Leaf Spring Lift

[Duke(Gwag)]

im about to put a 3" spring lift on my 88 wagoneer any pointers.
http://a876.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/27/l_c8504a5f9f4eb6d9e2516f4251bcf5ab.jpg

[Bama Burden]

it's pretty easy. biggest PITA can be rusted nuts/bolts. You've got snow, so if rust is an issue, go ahead and start spraying everything down with PB Blaster

[Mack_T]

I started spraying my stuff with PB B'laster last week, in prep for this weekend. Smelly nasty stuff, but it works ;)

Clay

[RAMBLINFSJ]

I ran into to issues. One, I had to spread the front shackles apart to get around the spring eye. Wasn't that big a deal just used a big ajustable wrench and a hammer until the bolt went in. The other problem I ran into was (really wasn't a problem I just got in a hurry) that I didn't measure from the front spring eye to the axle center pin before I took the old spring off. I ended up putting the new springs on backwards, tried to set the axle on the center pins of the spring but it wouldn't go on. Putting the spring on backwards fully extended my driveshaft not allowing the axle to come forward enough for the axle to sit on the spring pin. I had to take both springs off and turn them around. So measure the front spring eye to the pin on the spring so you will know which way the new one goes so you don't end up feeling like an idiot like me. Enjoy the lift.

[Slick Willie]

On the stock springs, there is a 'little' end and a 'big' end. If you look at the bushings on the ends of the springs, one is bigger than the other. That said, the smaller end goes to the front, and the larger end goes to the rear. So with that info, you can make the measurements with the springs off the jeep, and you can figure out what end of the new springs goes where. :thumbsup:

It is as easy of a mod as you can do. Jack up, unbolt, rebolt, jack down.

[chr1s]

It is as easy of a mod as you can do. Jack up, unbolt, rebolt, jack down.
in texas with no rust maybe...

You might have to drop the gas tank to get to the captive nut on the front of the driverside rear leaf spring that may or may not still be attached to the frame ( i didnt have to do this, thank God)

Also dont waste your time trying to loosen the u-bolt nuts, if you have access to a grinder, just cut the ubolts off.

Also be prepared for the bolts and spring bushings to have become one in at least one spot. This can be overcome with a propane/mapp gas torch.

And of course use the appropriate jack stands, bfh, PB Blaster, etc. (Id have a cold six pack in the fridge too ;) )

[Slick Willie]

Also dont waste your time trying to loosen the u-bolt nuts, if you have access to a grinder, just cut the ubolts off.

Then pony up ~$8 times 8 for new U bolts (one will be bigger than the other 7), and 16 washers, and 16 nuts. Hey, if it's not worth your time, add another $80 to your spring lift. :thumbsup:

[AlsChopShop]

i don't have any rust issues up in the PNW :thumbsup: so i didn't need to spray any bolts and everything came apart fine. the only problem i had was the shackles had to be wailed on because they were a bit too narrow for the new springs. nothing a BFH won't fix. :D

good luck!

Al

[RAMBLINFSJ]

On the stock springs, there is a 'little' end and a 'big' end. If you look at the bushings on the ends of the springs, one is bigger than the other. That said, the smaller end goes to the front, and the larger end goes to the rear. So with that info, you can make the measurements with the springs off the jeep, and you can figure out what end of the new springs goes where. :thumbsup:

It is as easy of a mod as you can do. Jack up, unbolt, rebolt, jack down.

I got the Rough Country lift. I put those springs on as I took them off, big eye in the back and small eye in front, and they ended up being backwards. On the Rough Country springs the big eye was in front and the small in the back. Maybe Rough Country made these for those who put the shackles on the back. So take a minute and measure the springs from eye to pin to make for sure it's going on right.

[Slick Willie]

So with that info, you can make the measurements with the springs off the jeep, and you can figure out what end of the new springs goes where. :thumbsup:


That's what I meant by that sentence. If you do pull the springs before measuring, you can get the measurements that way. Then measure your new springs and put the right end the right way. Sorry for the confusion.

[chr1s]

Then pony up ~$8 times 8 for new U bolts (one will be bigger than the other 7), and 16 washers, and 16 nuts. Hey, if it's not worth your time, add another $80 to your spring lift. :thumbsup:

I would think a suspension lift would include new u-bolts, however if it doesnt, Im sure you can find 1 person to tell you to re-use your old ubolts for every 1 that tells you not to. If it is even remotely possible that the old ubolts may have stretched or are damaged, I am going err on the side of safety for me and those around me on the road, and replace mine with new ones.

That being said, my suspension lift came with new ubolts, so I just cut the old ones off :)

[tkiller13]

It is as easy of a mod as you can do. Jack up, unbolt, rebolt, jack down.



in texas with no rust maybe.


Yep....Southern/Western rigs are whole different ball game than rust belt rigs...

Lucky sob's :banghead:

[AlsChopShop]

just noticed your in washington... where exactly? more than happy to lend a hand if you aren't too far.

Al

[Tad]

Then pony up ~$8 times 8 for new U bolts (one will be bigger than the other 7), and 16 washers, and 16 nuts. Hey, if it's not worth your time, add another $80 to your spring lift. :thumbsup:

Not sure where the quote started, just jumping in here.
Just Google it...
http://www.google.com/search?q=reuse%20u-bolts&sourceid=mozilla2&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
...many good reasons, most safety related as to why you should not reuse U-Bolts after they have been torqued.
You will not find one single U-bolt maker that says it's ok.
SCAM?
Not sure, I have reused them when I was younger and more daring, but, I try to error on the safety side now, but please do not heat, wack, stretch or bend them. If not for you, do it for the other folks on the road

[Am4wag]

Ditto ALL the above....I read a post (I think it was by RiverBeast) a couple of years ago mentioning the use of a block of wood (2X4) up in the rear spring hangers for the rear springs.After bolting the rear springs in the front hangers,(nut not tight yet),you then use a jack in the center of the spring to take it up,and the wood helps guide the eye up in the hanger "box";you will be doing some prybar action,but the wood made it kind of "roll" right in....really aided the installation when I was laying in 1 in. of water in late November putting my lift on..You're also going to have to address the trackbar (cut it or lengthen it) along with your swaybar (extend or get/make quick disconnects) if you're going over 2in. of spring lift.On top of that,you might want a DPA to get rid of bump steer (Super lift makes one for 3 in.)Another note to you,loosen the parking brake cables before bolting up the higher springs as the more arch/drop will put more tension on the cables going to the brakes.When done,readjust the parking brake cable.

[84Gw360]

Just wondering if you had the lift on yet. And wadda think of it.

[Slick Willie]

If not for you, do it for the other folks on the road

In most cases, I'm referring to what I would do or what I have done, but all that has been offroad. I drove my GW on the street for 2 months in stock form before all the modifications came, but that was not by choice. This is the offroad section of the site; I use my GW offroad; I state opinions geared toward the offroad mentality. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Therefore, if you're going to put this spring lift on a road driven GW, consider the comments made about reusing U bolts. For the few of us that only use them offroad, I don't see a problem with reusing U bolts. Especially if you're cheap or on a budget.

Good luck with the lift.