The Jeep Cherokee is a vehicle that many purchase with the hope of installing aftermarket parts to make it a cross between a passenger vehicle and an off-road recreational vehicle. Installing a lift kit is a classic modification to the Cherokee. It can be done in a home garage provided that you have the necessary tools. It is essential to note that after you install a lift kit, the handling of your vehicle will be significantly different.
Loosen the lug nuts on the vehicle. Doing this before you raise the vehicle off the ground is essential; otherwise the tires will rotate when you are trying to loosen the lug nuts.
Lift the front end of the vehicle and place jack stands under the frame. Before moving on to the next step, make sure that the vehicle is properly supported.
Remove tires from front of vehicle.
Place jack under the front axle of the vehicle to support it, but do not raise vehicle.
Remove front shocks, sway bar links and tie rod ends. This is also the time to loosen the control arm bolts, but do not remove them.
Lower jack slightly to allow axle to droop, being careful that you do not lower so much that the brake lines are damaged.
Remove coil springs, bump stops and bump stop mounting cup. To make re-installation less confusing, mark springs so they are re-installed on the correct side of the vehicle.
Install new spacers. The spacers used will depend on the desired lift height.
Re-install bump stop mounting cup, bump stops and springs. Make sure you re-install springs on the correct side of the vehicle.
Re-install sway bar links, tie rod ends and shocks.
Re-mount front tires. After lowering vehicle to the ground, torque bolts to manufacturer's specifications.
Raise rear of the vehicle by placing jack under the differential.
Support vehicle by placing jack stands under the frame. Jack stands must be high enough that the tires will not touch the ground when you lower the jack.
Remove tires and wheels from vehicle.
Disconnect sway bar links, shock mounts and rear track arm.
Lower rear differential enough that the springs come loose. Be careful when doing this so you do not damage the brake lines.
Remove springs, bump stops and bump stop mounting cup.
Install spring spacer and replace bump stop mounting cup.
Re-install bump stops and springs. Make sure these are replaced on the same side they came off of.
Raise differential and make sure springs are properly in saddles.
Re-connect track arm, tie rod ends, sway bar links and shocks.
Re-mount tires. Torque to manufacturer specifications once the vehicle in on the ground.
