Rough Country 2.5" Suspension Lift Kit for Jeep JL with N3 Shocks Installation Guide
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Rough Country for your suspension needs.
Rough Country recommends a certified technician install this system. Professional knowledge of disassembly/reassembly procedures and post-installation checks is required. Attempting installation without this knowledge may jeopardize the integrity and/or operating safety of the vehicle.
Please read these instructions before beginning installation. Check the kit hardware against the parts list to ensure all needed parts are present and understood. Review the tools needed list to confirm you have the necessary equipment.
Product Use Information
As a general rule, taller vehicles are more prone to rolling. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses should be worn at all times. Avoid situations that could lead to a side rollover.
Braking performance and capability are generally decreased when larger/heavier tires and wheels are used. Consider this when driving. Do not add, alter, or fabricate any factory or aftermarket parts to increase vehicle height beyond the intended height of the Rough Country product. Mixing component brands is not recommended.
Rough Country makes no claims regarding lifting devices and excludes 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 a -18 offset. Different wheel and tire combinations may be used, but variations in tire manufacturer designs could result in tire width causing contact with the lower control arm and/or front sway bar link during sharp turns. Consult your tire and wheel expert before purchasing. If wider tires are desired, offset wheels will be required. For questions regarding design, function, or correct use of products, call 1-800-222-7023.
Notice to Dealer and Vehicle Owner
Any vehicle equipped with a Rough Country product should have a "Warning to Driver" decal installed on the inside of the windshield or on the vehicle's dash. This decal serves as a constant reminder to the operator of the vehicle's unique handling characteristics.
Tools Needed:
- 6mm Allen
- 10mm Socket & Wrench
- 15mm Socket & Wrench
- 18mm Socket & Wrench
- 21mm Socket & Wrench
- 22mm Deep Well Socket
- Pliers
- 9/16" Socket & Wrench
- 3/4" Socket & Wrench
- Jack
- Jack Stands
Pre-Installation Measurement:
Prior to installing this kit, with the vehicle on the ground, measure the heights of your vehicle. Record the measurement from the center of the wheel straight up to the top of the inner fender lip.
LF: __________, RF: __________, LR: __________, RR: __________
Kit Contents
Kit Box 67600
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | Front Coil Spacer |
| 2 | Front Shocks |
| 2 | Front Sway Links |
| 2 | Front Bump Stop Spacers |
| 2 | Rear Sway Links |
| 2 | Rear Coil Spacer |
| 2 | Rear Shocks |
| 2 | Rear Bump Stop Spacers |
| 1 | Hardware Bag |
| 1 | Instruction Bag |
| 1 | Rear Bump Stop Bag |
| 1 | Front Bump Stop Bag |
67730BAG2
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 6 | 1/2" Flat Washer |
| 2 | 12mm x 65mm Bolt |
| 2 | 12mm Flange Lock Nut |
67730BAG3
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | Spring Spacer Washers |
| 2 | 1/2" x 2.5" Bolts |
1609BAG6
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3/8" Flat Washer |
| 4 | 3/8" x .75" Bolt |
| 4 | 3/8" Flange Lock Nut |
1609BAG7
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3/8" Flat Washer |
| 2 | 3/8" x 3" Bolt |
| 2 | 3/8" Flange Lock Nut |
Torque Specifications
Inch-Pound Torque Specs
| Size | Grade 5 | Grade 8 |
|---|---|---|
| 5/16" | 15 ft/lbs | 20 ft/lbs |
| 3/8" | 30 ft/lbs | 35 ft/lbs |
| 7/16" | 45 ft/lbs | 60 ft/lbs |
| 1/2" | 65 ft/lbs | 90 ft/lbs |
| 9/16" | 95 ft/lbs | 130 ft/lbs |
| 5/8" | 135 ft/lbs | 175 ft/lbs |
| 3/4" | 185 ft/lbs | 280 ft/lbs |
Metric Torque Specs
| Size | Class 8.8 | Class 10.9 |
|---|---|---|
| 6MM | 5 ft/lbs | 9 ft/lbs |
| 8MM | 18ft/lbs | 23 ft/lbs |
| 10MM | 32ft/lbs | 45ft/lbs |
| 12MM | 55ft/lbs | 75ft/lbs |
| 14MM | 85ft/lbs | 120ft/lbs |
| 16MM | 130ft/lbs | 165ft/lbs |
| 18MM | 170ft/lbs | 240ft/lbs |
Front Installation Instructions
- 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.
