VIDEO : JL JOURNAL - Bumping Up to a Rancho 3.5 Inch Lift

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Literally days before Cindy and I needed to head out to SEMA 2018, we desperately scrambled to make a series of last minute upgrades to our JL Wrangler and specifically, because we were planning to attend the 1st Annual JLX, immediately after the show. Of course, based on past experience, we knew that we'd be needing a bit more lift if only to improve our break over angles and we decided to make that possible with a set of Rancho 3.5" coils and all new RS9000XL long travel shocks. In this episode of the JL JOURNAL, you'll get to see what it took for us to install everything but without going too much into detail as we have in the past. As a reference, I have included a host of links that highlight our previous installations and if needed, they should be able to help you along. We hope you enjoy the video and find the information in it to be useful.


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Reference Videos & Useful Links
Rancho 2.5" Sport Lift Installation : https://youtu.be/0x1wR2m5sKs
Dynatrac EnduroSport 2" Lift Installation : https://youtu.be/5-h2ALf6y_U
EVO 2.5" Lift Kit w/Adjustable Control Arms Installation : https://youtu.be/woO2gzZ-2PU
Driveshaft Installation : https://youtu.be/IzIaxvDLIiU
Rear Track Bar Relocation Bracket Installation : https://youtu.be/sRFna7dgFHA
Torque Specs : https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.php?1167-JL-WRANGLER-TORQUE-SETTINGS-Quick-Reference-Guide

Things to Buy
Rancho 3.5 Inch JL Wrangler Lift Kit - https://amzn.to/2EucFGV
Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench - https://amzn.to/2Gr6ogM
Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 3/8-Inch Ratchet - https://amzn.to/2TzLlMz
TEKTON 24340 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench - https://amzn.to/2Ev9XAY
Basic Socket Set - https://amzn.to/2RWJPqn
Basic Wrench Set - https://amzn.to/2MpfkUG
Ratchet - https://amzn.to/2S6wtYq
Short & Long Ratchet Extensions - https://amzn.to/2S1vKb4

What You'll Need
• 10, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24mm Sockets & Wrenches
• 1/2, 9/16" Sockets & Wrenches
• Crescent Wrench
• Ratchet
• Ratchet Extension
• Ft. Lb. Torque Wrench - 250 lb. Capacity
• (2) Vicegrips
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands
• Wheel Chocks
• Spring Compressors

Please let me know if you have any questions. :cool:
 

Ddays

Hooked
Awesome - this is great timing. I'm researching lifts & lift heights after last weekend. Want to do this once this time :rolleyes2:
 

deezus

New member
Eddie, this is what my rear tire area looks like with a comparable lift. I'm going to install my Currie ACAs this weekend. Do you think I'd be safe to move rear wheel a little back to make it look better? I mean it makes 37s look like a Prius spare tire. Can you post a Pic of your rear tire?
Thanks. 20190224_095938.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Awesome - this is great timing. I'm researching lifts & lift heights after last weekend. Want to do this once this time :rolleyes2:

LOL!! If you really want to do a lift once, I would wait at least another 4 years. It always takes about half way through the life span of a Jeep model to get things figured out. Certainly, that was the case with the JK and the TJ before. Ask me how I know. That being said, I would encourage you to do what I've done in the past and start of with something affordable like a Rancho 2" Sport Lift. That'll buy you time and keep you happy until what you really want is available. :yup:

Eddie, this is what my rear tire area looks like with a comparable lift. I'm going to install my Currie ACAs this weekend. Do you think I'd be safe to move rear wheel a little back to make it look better? I mean it makes 37s look like a Prius spare tire. Can you post a Pic of your rear tire?
Thanks.

You need to remember that your axle will travel in an arc. It only "looks" off because you're sitting so tall. Moving your axle back to make it "look" better at ride height will cause your coils to no longer be aligned with their perches and this will cause them to bow and possibly make contact with other components such as your track bar. Also, as your tire cycle up, they will most likely make even more contact with your fender liners and possibly pinch seam.

With all that said, I would recommend that you adjust your rear lowers as little as possible - maybe 1/2" at most and then use your uppers to set the pinion. If you go too much further than that just to get the look you want at ride height, you will have issues to deal with.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Nice video. Did it take you long to get the shocks set they way you wanted them?


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Thanks Clay. I've run 9000's in the past and so I had an idea of where I wanted them to be or there about. Initially, I had the front set to 5 and the rears to 3 just for daily driving but I've since bumped it up to 6 and 4 which seems to do much better off road (less bottoming out) but still comfortable for an all around ride.
 

Andy5160

Hooked
Been waiting for this video to come out for some time
Great job and those fingers took some beating [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]
Did you measure each side to adjust front track bar or you had starting hole to hole distance figured out to make axel some what centered ?


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jeeeep

Hooked
good timing!

i feel drunk from all the lift research I'm doing.

Can't decide decide 2, 2.5 or 3.5 :doh:

Want to make sure I have everything i need and after seeing this it looks like front and rear driveshafts are also must at 3+ ?
 

