I have a cheap 2" budget lift that is a spacer under the front coil and an add a leaf to the rear leaf spring. my kit did not come with new u-bolts. when installing the rear can I re-use the u bolts for the leafs or will they not be long enough after I add the new leaf? also any special tools needed to install the whole lift kit? tryin to get all the parts and tools figured out before I tear into this project.

 

You might not need new u bolts depending how long they are but always replace them they stretch and just basic tools a jack jack stands wrenches sockets maybe coil spring compressors

 

cool i'll bring the old u bolt down to the parts store and match it up and rent a coil spring compressor while i'm there to do the front. hopefully its an easy install.


does anyone know off the top of your head if you can compress the spring far enough to put the 2" spacer and spring back in with out un hooking stuff on the axle and dropping the axle down? if so it would make the front 10x easier.

 

I did not replace mine... but mine came off like butter

however most people can not get them off without breaking them... and even if they do, it is hard to say if they will or not... but as for fitting, I know mine did

 

I wouldnt recommend re-using old ubolts. They are cheap enough to just buy or have made.

 

X2

 

Yes you should be able to put the 2" spacers in with the compressor and without having to unhook stuff (except the sway bar and shocks). After you have disconnected those then just jack up one side of the axle as far as it will go and the should lower the other side down enough.

 

hell I did a 3" spring and a 1.75" spacer with out disconnection anythign but the front swaybar

 

Ha dang you must have had that spring really compressed.. We had to crank it a good 10 minutes when we put my 2" springs and 1.75" spacers in

 

The stocks will fall out with just compressing one side lift ones are to long. Had the same issue doing my 4.5" tj coils (like 22" unsprung) and 2" spacer.

Sent by my pet chicken

 

it's not that tight of a fit. so, to put in any spacers or springs *without* using a spring compressor tool:

1) have rear wheels chocked/blocked

2) jack up front axle high enough to get some 5 ton jack stands under the unibody rails right behind the lower control arms

3) remove both front wheels

4) disconnect swaybar on both sides

5) use a bottle jack under one of the lower ball joints and lift until that side just almost comes off the jack stand

6) on the opposite side, you will now be able to remove the coil and reinstall w/spacer. it will take a little finagling, but if you look carefully you will see how it can go in and out even with the spacer in first, maybe some swear words too, but it can easily be done without a spring compressor.

now let the bottle jack down and do the same for the other side.