2012 Jeep Wrangler Jk - stock Suspension Removal - Photo 42138624

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Here’s Jeremy Thompson prepping the JK for the Synergy Stage 3 suspension system. We had originally planned to run 35-inch Goodyear DuraTrac tires, but later changed to 37-inch MT/Rs. It’s too bad the DuraTracs aren’t available in larger sizes. They are great tires.

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Davis Auto Center in North Logan, Utah, supplied the 2012 JK Unlimited Rubicon.

The 3.6L VVT V-6 and, especially, the W5A580 five-speed automatic help ’12 to perform much better than earlier JKs.

The 2012 JKs have a vacuum pump located on the frame. Many aftermarket bumpers require this pump to be moved. Expedition One’s pump relocation kit moves it to the engine compartment and looks OE. It should be OE.

Dynatrac’s ProRock 44 Unlimited housing was designed specifically for lifted JKs. The Unlimited has added steering caster engineered in to retain proper steering angles on JKs lifted 2.5 to 6 inches. The shock mounts are moved to provide better shock-to-frame clearance under full articulation. For the JK Rubicon owner, this housing is a direct bolt-in and allows the retention of factory brakes, knuckles, axles, gears, and electric locker. Dynatrac ball joints are much better than the failure-prone OE ball joints and are rebuildable, too.

Currie Enterprises Currectlync 1.25-inch forged tie-rod and drag link have threaded ends that use 7/8-inch tie rod ends that can be reversed to go over or under the knuckle and can be rebuilt. They come with three tie-rod clamps – one for a steering stabilizer, one for a steering ram, and one universal clamp. The wrench is for disassembling the ends.

Fox 2.0 Factory Performance Series reservoir shocks supply FOX performance in an affordable, bolt-on package. These shocks feature deflective disc technology and a high flow, Internal Floating Piston (IFP) that create perfect oil/air separation to provide fade-free damping performance. Remote reservoir shocks allow for more shock travel in a shorter overall package. The extra oil volume helps the shocks run cooler for consistent performance. The 6061 aluminum shock bodies offer cooler operating temperatures and a body that will never rust. They can be rebuilt and tuned, but we didn’t need to tune these shocks as they worked perfectly on the JK. Fox shocks are an available option with all Synergy Suspension systems.

Here’s Jeremy Thompson prepping the JK for the Synergy Stage 3 suspension system. We had originally planned to run 35-inch Goodyear DuraTrac tires, but later changed to 37-inch MT/Rs. It’s too bad the DuraTracs aren’t available in larger sizes. They are great tires.

Synergy control arms are adjustable while on the Jeep. This is a tremendous asset and time saver when dialing in the suspension and pinion angles front and rear. Synergy uses original Johnny Joints on one end and Clevite rubber bushings on the other end of their arms.

Milt Thompson is the gear expert at Dixie 4Wheel Drive. He set up our 4.88 Yukon gears perfectly. Yukon sent complete installation kits with both front and rear gearsets.

When the 2012 JK is lifted with a suspension system, its crossover pipe can be crushed by the front driveshaft. There are a few fixes for this, but the best and most elegant solution is the aFe Y-pipe that crosses over between the transmission and transfer case. The pipe features 2- x 2-inch into 1- x 2-1/2-inch stainless steel mandrel-bent tubing with OE flanges and 100-percent hand-MIG welded construction that resists corrosion. To eliminate dead space that can cause turbulence and hindering flow that formed collectors are prone to produce, a true merged collector is used. The smooth curves and increased diameter helps remove restriction and keeps exhaust gas flowing smoothly for improved performance and durability on and off the trails. It took no more than 10 minutes to install. A loop delete pipe and complete 2012 JK cat-back exhaust system are also offered by aFe Power.

Synergy includes these wedges to rotate the rear coil springs forward.

Our rear coils still kissed the track bar, even using the wedges, so Jeremy carefully cut off the axle coil mounts and rotated them forward.

It’s not a good idea to use your shocks as suspension limiters, so we installed limit straps.

