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DIY or Paid SUSPENSION Install?

2K views 28 replies 27 participants last post by  kjeeper10 
#1 ·
New jeeper here with a '14 JKU, been looking at a 2.5 coil spring lift with shocks and was wondering if it is worth paying $200-300 for install to avoid a headache and any mistakes (for the most part) or it is recommended to do it yourself in a driveway to get the experience. I look forward to hearing thoughts on this, I've been on the fence about this for a while
 
#2 ·
It's going to depend on your mechanical skills and tools. If you feel like your capable then its not a big job. Just do your research and look at things like brake hose length's, sway bar link lengths, front driveshafts hitting the exhaust on full droop. If you do your research you should be able to say "I did it".
 
#4 ·
^^ x2. DIY. ask around for jeeper help. When you're on a trail you'll be glad you put in your own suspension so you know how to fix it when it breaks (not if). Plus what's more manly than having a few beers, greasy hands, and swapping out your stock suspension?

If you get stuck, there's not much we can't help you with on this forum as long as you can take pictures.
 
#7 ·
i did my lift myself with no real experience doing them. really not that hard except the install videos made it look a heck of a lot easier and left out some of the more time consuming things i wish they would have mentioned....
 
#8 ·
All jeepers arrive at this point. Do I pay or try it? Not all jeepers try it but most do and all are glad they did. You can do it. Ask some friends to help or make new ones by asking those on the board here local to you. Post pics once it's all done :thumb:
 
#9 ·
Between this forum and YouTube you can do about about anything to your jeep. Best advice is beer and pizza and a friend to help.
 
#10 ·
DIY.

Did my 2.5" Teraflex by myself in an unheated garage in Feb' in Alberta, took me about 6.5 hours. You learn something about your vehicle and if something goes wrong afterwards hopefully you learned something and will know how to fix it, I do all my own mechanical work unless it's warranty as I just don't trust shops, I've heard too many stories about shops doing s***** work.
 
#12 ·
I've you've got the time. basic mechanical skills, basic tools including a good torque wrench, jack and jack stands and a decent place to work on your Jeep, do it yourself. Read the instructions, watch a few videos and take your time doing it.

Above all make sure there is no binding during reassembly and check your torque settings.
 
#15 ·
I agree with the DIYers. You'll learn how everything is put together and if you ever have a problem on the trail you will have seen the components before. It took a buddy and I with no suspension experience about 7 hours and we were just casually going at it. When you do it yourself and you're ready to add other parts you will have a better understanding of what you need and whether or not it will work with your set up. 2 cents.
 
#16 ·
Another ++ for DIY:

DIY TF 4" with 8 adj. control arms on my 2010 in the garage with my 3 kids helping;
DIY TF 4" with 8 adj. control arms on my 2014 in the driveway with just 1 kid helping;

The DIY approach will let you learn about the what, how and why of things underneath, so that when you hear weird noises and other things, you will know what's actually going on or at least know where to look.
 
#17 ·
Gonna be the dissenter here. I spent most of my 20s keeping cars alive doing everything in my driveway. I have the skills. I also have spent the last few weeks doing all kind of electrical stuff on my Jeep (this was my weakest experience).

But.

I live in a townhome now. No real place to work. Lots of my tools have been lost in moves across the country (or taken by the ex). I can afford to pay to have the install done (it just slows down the mods), so why not? Having a bad back makes it worse - being in pain for a week afterwards just so I can brag to others how I "did it myself" doesn't mean much anymore. I have nothing to prove as I have already done it.

Every time I think I want to do this kind of stuff again, I remember all the times things are supposed to "just go this way" and they dont. Or breaking the bolt then adding a few hours to get the broken bolt out. or needing the torch to loosen things up. I can sit back and enjoy watching the guy at my local shop swear and hit things because they dont go they way they should and be thankful its not me that's that stressed out.

To some people this is therapy and they love it. I can respect them for that.

I don't enjoy doing it. I did it because I had to. Trying to save $$. I enjoy the project being finished and what capability that project adds to my Jeep. I don't actually enjoy doing the work.
 
#19 ·
Good point.

If you don't have a good place to work or enough time to do it in a relaxed fashion and you have the budget then it's worthwhile to have it professionally done. The problem is that is difficult to find a skilled and trustworthy shop in the vicinity in many cases. My local, friendly and beloved Jeep dealer is the last place on the planet I would go to. A trip to the dentist for heaving drilling and grinding is more welcome. :D
 
#18 ·
I waffled on this for a bit, myself. I have the know-how, as I grew up working on cars with my father. But I also live in an apartment without a good spot to work. And I lack some of the physical strength I had when I was younger.

I just don't trust mechanics, though. So, I made an ambitious stab at installing my OME lift solo in my apartment's lot. Turns out this is really best as a two-person job, especially when you're a 100lb chick with arthritis trying to do it solo. Ended up driving it over to a friend's house and the two of us got it done together in about 4 hours. It went smoothly and without a hitch, but it was helpful having a second pair of hands, garage space and some air tools on hand to make things go easier.

If you've got some space and a friend, I recommend doing it yourself. Save yourself some cash AND learn more about your vehicle. But if you've got a mechanic you trust and are limited on workspace, paying for install is always an option too.
 
#21 ·
You're a new Jeeper, so I would say do it yourself. You will gain knowledge about how everything works underneath your Jeep, which will help if you are out on the trail and have a mechanical failure.

The only instances where I would recommend paying to have it done are when you have done it before a dozen times, and when you make significantly more money per hour than the mechanic charges.
 
#22 ·
Since you're doing it on a new Jeep, I say DIY. I did my 2.5 right in the driveway with hand tools. It was a good learning experience, and actually enjoyable working on something new. Its awesome not wrestling around with rusted up hardware.

If you've worked on stuff with independent suspension, the Jeep will feel like working on a giant go-kart. Funny to see how simple it is, and amazing how well something like that can work.

My main advice is to make sure you have all the oddball socket sizes you need. I had up to 18mm, but had to run out and get a 21mm. Having a couple blocks of wood and a nice rubber mallet in case you need to persuade anything is nice too. Good luck!
 
#23 ·
Just a thought. You can pay someone to do it, but unless you know that tech, you won't know if the job is getting done right. So later on, if something on your suspension breaks, you won't know if it broke because of a faulty part, or a faulty install. If you're physically able, and you have a place and the tools to do it, DIY, because you'll know how everything was installed. For most, that's peace of mind.
 
#25 ·
I vote DIY. I just had my Mopar (Teraflex) kit installed and the shop (stealership) left off the exhaust spacers... I have to go and put those on before I can take the Jeep out now. I was glad I asked if there was anything left over or any spare parts.... Also, I could have done it in my driveway in less time. The installing tech had never done that lift before, only the Mopar stage 1 and 2 lifts. If I could go back in time I certainly would....
 
#26 ·
It's easy to DIY assuming you have the tools and the time. I did my mine a couple of weeks ago. It was a PITA but it wasn't the end of the world. But if you don't have the tools it might be better to pay. On the other hand, it's an excuse to buy some tools. You'll know how it all goes together, you can easier diagnose problems and you'll have the pride of installing it is you DIY. If you can find some Jeepers to help out, even better.

It's a serious task but it's not rocket science. Follow the instructions, take you time and study up (watch videos, read threads, etc.) and you'll be fine.
 
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