Rough Country 3.5" Stage 1 Control Arm Drop Kit for Jeep JL (Gas & Diesel)

Product Use Information

WARNING: As a general rule, the taller a vehicle is, the easier it will roll. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses should be worn at all times. Avoid situations where a side rollover may occur.

Generally, braking performance and capability are decreased when larger/heavier tires and wheels are used. Take this into consideration while driving. Do not add, alter, or fabricate any factory or after-market parts to increase vehicle height over the intended height of the Rough Country product purchased. Mixing component brands is not recommended.

Rough Country makes no claims regarding lifting devices and excludes any and all implied claims. Rough Country will not be responsible for any product that is altered.

This suspension system was developed using a 35x12.50x20 tire on a 20x10 wheel with -18 offset. Different wheel and tire combinations may be used, but different tire manufacturers' designs may result in a tire width that could result in contact with the lower control arm and/or front sway bar link in a sharp turn. Please consult with your tire and wheel expert before purchasing. Also note that if wider tires are desired, offset wheels will be required. If questions exist, please contact Rough Country at 1-800-222-7023.

Notice to Dealer and Vehicle Owner

Any vehicle equipped with any Rough Country product should have a “Warning to Driver” decal installed on the inside of the windshield or on the vehicle's dash. The decal should act as a constant reminder for whoever is operating the vehicle of its unique handling characteristics.

Tools Needed

• 6mm Allen
• 8mm Socket & Wrench
• 10mm Socket & Wrench
• 15mm Socket & Wrench
• 18mm Socket & Wrench
• 21mm Socket & Wrench
• 22mm Deep Well Socket
• 24mm Socket & Wrench
• Pliers
• 7/16" Socket & Wrench
• 9/16" Socket & Wrench
• 5/8" Socket & Wrench
• 3/4" Socket & Wrench
• 13/16" Socket & Wrench
• Jack
• 15/32" Drill
• Drill Motor
• Jack Stands
• Torque Wrench

Torque Specs

Refer to the following torque specifications for Grade 5 and Grade 8 hardware.

Refer to the following torque specifications for metric hardware.

Kit Contents

The following kits are available:

