First timer about to cycle my suspension

Eddie Greenlee

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Mississippi
So I got my 12 ton jack stands in, and about cycle my suspension. I’m starting with the rear end, because I’m wanting to outboard the rear shocks. Not sure why I need to pull the springs and tires to cycle my suspension to outboard shocks, but if y’all say so I’ll do it. Maybe I need to be looking for other issues? So what’s the first step ? Pull the tires and bottom of shocks, and loosen trackbarbolts ? Then pull the springs ? Do I do both sides at the same time ?
 
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You'll fighting the springs if you dont pull them and lifting jeep off of the stands/ or ground while trying.
You'll have to disconnect lower shock mount, disconnect sway bar links, disconnect upper spring retainer/bumps (on mine). Watch for over stretching brake cables. Disconnect track bar frame side for removal of springs then reattach for cycling.

Here is a pretty detailed write up from @fuse .

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bump-stop-check-walk-thru-with-pics.12883/
 
You'll fighting the springs if you dont pull them and lifting jeep off of the stands/ or ground while trying.
You'll have to disconnect lower shock mount, disconnect sway bar links, disconnect upper spring retainer/bumps (on mine). Watch for over stretching brake cables. Disconnect track bar frame side for removal of springs then reattach for cycling.

Here is a pretty detailed write up from @fuse .

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bump-stop-check-walk-thru-with-pics.12883/

X2 to this (y)
 
The very first thing to do before you put it on jackstands is to measure the coils at ride height( from the upper coil mount to the lower coil mount). This in a number you will want to write down. And if you haven't relocated the upper spring perches you should start there.
 
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You'll fighting the springs if you dont pull them and lifting jeep off of the stands/ or ground while trying.
You'll have to disconnect lower shock mount, disconnect sway bar links, disconnect upper spring retainer/bumps (on mine). Watch for over stretching brake cables. Disconnect track bar frame side for removal of springs then reattach for cycling.

Here is a pretty detailed write up from @fuse .

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bump-stop-check-walk-thru-with-pics.12883/
thanks for the explanation !
 
The very first thing to do before you put it on jackstands is to measure the coils at ride height( from the upper coil mount to the lower coil mount). This in a number you will want to write down. And if you haven't relocated the upper spring perches you should start there.
thanks for the heads up !
 
You'll fighting the springs if you dont pull them and lifting jeep off of the stands/ or ground while trying.
You'll have to disconnect lower shock mount, disconnect sway bar links, disconnect upper spring retainer/bumps (on mine). Watch for over stretching brake cables. Disconnect track bar frame side for removal of springs then reattach for cycling.

Here is a pretty detailed write up from @fuse .

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bump-stop-check-walk-thru-with-pics.12883/
will I have the jeep on the jack stand and the hydrolic jack under the chunk at ride height before I disconnect all the shocks and stuff? and what about the tires . im guessing the tires should come off first? and once the springs are out i should replace the tires ??
 
will I have the jeep on the jack stand and the hydrolic jack under the chunk at ride height before I disconnect all the shocks and stuff? and what about the tires . im guessing the tires should come off first? and once the springs are out i should replace the tires ??
Support jeep by frame. Pull tires. Disconnect what you need to. Pull springs. Put tires back on. Check full bump with both sides stuffed, tires on and off depending what you are checking. Then one side at a time. You with likely have to have the tire off on the side you are dropping. Dont rush to get thing put back together. Be thorough on checking everything first to avoid having to go through it all again. You'll get faster at it every time as many mods have you checking bump, clearance etc. It will become a ritual.
 
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Is it necessary to remove and disconnect , tires, swaybar disconnects , sway bar....... if I am wanting to outboard my shocks? it seems like all that would need to be connected to cycle the suspension for ordering the right size shock to outboard.
 
Support jeep by frame. Pull tires. Disconnect what you need to. Pull springs. Put tires back on. Check full bump with both sides stuffed, tires on and off depending what you are checking. Then one side at a time. You with likely have to have the tire off on the side you are dropping. Dont rush to get thing put back together. Be thorough on checking everything first to avoid having to go through it all again. You'll get faster at it every time as many mods have you checking bump, clearance etc. It will become a ritual.
awesome !!
 
