How to Install Rugged Ridge Exhaust Spacer Kit w/ 2.5-Inch + Lift on your Wrangler

Before Picture:

Before Picture:

Installation Instructions:

1. First lift or jack the Jeep up if you can, but this can also be accomplished without a lift. Next loosen the midpipe connector using a 15mm wrench. It is the one just downstream of the Y pipe under the driver side door. Also spray some penetrating oil in the pipe joint so it can soak in.

Installation Instructions:

1. First lift or jack the Jeep up if you can, but this can also be accomplished without a lift. Next loosen the midpipe connector using a 15mm wrench. It is the one just downstream of the Y pipe under the driver side door. Also spray some penetrating oil in the pipe joint so it can soak in.

2. Next use a dremmel with a metal cutoff wheel, or a sawzall to remove the small index tab from the Y pipe. Take your time and grind it smooth, it is a tight spot and hard to work in.

2. Next use a dremmel with a metal cutoff wheel, or a sawzall to remove the small index tab from the Y pipe. Take your time and grind it smooth, it is a tight spot and hard to work in.

3. This is what it should look like once removed.

3. This is what it should look like once removed.

4. Using a 13mm socket remove the 4 bolts holding the 2 exhaust joints together. You may need penetrating oil on these bolts to loosen them if your exhaust is older.

4. Using a 13mm socket remove the 4 bolts holding the 2 exhaust joints together. You may need penetrating oil on these bolts to loosen them if your exhaust is older.

5. The top bolt on the left hand joint is hard to get to, I recommend using a long socket extension as shown below. Once all 4 bolts have been completely removed you can pull apart the 2 joints. You may need to pry them apart.

5. The top bolt on the left hand joint is hard to get to, I recommend using a long socket extension as shown below. Once all 4 bolts have been completely removed you can pull apart the 2 joints. You may need to pry them apart.

6. Next you will use a pry bar and/or a rubber mallet to slide the Y pipe deeper into the mid pipe. This is why you needed to remove the index tab. This will probably be the most difficult part, depending on the age of your exhaust. I recommend lots of penetrating oil in the pipe joint. This would be easiest if you have a lift and another person to help push on the mid pipe.

6. Next you will use a pry bar and/or a rubber mallet to slide the Y pipe deeper into the mid pipe. This is why you needed to remove the index tab. This will probably be the most difficult part, depending on the age of your exhaust. I recommend lots of penetrating oil in the pipe joint. This would be easiest if you have a lift and another person to help push on the mid pipe.

7. Insert the smaller of the 2 spacers in the left hand (Driver side) joint, and install the shorter 2 bolts and washers supplied with the kit. I found that all 4 supplied bolts are too long to tighten the joint completely. I recommend using extra washers (about ½” worth) as shown below, or you could buy shorter bolts. You may need to pry the joint apart to fit the spacer in. For this spacer the larger opening should be facing the rear of the Jeep as shown below. It should only fit in the correct way. Lightly hand tighten the bolts to keep the joint together for now.

7. Insert the smaller of the 2 spacers in the left hand (Driver side) joint, and install the shorter 2 bolts and washers supplied with the kit. I found that all 4 supplied bolts are too long to tighten the joint completely. I recommend using extra washers (about ½” worth) as shown below, or you could buy shorter bolts. You may need to pry the joint apart to fit the spacer in. For this spacer the larger opening should be facing the rear of the Jeep as shown below. It should only fit in the correct way. Lightly hand tighten the bolts to keep the joint together for now.

8. Now insert the larger of the 2 spacers in the joint on the right hand side joint. This spacer should have the smaller opening facing the rear of the jeep as shown below. Use the larger 2 supplied bolts and washers to secure this joint as shown. On these bolts you will need about ½” of extra washers also. Next, adjust the pipe to align both joints as straight as possible and make sure the exhaust pipe has clearance from other parts. Once the pipe is adjusted as good as possible you can tighten all 4 bolts down using a 13mm socket.

8. Now insert the larger of the 2 spacers in the joint on the right hand side joint. This spacer should have the smaller opening facing the rear of the jeep as shown below. Use the larger 2 supplied bolts and washers to secure this joint as shown. On these bolts you will need about ½” of extra washers also. Next, adjust the pipe to align both joints as straight as possible and make sure the exhaust pipe has clearance from other parts. Once the pipe is adjusted as good as possible you can tighten all 4 bolts down using a 13mm socket.

9. Last, retighten the midpipe connector and any other exhaust parts you loosened.

9. Last, retighten the midpipe connector and any other exhaust parts you loosened.

After Picture:

After Picture: