1987 Jeep J 20 - Hillbilly Work Truck, Part I

Install the new U-bolts and tighten them in a criss-cross pattern to 90 lb-ft. You can trim them cleanly about three threads below the nuts with a grinder for more ground clearance.

A little spray lubricant and a deadblow hammer make installation of the shock bushings...

(continue) on the Skyjacker shocks go more smoothly. Be careful not to dent the shock cans.

Suspending the axle above the leaf makes the job way easier. Start by pulling the old leaf spring. Put the short side of the new Skyjacker leaf spring in the frame mount and run the bolt through, but don't tighten it yet. Attach the shackle side and drop the axle into place on the leaf spring. Do one side at a time so the axle is always supported by one leaf spring. Make sure the center pins go into the proper holes on the spring perches.

The Skyjacker stainless braided brake lines are a little different than the ones that came on our J-20, but we were able to use the original clips to attach them securely to the factory mounts.

With the suspension still at full droop, install the shocks, brake lines, and steering stabilizer. We like running without shock boots for a cleaner look. In wet areas the boots can trap moisture and dirt that will rust the shock shafts and ultimately destroy the shock seals.

Loosen the upper shackle bolts, install the tires, and lower the FSJ back down to the ground. Bounce on the front bumper a few times to help the suspension settle, then torque all of the shackle bolts to 30 lb-ft and the frame-mounted spring eye bolts to 50 lb-ft.

Loosen the drag link from the pitman arm, but leave the nut in place to keep it from dropping while you whack the pitman arm around the end with a ball-peen hammer. The end will eventually separate. You can also use a fork, but this often results in damage to the dust boot on the tie rod end.

Get a pitman arm puller before even trying to remove it. Hopefully, you remembered to soak the splined sector shaft with penetrating lubricant ahead of time. The new Skyjacker drop arm is keyed just like the stock one, so slip it into place, install the lock washer, and tighten the pitman arm nut to 185 lb-ft. Reinstall the drag link end and secure the castle nut so that a new cotter pin can be installed. Stay tuned next month for the rest of the install and more tips.