Raising Jeep to install a leveling kit

[Kirkfukstik]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to raise the front end of my gladiator to install leveling kit? I want to install this kit myself, but it seems I'll pay more for jacks and jack stands then i would to just take it to a garage. Would you just chock the back wheels and put the front on jack stands?

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[Mac]

I have found one corner at a time to be easiest. You would need a decent floor jack and jack stand plus regular hand tools and a 250lb torque wrench.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Interested in this thread myself. I started to install my 1.5” Teraflex level kit recently but realized that it would take ME longer than most lol.

Funny story though…Helfman Jeep/Dodge here in Houston quoted me $855 installed (including the $120 level kit parts). They said they wouldn’t install a pre-purchased kit because of liability so I wasn’t interested anyway. Still found it funny.

 

[Kirkfukstik]

Interested in this thread myself. I started to install my 1.5” Teraflex level kit recently but realized that it would take ME longer than most lol.

Funny story though…Helfman Jeep/Dodge here in Houston quoted me $855 installed (including the $120 level kit parts). They said they wouldn’t install a pre-purchased kit because of liability so I wasn’t interested anyway. Still found it funny.

On my JL i just took it to a garage. Think i paid 200-300 or something. Looking at the install videos and it doesn't seem too difficult, but once you're in there the baby's born. So wanted advice on how to make it easier.

 

[Fouts]

Pretty easy. All you really need is 2 jack stands and floor jack. I prefer lifting both sides setting jacks under frame behind front tires. after removing tires use floor jack under front axle to help lower for removal of springs. I wish everyone would consider trying some of the work done on their jeeps. It is very rewarding and with the $200 to $300 saved I can buy more parts.

 

[bleda2002]

The fronts are easier than the backs and you can do one at a time if you have a decent pry bar although it you have a pair of jack stands might as well do both sides at once. Jack up the side by the axle, then put a stand by where the lower arm connects to the frame. Take off the tire and go to town.

 

[Tiny]

Quick trip to harbor freight and you'll be out the door for $200 and ready to rock. Sure you can take it in, but DIY and you'll know more about your truck, have the pride/confidence of doing it yourself, plus tools for next time......yes, there will be a next time


No judgment either way. Happy Jeeping!

 

[Kirkfukstik]

Great advice. Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[Rptr00]

I’d bite the bullet and buy the tools. It may be more than the install price but looking ahead you’ll be able to do your own work on the next project. And we all know there will be more projects.

 

[Mac]

The fronts are easier than the backs and you can do one at a time if you have a decent pry bar although it you have a pair of jack stands might as well do both sides at once. Jack up the side by the axle, then put a stand by where the lower arm connects to the frame. Take off the tire and go to town.

No need for a pry bar, if you remove the lower shock bolt and disconnect the anti sway bar the springs drop right out.

 

[bleda2002]

No need for a pry bar, if you remove the lower shock bolt and disconnect the anti sway bar the springs drop right out.

I didnt jack mine super high so i used the pry bar to stuff the spring back in. Coming out was no issue, but i was too commited to try to raise the front 1 more notch on the jack stand, so pry bar came out and short work was made of reinstalling with spacer

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No need for a pry bar, if you remove the lower shock bolt and disconnect the anti sway bar the springs drop right out.

Depends on model. My Overland it was a lot easier to do one side at a time on the rear - and I had to use a JACK to push the axle down. The front wasn't bad but still took some pressure to get the axle down. My springs didn't even come close to dropping out on the rear. It was "fun" on the rear, a lot easier on the front.
I had to use a jack on the axle and push up through the center of the bump stop to get the rear axle down far enough.
And yes, I know how to disconnect and loosen things.
I also had to bend the steel brake lines to get enough line length on the rear.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

It cost me $801 out the door to have my 2.5" Readylift SST Lift Kit installed at my local shop and that included a alignment as well. Basically they charged. $450 of that was the kit itself. A leveling kit would of cost me $325 for everything Installed including the kit. I have jack stands and floor a jack but for that price it was worth letting them do it because my times worth more than that. Now the Rubicon suspension I put on I did myself and that took about a hour and half to do roughly.

 

[Jems007]

Get 6 ton jack stands as they go higher. You also want a floor jack with the highest reach you can find, otherwise you'll be struggling to drop the axle far enough to pull the springs out. I got mine from HF, but YMMV.

I know a lot of people say its easy, but its all relative. On the ground with hand tools and no help it could be a pain--but you have a wealth of information online.

Notes below are a very high level overview and I'm not telling you how to do it, rather this is how I did mine. I Agree on doing it one side at a time. I don't agree on using a prybar or coil compressor. That sounds dangerous.

Basically you:

1. Unplug breather tube for differential, locker wiring harness on the pumpkin if applicable, and undo brake line bracket attached to the LCA. This is for when you lower the axle so you won't stretch lines.
2. loosen lugs and safely jack the frame up
3. remove tires/wheel, support frame with jack stands.
4. Support axle with floor jack and raise/lower to take pressure off sway bar end link. Disconnect lower sway bar end link. Save hardware.
5. Lower axle to full extension of shock, then lift it up a hair with the jack to relieve pressure.
6. Unbolt lower shock mount.
7. Lower axle via jack until the spring is loose. Then you can install the pucks.
8. Basically reverse this order to reinstall.

I recommend loosening the control arm bolts once completed, shake the vehicle alot, and retorque. This can be a giant pain with hand tools btw. With an impact its easy.

 

[93civej1]

Ive never really understood why someone wants to let others do all the work. I understand if its something super hard or you dont have the know how, but none of it is really that hard. Doing it yourself is like 98% of the fun of messing with vehicles.

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