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ekonkjack · 10-06-2009, 06:19 AM

If it arrives in time I will begin installing a Rough Country 3" lift kit this weekend. Will I need a spring compressor to install the taller coil springs up front?

JeeperMatt · 10-06-2009, 07:27 AM

Are you installing the basic kit or the Series II? If it's the basic then yes, you'll want a spring compressor. If you don't want to buy one your local Autozone should have a set you can rent from them. Jack up the front end and throw some jackstands under the unibody rails behind the LCA body mounts. Be sure you set it up high enough that you can get your tires back on after the lift since the axle will be sitting substantially lower Might be wise to throw some sturdy cement or wood blocks under the jackstands for some extra height if you doubt they'll go high enough. You may be able to get the axle to droop far enough to remove the stock springs by hand and use the compressor just to install the new springs. If it's the Series II, you'll be installing new LCA's as well, so I'd just use a floorjack to lower the front axle seeing as how the control arms will be off anyhow. Be sure to watch the brakelines though - make sure you don't max'em out, or otherwise f*ck them up. I completely forgot about them when I installed my RubiExpress lift and had to replace them afterwards. Most likely you'll need to unbolt the lower trackbar mount, but IIRC you make need to do that anyway to drill a new hole in the bracket to re-center your axle after the lift. Not entirely sure if that's required on a 3" lift though...

**littleblackxj** · 10-06-2009, 01:49 PM

I've never had to use a spring compressor with any amount of lift. It might make it easier but you can definitely drop the axle enough so the new spring goes right in by disconnecting the lower control arms and drag link. Just keep an eye on the brakelines. You might want to lengthen them while your at it.

4.3L XJ · 10-06-2009, 03:23 PM

On any lift, if you just disconnect the links the axle will drop enough to just slip the springs in. Compressors can slip. I had one lit go and took the hide off my pinky finger so fast I never even felt it.

**muddeprived** · 10-06-2009, 04:48 PM

I used to use a spring compressor. Now I just disconnect two arms, brake lines, trackbar, shocks, and pitman arm tie rod and the axle drops as far as it's needed. Spring compressors help yes but take freakin forever to compress and alot longer when removing them from the seated spring.

**2000XJ** · 10-06-2009, 05:22 PM

I've had good luck with spring compressors thus far and will be using them to do the BB on the daily driver. If you're careful with them, know how to use them, and compress them equally at an equal pace you'll be fine.

ekonkjack · 10-07-2009, 06:27 AM

Thanks everyone. I thought that it could be done without spring compressors but was concerned about the brake lines. I can get a set of compressors for just a fully refundable deposit and will probably go that route. The tracking info. says that the RC 3" kit will be here on Friday and rain is predicted for Saturday morning anyhow so what do you think, a six pack or two six pack job? I have all kinds of tools including welding and cutting tools and a floor jack. I have been soaking the bolts that I will be working with a penetrating oil for the past two weeks and don't anticipate any problems. Those famous last word will be on my gravestone.

Detour · 10-07-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleblackxj

I've never had to use a spring compressor with any amount of lift. It might make it easier but you can definitely drop the axle enough so the new spring goes right in by disconnecting the lower control arms and drag link. Just keep an eye on the brakelines. You might want to lengthen them while your at it.

This.

Plus, disconect shocks & sway bar, it's easy.

BACKWOOD · 10-07-2009, 09:43 AM

mine is a bit** with spring compressors, ive always had it hard to get my coils in, probably because my coil spacers? What is the best order to do it, cuz the way i do it must be sloppy because my coils push my axle all over the place when i get them in "there not broken in though" if it makes much of a difference

89eliminator · 10-07-2009, 10:35 AM

i've always found spring compressors to be scary thus i always disconnected the tracbar, calipers, shocks, links, swaybar.

but as of right now, i have to unbolt 3 things to get the spring out.

86rokee · 10-07-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000XJ

I've had good luck with spring compressors thus far and will be using them to do the BB on the daily driver. If you're careful with them, know how to use them, and compress them equally at an equal pace you'll be fine.

dave do you use the strut style one? the typical spring compressor from auto zone goes inside the coil where is the strut compressors (2) go on the outside of the coil. i used a spring compress the first time i ever did a coil on the xj and it got trapped inside the coil! it was a real pain! strut compressors are the ones i use but most of the time i drop the lca, shocks and sway and whatever else. its ususally easier and its alot safer.

