So I've been putting together an idea of what I'd like to do with my TJ. For now, my upgrade list includes:
Rubicon Express 2" Economy lift
JKS quick swaybar disconnects
15x10" MT Classic II wheels
31" BFG Mud Terrain KO tires
Rubicon OEM-style rocker panel guards
Carr Rotabar light bar/lights of some sort
Smittybilt SRC front bumper
Some kind of winch
So as you can see, basically mild upgrades for better off-road performance and a little bit of cosmetic enhancement thrown in for good mix.
I bit the bullet and got started today by ordering the RE 2" lift from Quadratec. I read through the installation PDF on Quadratec's site. It says you can remove the springs by either using a spring compressor or disconnecting the sway bar/track bar and jacking the Jeep up enough so the axle hangs down so far the springs just sort of fall out. Which way would be easier?? I can rent a spring compressor from AutoZone if that would work better. It also says to "remove the stock shocks" and install the ones in the kit, but it never elaborates on what is involved in that procedure. Can someone fill me in on what I'd be looking at if I tried to do this myself?
Also, I have the Rubicon springs on my TJ so I guess with this kit installed I would have a total of 2.5" of suspension lift. Is this enough that I would need to worry about drivetrain components as far as like the driveshaft angle and things of that nature that can be affected by lifting a vehicle?
Also, a quick question about the Rubicon OEM rocker panel guards - do they provide any more protection than say the Bushwhacker ABS plastic replica ones would?? I'm just trying to decide if it's really worth paying $200+ for the actual OEM one's versus like $60-70 for the plastic ones. For that matter, anybody have an OEM set you'd like to get rid of?? In case you're wondering why I'm bothering, I think just they look better than the non-Rubi rock guard along the rocker right behind the front flares.
It'll probably be a few weeks before I'll have time to get around to installing the lift, but I'll be sure to post some pics when it's done.
Rubicon Express 2" Economy lift
JKS quick swaybar disconnects
15x10" MT Classic II wheels
31" BFG Mud Terrain KO tires
Rubicon OEM-style rocker panel guards
Carr Rotabar light bar/lights of some sort
Smittybilt SRC front bumper
Some kind of winch
So as you can see, basically mild upgrades for better off-road performance and a little bit of cosmetic enhancement thrown in for good mix.
I bit the bullet and got started today by ordering the RE 2" lift from Quadratec. I read through the installation PDF on Quadratec's site. It says you can remove the springs by either using a spring compressor or disconnecting the sway bar/track bar and jacking the Jeep up enough so the axle hangs down so far the springs just sort of fall out. Which way would be easier?? I can rent a spring compressor from AutoZone if that would work better. It also says to "remove the stock shocks" and install the ones in the kit, but it never elaborates on what is involved in that procedure. Can someone fill me in on what I'd be looking at if I tried to do this myself?
Also, I have the Rubicon springs on my TJ so I guess with this kit installed I would have a total of 2.5" of suspension lift. Is this enough that I would need to worry about drivetrain components as far as like the driveshaft angle and things of that nature that can be affected by lifting a vehicle?
Also, a quick question about the Rubicon OEM rocker panel guards - do they provide any more protection than say the Bushwhacker ABS plastic replica ones would?? I'm just trying to decide if it's really worth paying $200+ for the actual OEM one's versus like $60-70 for the plastic ones. For that matter, anybody have an OEM set you'd like to get rid of?? In case you're wondering why I'm bothering, I think just they look better than the non-Rubi rock guard along the rocker right behind the front flares.
It'll probably be a few weeks before I'll have time to get around to installing the lift, but I'll be sure to post some pics when it's done.