Trying to jack up the Wrangler

Hey guys, I have a stock suspension JK that I want to even out so I got the leveling kit. 2" in front and 1" in the back. I don't want to lift her up too much. The family has trouble getting in now, just something to take the rake off.
my question is can I attempt this with just a floor or bottle jack and some jack stands? Im not new to working on cars. But never worked on trucks or jeeps or anything this high.
I was thinking of a 30 ton bottle jack to get the frame up then 6 ton jack stands to hold up the axle while I install the kits. Gonna do front first then back. The bottle jack only lifts 18" high and right now the frame is sitting 14" from the ground. I don't have access to a lift. Im dotting the 4" left will be enough to get the wheels off the ground.
Hope this makes sense. Thanks

 

The 3-ton heavy duty floor jack is faster and safer than using a fully extended bottle jack to get the Jeep up. For safe working conditions the 6-ton jack stands can support the frame along with the spare tire thrown down there. The floor jack will also be handy to control the axle droop needed to install the kit. Harbor Freight has some decent 3-ton floor jacks for around a hundred.

 

You are going to want to put the jack stands under the frame and let the axle droop to give you as much room as possible to remove the springs. You may want to rent some spring compressors too.
Put the jack under the axle to lift it, two jacks here can help keep it level as you lift it. I have used cinder blocks with a 2x8 plank on top to support a jack because I needed more height. Did it multiple times with no problems, just don't crawl underneath it until it's supported by jack stands.

On the subject of "leveling" kits... I prefer the rake so that when my Jeep is loaded down with gear, a trailer or people it's not dragging ass. The rake is there to compensate for a load. However, if the leveling kit works for you then by all means go for it.

 

I agree with what is being said before me. Your 6 ton jacks might be high enough to support the frame. You may need to stack 4x4 wood blocks on top. I use 12ton jacks to support my frame and use my floor track to control my axle droop, but usually I let the axle fall to full droop to make room for the spacers or new springs. Install the fronts first before the rear because there is a 2in rake to the jeep. you may happy after doing only the front. Be careful with cinder blocks. they dont make them like they used too. last time i used them one broke on me.

 

Large sections of 2x12s or solid cement blocks would be a better choice as cinders tend to fracture at the worst time.

 

I like to live dangerously.

Now I just use my cherry picker to lift one end of the Jeep off the ground.

 

30 ton bottle jack are you jacking up the jeep or your house?

 

lol prerunner i use my winch if its the front

 

Just wanna be safe with overkill lol.

 

I think a floor jack is safer larger mating surface between axle and jack

 

Well I tackled this yesterday. Wasn't so bad, I used a 20 ton bottle jack because of the hight of the jeep. I wound up having to use a couple of 2x6 cubes to give me the extra height. Then used the 6 ton jack stands to hold up the frame. Did the rear then the front.Used floor jacks and 2 ton jack stands to lift/hold the axles. I just wanted to level it out and the kit I bought levels it and also gives it about a 1.75" lift at the same time. Looks good and the wife feels the difference when trying to get in (4'11") lol.
The only issues I had was the e-brake line bracket had to be undone to get the rear axle to droop far enough to get the spring with spacer back in. Then first 20 ton bottle jack crapped out after doing the rear so I had to drive the hot rod looking jeep to harbor freight to swap it for another one. The Front was easy but the drive shaft kept the axle from fully dropping so i had to use a spring compressor to put the spring and spacer back in. Otherwise not so bad.
Thanks for the advice guys.

 

Glad things worked out. HF has 15% off w/coupon on floor jacks, tool chests which are usually excluded.

 

Thanks

 

Anyone here used a HF winch yet?

 

For $100 more get a Superwinch or smittybuilt. HF won't hold up.

 

I have a Smitty bilt just wondering if anyone had tried the HF one

 

I have one. It works with issues. I buddy had one it worked 3 times and fried. Read the reviews. They are very mixed. It seems you either get a good one or a bad one. Or maybe some people really use them and others barely use them. All aside I would rather have piece of mind knowing I have a winch that will work when I need it. $100 is cheap for piece of mind. I have a 10 year old Superwinch on my JKU that I bought on sale for $325 that has never failed me.

 

https://youtu.be/MuYbchw510Q