**littleblackxj** · 10-07-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekonkjack

Thanks everyone. I thought that it could be done without spring compressors but was concerned about the brake lines. I can get a set of compressors for just a fully refundable deposit and will probably go that route. The tracking info. says that the RC 3" kit will be here on Friday and rain is predicted for Saturday morning anyhow so what do you think, a six pack or two six pack job? I have all kinds of tools including welding and cutting tools and a floor jack. I have been soaking the bolts that I will be working with a penetrating oil for the past two weeks and don't anticipate any problems. Those famous last word will be on my gravestone.

Well if you think about it, when you are flexing, at times your coils are going to be fully uncompressed so if your brakelines are going to be an issue when installing your lift, they will be an issue when you wheel your jeep.

A free way to make them a couple inches longer is to bend the hardline straight. If you look on your front fender you can see how the brakeline comes straight down and then turns towards the back of the jeep and then straightens right at the end. You can take that line and bend it so it's straight down, giving you adequate brakeline length.

unklej's xj's · 10-07-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86rokee

dave do you use the strut style one? the typical spring compressor from auto zone goes inside the coil where is the strut compressors (2) go on the outside of the coil. i used a spring compress the first time i ever did a coil on the xj and it got trapped inside the coil! it was a real pain! strut compressors are the ones i use but most of the time i drop the lca, shocks and sway and whatever else. its ususally easier and its alot safer.

I wish I would have read this yesterday!! I just got the loaner spring compressor from AZONE and I got it trapped inside the coil! It took me a half hour just to get it out!! As far as dropping the lca's it sounds good and looks good on paper! the fact is that I have been blasting my lca's for two weeks now getting ready to start this lift! I bought an impact and everything and still could not get the ds lca off! so I used the compressor and got it stuck. now I can't get my track bar to line back up and the sway bar I got from the jy has an extra little nugget welded in that keeps me from getting it connected!

All in all this has been a nightmare!! hopefully tomorrow I will get the old swaybar back on and possibly try to stretch the track bar! does anyone know, do you have to replace the track bar with a 3" RC lift?

IF I can get all this done then it will be time to start the back! that should be fun!!

I'm sure those leaf spring and shackle bolts are going to jump right out just like the lca'a and everything else!!

Hopefully the back will go smoothly!

The rig does look pretty sweet sitting up tall and proud like!! I love it so far! I just wish I knew what to do about the track bar and If I should expect more problems!!

Two six packs?! HA!! more like a keg or two! good luck with yours hopefully It goes smoother than mine!

unklej's xj's · 10-07-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleblackxj

Well if you think about it, when you are flexing, at times your coils are going to be fully uncompressed so if your brakelines are going to be an issue when installing your lift, they will be an issue when you wheel your jeep.

A free way to make them a couple inches longer is to bend the hardline straight. If you look on your front fender you can see how the brakeline comes straight down and then turns towards the back of the jeep and then straightens right at the end. You can take that line and bend it so it's straight down, giving you adequate brakeline length.

I ordered some out of Qtech and they are made to order! It's taken two weeks so far, and I can;t even track them to find out where they are! If you are going to swap brake lines, (which is highly recomended!) check into yj or tj lines. one of them is a direct fit and gives length for 4.5 inches of lift! ask muddeprived, he uses them!!

ekonkjack · 10-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Hey unklej's, I hope the back end work goes smoothly to make up for the hassles you experienced in the front. I was looking at mine the other day because I was concerned about the brake lines and noticed that the screw holding the flex end to the wall could be moved down a couple of inches. Maybe two. It would stretch out the bends a bit in the steel brake line and just drill another hole for the mounting screw lower. I expect to begin early and will try the first front wheel without the spring compressor. Be careful on this site. I've only been on here for two weeks and not only am I doing a lift and bigger tires but am now considering rock rails. It's infectious and these guys love to share their disease.