Steering & Suspension
Rock Krawler Jeep JK Wrangler
Heavy Duty Tie Rod Installation Write-Up
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If you've just gone wheeling and your steering wheel is now off center, odds are you have a bent tie rod. Unfortunately, the factory tie rod is very weak and from what I have seen, can bend up and back from just a light hit to a rock or, in my case, can bend out and forward just from the torque and stresses of your front wheels when climbing up an obstacle. And, being that your tie rod is a part of your steering system, a slight bend in it will cause the position of your steering wheel to change. Of course, if the bend is slight, a simple adjustment to your toe and drag link can re-center your steering wheel without any problem. However, if the bend is significant, it can cause your toe to be significantly off and enough so that it cannot be corrected enough for safe driving. Likewise, a significant bend will cause your steering stabilizer to make contact with other components and interfere with your steering. |
TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler
4″ Flex Arm Lift Installation Write-Up
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Contrary to what many seem to think, if you want to get your Jeep JK Wrangler up on a set of 37" tires, you DO NOT need to install a long arm suspension lift kit. Unlike the TJ Wrangler before, the factory length JK control arms are more than long enough to handle the lift you will need to clear 37's and do it without compromising the quality of your ride. And, if you're looking for a high quality short arm lift kit that'll get you to where you need to be and without the need for anything else, you're going to want to get a TeraFlex JK 4" Flex Arm Lift. |
Rough Country Jeep JK Wrangler
Dual Steering Stabilizer Installation Write-Up
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After lifting your Jeep JK Wrangler and installing much bigger tires, you may experience a noticeable increase in the amount of bump steer you have when playing out on the trail. This is of course completely normal as the size of your tires will exaggerate bump steer and a good way to help dampen it is to install a heavy duty steering stabilizer. Or, if you really want maximum dampening, I would recommend picking up a heavy duty dual Steering Stabilizer setup like the kind that Rough Country makes. |
TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler Heavy Duty
Steering Stabilizer Installation Write-Up
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Due to it's location and proximity to the ground, smashing a factory steering stabilizer on the trail isn't something that's uncommon to JK's. In fact, most of the people I know have trashed theirs at least once including me. Fortunately for us, a steering stabilizer is easy to replace and not too costly. And, rather than just replacing your factory steering stabilizer with another, I decided to upgrade mine to a heavy duty one made by TeraFlex. |
Jeep JK Wrangler Stainless Steel
Extended Brake Line Installation
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If you've just lifted your Jeep JK Wrangler 3" or more (or are planning to do so), you will need to do one of the following: A) Install a set of rear brake line extension brackets or B) Install a set of extended brake lines like the kind that Currie Enterprises or Crown offers through Northridge4x4. Without them, you will run the risk of damaging your factory brake lines and/or compromise it's connection to your brake calipers when flexing on the trail. Upgrading your brake lines to a set of extended ones is simple to do and the instructions below should make it even easier for you. |
Rough Country Jeep JK Wrangler
4" Suspension Lift Installation Write-Up
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One of the nicest features of the Jeep JK Wrangler is that it was essentially designed to sit on 35" tires. At least, if you've ever seen a JK on 35's, you almost have to wonder why they didn't just come like that from the factory. However, in order to get your Jeep JK Wrangler to clear 35" tires on the trail without any rubbing or other issues, you will need to get it sitting on at least 3"-4" of lift. While there are multiple ways to get you to this height, a true suspension lift (i.e. new taller coils and components to match) is what I would recommend and thanks to Rough Country Suspension Systems, you can do this upgrade for about $575 and a few hours out of your day. |
Rancho RS 9000X Pro Series Remote Reservoir Shocks
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When it comes to off-road performance shocks, few companies have the history and outstanding reputation that Rancho has been able to create for itself over the last 50 years. Needless to say, when it came time for me to start looking for a new set of extended shocks to go with the 4.5" of lift that I now have on my Jeep JK Wrangler, Rancho was the first company I turned to for help. |
JKS Sway Bar Link Quick Disconnects Installation
Old Man Emu Jeep JK Wrangler
2" Lift Installation Write-Up
