How hard is it too install a suspension lift kit yourself?

There are several things that need to be considered before tackling the installation of a suspension lift on your Jeep. First, realize that it is going to take a couple of days, depending on your mechanical ability. Have a few friends come over to lend some muscle and some knowledge/brainpower to overcome any obstacles that may arise. Other things to consider: lift size and necessary added components (new drive shafts, slip yoke eliminator, longer brake lines, etc.), availability of garage space, adequate tools and equipment (see recommended list below), secondary vehicle to drive while performing lift, and of course budget.

If you have someone else install the kit it will cost you several hundreds of dollars, though it will be done faster than you could do it. Is it worth the money to you?

The money you would spend on having someone else install the lift could just as easily be spent on buying tools to do it yourself. If you are going to pay someone $50/hour, that is money that could buy wrench sets, sockets, jackstands, etc. Tools are an INVESTMENT you will appreciate if you plan on keeping your Jeep any length of time. It is a time-honored Jeep tradition to perform maintenance on the Jeep yourself...kinda like Harley owners are self-reliant and carry a toolroll in their saddlebags.

Having installed the lift yourself will give you insight into how things are put together under your Jeep and give you the foundation to troubleshoot failures on the trail. If you put it together yourself, YOU know how it is supposed to work and function, and what to look for if there is a suspicious faulty part.

A front end alignment would be highly recommended on coil-sprung vehicles after the suspension has been altered.

If you are planning on doing it yourself...READ ON!

The first thing you want to do is make sure you have ALL the right parts before you start taking things off your Jeep. It is possible the kit supplier left out a piece, bolt, whatever. Take a COMPLETE INVENTORY before you start!

Your Jeep is not that old, but it is possible that certain bolts/pieces have been frozen with rust. Hose down every nut/bolt/piece with a good penetrant like PB Blaster for several days before you start taking it apart. This should loosen up most of the parts....some it may not.

Now for the tools!

Here is a list of items I have had to use to perform this lift, you may not need all of them, or may need more....every Jeep is different in their persuasion requirements:

1 heavy duty floor jack (3 ton or better)

4 or more 6-ton jackstands (for the height achieved)

air compressor and 1/2" impact gun and impact sockets

1/2" ratchet and standard and metric sockets (deep/shallow)

3/8" ratchet and same accessories as for 1/2"

breaker bars and pipe to add leverage

good selection of standard and metric combination wrenches

good lighting

hole alignment tools and punches

lubrication grease/spray

3 foot prybar

vice grip pliers

needlenose pliers

3 pound mini-sledgehammer

rubber mallet

deadblow hammer

coilspring compressors

flare wrenches for brake lines

brake fluid

creeper

various other pliers and wrenches

Zip-Lock bags for parts and a Sharpie to label things

.......and a few things I will remember after I post this.

If you have the proper tools this is a fairly straightforward procedure, it is just time-consuming.......and you will run into some glitches here and there. Just keep an open mind and be as prepared as possible.

I hope this helps out!

Lift Kit Installation

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RE:

How hard is it too install a suspension lift kit yourself?

I've looked at a step by step on line and it doesn't look that hard. How much would it cost to get installed professionally? Do I need to get an alignment done after installing the lift kit? (2000 Jee...

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The key thing is lifting the vehicle. You *could* do it without a hoist, but it's a lot of work. You need to have spring compressors to keep the springs under control, and suspension components that are old and have seen a lot of road wear may need a lot of work to get off (ie., heat, etc. ). It's probably not something you would easily be able to do in a weekend unless you had another couple pairs of hands.

It all depends on tools and skill. If you understand auto mechanics, and understand the basics of how tools work, you should have the skill.

As for tools. While it is possible to install a lift without a full service garage with hydraulic lift, it's not recommended. Pneumatic tools are a must as well as a good torch for seized/rusted bolts.

If you want to do it yourself, bribe a mechanic (cash) and ask him to help you install it on a weekend.