Where to get a lift installed

[oo7ravisXJ]

Hey guys,
I'm about to buy a 4.5" RE lift, and since my folks wont let me do it on their "precious pebble" driveway or in the garage till next month i was wonderin if you guys know of any good shops (that stand behind their work) to do it. I'm hoping it wont cost more than $700 topps, and if it were near to the Tri-Valley Area that would be a plus.

Any tips on what to look out for or stay away from? -Thanks, Travis

 

[ChuckD]

Be patient and save your $700 for other parts. Also if you do it yourself you can gain more expierence working on you XJ and that will be eccential if you run into issues on the trail.

Heck, Drive down towards Fresno I would do it for $500!

 

[Ben H]

x2 diy. i'll lend a hand.

 

[Bryan C.]

The only place I know of in the area is BOSS Truck in San Ramon. They seem to do good work, but are hard to get your junk in to get the work done. Have you ever installed a lift kit? Do you have much wrenching experience? I can come by and lend a hand if you get stuck on something, or just to give you some advice when needed along the way. I live close to you. Get a few buddies to help out and do it yourself, you will appreciate it that much more and you won't have to pay anyone anything. Just think, a nice new front bumper costs around $500, save your money for something like that.

 

[oo7ravisXJ]

no i never have, the only thing im worried about is if i could get all the nuts and bolts off because some of them are probaly rusted or striped, everything else is easy, right?

 

[SharkXJ]

no i never have, the only thing im worried about is if i could get all the nuts and bolts off because some of them are probaly rusted or striped, everything else is easy, right?

To add to what BC said, SAVE that $500 for asomething else and plan a weekend with your buddies to get this done. 2 Years ago I installed my first lift and now I have installed about 5 (3 TJ and 2 XJ). It's not that bad at all.

The night before, heck even days before, get some PB Blast and spray the crap out of all the LCA, UCA, U-Bolts and Shackle Bolts. Oh yeah, also hit the Track Bar Bolts. If I lived closer and wasn't stuck at home for the next few months (babay prep) I would be more then happy to help.

What year is your rig and why do you think they would be stripped?

Late,
Shark

 

[Ben H]

really soak up the rear upper shock bolts. maybe heat em up, and tap on them with a hammer before you turn a wrench on them. Broke all 4 the first time, kind of a pain to get a drill and a tap in. Just sit back and take a break and think about it, if you get stumped on somthing. Good luck.

 

[jeepme]

There is a new 4x4 shop in Dublin on Doughrty Rd across from Goodyear next to the railroad tracks. I think it is called Custom Trucks. If you decide to do it on your own let me know I live in Dublin and have lifted LOTS of XJ's and a few TJ's for our club memebers and can help ya out. I can lift it for ya but not for about 3 weeks.

 

[JTBOSCO]

bring it to my house...I have lots of space...tools and jack stands.....I need to work on mine too anyhow. I live in Discovery Bay.

 

[XJ_ranger]

If you want to wait till mid march, we could do it at my house...

Its not all that bad...

good luck!

 

[oo7ravisXJ]

To add to what BC said, SAVE that $500 for asomething else and plan a weekend with your buddies to get this done. 2 Years ago I installed my first lift and now I have installed about 5 (3 TJ and 2 XJ). It's not that bad at all.

The night before, heck even days before, get some PB Blast and spray the crap out of all the LCA, UCA, U-Bolts and Shackle Bolts. Oh yeah, also hit the Track Bar Bolts. If I lived closer and wasn't stuck at home for the next few months (babay prep) I would be more then happy to help.

What year is your rig and why do you think they would be stripped?

Late,
Shark

its a 87, and your right, they probaly not stripped. my jeep is in pretty good condition accually. What kind of tools do think I'll need, my dads has a ton of tools and all that stuff, but we would probaly need a spring compressor and some very tall jacks, right?

 

[XJ_ranger]

What kind of tools do think I'll need, my dads has a ton of tools and all that stuff, but we would probaly need a spring compressor and some very tall jacks, right?

dont need spring compressors...

a floor jack and some 4x4's to stack on top of it.

Jackstands are nice - and normal ones should work if you dont have too big of tires here yet...

basic mechanics tools should get you through it - i seem to remember 13/16" - 21mm bein a socket that i had to dig deep in the tool box to find for the rear spring bolts, but not that big of a deal.

a 3/8" flare nut wrench is good if you have brake lines to swap out.

Air tools make the job 1,000,000 times more fun...

 

[XJedi23]

dont need spring compressors...



Air tools make the job 1,000,000 times more fun...

I was glad I had spring compressors and definatly wish I had air tools. Wish I had so many offers to help with the lift I installed two weeks ago! I feel Good that I did my first lift on my own tho. Spray the hell out of every bolt you will need to remove,that I think is the key. Didnt strip a one bolt unless you count my lug nuts. (2)