So, how hard can a budget boost install be? Hahahaaaa.... Its me doing it!

I compound this by swapping in upper and lower control arms in front too. I was GOING to replace the axle side upper control arm bushings. But my 2 jaw puller isn't strong enough. And the parts stores want too damned much to rent the balljoint press' ($135 or $199 up front, but I'd get my money back...). The bushings don't look too bad. Later, I'll see about replacing them when I can try it with proper tools.

What else... Oh, nothing major, I didn't know how to get the bumpstops off so I could slide the spacers on. Scott stopped by long enough to show me how they come off. Those rubber bumpstops are so much fun to press back in...

So I got the driver's side done, except for tightening. Got the control ams off, and the spacer in and the coil back in. Of course, removing the upper control arm, I dropped my 15mm socket down the frame rail. Now I have to figure out how to get that out. My flexible pickup tool just can't get it...

So I'll get the other side arms in and start the back end tomorrow. And I got some longer shocks too (the ones I'll take off the ZJ will go on my daughter's XJ when it gets lifted...). Just frustrated.

I also found out that my U joints in the front are bad. Explains the clunking... I'll replace them next weekend and finally put in that Lockright I got last summer. And I need to extend the swaybar links, but I should have thought of that. But the balljoints, brakes and unit bearing seem in good shape!

 

As mentioned, started this yesterday.

And I really love my rolling table with the vice, and soon to have the grinder too...

Well, this morning I got back inot the project. Fished out the socket with some MIG wire. Got the front arms installed. A good friend gave me a front trackbar relocation bracket. So installed that. Got everything tightened down and took my swaybar brackets to my friend and had them extended 2" to match the lift.

I also got some Clevis pins and spring pins and wing nuts to make the swaybar links easy to remove and reinstall. Larger spring pins to hold the Clevis pin (replacing the original bolts which will be in my toolbag in the Jeep) in place and a smaller spring pin to keep the wing nuts from coming off the top of the links.

Once back home, turned the ZJ around and started the rear. Since I was just doing the spacers, released the swaybar (I ought to extend them too) and the bottom shock bolts, pressed down on the axle and placed the 2" spacers. Buttoned things back up again, put the wheels back on and went for a drive...




So, I think this looks pretty good myself. Nice to work on something I WANT to work on instead of HAVE to work on for a change. But I will need to replace the front axle U joints, but will put my Lockright in next weekend. And will do the 2" spacers and 2" lift blocks for my XJ next weekend... Its been a fun project (XJ).

Guess it needs it's own thread...

 

ZJ looks great

 

Thanks! Started with the Upcountry, so with the 2" boost, it is closer to 3" over stockers. Which is why I went with the control arms for a 3" lift. That and they are sturdier than the stock arms. I do need to protect the zerk fitting on the front of the lower arms, so skids for the mounts would be in order.

I've said for some time, all I need is 2" of lift, 31" tires and some sliders... I also need to tuck/improve the transfer case skid. And bumpers. And I might alter some fullsize Dodge truck front control arms to replace the rears on the ZJ. But it would be nice if I knew how long arms were for 3" of lift.

 

looks sweet

at first i thought you was meaning boosting the motor lol