How quickly can I put longer springs in the front

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm in a huge time crunch. I am leaving for a car show/swap/races with my truck towing my car on trailer very early Friday. Before Friday, I have to use my truck to get the car loaded on the trailer, and before that, I have to pack, get my truck tent loaded and all kinds of other stuff. Before that, I have to finish restoring and testing 3 wiper motors for a customer I am meeting over there.

Right after I get back, I have an appointment with the heart doctor and right after that appointment, we take the truck to Florida for a couple of weeks...........

So I'll have 1 day TOPS if things work out right and I am lucky to do what I hope.........
The winch, bumper and all have dropped the front of my truck almost 3/4".

I have a pair of Synergy springs for the front.
They are about 3" longer than my stock Overland springs.
Since they are so much longer than stock, will I have any trouble getting the front axle low enough to get the new springs in?

I put Rubicon springs under the front of my 2020 but Rubicon springs are an inch SHORTER than Overland springs, so once I had the original springs out of my 2020, there was more than enough space to get the Rubicon springs in - with room to spare.

I didn't have to do anything funky or fancy on the 2020 as the Rubicon springs were short. All I did was disconnect shocks and loosen the control arms, track bar, and disconnect the sway bar links.

Will the extra space required to get longer springs in cause any trouble?
I know some of you guys have installed some lifts more serious than a basic 2" or spacer setup.
Doing it isn't a problem or question - I'm only asking so I can see if I'll actually have TIME to do it before leaving later this week.
The front sits really low now with the extra weight on the stock springs.

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[tonywin]

I actually ran into this issue with a friends Jeep. Either Jack stands long enough to raise the front end so you can droop the axle low enough with the track bar disconnected.

Another option I suggest is spring compressors you can rent. You wouldn’t have to worry as much about getting the axle low enough.

I know you have mechanical skills and the 1 day time frame with compressors, I believe you will get it done.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I actually ran into this issue with a friends Jeep. Either Jack stands long enough to raise the front end so you can droop the axle low enough with the track bar disconnected.

Another option I suggest is spring compressors you can rent. You wouldn’t have to worry as much about getting the axle low enough.

I know you have mechanical skills and the 1 day time frame with compressors, I believe you will get it done.

Thanks
Now that I think about it - I did disconnect the right end of the track bar when swapping the springs on my 2020.
And I had considered seeing if any parts outfit had a compressor to loan or rent out - this being Des Moines, I don't have a lot of hope, but it's worth a check because if I could compress them only 2" it would be a major help.

Jack stands shouldn't be a problem - I have a decent selection there and the NAPA stands I have go up fairly high.

I wish my shop had space as I'd run it in there and use the gantry crane to lift the front up.

 

[tonywin]

If there is an Autozone, Oreillys, or Advance Auto near you, they usually have those tools available for rent. I've been to Des Moines once and I can see what you mean LOL.

 

[Divided_Wood]

If you have the right jack stands to get the frame rails high up enough, you should be able to do it in 2 hours tops. I installed my front spacers in like 90 minutes (included dropping the axle and pulling the springs), and that was while worrying about chasing a toddler around. Pretty simple job provided that the new springs fit… I had another few inches of clearance when I just did mine so you should be good.

 

[cuellar13]

You should be able to knock it out without a spring compressor, IMO. When I did my 3.5" lift, I only used jack stands. A couple of hours should work.

 

[Jaxmax]

Bill not sure where you are going with the math, but putting 3" taller springs on, in a hurry, I would rent the spring compressors ahead of time and have them there in case. So you are expecting to lift your front about 2.25" perhaps assuming same sag perhaps?
OR, step back take a break and do all your running around and do the springs and possible alingment at your lesiure when you come back, the trailer should perhaps raise your front a little bit, so don't rush it. Rushing it through, what if the 3" springs give you a wander problem that is a lot of travel, right after......Jack

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bill not sure where you are going with the math, but putting 3" taller springs on, in a hurry, I would rent the spring compressors ahead of time and have them there in case. So you are expecting to lift your front about 2.25" perhaps assuming same sag perhaps?
OR, step back take a break and do all your running around and do the springs and possible alingment at your lesiure when you come back, the trailer should perhaps raise your front a little bit, so don't rush it. Rushing it through, what if the 3" springs give you a wander problem that is a lot of travel, right after......Jack

They say 1" to 2" lift with the extra weight on it. Otherwise it would be 2" or more.
The seller said I should expect about 1.25-1.5" lift on it after I put the winch and bumper on it.
The sag I have now is without having loosened the bushings and letting the truck settle and then torqueing them again, so with about 5/8" I'd expect the drop to be a full 3/4" if I did the right thing and loosened the joints and then re-torqued things.
So, if these would give me 1.5 lift, that would be taking it back up to where it was before the bumper and winch, plus about 3/4"
And that would make it match the 3/4" spacers I have under the rear springs.
In short, if I have things figured, the rake would be back to stock, and I'd have 3/4" lift front and rear.

Alignment is going to be simply re-centering the steering.
There's nothing to align on these.

 

[bleda2002]

1 day is plenty though. Unbolt trackbar, loosen lower and upper arm bolts to release binding, jack up on stands under the frame and pop the tires off. Release the brake lines off the control arms, wedge springs out, wedge springs in. 4 hours if you take your time and you should be done

 

[ShadowsPapa]

1 day is plenty though. Unbolt trackbar, loosen lower and upper arm bolts to release binding, jack up on stands under the frame and pop the tires off. Release the brake lines off the control arms, wedge springs out, wedge springs in. 4 hours if you take your time and you should be done

The least fun part will be getting things back to torque up under there.
I hope the weather stays cool for a while!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks to all for the thinking, it's a high pressure week after the week from, well............ last week, then the dizzying pace of the next few days. (and concern - will the cardiac scans show there's absolutely nothing to be concerned about, or.......)

 

[kevman65]

Yup, the 190 ft-lbs on the control arms while laying under is a bit of a bear.


If you need extra room to get the spring in, lift on opposite end with bottle jack or floor jack.
Opens the space up without getting much more droop on side you're working. Pythagorean theory and all.

 

[TTU03]

Old thread and all...
How did the install of the taller springs go? I'm wanting to get the sag back from take off steel bumper, warn winch plate, warn winch install. I figure the one inch synergy springs is all I'm after. I did swap my front springs with rubi take offs about two years ago and found that job not bad considering that was my first time doing such a thing. I do remember having to wrestle a bit to get the springs out and back in. Synergy would be taller.

 

[Gizmo]

With all of your years of wrenching I am surprised you even asked .. 2hrs at most . My TJ I can do both in 45 minutes. no spring compressors needed

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Old thread and all...
How did the install of the taller springs go? I'm wanting to get the sag back from take off steel bumper, warn winch plate, warn winch install. I figure the one inch synergy springs is all I'm after. I did swap my front springs with rubi take offs about two years ago and found that job not bad considering that was my first time doing such a thing. I do remember having to wrestle a bit to get the springs out and back in. Synergy would be taller.

Piece of cake - with compressor.

With all of your years of wrenching I am surprised you even asked .. 2hrs at most . My TJ I can do both in 45 minutes. no spring compressors needed

Slightly different vehicle................. the Overland springs are pretty long anyway, low spring rate to make a nice ride. Then add much longer springs and it's quite a stretch. The compressor made it a breeze and was "free" after I returned it in good condition.

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