My RC 3.25" lift install (Pics and tips)

TJ311 · 03-21-2009, 12:59 PM

So, I finally got my lift in. It's the Rough Country 3.25" suspension lift (no body lift). I did the install almost completely by myself. I started at about 9am and finally got it knocked out by about 4pm. Whoever stated in the instructions that it could be completed in 2-3 hours, I wanna see that!!

I started off with the front which went fairly well once I really compressed the new front springs. As a tip, GET A SPRING COMPRESSOR. The old springs didn't require the compressor but did require my buddy to push down on the axle while I pulled the spring out. When putting the new springs in, make sure both front springs are out and jack up the opposite side from what you're working on. This will drop down the other side as far as it will go. Compress the spring almost as much as you can and then it will go in. The rear springs were really easy.......once I removed the rear track bar. Definitely do that first thing. It will make getting the old springs out much easier. Speaking of the rear track bar; when you put the new bracket in and drill your holes, the smaller bolts were supposed to through the holes top to bottom. With the front most bolt, I had to put it in upside down with the nut on top. It was the only way to get both washers and the nut on.

The lift in all wasn't bad and could easily be done in a day. I think maybe I got lucky though and had NO rusted bolts at all. The ride is fantastic. The ride is better than stock, handles great and does allow you to feel some bumps in the road which I personally like. I did not have to use the transfer case drop kit. I drove it afterwards and it only has very slight vibrations under acceleration so I decided against the TC drop. Your mileage may vary.

Now, here's some pictures.

Before

The new springs are definitely longer!

Pry bar to push down on.

I got to work in the presence of this YJ too!

Driver's side in.

Rear track bar bracket.

After

Very level without using rear isolators.

From the front. New steering stab in there too.

jimaug87 · 03-21-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ311

So, I finally got my lift in. It's the Rough Country 3.25" suspension lift (no body lift). I did the install almost completely by myself. I started at about 9am and finally got it knocked out by about 4pm. Whoever stated in the instructions that it could be completed in 2-3 hours, I wanna see that!!

I started off with the front which went fairly well once I really compressed the new front springs. As a tip, GET A SPRING COMPRESSOR. The old springs didn't require the compressor but did require my buddy to push down on the axle while I pulled the spring out. When putting the new springs in, make sure both front springs are out and jack up the opposite side from what you're working on. This will drop down the other side as far as it will go. Compress the spring almost as much as you can and then it will go in. The rear springs were really easy.......once I removed the rear track bar. Definitely do that first thing. It will make getting the old springs out much easier. Speaking of the rear track bar; when you put the new bracket in and drill your holes, the smaller bolts were supposed to through the holes top to bottom. With the front most bolt, I had to put it in upside down with the nut on top. It was the only way to get both washers and the nut on.

The lift in all wasn't bad and could easily be done in a day. I think maybe I got lucky though and had NO rusted bolts at all. The ride is fantastic. The ride is better than stock, handles great and does allow you to feel some bumps in the road which I personally like. I did not have to use the transfer case drop kit. I drove it afterwards and it only has very slight vibrations under acceleration so I decided against the TC drop. Your mileage may vary.

Now, here's some pictures.

Before

The new springs are definitely longer!

Pry bar to push down on.

I got to work in the presence of this YJ too!

Driver's side in.

Rear track bar bracket.

After

Very level without using rear isolators.

From the front. New steering stab in there too.

click free

brooksjeep · 03-21-2009, 01:02 PM

EDIT: Beaten to it

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ311

So, I finally got my lift in. It's the Rough Country 3.25" suspension lift (no body lift). I did the install almost completely by myself. I started at about 9am and finally got it knocked out by about 4pm. Whoever stated in the instructions that it could be completed in 2-3 hours, I wanna see that!!

