BL Install Writeup

[PDX_XJ]

Well, not neccesarily a writeup, but some pointers to anyone installing a 1" Body Lift.

1) You should have started earlier. The install is going to take longer than you budgeted daylight for.

2) Your buddy's drive way has a low spot in it. You will infailably park your jeep such that the one bolt that is impossible to get back in will require laying in that low spot for a long time.

3) You shouldn't do this install outside. It is sunny now, but it will rain. And get cold.

4) The parts store will close at the exact moment you need them the most.

5) You should have started earlier.

6) That low spot in your buddy's driveway will have become a small, icy lake as you struggle with the aforementioned bolt.

7) Cursing at the bolt does not make it go where it should.

8) Nor does pleading and sweettalk.

9) Nor does a BFH. In fact... whoever suggested a BFH is an indespensible tool should be shot.

10) You should have started earlier.

11) As day turns into night, your buddy will suggest he get out some lights. Don't stop him, because you think you "Almost got it." You dont. And...

12) ...when your buddy decides he will get out the lights, you will realize that you stripped out the first few threads of the hole in the body, but couldn't see it in the light of dusk.

13) When you finally give up for the night, defeated, you discover your cell phone and wallet have been submerged in the lake under the jeep.

14) The pizza guy will tell you you should have started earlier.

15) Despite the screen displaying strange colors, the cell-phone sort of works... but only enough to let a call from your irate girlfriend (who you told this would 'only take a few hours' and would be 'a piece of cake') wondering where you are. She will not be pleased.

16) Your girlfriend will tell you that you should have started earlier.

17) You will ask your buddy for an immediate ride home, despite the fact that he thinks you have hypothermia and need to take a hot shower before you die.

18) It will also rain the next day, when you need to finish it up.

19) When you tap out the hole in the body you stripped, you will get metal shavings in your eye.

20) When you are finally finished with the install, you will stand back in admiration... realizing that you shouldn't have started this project with no mechanical skills whatsoever, but managed to finish it nonetheless.

Damn it feels good to own a Jeep.


Next weekend... 3.5" RE Superflex.


Edit... oh yeah... and pics as soon as possible. I didn't get any befores, but you know what one looks like.

[joshisurdaddy]

i am gonna have to disagree with #9. a BFH is infact an indespensible tool. even it doesnt get the job done, it sure does feel good to break something in frustration.

[hdstn]

And the award for Best Short Story or Write-up goes to.....

PDX_XJ

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!

[PJTJ]

LMFAO Great Little Story!! Sounds Alot Like Things I Have Also Gone Through....

[BNovak]

Yeah I have to agree about alloting more time. Anyone that says they can do a MML and BL in " an hour or two" falls into the same class of people that say they get 30MPG in a jeep. Even with air tools, it won't happen.

You did forget to mention the part about the mud falling into your face while you are trying to get the two "hidden" bolts off. That pissed me off the most.

If it makes you feel better, I ended up with a big friggin dent and scratch in my passenger door where the hi-lift fell over while I was lowering it down after putting the pucks in.

[Av Native]

Originally Posted by BNovak

Yeah I have to agree about alloting more time. Anyone that says they can do a MML and BL in " an hour or two" falls into the same class of people that say they get 30MPG in a jeep. Even with air tools, it won't happen.

You did forget to mention the part about the mud falling into your face while you are trying to get the two "hidden" bolts off. That pissed me off the most.

If it makes you feel better, I ended up with a big friggin dent and scratch in my passenger door where the hi-lift fell over while I was lowering it down after putting the pucks in.

I wont tell you that my jeep get 30mpg (and god i wish it did) but i will say that my MML and BL together, I did in just over two hours with my son getting any tools i needed (actually forgot in the box) and p/u any loose rolling bolts, No mud in the eye or metal shavings, no need for a BFH, just a little common sense.. And im poor so i had to use the manual style craftsman tools...

[BNovak]

I ended up using my good craftsmans' - air tools just don't fit into certain places (that and one of the MML bolts wouldn't budge, even under the impact gun!) I ended up using a breaker bar and a bunch of extensions.

My comment was more for those who do it with only one person. An extra set of hands is always nice. I also didn't take into effect that i had to take my engine skid off (a good hour and a half) before I could start the MML.

