Xj88

I just purchased my Rustys 3 inch add a leaf. (I know the aal sucks but I dont plan on keeping the aal long...just till it sags). The lift consists of new front and rear shocks, new coils, and a LONG add a leaf, plus a brake line relocation bracket. Here are my ?s. I drive an 88 xj...so we are looking at 23 years old. Underside doesnt look rusted..I drenched upper and lower front and rear shock mounts, as well as the location where the leaf spring connects to the unibody. Ill be keeping my 235 tires for a few weeks till I get the fudns for some 31s. Hopefully I wont need a tc drop or a sye with the 3 inch kit...any opinions? From what Ive been told I wont need the tc drop or an sye. What else should I do to prep? Thanks for the input.

LeRoy90laredo

ive heard mixed things about the sye's and the tc drops. some people have to put them on at 3, and some dont. it all depends on "your" jeep. people will tell you that each rig is different so if you feel any vibes from below, you'll have to do it.

Xj88

Thanks bud, I've read that pre 97 can go to 4.5 without needing one...also..I haven't tried loosening the leaf spring bolts but all my shock mounts came out easily...think I can manage to back the leaf springs out with a socket and no breakage

ericfx1984

it is actually pre 96

Xj88

Thanks for the confirmation

LittleMeanPurpleMachine

If your just doing an add a leaf you don't need to unbolt the leafs from the unibody.

Xj88

From what my instructions say you do need to..because this is a long leaf not a short one..wouldn't it be easier off the unibody anyways

The91XJ

You don't need to take out the entire leaf pack man. With a jack supporting the axle, hit the u bolts then lower the axle a bit. Once the weight of the axle is off the leaf springs, take apart the leaf pack leaving the main leaf hanging there. Get a couple heavy duty c clamps and use them to hold your new leaf pack together with the aal. Don't forget the center pin. The new leaf pack will be a little stubborn because if the new leaf,but this method has always worked for me.

One more area to soak with pb blaster is the front sway bar links.

Xj88

I've blasted everything..I may have missed where the sway bar bolts to the unibody

Gee oh Dee

Those shouldn't be bad. I got mine off with a 4 ft breaker bar.

junkyardjeep

That's exactly how I installed my aal. Mines a 94 with rustys 3" aal kit and no vibes or tc drop or sye

Xj88

So..here is what I'm looking at..tell me where I'm wrong..take off upper front shock mounts..jack up front..support with stands..remove tires, drop swaybar from unibody, remove lower shock mounts, remove shock, remove coils, install new coils and shocks, tighten...front done...rear..jack up, support with stands, remove upper and lower shock mounts, install new shocks, support axle lower take offs u bolts, remove clips and center pin from leafs, insert add a leaf, reinstall clips, and new u bolts...done...now what did I miss haha

Gee oh Dee

Front bump stops? Or are you keeping the factory ones?

Xj88

Don't think rustys gave me new ones...lol is that an issue?

Gee oh Dee

Probably not.