4Wheel & Off-Road Homepage 4-Wheel & Off-Road

Adjustable Lift Kits for Jeep Cherokee

Here's a Trick Widget That Works
By Rick Péwé
Photography by Rick Péwé
131 0204 Coil 01 Z

131 0204 Coil 03 Z
The assembled ACOS is basically a threaded tube with two internally threaded aluminum rings screwed on. Installation on the vehicle is simple, but the instructions must be followed carefully for a proper fitment.
131 0204 Coil 02 Z
Like any other lift kit, the shocks are the first thing to be unhooked. On this Jeep a plastic spacer was installed along with Rancho springs to gain the proper ride height. The addition of a brushguard up front caused the nose to come down a bit too far, so a set of adjustable coilover spacers was prescribed as a solution.
131 0204 Coil 04 Z
The easy way to install these spacers is to drop the front suspension. Removing the track bar bolt to unhook the track bar allows the suspension to move downward. We used a hoist and stands, but jackstands and a floorjack can be used as well. We also removed the lower arms for ease of installation. With the weight off the coils and the lower coil clip unbolted, pull the coils off the vehicle. Note the factory isolator and aftermarket spacer, both of which are removed for installation of the new spacer.
131 0204 Coil 05 Z
The rubber or polyurethane bumpstop on the bottom of the bumpstop holder is removed by pulling it off. Underneath, most holders are bolted on and can be removed with a wrench. If it's welded on, you need to cut it off according to the supplied instructions.
131 0204 Coil 06 Z
With the large top ring not threaded to the top of the tube, the ACOS is slipped over the coil post and tightened, making sure the bumpstop support fits into the threaded tube. Adjust the large ring to touch the top, back off the center bolt, and screw the ring one-half turn up. Now you can tighten the 8mm bolt for the final time.
131 0204 Coil 07 Z
Adjusting the lower ring to the proper height depends on what height the Jeep was before and where you want the Jeep to end up. We measured the old spacers and adjusted the lower ring to match. If we want to change the ride height once the vehicle is assembled and back on the ground, all pressure must be removed from the ACOS unit.
131 0204 Coil 08 Z
Final adjustment is simply tightening the bolt in the adjuster ring. Notice that new polyurethane spring isolators come with the new ACOS units. The spacers lift the vehicle anywhere from 1 1/4 to 3 inches, and you get to select what is best for you.
131 0204 Coil 09 Z
Install the coil springs and button up the suspension. We took less than an hour including taking pictures and generally getting in the way. The ACOS is a simple unit that works exactly as planned and allows you to fine-tune your coil-sprung Jeep's suspension.

Get Adobe Flash player
Why Pay MSRP? Get free new car and truck invoice pricing quotes today

Related Photos

131 0204 Coil 01 Z 131 0204 Coil 02 Z 131 0204 Coil 04 Z
131 0204 Coil 03 Z

Related Articles

 
Moab 2002 Easter Jeep Safari - Moab 2002
The Center Of The Off-Road Universe... more
 
 
Mazda b4000 & Postal Jeep - Whoops!
Coming next month:*Garage-built greats*Trail fixes you can do*New BFG tire testAt a newsstand near... more
 
Dirty Every Day 1973 Jeep J10 4x4 Desert Adventure - D.E.D. In The Desert
We needed this real bad. Los Angeles traffic worsens by the minute, and our oppressive corporate... more

More Related Content

 

Get Adobe Flash player