I started off with the front which went fairly well once I really compressed the new front springs. As a tip, GET A SPRING COMPRESSOR. The old springs didn't require the compressor but did require my buddy to push down on the axle while I pulled the spring out. When putting the new springs in, make sure both front springs are out and jack up the opposite side from what you're working on. This will drop down the other side as far as it will go. Compress the spring almost as much as you can and then it will go in. The rear springs were really easy.......once I removed the rear track bar. Definitely do that first thing. It will make getting the old springs out much easier. Speaking of the rear track bar; when you put the new bracket in and drill your holes, the smaller bolts were supposed to through the holes top to bottom. With the front most bolt, I had to put it in upside down with the nut on top. It was the only way to get both washers and the nut on.

The lift in all wasn't bad and could easily be done in a day. I think maybe I got lucky though and had NO rusted bolts at all. The ride is fantastic. The ride is better than stock, handles great and does allow you to feel some bumps in the road which I personally like. I did not have to use the transfer case drop kit. I drove it afterwards and it only has very slight vibrations under acceleration so I decided against the TC drop. Your mileage may vary.

Now, here's some pictures.

Before

The new springs are definitely longer!

Pry bar to push down on.

I got to work in the presence of this YJ too!

Driver's side in.

Rear track bar bracket.

After

Very level without using rear isolators.

From the front. New steering stab in there too.

no clicky......

**Yelladog1** · 03-21-2009, 01:41 PM

Can you run 33's with that lift?

Airdoc · 03-21-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ311

Very level without using rear isolators.

When you say without using rear isolators, I'm guessing this means you did not use the rear 3/4" spacers?

happymudder10 · 03-21-2009, 02:20 PM

Very nice......

I'll give you a few months and I'll ask you again to see how it's holding up since I've been really considering one of these lifts over OME.

WillysEdition04 · 03-21-2009, 02:47 PM

I'm gonna add this to the Upgrades section of my TJ Tech Boot Camp thread.

**RogueSpear2023** · 03-21-2009, 06:01 PM

Are those 31s or 33s, they look pretty big for 31s?

TJ311 · 03-21-2009, 06:15 PM

The tires are 33x12.50-15 BFG AT's. They clear great. I would highly recommend getting some 2" extended bump stops though (which I have yet to do).

Quote:

I'm guessing this means you did not use the rear 3/4" spacers?

True.

I just took it up the canyon today and it rode great. Handled very well around corners, on washboard roads, etc.

Here's my dog holding my Jeep from rolling.

And my girl and her YJ.

And thanks for the no clicky!

**mudb8** · 03-21-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ311

The tires are 33x12.50-15 BFG AT's. They clear great. I would highly recommend getting some 2" extended bump stops though (which I have yet to do).

True.

I just took it up the canyon today and it rode great. Handled very well around corners, on washboard roads, etc.

Here's my dog holding my Jeep from rolling.

And my girl and her YJ.

And thanks for the no clicky!

marylandjeeper · 03-21-2009, 07:10 PM

Lookin good! Those springs look like they are progressive rate, right?

jrb470 · 03-21-2009, 07:37 PM

Looks Good!
I have the same lift only with a 1.25 BL and 1"MML.
I DID add the TC Drop kit.
I did NOT relocate my front track bar.

Did u relocate the front track bar???

thejafe · 03-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Well done!

Not a big deal, but I see that you put the 3/4" spacer between the spring and stock isolator. When I install 3/4" spacers I like to have the stock isolator in contact with the spring. Just a personal preference.

I've seen 3/4" spacers warp pretty badly in the rear. Over time those springs just push up into the spacer and cause all sorts of distortion.

Here's how I like to set it up in the front:

thejafe · 03-21-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrb470

Looks Good!
I have the same lift only with a 1.25 BL and 1"MML.
I did NOT relocate my front track bar.

Your front axle IS shifted over to the driver side with that much lift. You will need to run an adjustable track bar to re-center it.

TJ311 · 03-21-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Did u relocate the front track bar???

I forgot to add that but I DID NOT relocate the track bar. I wanted to see where it was at first and it was still in the same place after the lift.

Quote:

I see that you put the 3/4" spacer between the spring and stock isolator.

I see your point there. It does look better with the spacer up top. I'm thinking about actually adding in the rear spacer. The more I look at it, the more it looks like the front is higher than the back.

Anybody else experience that?