- Remove the front tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
- Mark and remove front driveshaft from axle using a 15mm socket. Hang the driveshaft up; do not let it fall or rest on the driveshaft boot, as it could damage the boot.
- Using a 21mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt securing the front track bar to the frame. (Photo 1: Image depicts the removal of the front track bar bolt using a 21mm socket and wrench.) Retain hardware for reuse.
- Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bottom sway bar link bolts. (Photo 2: Image shows the removal of the lower sway bar link bolt with an 18mm socket and wrench.) Retain hardware for reuse.
- Remove the lower shock bolt 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 bolt. (Photo 3: Image illustrates the removal of the lower shock bolt using an 18mm socket and wrench.) Retain stock hardware.
- Using a 15mm wrench, remove the brake line bracket from the lower control arm. (Photo 4: Image displays the brake line bracket being detached from the lower control arm with a 15mm wrench. Photo 5: Image reiterates the removal of the brake line bracket from the lower control arm.) Retain hardware for reuse.
- Using pliers, remove the wiring harness from the upper control arm. (Photo 6: Image shows a hand using pliers to pull the wiring harness away from the upper control arm.)
- Loosen the upper control arms using an 18mm wrench.
- Using pliers, remove the axle vent tube from the differential housing. (Photo 7: Image depicts pliers being used to remove the axle vent tube from the differential housing.)
- Unplug the 4x4 actuator for slack. (Photo 8: Image shows a hand unplugging the 4x4 actuator.)
- Lower the jack carefully, ensuring the axle does not reach full droop, and remove the coil spring and spring isolator. (Photo 9: Image illustrates the removal of the coil spring and its isolator.)
- Using a 10mm wrench, remove the brake line bracket from the coil mount. (Photo 10: Image shows a hand installing a coil spacer and coil isolator.) Retain hardware for reuse.
- Install the supplied spring spacer with coil spring isolator under the spacer. Remove the coil spring isolator locator nipple using side cutters. (Photo 11: Image shows a hand installing a coil spacer and coil isolator, with side cutters visible for modifying the isolator.)
- Install the factory coil spring. (Photo 12: Image shows the factory coil spring being installed into its mount.)
- Install the bump stop spacer into the lower coil mount. (Photo 13: Image shows a bump stop spacer being inserted into the lower coil mount.)
- Place the supplied 3/8" x 3" bolt, washers, and nut (1609BAG7) through the spacer and coil mount. (Photo 14: Image shows the supplied 3/8" hardware (bolt, washers, nut) being used to secure the bump stop spacer.)
- Tighten using 9/16" wrenches. (Photo 15: Image shows a 9/16" wrench and socket being used to tighten hardware.)
- Install the brake line bracket on the coil mount using the factory hardware and a 10mm wrench.
- Remove the upper shock mounting bolt using a 19mm wrench. Retain hardware for reuse. (Photo 16: Image shows a 19mm wrench removing the upper shock mounting bolt.)
- Install the supplied shock in the upper and lower mounts using the factory hardware. Tighten using a 19mm wrench. Ensure the upper eyelet is offset to the outside of the vehicle. (Photo 17: Image shows the supplied front shock being installed into its upper and lower mounting points. Photo 18: Image shows the shock correctly installed in the lower mount.)
- Install the brake line bracket on the lower control arm using the factory hardware. Tighten using a 15mm wrench. Torque to 18ft/lbs. (Photo 19: Image shows the brake line bracket being installed onto the lower control arm.)
- Remove the sway link from the sway bar using a 6mm Allen and an 18mm wrench. (Photo 20: Image shows a 6mm Allen wrench and an 18mm wrench being used to remove the sway link from the sway bar.)
- Install the new supplied bent sway link using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolt, washer, and lock nut (67730BAG2). Torque to 55ft/lbs. (Photo 21: Image shows the new sway link being secured with a 12mm bolt, washer, and lock nut.)
- Clip the wiring harness into the upper control arm.
- Attach the axle vent tube to the differential using a pair of pliers.
- Plug-in the 4x4 actuator. (Photo 22: Image shows a hand plugging the 4x4 actuator back in.)
