With a short 600 miles on the new jeepfan.com JL Rubicon we had enough of being stock and looking like the rest. At this point there isn’t a lot of options for the JL so we decided on an inexpensive but very effective means of making some room for larger tires and adding some ground clearance, a spacer lift.
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A spacer lift is extremely easy way to add some clearance to a Jeep without spending a lot of money and without altering the factory ride. The JL comes with nicely tuned springs and shocks that work so well both on and off road so retaining that is a good way of saving some cost. A spacer lift simply adds a boost of height to the top of the coil springs by adding a steel spacer.
The Start
The new JL Rubicon has higher cut fenders than a Sport or Sahara so it looks higher right away with no lift. The factory 33″ tires give the Jeep a nice amount of clearance but more is always better. We took some measurements before we started.
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Installation
Installation of this kit can be performed in a home garage with regular style tools. For most people it can take 4-6 hours. Some large size metric sockets and wrenches will be needed. The JL uses 22mm socket wheel lugs. The Jeep should be properly secured to allow the suspension to lower freely. Large jack stands are required to lift the Jeep’s frame high enough to allow the axle to lower enough to remove the springs.
Follow the supplied directions, we skipped a few steps here and there. Experience with the JK will help with the JL. They are very similar. In the directions it indicates to loosen the control arms and remove the front drive shaft to aid in spring removal. We did neither of these and didn’t have trouble – you be the judge.
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With these components loosened/removed remove the sway bar links. S lowly lower the axle to allow the tension off the springs. Observe the axle and watch for brake lines and/or other items to pull tight. The spring should be removable by hand. Remove the spring and retain the lower pad and upper isolator.
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