Jeremy twisted the JK with a forklift then proceeded to trim the areas that needed to be trimmed so the 37’s would work with only 3 inches of lift and OE fender flares.

The Goodyear MT/Rs now don’t rub anywhere, even when stuffed into the fenderwells.

Spidertrax 6061 aluminum wheel spacers are high quality and made in the U.S.A.

The Dynatrac ProRock 44 Unlimited housing installed as if it was OE. It has 4.88 Yukon gears and the OE Elocker. RCV Performance Ultimate CV Axles replace the JK’s weak Dana 44 U-joint axle shafts with a high-strength constant velocity design. Tests prove Ultimate CV Axles to be twice as strong as OEM Jeep JK shafts, and they’re just as tough at a straight angle as they are at extreme angles — where U-joints are weakest. Ultimate CV Axles also eliminate U-joint binding to allow smooth transfer power to the ground. Even with big tires there are no worries. RCV Ultimate CV Axles are low maintenance and operate with a smoothness that can be felt — whether off-road or on the street. RCV backs it all with a “No Questions Asked” limited lifetime warranty. In the photo you can see how beefy the Currie Currectlync tie rod and drag link are. Also shown is the Expedition One Rubi Skid that protects the Rubicon Smart Bar disconnect motor. The Synergy Stage 3 suspension system includes track bar relocation brackets for t

Jeremy modified Currie’s universal mounting clamp to mount the steering stabilizer to the tie rod.

The JK’s output shaft on the steering box is weak. The internal bearings that support the shaft are poorly positioned and are low quality, causing them to wear out very quickly. Some indicators include a noticeable “clunk” noise and excessive play in the steering wheel. Another problem is the sector shaft can twist or even break during hard use. Since the OE steering box is not serviceable, the only option is to replace the entire assembly. JKS’s track bar and sector shaft brace kit includes a reinforced track bar frame bracket and a sector shaft stabilizer with brace that goes across to the other frame rail. Our weak OE steering box is protected now. The JKS track bar uses OE Clevite bushings for quiet operation. Synergy coils are progressive and the perfect rate for the JK.

Can you be too low? With the lower 3.23:1 first gear in the W5A580 five-speed automatic, a 2.72:1 low range T-case would work almost as well as the 4:1 Rock Trac transfer case does. We retained the Rock Trac T-case that came in the Wrangler, though. Check out the aFe crossover pipe that’s up and out of the way.

The driver’s side exhaust loop is there for a reason (equal-length scavengers). Some of those who remove it have MIL lights illuminate or their JKs go into limp mode. Some don’t. We decided to leave it there. It doesn’t hang too low, anyway.

The OE 44 rearend also features 4.88 Yukon gears, OE Elocker, and a Dynatrac cover. We used the Synergy track bar bracket in back to raise the JKS track bar at the axle.

Expedition One’s Basic DX front bumper and foglight wings look great and are lightweight. In rock crawl or forest situations, the wings can be easily removed.

Dixie 4 Wheel Drive has complete powdercoating facilities. Our Warn 9.0Rc was powdercoated satin black.

The Expedition One tire carrier rear bumper is strong and looks great.

Expedition One was the first to attach their swingaway carrier to the door so the carrier opens with the door latch in one easy, smooth motion.

The third LED brake light is an Expedition One option that we recommend.

Cool Tech’s GateMount Kit is a smart, complete solution that includes everything needed to mount a CB or ham antenna to the Jeep JK Wrangler. Besides the bracket, the GateMount Kit comes with a Firestik 4-foot CB antenna, mount, and 18 feet of coax. Because radio-mounting points are nonexistent inside ’12, we chose to use a Cool Tech LLC-supplied Cobra 75 WXST CB that incorporates everything in the microphone.

We store the CB in the center console, using Jeep’s handy wire hole so the lid still closes. When in use, we put the microphone in the cup holder.

We store the CB in the center console, using Jeep’s handy wire hole so the lid still closes. When in use, we put the microphone in the cup holder.

The 37x12.50R17LT Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tires were mounted on AEV Pintler wheels by American Car Care in Hurricane, Utah.

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