How difficult is installing a full suspension?

[beast40]

If you do it yourself, you’ll be better prepared to chase down any death wobble, bump steer or shimmy issues that result after you’ve installed your lift ? I was where you are 6 months ago, a see a light at the end of the tunnel…..I just hope it’s not a train.

Did you install adjustable control arms? Sounds like a caster issue if it happened right after your lift.
Besides centering my steering wheel I didn’t have to touch my steering set up.

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[Speed331]

Blnewt has a great tutorial on installing a 'take off' suspension. Everything in it applies to your install with exception swapping sway bar links, bump stops and track bar adjustments.

I installed mine in ~ 6.5 hours, solo, in my driveway. Just go slow, and - as said many times - make sure to hit those torque values.

 

[Dr. RGB]

Read the instructions, and then read them again, and then once more. I like to keep a list of torque specs with me so I can check and double check torque before I am all finished (I have installed multiple lifts on various Jeeps). Also, make sure that you have another car or friend who can drive to Harbor Freight when you realize your 18mm socket is lost.... Mine mysteriously disappears whenever I am wrenching under the Jeep. Good luck!

 

[beast40]

Read the instructions, and then read them again, and then once more. I like to keep a list of torque specs with me so I can check and double check torque before I am all finished (I have installed multiple lifts on various Jeeps). Also, make sure that you have another car or friend who can drive to Harbor Freight when you realize your 18mm socket is lost.... Mine mysteriously disappears whenever I am wrenching under the Jeep. Good luck!

That’s hilarious since my 1/2” 18mm is still
Missing from my install.

 

[Petes_392]

If you do the track bars last after you put tires on and it's on the ground. You can measure the difference from side to side and then measure your stock track bars and set the new track bar length based off of those measurements.
Also doing it while on the ground, you can completely remove them and then install the frame side first. The Jeep is very easy to push side to side to align the axle side bolt hole. So easy a small child could help give a little nudge on the fender to line up the bolt hole.
Disconnect the locker connector and breather tube first thing from the axle before disconnecting the shocks. Takes 30 seconds and you won't have to worry about them being pulled on.
When replacing the control arms, you can do them one at a time with the tires on and jeep on the ground. You can have a second person rock the jeep forward and back to help put some rotation on the axle to align the holes. I couldn't get a couple to line up even with a ratchet strap and then found that tip.

 

[GATORB8]

When replacing the control arms, you can do them one at a time with the tires on and jeep on the ground. You can have a second person rock the jeep forward and back to help put some rotation on the axle to align the holes. I couldn't get a couple to line up even with a ratchet strap and then found that tip.

After failing with ratchet straps last time, I actually figured out a one person method to do what you're describing.

Chock the wheel tight that you are working on (example, passenger rear CA, chock the PR tire). Then put a chock on the other tire on that side. Rotate the "other" tire further by pushing near the top and kick the chock under. You get some leverage from the tire, and the chock holds it in place in the stretched location. May take a try or two to get it lined up.

 

[KHR Racing]

I am almost finished installing one of these lifts:

 

[KNN]

Did you install adjustable control arms? Sounds like a caster issue if it happened right after your lift.
Besides centering my steering wheel I didn’t have to touch my steering set up.

Yeah I adjusted caster about 4 times….and then replaced almost everything else under there ?

 

[DavidArmen]

If you like your Jeep you won’t let 4 wheel parts touch it. Cheaper usually doesn’t mean better.

Unsure about where you live but 4WP Van Nuys IN Los Angeles isn’t cheap. They charge what other reputable four wheel shops in the area charge and they do some of the best work I’ve seen in my experience. I know this because I did months of research before installing my lift. They’re not amazing by any long shot but they do some of the best work on Jeeps in my area. I’m sorry you had a negative experience with 4WP.

 

[c20040215]

Well shit, sounds like I'm gonna install my own suspension soon. Appreciate the feedback and words of encouragement!

Not sure if this apply to you but one important thing many people fail to mention, TALK TO THE WIFE FIRST.

If she is not okay with added height, you would not hear the end of it every time she gets in and out off that Jeep.

 

[DavidArmen]

@word302 laughing at things that aren’t funny at all is indeed very funny in itself??? ? have a nice day funny man!

 

[word302]

Unsure about where you live but 4WP Van Nuys IN Los Angeles isn’t cheap. They charge what other reputable four wheel shops in the area charge and they do some of the best work I’ve seen in my experience. I know this because I did months of research before installing my lift. They’re not amazing by any long shot but they do some of the best work on Jeeps in my area. I’m sorry you had a negative experience with 4WP.

It’s pretty common knowledge that they are the Walmart of off road shops. I didn’t have a negative experience because I do everything myself other than balancing tires. If I were you I’d inspect and check the torque on everything they touched.

 

[JustDave]

Its going to take a lot longer than you think. Also, i hope you have someone else there that has more Experience than yourself. I'm sure you can do it, but it's a lot harder than everyone else thinks. Good Luck.

 

[word302]

Its going to take a lot longer than you think. Also, i hope you have someone else there that has more Experience than yourself. I'm sure you can do it, but it's a lot harder than everyone else thinks. Good Luck.

It’s not hard at all. Time consuming when you’ve never done it before? Yes, but not difficult and almost impossible to screw up if you take your time.

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