Post lift install

[Hunters05lj]

Good morning,

I Just finished installing the RockJock 4in lift on my 05 LJ Rubicon with 33x10.5x r15 wheels. I followed the instructions on their website to a tee, double checked all bolts are tight, greased all bolts, measured the pinion angles, and have a rear Double Cardan driveshaft ordered from Tom Woods.

The rear pinion I have set 1 degree lower than the driveshaft angle. Pinion 10.5 degrees, Driveshaft 11.5 degrees
The front pinion I have in line with the driveshaft. Pinion 8.5 degrees, Driveshaft 8.5 degrees.

Besides getting an alignment, anything else I should check before I drive it? I didn't touch the steering at all but just visually looking at the front tires it seems they are no longer both pointed exactly straight and the steering wheel is all out of alignment which im assuming is because the lift? Let me know your thoughts are and if anything else comes to mind to check before driving it to the alignment shop. I appreciate any advice!

Thank You!

 

[xXDavidCXx]

Depending on the length of drive and speeds attained, I would consider a quick shop front toe alignment to get the wheel closer to pointed in the same direction.

 

[lBasket]

You could do an alignment yourself and know it was done right

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-align-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.85/page-20

 

[Ashim]

I wouldn't bother taking it to the alignment shop. You can do a DIY alignment, search on here for the info. Jeep looks great, nice job!

 

[JpZombie]

I thought this was going to be about one of these...

 

[lBasket]

I thought this was going to be about one of these...

View attachment 581973

Same, I came here ready to be made jealous

 

[Superjay5]

Yes, your toe, steering wheel and caster will be off. All these can be done pretty easy. Easier than installing a lift. Your front driveshaft angle is only part of the equation. You first should be worried about setting your caster angle…

 

[Camdenst]

Same, I came here ready to be made jealous

I’m loving the floor and recessed lighting hahaha

 

[Hunters05lj]

Thank you

I’m loving the floor and recessed lighting hahaha

haha thank you! If you can't tell my garage was a priority!

 

[Hunters05lj]

Great advice, I did the DIY alignment in the garage as suggested. it was very easy! Anything else you guys can think of to do or check before driving it?

 

[Hunters05lj]

Yes, your toe, steering wheel and caster will be off. All these can be done pretty easy. Easier than installing a lift. Your front driveshaft angle is only part of the equation. You first should be worried about setting your caster angle…

Did the garage DIY alignment after reading the posts. Can you explain in detail the caster? Ive done some extensive research and understand you do 12- pinion angle to get the front caster. If I did that 12-8.5= 3.5. I read that you want it to be near 5-5.5, the thing I don't quite understand is how to achieve this without changing the driveline/ pinion angle? Unless the angle is different for a dana 44?

 

[Hunters05lj]

Depending on the length of drive and speeds attained, I would consider a quick shop front toe alignment to get the wheel closer to pointed in the same direction.

Done, thank you!

 

[Hunters05lj]

You could do an alignment yourself and know it was done right

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-align-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.85/page-20

Great link, Thank you!

 

[Sean B]

Did the garage DIY alignment after reading the posts. Can you explain in detail the caster? Ive done some extensive research and understand you do 12- pinion angle to get the front caster. If I did that 12-8.5= 3.5. I read that you want it to be near 5-5.5, the thing I don't quite understand is how to achieve this without changing the driveline/ pinion angle? Unless the angle is different for a dana 44?

You sort of compromise between the caster and not having driveline vibrations.

On same setup I ended up being able to get about 5.5 degrees caster. I believe the 44 front is actually 13.6 degrees offset. I found this diagram when doing mine which helped to clarify. In the end I ended up just setting it where it worked right.

One thing I found while doing mine after driving myself nuts for a bit is if your garage floor has a slope to it if you measure when pulled in and then turn the jeep around and back in your numbers will be off double what the slope of the floor is.

 

[Superjay5]

Did the garage DIY alignment after reading the posts. Can you explain in detail the caster? Ive done some extensive research and understand you do 12- pinion angle to get the front caster. If I did that 12-8.5= 3.5. I read that you want it to be near 5-5.5, the thing I don't quite understand is how to achieve this without changing the driveline/ pinion angle? Unless the angle is different for a dana 44?

While you can set it that way I would actually see what your caster is at, which can be easily checked with an angle finder at the machined spot on the inner c.

Low caster will have a vague return to center with the steering wheel. Proper caster will affect the pinion angle. Adjust one and you adjust the other. With pinion angle you just want to make sure you don’t have any driveline vibrations so there is some wiggle room. There is no perfect pinion angle number other than no vibrations.