Lift tips and tool suggestions needed

[FireCap84]

What are tools/tips you wish you’d have known/had before putting your lift on?

Getting ready to install my RK X Factor 2.5 max travel lift on Im pretty mech inclined but I’m always down for tips and tools that make life easier!

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[Yellow Cake Kid]

I would enjoy a better choice of tool to pull the emergency brake cable housings out of the stop brackets mounted on the rear axle.

 

[BDinTX]

Make sure you have a torque wrench that can go up to 190 lb/ft (I believe) and that it’s not 20 years old and ready to break - like mine was.

 

[Roky]

I would enjoy a better choice of tool to pull the emergency brake cable housings out of the stop brackets mounted on the rear axle.

I use a 1/2” box wrench and tap it on with a hammer, it falls right out.

 

[GATORB8]

I use a 1/2” box wrench and tap it on with a hammer, it falls right out.

A case of beer and an assortment of BFHs are always first on my list before starting any project.

 

[Roky]

What are tools/tips you wish you’d have known/had before putting your lift on?

Getting ready to install my RK X Factor 2.5 max travel lift on Im pretty mech inclined but I’m always down for tips and tools that make life easier!

There’s a few things I’d suggest.....

get 3 metal hole saws for notching the lca mounts . The first time I installed the RK lift I had 2 but at the end of the second notch I was wishing there was another one.

You’ll need a 1-7/8” crow foot, 1/2” drive. And a torque wrench that goes up to 250 ft lbs., and your big boy pants, for the jam nuts on the front lcas.

It’s always easier if you have two floor jacks if you’re not using a lift for install. It’s easier to manipulate the axle.

when you reroute the e brake cables under the frame cross member I use a 1/2” box wrench and tap it with a hammer to get the cables loose from the brackets on the axle.

if you run across anything you’re not sure about, feel free to PM me..... good luck...

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

I use a 1/2” box wrench and tap it on with a hammer, it falls right out.

The emergency brake cables on my JL were adjusted so tightly from the factory that we considered pulling the center console apart to release the cable tension in order to free the housing ferrule from the stop bracket. It seemed like having a purpose built spreader tool would have made the job so much easier.

 

[PacNWJLGecko]

There’s a few things I’d suggest.....

get 3 metal hole saws for notching the lca mounts . The first time I installed the RK lift I had 2...

As someone intending on buying a MC lift once I take delivery of my new JLUS, could you expound on this necessity of taking a hole saw to the LCA mounts?

 

[Roky]

As someone intending on buying a MC lift once I take delivery of my new JLUS, could you expound on this necessity of taking a hole saw to the LCA mounts?

No need to do it with MC control arms. With RK control arms, the grease fitting is on top of the krawler joint, and the jam nut hits the top of the mount at full droop. You don’t have to notch it, it just makes it work better.

 

[hoag4147]

No need to do it with MC control arms. With RK control arms, the grease fitting is on top of the krawler joint, and the jam nut hits the top of the mount at full droop. You don’t have to notch it, it just makes it work better.

The jam nut only hits at full droop when your rig droops 62”s like Rokys. LOL

 

[FireCap84]

There’s a few things I’d suggest.....

get 3 metal hole saws for notching the lca mounts . The first time I installed the RK lift I had 2 but at the end of the second notch I was wishing there was another one.

You’ll need a 1-7/8” crow foot, 1/2” drive. And a torque wrench that goes up to 250 ft lbs., and your big boy pants, for the jam nuts on the front lcas.

It’s always easier if you have two floor jacks if you’re not using a lift for install. It’s easier to manipulate the axle.

when you reroute the e brake cables under the frame cross member I use a 1/2” box wrench and tap it with a hammer to get the cables loose from the brackets on the axle.

if you run across anything you’re not sure about, feel free to PM me..... good luck...

solid info right here I appreciate it! what size hole saw did you use? were you able to let the pilot bit chew into metal to help keep it in place while notching or did you not take that much material out of the bracket? looking at the instructions it didn't specify a size.

 

[Roky]

solid info right here I appreciate it! what size hole saw did you use? were you able to let the pilot bit chew into metal to help keep it in place while notching or did you not take that much material out of the bracket? looking at the instructions it didn't specify a size.

I used a 2-1/4”. There was a diamond shaped stamped in the metal on the bracket on mine (2018 Rubi ). I put the pilot bit in the lower point IIRC. But otherwise just go as low as you can. It’s vital to use the pilot bit. I used a couple step smaller bit first then that helped the pilot bit cut easier.

 

[FireCap84]

I used a 2-1/4”. There was a diamond shaped stamped in the metal on the bracket on mine (2018 Rubi ). I put the pilot bit in the lower point IIRC. But otherwise just go as low as you can. It’s vital to use the pilot bit. I used a couple step smaller bit first then that helped the pilot bit cut easier.

cool thanks I didn't have a crow's foot that big so I amazon'ed one for tomorrow delivery.. literally nowhere in my 60k pop city had one... if it rains tomorrow I may start it otherwise its a lake day and I will start it next week 3 weeks vaca starting Monday!

 

[Roky]

cool thanks I didn't have a crow's foot that big so I amazon'ed one for tomorrow delivery.. literally nowhere in my 60k pop city had one... if it rains tomorrow I may start it otherwise its a lake day and I will start it next week 3 weeks vaca starting Monday!

Sounds good brother........ if you need anything once you get in it, just holler.

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