So in about a month I will be getting a zone off road 3 inch AAL, and I will install it myself. The only thing I fear is the rear shock upper mount bolts breaking. So my question is could the upgraded shocks fit on a stock height jeep so I can have my mechanic but them on. Then I will drive it home (about a half mile) and put everything else on myself? Thanks.

 

Even if they do break, you can finagle new bolts up there if you have small enough hands and some patience, the other solution is cut a hole in your floor. They are either going to break or not. I recommend using the rear sway bar bracket that attaches to your axle as bar pin eliminators and bolting those up where the shock normally would. That way you will never have to touch those bolts again.

 

Could you elaborate on the first part for me?

 

You can also fish some wire through there without to much hassle. Well... You can do it anyway. In your driveway may be a little more tricky cause the angles you're allowed. I had a shop lift and it still gave me a bit of trouble. Have patience and its do-able though, welding wire worked well.

 

Hes a write up to fix it through the floor.
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.co...ock_mounts.htm



See the access hole where the black electrical connector is? You can feed in new bolts and use a wrench to hold them from there instead of cutting the floor. I only had to fix one bolt on my cousin's XJ b/c he used an impact on it.

Here's the home made BPE's i was talking about.
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/.../Rear_BPEs.htm

 

Ok cool, I read on another forum that you could slip some bolts up in that space you were taking about, and then fish them through the hole downward so that you could attach the nut from the outside. Effectively reversing the way it is now. What do u think about that? I really don't want to cut my floor out. I don't have the tools and it's my DD

Edit:

Found this online, seems very easy, what do you think?
http://www.ehow.com/i/#article_7776580

 

Ok I don't think that link worked so here are screen shots from the website. I hope I can do this, cuz it sounds really easy.

 

Mine broke, and I fished bolts through just like they are talking about, and they worked great. No need to have your mechanic put them on. If you can do an add a leaf, then you can do broke bolts. You may also get lucky and they may not break, but I doubt it.

Also, think about bar pin eliminators for your rear shocks. You bolt them up to where the bar pin goes, and then you bolt the shock into them. If you need to replace the shock again later, then you dont have to unbolt anything from the jeep, just remove the bolt from the BPE.

You can make a set from your rear sway bar, or you can buy some for pretty cheap

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=PFX

 

So I could use the BPE to basically relocate the upper shock mount? (Can you tell I don't know what a BPE is, lol)

And as for being able to do an AAL, lets just hope so... I've never done it, and this will by far be the most in depth and complicated project I've ever done on my jeep or on any vehicle for that matter. It doesn't look that hard to be honest though.

And I'm gonna soak the shock bolts in PB blaster for like 3 weeks before i do the install.

 

yes, you can use the BPE to sorta relocate the shock mount, which will make it easier for you to change shocks next time.

You can get through the AAL, there are write ups all over the place. We can also help you through it

 

i have installed about 5 lifts in my two jeeps my buddys my dads and uncles and each jeep the bolts broke and i found the easiest way to fix them is to just simply drill it out and tap it

 

AAL's aren't that bad. You just need to do some reading up so you understand what your doing which it sounds like you've done.

 

For shocks, you should be fine running extended shocks at current height as long as you dont wheel and beat them up.

I would recommend piecing lift parts and make your own kit. Will be cheaper to pick up a spare leaf pack since you re going to build your own.
If you can tho, I would recommend picking up some OME full leaf packs/bushing +mj or other shackle. ZJ V8 upcountry coils or other coils of your choice.
Do you know what shocks you are going to use? JK rubicon shocks work well for up to 4"ish lift and can be had on the cheap. Otherwise I recommend Biltein51xx

 

This is why I'm so happy my gf's and mine jeep is from the south. Never broken anything and never had to pb blaster or the like

 

the bar pin eliminators need to be clocked 90 degrees and welded in