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How to Install SkyJacker 2.5 in. Standard Series Suspension Lift Kit w/ Hydro Shocks (97-06 Wrangler TJ) on your Jeep Wrangler
Tools Required
- Safety Glasses
- Metric / Standard Wrenches & Sockets
- Drill / Assorted Drill Bits
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
- Measuring Tape
- Torque Wrench
Shop Parts in this Guide
Before beginning the installation, thoroughly & completely read these instructions & the enclosed driver’s WARNING NOTICE. Affix the WARNING decal in the passenger compartment in clear view of all occupants. Please refer to the Parts List to insure that all parts & hardware are received prior to the disassembly of the vehicle. If any parts are found to be missing, contact SKYJACKER® Customer Service at 318-388-0816 to obtain the needed items. If you have any questions or reservations about installing this product, contact SKYJACKER® Technical Assistance at 318-388- 0816.
Make sure you park the vehicle on a level concrete or asphalt surface. Many times a vehicle is not level (side-to-side) from the factory & is usually not noticed until a lift kit has been installed, which makes the difference more visible. Using a measuring tape, measure the front & rear (both sides) from the ground up to the center of the fender opening above the axle. Record this information below for future reference.
Important Notes:
• If larger tires (10% more than the OEM diameter) are installed, speedometer recalibration will be necessary. Contact your local Jeep dealer or an authorized dealer for details.
• After installation, a qualified alignment facility is required to align the vehicle to the OEM specifications.
Component Box Breakdown:
Front Installation:
1. Park the vehicle on a level concrete or asphalt surface, set the emergency brake & block the rear tires / wheels.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle & support securely using jack stands.
3. Remove the front tires / wheels & OEM front shocks.
4. Disconnect the OEM front track bar from the passenger side axle bracket. (See Photo # 1)
5. Disconnect the OEM drag link assembly from the OEM pitman arm.
6. Disconnect the OEM sway bar end links from the axle brackets. (See Photo # 2)
7. While supporting the front axle, lower the front axle until the OEM front coil springs become loose & remove the OEM bottom bolt & clip from the left front OEM coil spring. (See Photo # 3)
8. Remove the OEM front coil springs & OEM upper bump stops. Note: Use channel lock pliers working the OEM bump stop back & forth to remove.
9. Remove the OEM 10mm bolt from inside the OEM bump stop cups. Install the new Skyjacker bump stop spacers & OEM bump stop cups using the supplied 10mm x 70mm bolts. Reinstall the OEM bump stops in the OEM bump stop cups. (See Photo # 4)
10. Install the new Skyjacker front coil springs & raise the front axle until enough load is applied to hold the new front coil springs in place. Reinstall the OEM spring bolt & clip at the bottom of the left front coil spring.
11. Install the new Skyjacker front shocks using the supplied hardware & OEM hardware. (See Photo # 5)
12. Attach the OEM drag link to the OEM pitman arm using the OEM hardware.
13. Attach the OEM sway bar end links to the the axle brackets using the OEM hardware.
14. Install the front tires / wheels & lower the front of the vehicle to the ground.
Rear Installation:
15. Block the front tires / wheels, raise the rear of the vehicle, & support securely using jack stands.
16. Remove the rear tires / wheels & OEM rear shocks.
17. Disconnect the OEM rear track bar & OEM sway bar end links from the rear axle.
18. While supporting the rear axle, lower the rear axle until the OEM rear coil springs become loose & remove the OEM rear coil springs & the OEM upper bump stops. Note: Use channel lock pliers working the OEM bump stop back & forth to remove.
19. Remove the OEM 10mm bolt from inside the OEM bump stop cups. Install the new bump stop spacers & OEM bump stop cups using the supplied 10mm x 70mm bolts. Reinstall the OEM bump stops in the OEM bump stop cups. (See Photo # 6)
20. Install the new Skyjacker rear track bar bracket over the OEM rear track bar bracket & place the OEM rear track bar in the new rear track bar bracket. Install the supplied 12mm x 70mm bolt through the OEM lower track bar location using the supplied spacer sleeve, 12mm nut & tighten the bolt to hold the new rear track bar bracket in place. (See Photo # 7)
21. Drill a 1/2" hole through the hole in the end of the new Skyjacker rear track bar bracket. Remove the 12mm x 70mm bolt (installed before drilling) & install the supplied 1/2" x 1 1/2" bolt, with a washer on each side, through the newly drilled hole & tighten the 1/2" nut. Reinstall the supplied 12mm x 70mm bolt through the OEM rear track bar location using the supplied crush sleeve & 12mm nut. Note: Do not tighten at this time. (See Arrow in Photo # 8)
22. Install the new Skyjacker rear coil springs. Raise the rear axle until enough load is applied to hold the new rear coil springs in place.
23. Attach the OEM rear track bar to the new Skyjacker rear track bar bracket using the OEM hardware. Note: Do not tighten at this time.
24. Attach the OEM sway bar end links to the rear axle using the OEM hardware.
25. Install the new Skyjacker rear shocks using the supplied hardware & OEM hardware. (See Photo # 9)
26. One side at a time, disconnect the OEM rear upper link from the rear axle. Note: The OEM hole is notched so it can become a slotted hole. Knock out the notches on the front & rear half of the OEM hole of the rear upper link mount. (See Arrows in Photo # 10)
27. Attach the OEM rear upper link to the rear axle using the supplied cam bolt, eccentric washers, & nut. Note: Do not tighten at this time. (See Photo # 11) Repeat Step # 26 & # 27 for the opposite side.
28. Install the rear tires / wheels & lower the rear of the vehicle to the ground.
29. Tighten the new Skyjacker rear track bar bracket hardware & OEM rear track bar hardware.
30. Tighten the new Skyjacker rear upper link cam bolts. Note: These new cam bolts can be rotated to adjust the rear axle pinion angle to eliminate any driveline vibration.
Final Notes:
• After the installation is complete, double check that all nuts & bolts are tight. Refer to the following chart for the proper torque specifications. (Do not retighten nuts & bolts where thread lock compound was used.)
• With the vehicle placed on the ground, cycle the steering lock to lock & inspect the steering, suspension, brake lines, front & rear drivelines, fuel lines, & wiring harnesses for proper operation, tightness, & adequate clearance.
• Have the headlights readjusted to the proper settings.
• Have a qualified alignment center realign the vehicle to the OEM specifications.
• After the first 100 miles, check all hardware for the proper torque & periodically thereafter.
