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[rich98tj]

Well I broke my cherry last weekend and started to upgrad the suspension on my'98.  I put in a 2 1/2" skyjacker suspension lift with a pair of nitro 8000 shocks.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/98TJrich/98TJ%20Front%20suspension%20lift/

I started by stripping out the shocks and springs,  grinding off then acid washing the surfaces that I will not be able to get at after the new springs and shocks are installed.

After a day I painted everything up a couple of coats of rustolium.  Then re assembled the front end.   

[rich98tj]

This weekend I started on the rear suspension lift.  Again I started by stripping out the shocks and springs,  grinding off then acid washing the surfaces that I will not be able to get at after the new springs and shocks are installed.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/98TJrich/98TJ%20Rear%20suspension%20lift/

[rich98tj]

I love the internet!   Yesterday I tried several times to get the new springs back in the TJ.  They kept winning the battle every time, as I thought that one problem licked another would come up.  After one of the spring compressers slipped and the spring jumped about a foot in the air I decided to put it all away for the night, go inside and clean out my underpants.   After I was all cleaned up I went  on-line to see what step  I was missing.  I found that it was as simple as disconnecting the trac bar.  I did that this AM and didn't even need the spring compressers to complete the job.

Also while I was cleaning up the lower spring perches I destroyed the spring isolator plates so I cut out new ones from some left over rubber roofing.

While this is all elementary for many of you who read this. This is the first time I have ever modified a vehicle so please excuse the naivete'.

Rich

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/98TJrich/

[Mitch]

Glad you are okay! And awesome work figuring it out. Ask questions here if you need help, there are a lot of smart guys here.

[j-dawg]

Glad you are okay! And awesome work figuring it out. Ask questions here if you need help, there are a lot of smart guys here.

x2! everyone was a newbie at one point or another.
there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum, utilize them
and the internet is another great source, don't know what we did before that!

[rich98tj]

Thanks Mitch, my son hit the deck like I don't know what when the clamp slipped.  I had just finished telling him a couple of the stories I had heard about spring compressers causing major bodily damage to seasoned users and this was only my second time using them.

j-dawg, I remember back in the 70's when one of my Uncles was so proud of himself with his new Polaroid one step camera.  As he took apart the engine he took a picture every step and used the pictures to help with re assembly.  From what I remember however the pics cost about a buck a piece. ($10 more or less for a cartridge with 10 pics). so he spent a good chunk of change for his learning aid.

[rich98tj]

Well the lift and test drive is complete.  The only problem is a slight vibration that you feel through the accelerator pedal and is consistant and slight. It disappears when coasting.  I am happy how everything turned out though. 

The best part is  it will still fit in the garage after I put the new tires on it, without re-framing the header on the garage and getting a new door panel.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/98TJrich/JIB%20with%20lift/

[mopar_power]

did you do a slip yoke elimator or a transfercase skid drop.  that could explain the vibration you are feeling if you didn't

[Posimoto]

Congratulations installing your first lift! Looks good.

What caused the spring compressor to slip? Were the pins in the locked position? I've used spring compressors for many jobs, although useful it's my lest favorite tool. I find they work best using an air gun taking up both sides evenly a little at a time constantly checking the safety pins and keeping the bolt as vertical as possible.   

[Bluerocket]

I hate spring compressors and have had them slip before, also had them come right off and the spring shoot out. 
I loved when I got my old xj on longarms and you could just disconnect the shock and highlift it sideways to install/remove springs.

Congrats on the lift,  sounds like you have driveline vibrations which will be your next project

[jps4jeep]

Great Progress!

[Technohead]

Nice work.

Coil spring compressors are like pointing a loaded gun at your head. I won't use them.

[mud rover]

funny i was looking through your pics and walaa .there i am

[rich98tj]

funny i was looking through your pics and walaa .there i am

Thanks for pointing that out I just credited you in the pic.

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/98TJrich/IMG_0721.jpg
Rich

[rich98tj]

did you do a slip yoke elimator or a transfercase skid drop.  that could explain the vibration you are feeling if you didn't

I didn't do any other improvements, yet.  This weekend  I am going to New Bedford to finish up the bumpers and welding the tow points on.  Possibly sunday I can work on  eliminating the obvious causes of the vibration.  The funny bit I found yesterday during  the second test ride was the vibration diapears at 45 MPH.

Rich