The very first thing to do before you put it on jackstands is to measure the coils at ride height( from the upper coil mount to the lower coil mount). This in a number you will want to write down. And if you haven't relocated the upper spring perches you should start there.
and I should relocate the upper spring perch so the springs will sit perfectly stright up and down at ride height??
 
Is it necessary to remove and disconnect , tires, swaybar disconnects , sway bar....... if I am wanting to outboard my shocks? it seems like all that would need to be connected to cycle the suspension for ordering the right size shock to outboard.
Out boarding is an endeavor requiring all of the above plus another couple cans of worms, the kitchen sink and cycling and adjusting placement of shock mounting points until you have it perfect. Much research and experience would help with that. I know some but wont touch any advice on the subject. 🤐🍻
 
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Out boarding is an endeavor requiring all of the above plus another couple cans of worms, the kitchen sink and cycling and adjusting placement of shock mounting points until you have it perfect. Much research and experience would help with that. I know some but wont touch any advice on the subject. 🤐🍻
yea, I will have a shop that builds buggies and jeeps, help me to figure out all that. Im not in a hurry, so i will take my time getting all this stuff right, and ill write down all the ride height , droop and stuff measurements.
 
You will need to relocate your upper and lower spring perches first. Get them set so the spring is straight up and down. You cannot outboard the shocks unless you have the final shock you want to run in hand. As you will need the shock in hand to set the towers, and lower mount, you will cycle the axle many times while outboarding. You will disconnect the sway bar, trac bar, you will need to know coil bind and full extended length of your springs, you will cycle the axle with the tires off, tires on, one tire off one tire on(full compression on one side with tire at full stuff, and tthe other side at full droop) than switch sides. You will be looking at things like, does the rear diff cover hit the gas tank, does the trac bar mount hit the tub, where does the tire make contact with the body, how much metal needs to be trimmed. Make sure the axle is centered prior to starting, watch for driveshaft binding at full droop, as you may need to add a limit strap. This is a very short version of what you will be looking for when outboarding. Do a ton of research. This is a project that takes us novices 24-36 hours of actual labor to complete. When I did mine it was a 16 hour saturday, a 12 hour sunday, plus a few hours each night after work to complete. Most people who outboard go to a 12" travel tunable shock such as a fox 2.0. as it is a lot of work and you will only want to do it once.
 
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You will need to relocate your upper and lower spring perches first. Get them set so the spring is straight up and down. You cannot outboard the shocks unless you have the final shock you want to run in hand. As you will need the shock in hand to set the towers, and lower mount, you will cycle the axle many times while outboarding. You will disconnect the sway bar, trac bar, you will need to know coil bind and full extended length of your springs, you will cycle the axle with the tires off, tires on, one tire off one tire on(full compression on one side with tire at full stuff, and tthe other side at full droop) than switch sides. You will be looking at things like, does the rear diff cover hit the gas tank, does the trac bar mount hit the tub, where does the tire make contact with the body, how much metal needs to be trimmed. Make sure the axle is centered prior to starting, watch for driveshaft binding at full droop, as you may need to add a limit strap. This is a very short version of what you will be looking for when outboarding. Do a ton of research. This is a project that takes us novices 24-36 hours of actual labor to complete. When I did mine it was a 16 hour saturday, a 12 hour sunday, plus a few hours each night after work to complete. Most people who outboard go to a 12" travel tunable shock such as a fox 2.0. as it is a lot of work and you will only want to do it once.
Thank you very much, !
 
Well folks, things are going good. Springs are off and I’ve been cycling the suspension with and without tires and springs and shocks and teak bar. Dif cover got in the way of full stuff so I relieved the diff and slightly moved the gas tank skid backwards so now I’m gods with that. Looks like on full droop the yoke on the drive shift might bind but making sure next. I’ll be back later tonight with pictures and more info. Thanks again 👍
 
Oh yea one other thing. It looks like the track bar kinda binds the axle in the fact that one side is always higher or lower depending where the height of the axle is through it’s cycling process
 
One quick question. The bend in the track bar is supposed to go up right??? Like in my picture ?
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