[jnkarrik]

I recently bought a lightly used Teraflex 4" lift kit for my WJ off ebay. Everything is there except for the front spring retainers. Do I really need them, and if so who sells them?

I also don't know whether or not to install the TC drop kit. Should I wait to see if I get driveline vibes, or just go ahead and install it?

Finally, I have a JKS adjustable track bar already on the Jeep. I've read what Kevin has to say about the drop bracket putting stresses on the unibody, but without it the track bar will not be parallel to the drag link resulting in bump steer. Should I use the drop bracket or not? I don't wheel her too hard, but of course this could change once I have the extra height.

I'll post pictures over the weekend of the install and the finished results.

Thanks,
Jason

[EMTimZJ]

I wouldn't use the bracket. Adjust your trackbar so that the axle is center.

I'm not sure what to say about the TC drop bracket.

The spring retainers... you mean the posts on the top? No, you don't NEED them, there are there to keep your springs in when your axle droops. I would get them however, I think I remember rrubio saying that he can unseat his front springs under full-flex and I think he is at 4-4.5" Check with Kolak or Kevin.

Or you could make some out of pipe

[ArloGuthroJeep]

Don't need the TC drop...Hunter runs it but others don't.

[jnkarrik]

Thanks for the replys guys. The spring retainers that are shown in the Teraflex instructions look like they hold the bottom of the spring. The picture is kinda lousy, so I can't tell exactly what they mount to, but I could probably improvise if necesary. I doubt I'll be flexing that hard anyway.

[rrubio]

Originally Posted by jnkarrik

Thanks for the replys guys. The spring retainers that are shown in the Teraflex instructions look like they hold the bottom of the spring. The picture is kinda lousy, so I can't tell exactly what they mount to, but I could probably improvise if necesary. I doubt I'll be flexing that hard anyway.

You doubt that you will be flexing that much?Trust me in time you will.I said the same thing a few years ago.
Ramon

[Death-Mobile]

Use the transfer case lowering kit. And also use the track bar drop bracket. You will definitly regret not using it on a WJ. It doesn't put nearly enough stress on the unibody to cause any sort of damage.

[rrubio]

Originally Posted by Death-Mobile

Use the transfer case lowering kit. And also use the track bar drop bracket. You will definitly regret not using it on a WJ. It doesn't put nearly enough stress on the unibody to cause any sort of damage.

Im not using neither of them and my WJ is good so far.Im not saying don't use them but for me it worked out just fine.

[Texas ZJ1]

I run the Transfercase lowering spacers on a 6.5 lifted ZJ not WJ. There are some definite superiority capabilities with the ZJ being ahead. However, the spring retainers are a must. I helped put a driver's side front spring back on DClausen's WJ the first day of wheeling. If you flex them, they will come out.

There is nothing cooler than seeing your coil slide down the retainer and then reseat itself. A lot of mid level experienced jeepers have slightly different opinions on this. However, I've been driving 4x4s for 23 years. Not 2 or 3 like most around here.

Hunter

[PumaZJ]

Originally Posted by Texas ZJ1

However, the spring retainers are a must. I helped put a driver's side front spring back on DClausen's WJ the first day of wheeling. If you flex them, they will come out.

i was riding shottie with him when that happened. Sounded like a gun went off under his fender.

shucks, my post count is no longer 666, i kinda liked that.

[10achik]

I asked Nick about needing a TC lowering kit for the 4" I'm getting from him and he said you didn't even need that on a 5" lift. Hey if Nick says it, it must be so.

[FearTheDentist]

I saw (heard actually) the passenger side spring on a WJ w\ a 4" lift w\o spring retainers pop off in Moab this past summer (maybe the same guy Puma and Hunter are talking about? If so, it was a differnt day cuz' they weren't with us) The amount of time\ aggrevation spent installing the retainers will be more than compensated for the first time you dont have to re-seat a spring Besides, with the way it sounded (I was a 1\4 mile up the trail and still sounded like a gunshot) it could be really dangerous! Just my .02.

[jnkarrik]

Well, My buddy and I installed the lift on Saturday. No real issues, except getting the pitman arm off was a chore even with the puller. Everything else was a piece of cake. It took us about 6 hours total. I ended up using the track bar drop bracket with the stock trackbar. I plan to put the adjustable JKS trackbar on once I get the right bushing sleeve pressed in. I did not use the TC lowering kit.

We took it for a road test when we were finished and got Death Wobble after no more than an eighth of a mile. I mean it was SEVERE - I now understand what all the fuss is about. Holy cow!! Took it back home and checked everything out and all seems OK. Of course it still needed an alignment, so I wasn't too worried.

I took it to get it aligned this morning, and I just spoke to the mechanic. It still has death wobble. He said the caster is at +6, and the toe is 0.25". He recommended a new steering stabilizer, but I just put on an OME about 5000 miles ago, so it should be fine. I asked him to check the bushings in the trackbar and the LCA's, and he said he thought the LCA bushings were fine, and would check the track bar. The tires are 31" BFG MT with about 7000 miles of even wear on them (I rotate them after about 3000 miles). He is going to rebalance them anyway.

I don't know what else to do except put on the JKS trackbar and hope for the best, but I'm not terribly optimistic. If that doesn't work, I may do away with the drop bracket altogether, and just bolt the JKS bar into the stock location. It already has pretty bad bump steer even with the drop bracket, so I can't imagine getting rid of the bracket would make it much worse.

Anybody have any other suggestions? I know Teraflex recommends +4 to +5 caster, but wouldn't having it at +6 make it even more stable? Should I have it set it to +5?

Anybody have a 4x4 mechanic in the RDU area that they recommend?

Thanks,
Jason

[Death-Mobile]

a good steering stablilzer will fix it

[rrubio]

It's been a known problem with that kit.Hopefully once you put on the adj. trackbar and a new SS your DW goes away.But do the trackbar and have your tires re-balanced and go from there.I'm at 4.5 and never got an alignment,I figured it would be useless.My WJ drives straight if I let go of the steering wheel and my tires are wearing out very evenly.

[jnkarrik]

Balancing the wheels seemed to help *some*. I was able to drive it to work by taking the back roads and staying under 40. I'm putting on the new trackbar today in the dropped location, and if that doesn't help, I'm taking off the drop bracket and reattaching the trackbar to the stock location.

I'm still not convinced I need a new steering damper. The OME I have on there has less than 10,000 miles on it, so I would HOPE it is still good or that doesn't say much for their quality. But, I may try a new one just to be sure. Hell, I may even run two of them like the big trucks.

I meant to take some pictures yesterday, but I didn't pick up the jeep from the alignment shop until after dark, so I'll try to get some today. I know how we all love some pictures...