Joining the existing 6-, 8-, and 10-inch Skyjacker Rock Ready Long Arm family of suspensions for the Jeep Wrangler TJ is a new 4-inch lift, and we're here to provide an exclusive first look at the installation of this brand-new, fresh-outta-the-box system. This kit is designed for serious trail enthusiasts who want the highest level of function from their rigs in a moderate-height lift. In addition to the top-quality components included in the kit, we also installed Skyjacker's High Clearance Transfer Case Skid Plate, Skyjacker's Rock Ready Steering Gear Box Skid Plate, and Skyjacker's Rock Ready Transfer Case Shifter Bracket. Other options include Skyjacker's optional Skyking coilover shocks, heavy-duty replacement tie-rod tube, and slip-yoke eliminator kit.
The installation was completed at Attitude Performance in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, by shop owner Matt Dinelli. Skyjacker estimates the average install time for this kit to be 10 hours, but the highly experienced Dinelli had the kit installed in less than 8 hours. The kit is mostly bolt-on, but you will need either a plasma cutter or cutting torch to remove the stock upper and lower control-arm mounts at the frame, and welding is required to mount the new two-piece subframe which holds the transfer case skidplate and mounts for the lower control arms. The result will be a suspension that allows for fitment, and full travel, of 33-inch tires.
The Skyjacker 4-inch Rock Ready Long Arm kit includes new front and rear coils, new upper and lower Double Flex Long Arms with spherical rod ends at both ends of each link, four Softride Nitro or Hydro shock absorbers, front and rear stainless-steel braided, polyurethane-coated brake lines, double-disconnect front antiroll-bar end links, extended rear antiroll-bar end links, front track bar, integrated two-piece subframe assembly, heavy-duty steering stabilizer, and dropped pitman arm. Also pictured is the Skyjacker High Clearance Transfer Case Skid Plate and Rock Ready Shifter Bracket.
1: The first step is to set the length of the new Rock Ready upper and lower link assemblies. To do this, swivel the ball socket so the bushings are exactly centered, and measure the length of the link assembly from the center of each eye on each end. Rotate the rod ends as needed, being sure to keep the ends square with each other until the link assembly measures the pre-alignment measurements given in the Skyjacker installation guide. When the measurements are correct, tighten the jam nut against the steel tubing. These are pre-alignment measurements only; final measurements will be set when the vehicle is aligned.
 2: With the vehicle safely...  2: With the vehicle safely supported either on the ground or on a vehicle hoist, remove the front wheels, shocks, steering damper, track bar, pitman arm, both antiroll-bar end links, left-front coil spring retainer bolt and clip, both coil springs, and the bumpstops. |  3: Install the new drop pitman...  3: Install the new drop pitman arm and reinstall the drag link to the pitman arm and tighten. |  4: Install the new extended...  4: Install the new extended bumpstops, new coil springs (make sure you reinstall the spring retainers), and shock absorbers. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle to the ground. At the front lower link adjustment cams, mark the vertical line on the cam and the reinforcement bracket for reference so you can realign the marks after the installation of the new components. Raise the vehicle and remove the factory upper control arms and mount the new upper control arms by placing two small stepped spacers into the end of the rod. Place the ends of the control arms into the OEM brackets using the original hardware. |
 5: Remove the lower factory...  5: Remove the lower factory control arms and the factory lower control arm mounts at the frame. A plasma cutter works great to remove the mounts due to its low heat, thus creating less chance of damaging or distorting nearby metal. |  6: After removing the factory...  6: After removing the factory control-arm mounts, grind the area smooth and paint. |  7: The optional Skyjacker...  7: The optional Skyjacker Rock Ready Shifter Bracket eliminates the attaching point to the TJ's body, and it's a must for the 4-inch kit to guarantee proper operation of the transfer case shifter. With the shifter relocating bracket fully assembled, cut both ends of the torque shaft flush with the top-hat Teflon bushings and discard (shown). |
 8: Scribe and cut the shift...  8: Scribe and cut the shift rod 51/2 inches from the end of the shaft. Insert 3/8-inch tubed spacer (being certain that the scribe marks are inline) then weld to produce a new shaft length of approximately 93/4 inches. |  9: This is how the finished...  9: This is how the finished bracket looks when it's properly assembled. To install, loosen the trunnion lock bolt at the adjusting trunnion, and install assembled shifter assembly onto the original transfer case mounting studs using the factory hardware. Insert the torque shaft rod into the range lever and the shift rod into the transfer case shift lever assembly by using channellock pliers. |  10: Install the new subframe...  10: Install the new subframe rails using six flat Allen bolts. These bolts will drive directly through the new subframe rails and into the factory mounting holes in the frame that was used for the factory skidplate. Once mounted, mark the areas of contact on both the frame and the subframe with a marker, then remove the subframe and grind the marked areas of the tops of the subframe and frame to remove paint and foreign material in preparation for welding. |