SpacedOutXj

Now let me say this first. I'm an experienced mechanic and fabricator. I Finally pulled the trigger on adjustable LCA's. I've done these before but that was on a lift and with a few hands etc... Is there anyone who has done these flat ground that could give a few advice or steps to speed things along? Its not my daily driver anymore but living in an apartment complex I want to make as little a scene as possible. Should I just go all in, jack stands under the unibody and let the axle droop and do both? OR can I get away with one side at a time? Can it be done without a full droop on the axle? Also I'm going from stock length (15.75) to 16.125 (16 1/8). Just curious to see how you guys have approached this job.

Gee oh Dee

Jack stand under the unibody, jack under the axle to move it up and down.

Rockhead

I understand what your saying about low impact in the neighborhood. You should be able to do one at a time without jacking and use HD ratchet straps to move the axle into position.

bigfltruck

One side at a time and use a ratchet strap to move the axle. Have done this on 2 different jeeps.

Gee oh Dee

You should be able to move the axle up and down to line up the control arms and trac bar. Then you don't need ratchet straps.

Gotta use a jack either way. Might as well use what you already have to use.

DCsXJ

I blocked my tires from rolling back and sat outside the jeep and rolled the tires forward with my legs, then moved the blocks forward a little at a time until everything lined up. One side at a time.

SteveMongr

^ This method works great!

Rock Toy

Ratchet straps, works great, plus if you're doing it in the street or a parking lot it doesn't **** off the neighbors as much. As for as the track bar do that after the lower control arms are done.

The91XJ

First off, be sure to only disconnect one side at a time. Jack stands are not necessary, just be sure you're on flat ground.

After you've adjusted your new lca to the desired length and go to install it, it will not want to fit. The axle always drifts inward when removing lower arms. To fix this, I reccommend using a bottle jack and a small piece of wood. Place the piece of wood against the lca body mount and use the bottle jack to press from the shock mount to the piece of wood. This will press your axle outwards and allow your holes to line up perfectly.

Don't waste your time with ratchet straps. I've tried them both and the bottle jack is much better. Best of luck!

SteveMongr

^ It's still easier to chock the wheels and just rotate one forward or back to line up the arm.
And if the wheels are chocked good, the axle will not move when removing the arm.
Of course 'one arm at a time' still applies.

roadraje

I just removed my WJ LCA's and installed tubular/fixed LCAs using a wrench, ratchet & socket and a ratchet strap. No jack, jack stands or creeper needed. Crawled under her, ratchet strap around axle and sway bar as it only needed to move a half an inch. Bolts were already broken loose from installing the WJ LCAs a few months ago. Pretty easy job for anyone considering doing this and now I have a pair of WJ LCAs for sale.

SteveMongr

Why were the WJ's clunking, making noise?

roadraje

The were rubbing inside the frame support and making a terrible creaking noise when braking and slowing to a stop. I guess I could've ground them down but I just went with the new ones.

SteveMongr

^ Correct, they need to be ground down to fit properly.