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Jeep Suspension Lift Kit - Hillbilly Work Truck Part II

Finishing the lift and fitting 37s on our FSJ
By John Cappa
Photography by John Cappa
Fsj Lift Kit Install Fsj Front View
Fsj Lift Kit Install Old And New Leaf Comparison
For log, rock, and gravel... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install Old And New Leaf Comparison
For log, rock, and gravel hauling, you can't beat the factory back-breaker leaf springs (bottom). But for a lift, a smoother ride, and more suspension travel, the Skyjacker Softride rear leaf springs (top) are a welcome upgrade. The Skyjacker rear springs come complete with rubber bushings already installed. Look, ma, no lift blocks!
Fsj Lift Kit Install Rear End On Jackstands
We suspended the rear of the... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install Rear End On Jackstands
We suspended the rear of the truck with jackstands. The floor jack is located under the axle so it could be raised and lowered for easier installation and removal of the leaf springs. Remove the wheels and shocks.
Fsj Lift Kit Install Prybar Adjustment
Much like what happened in... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install Prybar Adjustment
Much like what happened in the front, the rear spring mounts collapsed a little, making it difficult to install the new springs. A little adjustment with the prybar remedies the problem.
Fsj Lift Kit Install Spring Installation
The new rear springs have... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install Spring Installation
The new rear springs have more arch than the stock factory parts, so it can be tricky to get them in place. We first installed the shackle end of the spring and used a large ratchet strap to stretch the spring forward into place so the main-eye mounting bolt could be installed. The ratchet strap is hooked onto the spring clip on one end and a frame hole on the other. A prybar is also helpful when wriggling the spring into its home.
Fsj Lift Kit Install U Bolt Install
With the springs in position,... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install U Bolt Install
With the springs in position, we jacked the rear axle into place and installed the U-bolts. We needed 9/16-inch, 3 1/8-inch wide by 9-inch long U-bolts because the Skyjacker parts that were included are not intended to be used on the J-20's larger Dana 60 rear axle. Torque the nuts to 80 lb-ft in a criss-cross pattern, making sure the center pins are lined up with the spring perches and U-bolt plates.
Fsj Lift Kit Install Rear Driveshaft
Install the new shocks, tires,... 
   
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Fsj Lift Kit Install Rear Driveshaft
Install the new shocks, tires, and wheels. Lower the Jeep and tighten the shackle bolts to 30 lb-ft and the main-eye bolts to 50 lb-ft. We found out the shims that came with our Skyjacker springs wouldn't work on our longbed truck. The pinion angle was all out of whack once the Jeep was back on the ground.

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