Please Help on How to J.E. Reel Axle Assembly

[Jeepologist]

Hey Guys , I’ll appreciate your help on this one please. I have an 05 kj 3.7 renegade with the RRO Rockfather Deluxe 3” 1/2 lift kit and going to upgrade my current stock Axle Assembly to J.E. Reel Axle Assembly ordered from Al’s.

I’m just a DIY’er (Aeh) and have all the tools needed and would like your help to replace the axle assembly if I can find a detailed write-up on a how to with some pictures from you please, as I've never done this before.

Also will I need to replace any seals, bearings or anything like that with this assembly (Aeh) noting that my current stock axle assembly and surroundings have not developed any issues as of yet but my lift height is above 3” and this will most certainly invite problems soon.

Thank you All in advance (Cheers),

 

[tommudd]

3 inches should not give you any real problems, I have been running 3 plus , actually 4 inches for over 105,000 miles.
I did have to replace my right side at 98,000 on the first lift, since the intermediate shaft and CV got rusted like a lot do which the had to be replaced.
The REELs are better but for 55 bucks I can replace mine several times over compared to those, just saying.....
They are simple to install
Basically remove the lift , spindle nut, pull the spindle off, and the CV out
seal number is 05066066AA
By the way how high are you actually measuring from middle of the wheel to bottom of the flare? If you're over 23.5 then you may need them but I doubt you are.

 

[Jeepologist]

Thanks for the info tommudd, I’m not so sure about the measure form middle of wheel to bottom of flare as the front of my kj is in pieces at the moment. but I’m on 265’s Mickey Thomson MTZ & 16x8 pro comp wheels with 3” lift OME/HD790 springs and going to add 9/16” trim packers on top if this will help.

 

[USMarine1171]

Is it necessary to unbolt the UCA? Reading through the service manual it gives the impression that you don't have to unbolt the UCA or the upper clevis bolt:

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove half shaft hub nut.
(4) Remove stabilizer link (Fig. 1).
(5) Remove lower clevis bolt (Fig. 2).
(6) Seperate lower ball joint from the lower control
arm (Fig. 3).
(7) Pull out on the steering knuckle and push the
half shaft out of the knuckle.
(8) With a pry bar remove the half shaft from the
axle.

NOTE: Right side half shaft has an axle shaft that
may come out of the axle.

So if the axle shaft comes out with the CV assembly, leave it, or put it back into the axle?

 

[Jeepologist]

thank you for the info USMarine1171.

 

[USMarine1171]

thank you for the info USMarine1171.

I'm nit sure how right I am...just going off what the SM says...need more pictures!!!