Just finished installing the RE 6030 kit in my 2000 XJ. I spent the week before spraying PB Blaster on everything in sight once a day. I worked 5 hours Thursday, 10 hours Friday, 8 hours Sat and a few Sunday. I still need to bleed the rear brakes and torque the springs and lower control arms to spec.
True to what everybody said, the rear shock bolts snapped despite the PB Blaster. All 4 had to be replaced, but they are pretty easy to fish in after using my air chisel to knock out the old weld nuts. I just used a long box end wrench with either grease or duct tape to hold the new nut in place while I started the bolt. I replaced them with 3/8" grade 8 hardware.
The front track bar attatchment bolt at the axle end snapped also. It was a real pain to get out! I had to bend the mount out a little so I could get the blade from my SawZall in there to cut it off and then it took some time to fish the "flag nut" out of the mount. I replaced that with grade 8 hardware as well.
The other problem I had was with one of the rear springs forward eye bolts. I got it loose from the frame weld nut, but it welded itself to the bushing inside the rubber and would not come loose. As I turned it, it just turned the whole bushing. I finally just cut it off and orderd all 4 new spring bolts from the dealer.
I used Anti-Sieze on EVERYTHING!! I wish the factory had done that! Of course, I am working on a North East Ohio vehicle. A clean one, but from the "Rust Belt" none the less.
The new tires, General AT2 265/70R 16s are due in this week, and the alignment will be done then as well.
I measured before and after and the front was 30.75 and rear 30" before and now it sits at 34.5 front and 35.5 rear. I hope it will settle some!! I was afraid it would not fit out the garage door, but it will.
I ordered my RE kit through Red Rock 4x4 in Utah. Jason gave me great service, advise, and was very friendly to work with. His kit included free DT3000 shocks. I also sprung for adjustable track bar and adjustable lower control arms. The kit comes with the Gen 2 swaybar disconnects which look really good and were pretty easy to install.
I am pleased with the way this all went together, and the "Millenium Falcon" looks really good with a little air under it. Now you can see the Tomken gas tank skid and the Warn transfer case skid plate. The AJ's Armor Rocker Skids are up high enough to keep people from dinging my doors now too! I put 2.5* shims in the rear springs to tilt the pinion up a little, but am holding off on the transfer case drop kit until I see how it goes. I sure appreciated all the advise I found on the site and tried to follow it all. The most important piece of information was "You will be challenged". I did the entire installation by myself with the exception of a little help from my brother installing the rear springs. As a @50 year old, I am a little sore, but happy!
I will let you know how it drives, rides, and handles, and hopefully post some before and after pictures.
2000 XJ, 4 door, RE 6030 3.5 SuperFlex w/ adjustable track bar and adjustable lower arms, DT 3000 shocks, Warn T-case skid, Tomken gas tank skid, Rustys K&N filter tube kit, Jeeper's Creeper's Battery cable update kit, Mean Green hitch, tow hooks, CB, General AT2 265/70R 16s. Member of SUV4Adventure club of EC4WDA.
True to what everybody said, the rear shock bolts snapped despite the PB Blaster. All 4 had to be replaced, but they are pretty easy to fish in after using my air chisel to knock out the old weld nuts. I just used a long box end wrench with either grease or duct tape to hold the new nut in place while I started the bolt. I replaced them with 3/8" grade 8 hardware.
The front track bar attatchment bolt at the axle end snapped also. It was a real pain to get out! I had to bend the mount out a little so I could get the blade from my SawZall in there to cut it off and then it took some time to fish the "flag nut" out of the mount. I replaced that with grade 8 hardware as well.
The other problem I had was with one of the rear springs forward eye bolts. I got it loose from the frame weld nut, but it welded itself to the bushing inside the rubber and would not come loose. As I turned it, it just turned the whole bushing. I finally just cut it off and orderd all 4 new spring bolts from the dealer.
I used Anti-Sieze on EVERYTHING!! I wish the factory had done that! Of course, I am working on a North East Ohio vehicle. A clean one, but from the "Rust Belt" none the less.
The new tires, General AT2 265/70R 16s are due in this week, and the alignment will be done then as well.
I measured before and after and the front was 30.75 and rear 30" before and now it sits at 34.5 front and 35.5 rear. I hope it will settle some!! I was afraid it would not fit out the garage door, but it will.
I ordered my RE kit through Red Rock 4x4 in Utah. Jason gave me great service, advise, and was very friendly to work with. His kit included free DT3000 shocks. I also sprung for adjustable track bar and adjustable lower control arms. The kit comes with the Gen 2 swaybar disconnects which look really good and were pretty easy to install.
I am pleased with the way this all went together, and the "Millenium Falcon" looks really good with a little air under it. Now you can see the Tomken gas tank skid and the Warn transfer case skid plate. The AJ's Armor Rocker Skids are up high enough to keep people from dinging my doors now too! I put 2.5* shims in the rear springs to tilt the pinion up a little, but am holding off on the transfer case drop kit until I see how it goes. I sure appreciated all the advise I found on the site and tried to follow it all. The most important piece of information was "You will be challenged". I did the entire installation by myself with the exception of a little help from my brother installing the rear springs. As a @50 year old, I am a little sore, but happy!
I will let you know how it drives, rides, and handles, and hopefully post some before and after pictures.
2000 XJ, 4 door, RE 6030 3.5 SuperFlex w/ adjustable track bar and adjustable lower arms, DT 3000 shocks, Warn T-case skid, Tomken gas tank skid, Rustys K&N filter tube kit, Jeeper's Creeper's Battery cable update kit, Mean Green hitch, tow hooks, CB, General AT2 265/70R 16s. Member of SUV4Adventure club of EC4WDA.