- Attach the sway bar links to the axle, using the factory hardware and an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55 ft/lbs.
- Reinstall the front tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
- Lower the vehicle to the floor.
- Attach the track bar using the factory hardware and a 21mm socket and wrench. Torque to 120ft/lbs. Turning the steering wheel will help align the track bar and the mounting hole.
- Retighten the lower control arms using a 21mm & 24mm wrench.
- Retighten the upper control arms using an 18mm wrench.
Rear Installation Instructions
- Jack up the rear of the vehicle and support it with jack stands, ensuring the rear wheels are off the ground. Chock the front wheels. Position a jack to support, but not raise, the rear axle.
- Remove the rear tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
- Using a 21mm socket, remove the track bar bolt at the axle. (Photo 1: Image shows the removal of the rear track bar bolt.) Retain the stock hardware for reuse.
- Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the lower shock mounting hardware. (Photo 2: Image shows the removal of the lower shock bolt.) Save for reuse.
- Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the lower sway bar link hardware. (Photo 3: Image shows the removal of the lower sway link bolt.)
- Lower the axle and remove the coil spring and coil spring isolator. (Photo 4: Image shows the removal of the coil spring and isolator.)
- Install the supplied bump stop spacer on the axle using the supplied 3/8” x .75" bolts, washers, and flange lock nuts. (You will use 2 bolts, 2 washers, and 2 nuts per side). (Photo 5: Image shows the bump stop spacer being installed. Photo 6: Image shows the bump stop spacer hardware being tightened.)
- Using a 9/16" wrench and socket, torque the hardware to 30ft/lbs.
- Using a 6mm Allen and an 18mm wrench, remove the sway link from the sway bar. (Photo 7: Image shows the removal of the sway link.)
- Attach the supplied straight sway link using the supplied 12mm x 65mm bolt, 12mm washers (bolt head side only), and 12mm flange nut. (Photo 8: Image shows the supplied sway link being installed.)
- Using 18mm wrenches, tighten the upper sway link bolt. Torque to 75ft/lbs. (Photo 9: Image shows the removal of the lower sway link bolt, but context implies tightening the upper sway link bolt.)
- Install the supplied coil spring spacer washer (67730BAG3) on top of the coil spring pocket. (Photo 10: Image shows the spring spacer washer being installed. Photo 11: Image reiterates the installation of the spring spacer washer.)
- Install the supplied rear coil spacer, using the supplied 1/2" x 2.5" bolt (67730BAG3). Tighten using a 3/4" socket. Torque to 35ft/lbs. Do Not Over Torque. (Photo 12: Image shows the coil spring spacer being installed.)
- Install the coil spring isolator and coil spring. (Photo 13: Image shows the coil spring and isolator being installed.)
- Using an 8mm socket, remove the 3 bolts holding the lower fender liner, and remove the liner. (Photo 14: Image shows the removal of the lower fender liner.) Retain hardware for reuse.
- Using an 18mm socket, remove the upper shock bolt and remove the shock. (Photo 15: Image shows the removal of the upper shock bolt.)
- Install the supplied rear shock in the upper mount using the factory bolt. Torque to factory specs using an 18mm socket. Ensure the upper eyelet is offset to the outside of the vehicle. (Photo 16: Image shows the shock being installed in the upper mount.)
- Install the lower fender liner using the stock hardware, tighten using an 8mm socket. (Photo 17: Image shows the lower fender liner being installed.)
- Install the shock in the lower mount using the factory shock bolt. Torque to factory specs using an 18mm socket and wrench. (Photo 18: Image shows the shock being installed in the lower mount.)
- Install the sway bar links, in the lower mount using the factory bolts and an 18mm socket and wrench. Torque to 55ft/lbs.
- Reinstall the rear tires/wheels, using a 22mm deep well socket.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground.
- Reinstall the track bar in the factory location using the factory hardware and tighten using a 21mm wrench.
Post Installation
- 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.
- Check all fasteners for proper torque. Ensure adequate clearance between all rotating, mobile, fixed, and heated members. Check steering for interference and proper working order. Test brake system.
- Perform steering sweep. Closely check the distance between the tire sidewall and the brake hose. Cycle the steering from full turn to full turn to check for clearance. Failure to perform inspections may result in component failure.
- 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.
- Readjust headlights to proper settings.
- 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.
Disclaimer
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.