-BN

[FlyersFan2009]

Funny post, thanks for sharing.

I have to disagree about the time frame though especially if you have a buddy.

The BL should go on by yourself in less than 2 hours and I think that is being very generous too.

The MML is another story and the extra set of hands can help with shifting the motor to get the mounts back in place, but that too should be no more than 2 hours with a buddy.

I think the key is tools tools tools, you have to have the right tools for the job.

Jon

[CTMpwrdcamry]

Doing the MMl is worht the money...that way you dont have to mess with the fan shroud, thats what took me so long.

[PDX_XJ]

I know I didn't mention it... but the MML was done first, and actually took almost no time at all (hour and a half, two hours). It was a piece of cake.

Some honest tips that I learned about the MML:
Take your air box off for the passenger side. Take the water bottle off for the driver's side. You'll have a lot more room.
Tilt your hood all the way back and lean it against the roof (I have a hard top)... put a towel between the two.
Block your tires well... Kick the blocks hard under the tires. if your Jeep rolls back slightly, the jack will hold the engine in place while the frame moves back. You'll need to push the jeep forward slightly to fix this problem.

Some honest tips that I learned about the BL:
The 'hidden' pucks (near the gas tank) do not go in from the side... instead slide them in while you under the Jeep.
If you lowered the body down before you do the puck under the grill, you can push up on the grill while under the Jeep with your hand to get the space you need to slide it in.

[What The?]

Here's another tip:

Ignore the guys in the 'sun' states (CA, AZ, etc.) who use regular wrenches and pickle forks. They are usually the ones who say 'just tap it and it pops right out'.

If you live in the rust belt (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana) you need PB Blaster, Torch, Impact Wrench, Angle Grinder, Cobalt drill bits, and hole taps! The rust absolutely FUSES parts into one solid piece of rusted metal.

[Level_1]

Great post!

This sounds like one of many jobs I have done by myself. I am my own worst enemy sometimes .

I did my BL & MML last Saturday by myself. It would have taken less time had I not lost one of the pucks trying to put it in the hidden areas by the rear shock / gas tank. It took me 30 minutes to fish it out with a bent welding rod. At one point I did a little screaming and had to take a break . I'm much better now...

The weekend before I replaced a leaking rear axle seal. Easy job with the exception of getting the old seal out.

I have learned a lot about my Jeep in the last two weeks. I saved money and my skills are getting better .

[FlyersFan2009]

Originally Posted by What The?

Here's another tip:

Ignore the guys in the 'sun' states (CA, AZ, etc.) who use regular wrenches and pickle forks. They are usually the ones who say 'just tap it and it pops right out'.

If you live in the rust belt (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana) you need PB Blaster, Torch, Impact Wrench, Angle Grinder, Cobalt drill bits, and hole taps! The rust absolutely FUSES parts into one solid piece of rusted metal.

I agree with you for the most part, but my Jeep may be the freak Jeep. I live outside of Detroit and have 138k on my 1997 and thought I would be in for a world of hurt.

I shot the body bolts with PB Blaster the night before and used and breaker bar to loosen the bolts and then my impact to take them off. It really wasn't that bad at all.

Now replacing my front brake rotors was a nightmare and I had to use a 5lb sledge to get the old rotors off. It was brutal.

I really can't believe any pays for body lifts though. I can understand a suspension lift or springs if you starting out but a body lift is so easy it's scary.

Jon

[Av Native]

Originally Posted by What The?

Here's another tip:

Ignore the guys in the 'sun' states (CA, AZ, etc.) who use regular wrenches and pickle forks. They are usually the ones who say 'just tap it and it pops right out'.

If you live in the rust belt (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana) you need PB Blaster, Torch, Impact Wrench, Angle Grinder, Cobalt drill bits, and hole taps! The rust absolutely FUSES parts into one solid piece of rusted metal.

Makes me love sunny (sometimes rainy) southern california, No salt on the roads, good looking women, lots of awesome wheeling to be had. , And all the money i save on pb blaster and such, i get to pay in extra taxes and high gas prices...

[What The?]

I'd love to wheel on those california rocks just once before I die. The pics I see of you guys are just fantastic. The only variety we have in Ohio is mud, clay mud, and sloppy rut mud.

I did drive out to OBX once and got to run on the sand. So I got that going for me ...