Kit Box 79530991

Kit Box 67830BOX1

Front Shocks

Rear Shocks

Front Installation Instructions

1. Place vehicle in park and chock the rear wheels. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and secure a jack stand beneath each frame rail behind the front control arms. Ease the frame down onto the stands. Place the jack under the front axle for support when removing the coil springs.
2. Remove the front tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
3. Mark the front driveshaft and pinion, remove from the pinion using a 15mm socket. Hang the front driveshaft, do not let it rest on the CV boot, as damage to the boot can occur.
4. Using a 21mm socket and wrench, remove the front track bar from the frame and axle. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 1]
5. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bottom sway bar link bolts. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 2]
6. Remove the upper and lower shock bolts using an 18mm socket and wrench. You may have to raise the axle with the jack and pull down on the shock to remove the lower bolt. Retain stock hardware. [See Photo 3]
7. Using a 15mm wrench, remove the brake line bracket from the lower control arm. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photos 4 & 5]
8. Using pliers, remove the wiring harness from the upper control arm. [See Photo 6]
9. Loosen the upper control arms using an 18mm wrench.
10. Loosen the lower control arms but do not remove using a 21mm & 24mm wrench.
11. Using pliers, remove the axle vent tube from the differential housing. [See Photo 7]
12. Unplug the 4x4 actuator for slack. [See Photo 8]
13. Lower the jack, careful not to let the axle reach full droop, and remove the coil spring and spring isolator. [See Photo 9]
14. Using a 10mm wrench, remove the brake line bracket from the coil mount. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 10]
15. Install the supplied coil spring, making sure the coil spring isolator is in the factory location. [See Photo 11]
16. Install the bump stop spacer into the lower coil mount. [See Photo 12]
17. Place the supplied 3/8" x 3" bolt, washers, and nut (1609BAG7) through the spacer and coil mount. [See Photo 13]
18. Tighten using 9/16" wrenches. [See Photo 14]
19. Remove the upper shock mounting bolt using a 19mm wrench. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 15]
20. If installing V2 or Vertex shocks, refer to install instructions included with those shocks. 392 Jeeps skip to step 22. Install the supplied shock, 660808, in the upper and lower mounts using the factory hardware. Tighten using a 19mm wrench. Make sure the upper eyelet is offset to the outside of the vehicle. [See Photo 16]
21. Tighten the lower shock mounting bolt using an 18mm wrench and socket. Skip to step 25. [See Photo 17]
22. Install the supplied shock extension bracket using the supplied 3/8" x 1" bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8" flange locknut (1676BAG), through the bottom hole of the bracket. Do Not Tighten. [See Photo 18]
23. Place the supplied crush sleeve into the factory shock bracket. Install the factory shock hardware into the brackets and through the sleeve. [See Photo 19]
24. Using a jack to compress the suspension, install the shock in the extension bracket using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolt, 1/2” washers, and 12mm nut. Tighten the factory bolt using an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55ft/lbs. Tighten the lower shock bolt using an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 20]
25. Install the brake line bracket on the coil mount using the factory hardware and a 10mm wrench.
26. Remove the brake line bracket from the frame using a 10mm wrench. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 21]
27. Install the supplied brake line bracket using the factory bolt for the frame and the supplied 1/4" x 1" bolt, washer, and nylock nut (66830BAG2). Tighten using a 10mm wrench for the frame bolt. [See Photo 22]
28. Remove the sway link from the sway bar using a 6mm Allen and an 18mm wrench. [See Photo 23]
29. Install the new supplied offset sway link on sway bar using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolts, washers, and lock nuts. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 24]
30. Steps 31-39 should be performed on one side at a time.
31. Loosen the lower control arm axle bolts using 21mm and 24mm wrenches. [See Photo 25]
32. Loosen the upper control arm axle bolts using 18mm wrenches. [See Photo 26]
33. Remove the upper control arm heat shield bolts using a 10mm wrench. [See Photo 27]
34. Remove the upper control arm bolt and flag nut using an 18mm wrench. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 28]
35. Remove the lower control arm bolt using 21mm and 24mm wrenches. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 29]
36. Install the outer control arm drop bracket (94004230 Dr or 94004231 Pass) into the factory control arm pocket. [See Photo 30]
37. Install the upper 3/4" od sleeve into the upper control arm pocket. [See Photo 31]
38. Install the lower 7/8" od sleeve into the lower control arm pocket. [See Photo 32]
39. Install the inner control arm drop bracket (94004232 Dr or 94004233 Pass) on the outside of the control arm pockets using the factory hardware. Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 33]
40. Install the upper control arm in the drop bracket using the supplied 12mm x 80mm bolts, washers, and flange lock nut (65431BAG4). Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 34]
41. Install the lower control arm in the drop bracket using the supplied 16mm cam bolts, cam washers, and nylock nuts (65431BAG4). Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 35]
42. Install the brake line bracket on the lower control arm using the factory hardware and a 15mm wrench. [See Photo 36]
43. Line up the marks on the driveshaft and the front pinion and attach the driveshaft using the factory hardware and tighten using a 15mm socket.
44. Clip the wiring harness into the upper control arm.
45. Attach the axle vent tube to the differential using a pair of pliers.
46. Plug-in the 4x4 actuator. [See Photo 37]
47. Attach the sway bar links, to the axle, using the factory hardware and an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55ft/lbs.
48. Install the front tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
49. Lower the vehicle to the floor.
50. Tighten the front upper drop bracket bolt using an 18mm wrench. Torque to factory specs. [See Photo 38]
51. Tighten the rear upper drop bracket bolt using a 21mm wrench and 24mm socket. Torque to factory specs. [See Photo 39]
52. Tighten the upper control arm on the axle using 18mm wrenches. Torque to factory specs.
53. Tighten the upper control arm in the drop bracket using an 18mm wrench and socket. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 40]
54. Tighten the lower control arm at the axle using a 21mm wrench and 24mm socket. Torque to factory specs.
55. Center the cam bolts and tighten using a 24mm wrench and 24mm socket. Torque to 165ft/lbs. [See Photo 41]
56. Adjust the front track bar to center the front axle. Make sure the clamps are positioned to maintain clearance from all obstructions.
57. Torque the track bar mounting bolts to factory specs using a 21mm socket.
58. Tighten the collar pinch bolts using a 17mm wrench and socket. [See Photo 42]

