A cheap purchase price allows us to justify owning just about any Jeep. We ended up buying a truck we really didn't need or want, but we came to find out our '87 J-20 was pretty useful, capable, and fun to drive. However, it rode like a brick. Those with back problems would start to twitch in convulsions just going near the thing, and driving over expansion joints on the freeway meant airtime in the rear. The guy we bought the truck from claimed that putting 500 pounds of gravel in the bed made it ride pretty nice. Needless to say, driving around with a truckload of gravel wasn't an option, and neither was a stainless steel spine implant. We wanted softer suspension, a short lift, and 37-inch tires. We didn't want to turn our 3/4-ton Jeep pickup into a rockcrawler but rather to make it a useful, fun trail/work truck that was far cheaper and cooler than any new pickup currently available. We browsed the Skyjacker catalog and found a full 4-inch lift kit for our J-20 that included four new Softride leaf springs and no lift blocks or rough-riding add-a-leafs. Sold! We slapped together the front suspension and came up with some tips for anyone installing a '74-'91 FSJ lift kit. Keep an eye out for the next issue where we'll finish up the rear suspension, fit the 37x12.50R17 BFGoodrich Krawler tires on Wheel Pros Moto Metal wheels, and tune-in the steering.
Before tearing into your FSJ,...
Before tearing into your FSJ, make sure you have all the parts to finish the lift. We ordered a full four-spring kit complete with shocks, front and rear stainless braided brake lines, steering stabilizer, and a drop pitman arm. We found out the rear U-bolts in our kit wouldn't work with the J-20's rear Dana 60 axle. They are for the smaller Dana 44s and AMC 20s commonly found in J-10s, Wagoneers, and Cherokee Chiefs.
Start soaking U-bolts and...
Start soaking U-bolts and other suspension hardware in JB-80 or other penetrating lubricant a few weeks before doing the actual install. A quick scrubbing of the threads beforehand helps the penetrating lubricant reach the threads instead of being absorbed in the gunk deposited on them.
With the axle now dangling...
With the axle now dangling on the springs, you can support it with a second set of jackstands to help keep it in place while you remove the U-bolts and springs with an impact gun, breaker bar, grinder, torch, plasma cutter, laser gun, or whatever is needed.
The Skyjacker FSJ kit includes...
The Skyjacker FSJ kit includes two different sleeves and bushings. The wider ones should be on the rear spring eye (short side of leaf spring) and the narrow sleeves and bushings are for the shackle end. Liberally grease the included urethane bushings and steel sleeves before installing them in the new front springs.
Starting with the front, raise...
Starting with the front, raise the Jeep and support the frame on jackstands. Leave the jack under the axle so you can raise it slightly to more easily remove the front shocks and sway bar links (if it has 'em). We simply removed our sway bar.
Sometimes worn bushings allow...
Sometimes worn bushings allow the shackles and spring mounts to collapse enough to where the new springs won't fit. You can spread them out using a pair of adjustable wrenches.