If you’ve just installed a suspension lift and a set of bigger tires on your Jeep JK Wrangler and are still getting a bit of fender rub at a full flex, one of the easiest ways to address it is to install a 1″ body lift. While a body lift won’t improve your JK’s ability to perform on the trail, it will give your larger tires just a bit more breathing room under a set of factory fenders and, at a low cost of about $100, it can be done for cheap. Installation of a body lift is very easy, can be done by yourself with basic tools and in just about an hour. This write-up will show you what you’ll need and how to do it.
1″ Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited Body Lift Installation Write-Up
Hey WOL I’ve never been a fan of body lifts you say it doesn’t look to bad, can you not tell to much?
Nice write up, as usual! A small thing but… don’t you mean “OEM”, not “OME”? Might confuse folks with Old Man Emu when I think you mean Original Equipment Manufacturer.
hey jktyrant, the 3 after pics i have above will show you what it looks like and as you can see, it doesn’t look too bad as the pinch seam comes down enough to hide an obvious gap.
robncar, yes, i did find about 3 instances where i mistyped ‘oem’. i think i got them all but if not, please let mek now 🙂
quick question- whats the time approx to do the whole job in hours and also can this be done alone or does it take 2 or more people? Please reply back im very interested in this.
hi adam, you can easily do this job by yourself and in about an hour. super simple mod 🙂
eddie
Awesome writeup! Do you know what is different on the 2008 4-door vs. the 2007? I plan on doing this to my 2008 4-door Rubicon.
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for the write-up. I was looking forward to it and will use it as soon as my M.O.R.E. BL arrives. The order is in. Have you seen Shortbus’ forum post about eliminating the rear bumper gap? http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=32592&highlight=body+lift+pics
Nice idea! As always, thanks for all you’re doing.
Dave
Great write-up. Just one question though…Forgot to lift the passenger side? Might be leaning a little…lol.
Thanks for the write-up…doing my M.O.R.E. body lift this afternoon 😉
Write-up was helpful…thanks again Wayoflife 🙂
I did not do these cuts on the inner boot when I installed my MORE lift. But during another wrenching project, I guess I accidentally left the inner boot detached from the body. As a result a tremendous amount of engine heat came up into the cab. I live in Arizona, so this was almost unbearable. It seems a cut like this would cause a similar increase in cab temperature. And fumes.
Also;
1. Unfortunately I did not have this outstanding write-up to read before I did the install 12+ months ago.
2. I do not seem to have any shifting problems.
3. I am still experiencing some increase in engine heat in the cab. Though not nearly as bad as before (no draft effect). This is annoying.
I have not checked yet but I am wondering if the shift lever could have dislodged the boot the first time, and again. I did not see any damage on the boot retainer ring the first time I discovered it dislodged.
Sorry for rambling on, but this heat thing is a problem for me. And it seems to have begun at the time of the MORE install.
Can this be installed if I have the Rock Hard Sliders like these in place?
http://rockhard4x4parts.com/cart/proddetail.php?prod=RH-6006-T
Thanks!
hi mark, unfortunately, you will not be able to use them as they tie into the body mounts.
What did you do with the gaping hole in the lower shift boot? Could you used some epoxy to bring the pieces together and create a seam?
for now, i just have an open hole but would really like to close it up as it allows for a lot more tranny noise to come in. the epoxy idea sounds like something i might have to try.
About the rubber inner shift boot, If I want to install the new 2″ body lift, do I have to cut the metal?!!!!
don’t know for sure as i have only done a 1″ BL but you might
I saw in a previous post that you say this body lift can’t be used with those aftermarket rock sliders (couldn’t check the pic because the link didn’t work). Can this body lift be used on the Rubicon with the factory rock sliders?
yes and it will look perfect being that the rubi rails are mounted to the pinch seam.
Hey this was great. It was really helpful for me at this is my first attempted lift on my own. Did you come across the body mount bolt not releasing they seem to have a pin or something holding them in. Not sure how to get them out with out bending. Any suggestion would be helpful.
Thank you.
Jeepin’chick
Hey,
Not really related to the body lift but did you have to replace your drive shaft when you got your Full Traction 4″ Ultimate suspension?
Cheers,
glenn
hi jeepin chick, there are assembly washers securing the bolts in place. as you can see in my write-up above, you need to use a prybar to free the bolts.
glenn, i didn’t need to but i did anyway. the angles on the factory drivelines are pretty much at their limit at 4″ and keeping them in place will cause the cv joints to wear out sooner than later.
Do you know if I’ll be able to clear 33’s with a 1″ body lift and 1-3/4 daystar spacers in front and 3/4 spacers in back? I have an 09 unlimited rubicon.
In the instructions of the Performance Accessories 1″ Body lift, it is recommended to remove bolt and slide u-joint off of steering shaft. What do you think of that?
I just installed the Performance Accessories kit on my 09 unlimited. I did not do anything with the steering shaft and had no problems. But on the 09 4 door there are 5 body mounts not 6 and the rear bolts are larger than the other ones so use the gold bolts supplied in the kit. You will have to drill out 2 of the spacers to fit these larger bolts. Great write up helped a lot.
Wanted to thank you for posting what has proven to be very informative . The original instructions are pathetic indeed. Thanks to wireless, I had my laptop in the garage and referred to your photos as I worked. I should note that the 08 and later JK’s don’t have the body mount located between rear spring and shock. Moreover, as the rearmost mount uses a larger bolt and spacer with larger hole, don’t make the mistake I did and inadvertently use the larger puck on the side mounts. I had to backtrack and waste 15 minutes.
did you have to relocate anything? Front and Rear bumpers? Radiator? Gas Filler Neck? I am not familiar with the JK’s setup but I know guys with pickups that had these problems to deal with when using body lifts. Also any clearance issues with the 4wheel drive shifter?
wayoflife
I want to install this 1 inch body lifts on my 2012 rubicon 2 dr. Do you know of any differences or problems I may run into, with it being a ne engine and all?
Thanks
Darien
Could I add this to a rancho 2 inch lift kit. I was thinking of doing this instead of changing out my fenders so I can add 35 inch tires!. what are your thoughts?