TJ Spacer lift
(CST2)
Each kit contains two 2” bump stop extensions, four 2" spacers that are made from high quality UHMW plastic, extra long bolts and a easy to follow step by step guide.

 2" TJ Coil Spacer Lift,   Installation and review

We decided to upgrade our stock TJ with a kit supplied from CanadianShield.ca  This kit may be the most affordable and effective way to give your TJ extra ground clearance and fender space for bigger tires, without having to empty your pocket in the process. Before jumping in, be sure that you have all the required tools to complete the installation.

Recommended Tools

                                                                                    Good Socket set            Floor Jack

                                                                                    Long Pry bar                3-5 pound sledge Hammer

                                                                                    Jack Stands                  Hi-Lift or equivalent

 

 

                   

                           Fig 1.0                                                        Fig 1.1                                                     Fig 1.3

 

A good place to start is the front axle. It is the most difficult due to the steering linkage and suspension. Using a floor jack, lift the front axle and place it on stands to remove the front tires. Then unbolt the steering stabilizer bar using a T55 torx bit. (Fig 1.0) Be sure not lose the small retainer nut that fits inside the axle bracket. (Fig 1.1) Using a pry bar, work the stabilizer bar out of the bracket. Remove the cotter pin from the front passenger side tie rod end and partially loosen off the crown nut, leaving a few threads to hold it on. With the 3-5 lb sledge hammer, hit the side of the outer steering arm located off the outer knuckle. (Fig 1.3) The tie rod should drop down while the nut will stop it from hitting the ground. You can now remove the crown nut and separate the tie rod end from the steering arm.

 

            

                           Fig 1.4                                                 Fig 1.5                                                        Fig 1.6

 

Now just removed the two bolts from the shocks on both sides located at the bottom by the coil brackets. On the drivers side there is a small retaining clip that will need to be removed in order to take the coil spring completely out. Now all that is left to do is remove the Front sway bar links. There will be a nut on the top of the sway bar that will need to be removed (Fig 1.5) With these removed the front axle will drop completely down when you jack up the front to allow the suspension to drop down in order to make is easy to install this kit. Now you will be able to remove the coils from both sides easily. The coil bump stops have a small metal bracket that holds the rubber bumper firmly in place. By pulling down working them back and forth they will eventually come out. Now if you look at the bottom of this bucket there is a 1/2 bolt that will need to be removed (Fig 1.6) in order to fit the 2" Coil Spacer up to the top while you refasten the bump stop bracket back into place.

 

                       

                                Fig 1.7                                                  Measurement Before                    Measurement After

 

Loosen and remove the two bolts at the bottom of both front shocks, also the small retaining clip on the bottom of the driver side coil (Fig 1.4) and the two nuts on top of each side of the sway bar. (Fig 1.5) With this complete, use the Hi-Lift to jack up the front of the vehicle and easily take the coils out. Remove the rubber bump stops by pulling down and working them back and forth. Loosen off and remove the 1/2 " bolt inside and the metal cup that held the bump stop in place. (Fig 1.6) The 2" Coil Spacer will then push up and you can reinstall the bump stop assembly.
Note: Concerned for the fenders and the damage that our new 34" LTB's would cause them. We asked James from Canadian Shield if he would supply us with an extra 1" spacer to extend the bump stop, he was more than happy to help us out. Shown in (Fig 1.7) we installed the extra piece between the bump stop and the cradle. Repeat the above steps to complete the other side and install the coils. Lower the jeep down and reconnect all the components that were disassembled. Be sure not to forget the small retaining clip that was previously mentioned (Fig 1.4). It is best to replace the cotter pin for the tie rod if it was damaged during removal, otherwise you can reuse the old one.
 

 

                  

                            Fig 1.8                                                Fig 1.9                                                    Fig 2.0

 

Now onto the rear, it is definitely easier than the front. Loosen the lower bolts on the rear shocks, the upper bolt on the torsion bar and the lower bolts on the sway bar. You may want to jack the vehicle up a bit to remove the stress on these bolts when you remove them. After this is complete, jack up the rear axle and place it on a jack stands so that you can take off the tires. Then jack up the chassis so that the axle separates from the frame along with the suspension. Once this is complete as shown in (Fig 1.8), (Fig 1.9) and (Fig 2.0) the coils can be easily removed. Once again remove the bump stop assemblies and install the 2" coil spacer and the 1" bump stop extension. Reinstall the rear coils, lower and attach the suspension components as you removed them. Replace the tires and lower the rear axle.
 

                           

After you have completed your install, it is best to double check your work to be sure that you didn't leave anything loose or unattached. Please see the updated review below for recommendations that we felt were necessary.
 

** Updated Product Review  - August 10,2004 **


The 2" Spacer Boost is a very effective and affordable way to gain more clearance, flexibility, and handling from the TJ. Vehicle height is increased by 2" with spring spacers. I would recommend longer travel shocks for greater articulation, but you can use the stock shocks. We also had to install a T-case drop of only 3/4" to minimize drive line vibe. You could also use washers or a spacer under the Tcase to help eliminate the driveline vibe. A SYE kit with CV driveshaft would be an excellent addition for this kit, considering the kit is low cost to begin with. I am very happy with the results, as I was able to run 34" Interco LTB's with almost no rub.
Billy

 

        

                                             

    

                                                           Jeep Specs                                                  Retail Resources                                    
 

                                                          1997 Jeep TJ Sahara                                    Canadian Shield  - James Sherry                           

                                                          Engine: 4.0                                                    Listowel, Ontario                                      

                                                          Driveline: Ax15 Manual / NP231                   http://www.canadianshield.ca                

                                                          Axles: Dana 30/35                                        Canadian@canadianshield.ca                                               

                                                          Tires:  Interco LTB 34"x 8 x 10.5