JBA Adjust-A-Struts: The Saga

[wheeee32]

Well after a couple of snags, they are on. Initial impressions: Absolutely great ride. Mine didn't come with hardware so we had to run to the hardware store for lock washers, washers and nuts for the top plate part of the assembly. Also, beer mixed in with the work just never nets a good result. I didn't fasten down one of the caliper mounting bolts on the left side and lost that bolt during the first test drive. That happened at 2130 last night so of course all of the auto parts stores are closed. We almost considered petty theft when we saw an 06 Liberty on a dealer lot but saner minds prevailed. We waited till morning today to go to Auto Zone to get the right part. However, the set that they sell are too long so we ground one down to the correct length taking our time. It came out perfect and fit snug. I'll post up pics once my friend emails them to me later on.arty52:

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Any pics? Eventually I'd like these for mine!
I had the same caliber bolt issue...my whole bracket came off and took a tire and rim with it.

 

[wheeee32]

I'm still waiting on the pics. I'm really lucky the caliper didn't come off and really do some damage. Once I get it you'll love the pic of me and another guy grinding the replacement bolt so it would match the old one. You feel like a dummy when you miss the simplest of details when doing work on the Jeep. Oh well, I'll never miss that step again.

 

[Luke]

I'm interested in your Franky vs Adj Strut impressions ....

 

[wheeee32]

Frankie: pros: good ride overall. It handles the hard drops and bumps like a champ. Better ride than stock. Gives a good deal of height over stock.
Cons: needs a lot of twisting up and use to break in. It will ride very stiff over bumps in the road till that happens. It was making a lot of spring contact with the upper a-arms at full droop. Installation is a bit challenging but not too hard with the right tools and experience.

JBA adjust-a-struts: So far so good. Rides smoother than the Frankie from the get go. It is also adjustable. The only Con is the price but you get what you pay for. Installation was much easier for me than the Frankie.

 

[tommudd]

JBA adjustables soak up potholes, bumps etc a whole lot more than any full spring lift does.

 

[cplchris]

YOU GUYS SUCK, i just bought new tires and figured since i decided to keep the kj instead of getting a truck i figured i would treat it to a nice set of 4.10's, and now i find myself thinking: "tom's new bumper would be real nice with a swingout on it, i can't wait to see what it looks like so i can get one." and now i'm thinking; "hmmm...my bds llift has been nice but i would really like those coilovers"...i guess i don't need a house but i feel like this may get out of control. i found myself looking into cummins ISF2.8's today...wondering how hard/expensive it would be to get one in the country and more importantly under the hood of my jeep...this really is a disease.

 

[profdlp]

...this really is a disease.

Hello, my name is Prof and I am a Jeepaholic. We admitted we were powerless over our Jeeps and that our lives had become unmanageable....

:happy175:

 

[tommudd]

YOU GUYS SUCK, i just bought new tires and figured since i decided to keep the kj instead of getting a truck i figured i would treat it to a nice set of 4.10's, and now i find myself thinking: "tom's new bumper would be real nice with a swingout on it, i can't wait to see what it looks like so i can get one." and now i'm thinking; "hmmm...my bds llift has been nice but i would really like those coilovers"...i guess i don't need a house but i feel like this may get out of control. i found myself looking into cummins ISF2.8's today...wondering how hard/expensive it would be to get one in the country and more importantly under the hood of my jeep...this really is a disease.

My disease started over 41 years ago, it does not get better, it takes up free time that others are sitting carving out ducks, you find yourself needing more parts, the latest suspension/bumpers, then more tools to install those parts, then bigger tool boxes to store the tools you just bought, then someone else goes and buys________..............:shrug::happy175:

 

[cplchris]

as with every hobby i have ever picked up, the only way i know how to do it is overkill. i am already eyeballing big tool cabinets for when i have a house with a garage. i got a full cabinet setup from harbor freight when i worked there thinking it would be so organized....but i swear the snap-on and matco guys are sneaking in and dumping tools into it at night haha.

 

[wheeee32]

As promised here are a few pics:
This one is prior to any lift put on with the 245's:

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Somebody thought it would be funny to prank me when I wasn't looking:

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Off to the hardware store because they didn't come with any hardware for the top plate to mount on to the Jeep.

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Putting the first one in finally.

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A friend of mine and I grounding down a brake caliper mounting bolt on the driver's side front because I missed tightening down one bolt on that side and consequently losing it somewhere on the road during the first test drive....And yes I'm wearing flip flops because by that point all I wanted was to be finished and go home so no F**** were given.

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And the looks I get on the road now:icon_lol:

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[tommudd]

You always wear flip flops when lifting a KJ
only way I know how to do it :icon_lol:

 

[wheeee32]

You always wear flip flops when lifting a KJ
only way I know how to do it :icon_lol:

Normally I'm in flip flops for everything but when it comes to wrenching I usually like having my feet covered.

 

[CzarKJ]

Normally I'm in flip flops for everything but when it comes to wrenching I usually like having my feet covered.

I don't understand.... I'm always in steel toe. I have multiple pairs steel toed sneakers and boots.

 

[wheeee32]

I don't understand.... I'm always in steel toe. I have multiple pairs steel toed sneakers and boots.

I wear steel toed boots at work every day. My job requires it. Flip flops just feel great after walking on the flight line or in the hangar all day long.

 

[CzarKJ]

I wear steel toed boots at work every day. My job requires it. Flip flops just feel great after walking on the flight line or in the hangar all day long.

Guess I just got too used to them from work haha

 

[VAhlene]

Do they normally not come with hardware or was it just forgot in the shipping process? Seems like if your dropping that much money on something that nice it should come with hardware. Looks good tho!!

 

[tommudd]

Do they normally not come with hardware or was it just forgot in the shipping process? Seems like if your dropping that much money on something that nice it should come with hardware. Looks good tho!!

Should always come with everything

 

[Snail Farmer]

It was 25 degrees when I lifted mine.. no flip flops were worn that day

 

[wheeee32]

Should always come with everything

It should have but didn't. Granted I should have received everything after paying that much but the trip to the hardware store gave us time to grab food for the grill and frosty cold ones.arty52: