A wide range of products will...
A wide range of products will be installed to trick out this 2011 Jeep Wrangler JK. In this segment we’ll tackle a Rancho lift installation in addition to installing a Rancho diff cover and Rancho tube doors. In next month’s issue we’ll cover bumpers, winch, driving lights, dual high-performance batteries, and a rooftop cargo rack.
The Jeep JK is surely one of the most adaptable four-wheelers on or off the road. In its current form it still has the soul of the original military utilitarian, go-anywhere vehicle. Thanks to the aftermarket engineers, there are many ways to enhance the JK, depending on your imagination and your pocketbook.
We recently had an opportunity to add some very cool accessories to a 2011 JK. We knew we were probably not going to tackle the Dusy-Ershim Trail, but setting up a weekend camp at the famed Rubicon Springs was certainly on the list of destinations.
Knowing what kinds of rocks were lurking out there in the backcountry, we first wanted to gain a little more clearance. The Rancho three-inch lift kit for the JK was just the ticket. The instructions were very complete. While some mechanical expertise is helpful along with a good set of tools, the installation was straightforward. We enlisted the help of Bill George, owner of Billy’s Chop Shop in Grass Valley, California. Bill had installed several Rancho lift kits and knew a few shortcuts. There was something in the installation manual about dropping the driveshaft, for example, but Bill saw no reason to.
The Rancho 3-inch lift kit...
The Rancho 3-inch lift kit for the front was complete with all necessary hardware.
The rear components for the...
The rear components for the Rancho lift kit were easy to install.
The first step was to remove...
The first step was to remove the sway bar.
Rancho Lift
Disconnecting the sway bar and drag link allowed the axle to drop down far enough to remove the shocks and springs. Then it was just a matter of replacing factory brackets with the Rancho matching components. A little squirt of WD40’s new Specialist Rust Release Penetrating spray made the pitman arm easier to remove from the sector shaft. Using a puller, it slipped off without a big fight.
Upper and lower suspension arms were removed. Getting the upper passenger side off was the most difficult part of the whole install, requiring a bolt to be cut (the Rancho kit supplies a replacement bolt). An air chisel, a Sawzall, and a grinder were helpful tools. This was still an easier option than removing the exhaust. The Rancho drop down brackets for the suspension arms could now be attached. Longer bolts were supplied where needed.
A puller tool was recommended...
A puller tool was recommended to separate the drag link from the pitman arm, but Bill opted for a pickle fork.
The factory shocks were removed...
The factory shocks were removed and discarded.
With the axle lowered, the...
With the axle lowered, the factory springs were easy to remove.
A hole was drilled in the coil spring axle pad to attach the new bump stop spacer. With the new springs installed, the axle was raised back up and Rancho RS9000XL shocks were bolted in place. Final tightening of the bolts on the suspension arms was not done until the vehicle was back on the ground. This prevents the rubber bushings from binding up.
Attaching the replacement track bar bracket, Bill added a small weld on both sides. This was optional but recommended by Rancho. A ratchet strap was helpful to pull the axle over and line up the mounting holes for the track bar. Little parts like brake line extensions were all included in the kit.
With all steering components connected, we moved to the rear. Sway bar drop brackets were bolted to the frame using a spacer and longer bolts and the track bar extender was attached. A spring compression tool was needed to install the longer rear Rancho coils. Brake line extension brackets were installed and Rancho 9000XL shocks were the final touch for the rear. The JK was ready to get back on the road.
The upper and lower suspension...
The upper and lower suspension arms were removed.
Getting the upper passenger...
Getting the upper passenger side off was the most difficult part of the whole install, requiring a bolt to be cut.
Assuming most people will...
Assuming most people will cut the bolt, an extra one is included in the kit.
The Rancho drop down brackets...
The Rancho drop down brackets for the suspension arms were attached using original hardware.
A hole in the frame makes...
A hole in the frame makes installing the top passenger side suspension arm drop down bracket a little easier.
A hole was drilled in the...
A hole was drilled in the coil spring axle pad to attach the new bump stop spacer.
The new bump stop spacer was...
The new bump stop spacer was then installed.
With the axle still lowered,...
With the axle still lowered, the new Rancho springs were easy to slip into place.
It was a stiff pull to extend...
It was a stiff pull to extend the new Rancho RS9000 XL front shocks.