or off centered.

Here is how i re-center the steering wheel
a)Unlock steering wheel (making sure wheels are in a straight forward position)
b)Loosen draglink sleeve bolts
c)Adjust sleeve until steering wheel is straight (by doing this, you are actually extending the draglink)

d)Tighten sleeve

If Trackbar and draglink adjustment are done right, they should be parallel to each other.
Pretty parallel if you ask me


Done!
Somehow i missed the swaybar link installation
Anyhow, its pretty straight forward.
Here is the pre-installation pic


Ideal Swaybar Angle ((10*-20*)