Rubicon Express RE6130 - Manual (Page 2)

RI61116130 Page 2 of 4
INSTALLATION:
Note: 1984-1986 vehicles may require modifications to the front drive shaft for proper installation. These vehicles use a double offset joint, while later
vehicles use a double cardan (spicer) style CV joint. The spicer CV joint may be retro fitted to the earlier vehicles by changing the transfer case output
yoke for the later model. Lift heights this tall usually require modifications to the rear drive shaft – see troubleshooting.
1. Raise vehicle and support with stands.
2. Remove wheels.
3. Remove front shocks.
4. Remove front sway bar end links.
5. Disconnect front track bar.
6. Disconnect steering linkage at pitman arm.
7. Remove front spring retainers (at bottom) and springs.
8. Support the front axle with jack stands.
9. Remove and replace your front factory hoses with the supplied stainless steel lines. Some require positioning the block and line vertically at the
caliper. Watch line routing, use angle brackets and e-clips.
10. Remove the factory upper and lower control arms.
11. Install the lower control arms with the rubber bushing at the frame (use factory bolt at this end, and do not fully tighten until vehicle is back on the
ground). The super-flex assembly bolts to axle bracket with supplied hardware. The offset tube is to be located as low as possible (SEE PHOTO 1).
12. Install the new upper front adjustable control arms using supplied hardware at axle end and factory bolt at frame end (don’t fully tighten until
vehicle is back on the ground). Set both control arms to an initial length of 15 3/8” center to center. Further adjustment may be needed at time of
alignment for caster angle.
13. Install the front bump stop extensions by drilling a 5/16” hole in the center of the lower coil spring mount, then tightening the self-tapping bolt to
cut the threads. Next remove the bump stop assembly and place it into the center of the coil spring.
14. Install the new coil spring with the bump stop extension in the center.
15. Tighten the bump stop extension bolt – be careful not to strip.
16. Install replacement track bar by drilling the tapered hole in the factory upper mount to 5/8”. Next install the replacement track bar with the heim
end at the unibody. Do not connect the lower bolt at this time.
17. Install longer front shocks. Some require bar pins to be installed through the bottom shock eyes (use light grease).
18. Install sway bar quick disconnects per instructions supplied with disconnects (SEE PHOTO 2).
19. Torque all bolts to factory specs. And double-check your work.
-REAR AXLE-
20. Remove the rear shocks.
21. Remove the rear sway bar (this will not be re-used).
22. Support the rear axle.
23. Remove rear brake hose and install supplied stainless steel rear brake line.
24. Remove the U-bolts and rear leaf springs.
25. Add-a-leaf kit: Loosen any spring alignment clamps. Use c-clamps to clamp spring pack on each side of center pin. Remove center pin. Use vise
grip pliers on center-pin head. Carefully remove c-clamps. Insert add-a-leaf into spring pack. Add-a-leaf will go into spring pack in such a way as
to maintain the pyramid shape of the spring pack (see photo 3). Insert new center bolt through the spring pack with the head on the same side as
the old one (spring perch side). Use c-clamps to assist tightening of center bolt. Tighten to 20 ft/lbs. Replace the spring alignment clamps.
Leaf spring kit: Install new rear springs with new U-bolts in the same manner as factory springs – SEE PHOTO 3-B (don’t fully tighten spring
eyebolts until vehicle is back on the ground). The 3/8” center pins are stronger than stock and usually require enlarging the spring pad hole. The
pins usually come with spacers installed for use w/ floating type degree shims (see troubleshooting for typical shimming requirements). If required,
remove spacers so pin does not bottom out on axle tube. If using steel Rubicon Express shims, remove the spacers and replace with the shims
(SEE PHOTO 4). These steel shims will require reaming to 3/8” for 3/8” pins. Reinstall springs. Do not fully tighten spring eyebolts until vehicle is
back on the ground.
26. Add-a-leaf kit: Reinstall the springs. Do not fully tighten spring eyebolts until vehicle is back on the ground. Install the lift block with the thick
end of the taper at the rear of the vehicle (SEE PHOTO 4). Note that the spring pad may need to have the hole enlarged for the pin on the block.
Leaf spring kit: Remove and replace the rear shackles. (SEE PHOTO 5) Reinstall the springs. Do not fully tighten spring eyebolts until vehicle is
back on the ground.
27. Tighten the U-bolts.
28. Install longer rear shocks. Some require bar pins to be installed through the top shock eyes (use light grease).
29. If installing RE2120 transfer case drop kit (see troubleshooting) install it now. Support cross member with floor jack. The cross member is factory
mounted with two studs and two bolts. The studs will have to be removed with a stud remover or by double nutting them and backing them out.
One side at a time, lower the cross member just enough to insert the spacers at each bolthole and install bolts and washers.
30. Reconnect the steering.
31. Install tires.
32. Lower vehicle.
33. Center the body over the front axle. A convenient way to accomplish this is to have a helper rotate the steering wheel left or right until centered.
34. Adjust the track bar to fit into the mounts with the axle centered.
35. Tighten track bar bolts.
36. Thoroughly bleed brake lines and check for leaks.
37. Double-check all nuts and bolts.
38. Test drive and note location of steering wheel.
39. Adjust drag link to center steering wheel.
40. Align vehicle as soon as possible. We suggest Caster @ minimum setting and Toe @ Maximum setting per factory specs
41. Retighten all bolts after 50 miles and again after every off road excursion.
42. Reminder: Do not reinstall the rear sway bar; it will not be reused.