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If you're looking to give your Jeep JK Wrangler a 2" lift and have no plans of ever going taller in the future, there's only one true suspension lift kit you should consider and that is the one made by Old Man Emu. Being that the tallest lift that they make is a 2" lift, you can be sure that they do all that they can to make it the very best and have actually made a reputation for themselves for doing just that. |
TeraFlex Sway Bar Link Quick Disconnects Installation
Currie Enterprises Jeep JK Wrangler
Rock Jock Suspension Lift Installation Write-Up
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Utilizing dual rated coils, the Currie Enterprises Jeep JK Wrangler Rock Jock Suspension System comes complete with everything you need to clear 37" tires (with only minor trimming required), provides up to 11" of front and rear wheel travel (with specified shocks) and allows you to dial in your ride with their beefy weld in track bar relocation brackets and adjustable control arms featuring their ever famous Johnny Joints. And, if you're looking for more off-road stability without having to sacrifice your outstanding flex, all you need to do is add on the optional front and rear Rock Jock Anti-Rock Sway Bar Systems to your JK and call it a day. |
Basic Do-it-Yourself Jeep JK Wrangler
Front End Alignment
AIR LIFT 1000 Air Springs Installation Write-Up
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As much as I love doing short day trips up hard core trails, I have to say that my real love for Jeeps comes from the fact that they allow me to see and explore all the wonderful places this great country has to offer. And, when you load up your Jeep as much as I do to go on multi-day wheeling/camping trip with the entire family, the rear end of your Jeep JK Wrangler will sag considerably and in some cases, measurably enough to be an issue on and off the trail. Certainly, on the trail, sagging will cause a loss of ground clearance and on pavement, sagging will cause your head light beams to shine high and into the eyes of on coming traffic. So how does one go about solving a problem like this? Install a set of Air Lift 1000 air springs. |
Full Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler
3″ Ultimate Lift Installation Write-Up
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Truly, there are few 3" lift kits available on the market today for the Jeep JK Wrangler that are as complete and well made as the Full Traction Suspension 3" Ultimate Lift. Made here in the USA, this lift kit comes with 3" taller coils, adjustable lower and upper control arms, adjustable front and rear track bars, bump stop extensions, brake line relocation brackets, new longer sway bar links for the rear and sway bar link disconnects up front for X and Sahara model JK's. In essence, you get EVERYTHING you need to dial in your ride as these components will allow you to reposition and center your axles under your Jeep, set your rear pinion angle (if you have an aftermarket drive shaft) and set your caster angle to where it needs to be after lifting your Jeep and installing bigger tires. |
TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler
2.5″ Budget Boost Lift Installation Write-Up
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Phase one of the official Project-JK build up was to to get our Jeep JK Wrangler lifted high enough to sit on top of 35" tires and do it on a very tight budget. And, after doing some extensive research, we concluded that the best way to accomplish this goal was to start with the installation of a TeraFlex Budget Boost coil spacer suspension lift. With an extremely low retail price of about $225 (when purchased with a set of optional shock absorber extensions), this very complete kit will effectively lift your Jeep JK Wrangler 2.5" and do it without the need of purchasing new longer shocks - need I say more? |
Full Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler
Adjustable Front Track Bar Installation Write-Up
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When you lift a Jeep JK Wrangler 3" or more, you really need to do more than just pop in a set of taller coils if you hope to maintain a good ride quality and handling. At the very least, you really need to address the shift in your axles by adjusting your track bars. And, while a track bar relocation bracket is a great solution for the rear, I would highly recommend the installation of a good replacement heavy duty adjustable unit up front like the kind Full Traction Suspension makes. |
Full Traction Suspension 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler
3″ Economy Lift Installation Write-Up
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If you're looking to install a true 3" coil suspension lift on your new Jeep JK wrangler and need to do it on a budget, few kits can come close to matching the quality, completeness and affordable price of the Full Traction Suspension Jeep JK Wrangler 3" Economy Lift Kit. This kit is easy to install and can be done in an afternoon with basic SAE and metric tools. |