Rear Installation Instructions

1. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and support the vehicle with jack stands, so that the rear wheels are off the ground. Chock front wheels. Position a jack so it supports, but does not raise the rear axle.
2. Remove the rear tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
3. Using a 21mm socket, remove the track bar bolt at the axle. Retain the stock hardware for reuse. [See Photo 1]
4. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the lower shock mounting hardware. Save for reuse. [See Photo 2]
5. Using an 8mm socket, remove the 3 bolts holding the lower fender liner, remove the liner. Retain hardware for reuse. [See Photo 3]
6. 392 Jeeps skip to next step. Using an 18mm socket, remove the upper shock bolt and remove the shock. [See Photo 4]
7. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the lower sway bar link hardware. [See Photo 5]
8. Lower the axle and remove the coil spring and coil spring isolator. [See Photo 6]
9. Place the supplied track bar relocation bracket over the factory track bar bracket, using the supplied 14mm x 80mm bolt, washers, nut and supplied sleeve. Tighten using a 21mm socket. Make sure the track bar relocation bracket tab is against the edge of the factory bracket. [See Photo 7]
10. Use the supplied bracket as a drill guide. [See Photos 8 & 9]
11. NOTE: For a non 392 model drill the top hole from Photo 9, but for a 392 model, drill the bottom hole.
12. Drill the 3 holes from Photos 8 & 9 using a 15/32" drill. [See Photo 10]
13. Secure the supplied bracket to the factory bracket using the supplied 7/16" x 1.25” bolts, washers, and nylock nuts. [See Photo 11]
14. Torque to 60ft/lbs using a 5/8" socket and wrench. [See Photo 12]
15. Torque to 60ft/lbs using a 5/8" socket and wrench. [See Photo 13]
16. Install the supplied bump stop spacer on the axle using the supplied (1609BAG6) 3/8” x .75" bolts, washers, and flange lock nuts. (You will use 2 bolts, 2 washers, and 2 nuts per side). Using a 9/16" wrench and socket, torque the hardware to 30ft/lbs. [See Photos 14 & 15]
17. Using a 6mm Allen and an 18mm wrench, remove the sway link from the sway bar. [See Photo 16]
18. Using a 15mm socket, remove the factory sway bar from the frame. [See Photo 17]
19. NOTICE: Flip the sway bar from passenger side to driver side.
20. Install the sway bar drop brackets between the sway bar and the frame, using the supplied 10mm x 55mm bolts, lock washers, and flat washers. Torque to 32ft/lbs using a 16mm socket. [See Photo 18]
21. Install the supplied coil spring into the upper coil spring pocket, making sure the coil spring is properly seated in the coil spring isolator. [See Photos 19 & 20]
22. Install the supplied rear coil spring on the lower spring seat. [See Photo 21]
23. Attach the supplied straight sway link to the sway bar using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolt, 12mm washers (bolt head side only), and 12mm flange nut. [See Photo 22]
24. Using 18mm wrenches, tighten the upper sway link bolt. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 23]
25. Install the sway bar links, in the lower mount using the factory bolts and an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 24]
26. If installing V2 or Vertex shocks, refer to Install Instructions included with those shocks. 392 Jeeps - see next page for shock bracket installation. Install the supplied rear shock, 660807, in the upper mount using the factory bolt. Torque to factory specs using an 18mm socket. Make sure the upper eyelet is offset to the outside of the vehicle. [See Photo 25]
27. Install the lower fender liner using the stock hardware, tighten using an 8mm socket. [See Photo 26]
28. Install the shock in the lower mount using the factory shock bolt. Torque to factory specs using an 18mm socket and wrench. [See Photo 27]
29. Install the track bar into the lower hole, on the track bar relocation bracket using the factory hardware. [See Photo 28]
30. Torque the track bar bolt to 130ft/lbs. using a 13/16" socket and wrench. [See Photo 29]
31. Reinstall the rear tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
32. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

Shock Relocation Bracket Installation (Rear)

1. Slide the supplied rear shock relocation bracket over the lower shock mount using the supplied 1/2" x 1.25" bolt, washers, and lock nut. Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 1]
2. Install the supplied sleeve into the original shock location using the factory shock bolt and nut. Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 2]
3. Attach the shock to the shock relocation bracket using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolt and flange lock nut. Do not tighten at this time. [See Photo 3]
4. Using a 3/4" wrench and socket, tighten the lower bolt. Torque to 65ft/lbs. [See Photo 4]
5. Using an 18mm wrench and socket, tighten the factory bolt. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 5]
6. Using an 19mm wrench and an 18mm socket, tighten the shock bolt. Torque to 55ft/lbs. [See Photo 6]
7. Resume at step 28 on the previous page.

Post Installation

1. Confirm that the draglink was adjusted to the center steering wheel BEFORE the vehicle is driven. Failure to do so will cause a computer error, odd handling, and poor performance.
2. Check all fasteners for proper torque. Check to ensure there is adequate clearance between all rotating, mobile, fixed and heated members. Check steering for interference and proper working order. Test brake system.
3. Perform steering sweep. The distance between the tire sidewall and the brake hose must be checked closely. Cycle the steering from full turn to full turn to check for clearance. Failure to perform inspections may result in component failure.
4. Re-torque all fasteners after 500 miles and recheck after 1000 miles. Alignment must be checked by a qualified mechanic. Visually inspect components and re-torque fasteners during routine vehicle service.
5. Readjust headlights to proper settings.
6. Have a qualified alignment center realign the front end, to the factory specifications immediately.

Maintenance Information

It is the ultimate buyer's responsibility to have all bolts/nuts checked for tightness after the first 500 miles and then every 1000 miles. Wheel alignment, steering system, suspension and driveline systems must be inspected by a qualified professional mechanic at least every 3000 miles.

Thank you for purchasing a Rough Country Suspension System.

By purchasing any item sold by Rough Country, LLC, the buyer expressly warrants that he/she is in compliance with all applicable, State, and Local laws and regulations regarding the purchase, ownership, and use of the item. It shall be the buyer's responsibility to comply with all Federal, State and Local laws governing the sales of any items listed, illustrated or sold. The buyer expressly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Rough Country, LLC for all claims resulting directly or indirectly from the purchase, ownership, or use of the items.