Ddays

Hooked
LOL!! If you really want to do a lift once, I would wait at least another 4 years. It always takes about half way through the life span of a Jeep model to get things figured out. Certainly, that was the case with the JK and the TJ before. Ask me how I know. That being said, I would encourage you to do what I've done in the past and start of with something affordable like a Rancho 2" Sport Lift. That'll buy you time and keep you happy until what you really want is available. :yup:

Hah! Truth there. Ya, the 2" kits are probably a good start for me right now. The 3.5" requires so much more than just the lift to run properly.

good timing!

i feel drunk from all the lift research I'm doing.

Can't decide decide 2, 2.5 or 3.5 :doh:

Want to make sure I have everything i need and after seeing this it looks like front and rear driveshafts are also must at 3+ ?

I feel your pain brother. :doh:
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Been waiting for this video to come out for some time
Great job and those fingers took some beating [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]
Did you measure each side to adjust front track bar or you had starting hole to hole distance figured out to make axel some what centered ?

LOL!! The problem with working fast is that it's hard not to beat your hands up in the process.

Regarding the front track bar, I just measured the way I did on the rear with the track bar relocation bracket. Basically a level and a tape measure. From there, I find what the difference is and then add it to the total length of the track bar. Always measure eye to eye.

good timing!

i feel drunk from all the lift research I'm doing.

Can't decide decide 2, 2.5 or 3.5 :doh:

Want to make sure I have everything i need and after seeing this it looks like front and rear driveshafts are also must at 3+ ?

What size tire are you hoping to run? If you go 37's, you really don't need as much lift as this. However, if you want greater break over angles, this is the kit for you and yes, I would highly recommend front and rear shaft as well as a rear track bar relocation bracket. Without it, you will still have your rear pinion make contact with your gas tank at a full stuff.
 

deezus

New member
LOL!! The problem with working fast is that it's hard not to beat your hands up in the process.

Regarding the front track bar, I just measured the way I did on the rear with the track bar relocation bracket. Basically a level and a tape measure. From there, I find what the difference is and then add it to the total length of the track bar. Always measure eye to eye.



What size tire are you hoping to run? If you go 37's, you really don't need as much lift as this. However, if you want greater break over angles, this is the kit for you and yes, I would highly recommend front and rear shaft as well as a rear track bar relocation bracket. Without it, you will still have your rear pinion make contact with your gas tank at a full stuff.
Thanks Eddie, nice video as usual.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

jeeeep

Hooked
LOL!! The problem with working fast is that it's hard not to beat your hands up in the process.

Regarding the front track bar, I just measured the way I did on the rear with the track bar relocation bracket. Basically a level and a tape measure. From there, I find what the difference is and then add it to the total length of the track bar. Always measure eye to eye.

What size tire are you hoping to run? If you go 37's, you really don't need as much lift as this. However, if you want greater break over angles, this is the kit for you and yes, I would highly recommend front and rear shaft as well as a rear track bar relocation bracket. Without it, you will still have your rear pinion make contact with your gas tank at a full stuff.

I was thinking 315's but I still have the 37 BFG KO2's on Chamber Pros that i was thinking about putting back on the JK and run the Coopers on the JL but either way I'll need wheels with 4.5-4.75 backspace (thinking non-beadlock).... so much for this being easy :cheesy::cheesy:

Have the Rancho coils settled any?
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
I was thinking 315's but I still have the 37 BFG KO2's on Chamber Pros that i was thinking about putting back on the JK and run the Coopers on the JL but either way I'll need wheels with 4.5-4.75 backspace (thinking non-beadlock).... so much for this being easy :cheesy::cheesy:

Have the Rancho coils settled any?

With 315's, I really wouldn't recommend this lift as it will yield way too much lift. If anything, their 2" Sport Lift is what I would recommend as it'll give you more like 3" of lift anyway. These coils have settled a bit but we still have over 4" of lift.
 

jeeeep

Hooked
With 315's, I really wouldn't recommend this lift as it will yield way too much lift. If anything, their 2" Sport Lift is what I would recommend as it'll give you more like 3" of lift anyway. These coils have settled a bit but we still have over 4" of lift.

I have a bad feeling if i put 315's on the JL i'm going to want 37's

damn, I wish the KMC Machete had more backspace on them.

I'd put the 37 BFG/Chamber on the JK and the 37 Cooper/Machete on the JL ...wheels :doh:

DDays, you need to buy another set of wheels :cheesy:
 

Ddays

Hooked
I have a bad feeling if i put 315's on the JL i'm going to want 37's

damn, I wish the KMC Machete had more backspace on them.

I'd put the 37 BFG/Chamber on the JK and the 37 Cooper/Machete on the JL ...wheels :doh:

DDays, you need to buy another set of wheels :cheesy:

Haha, I have a set of 37" Coopers on Slabs that are tempting the shit outta me!
 

TrailHunter

Hooked
Cool Video!... I need taller jack stands to install my 3” lift, but now I’m questioning what height.. and if it will even be enough.... Also, did you end up removing the boots off your 9000’s? (I kinda want to remove mine)
 

MericaMade

Active Member
Cool Video!... I need taller jack stands to install my 3” lift, but now I’m questioning what height.. and if it will even be enough.... Also, did you end up removing the boots off your 9000’s? (I kinda want to remove mine)

Harbor Fright had a good deal on a set of high jack stands. Heck if you live close you can borrow or come over and I can help you lift that bad boy. They worked perfect when I put a EVO 3.5 on my buddies JL a few weeks ago.


Eddie's what your overall thoughts of the Rancho kit? Do you like? Is there room for improvement?
 
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