Adding front and rear lower link armor is a great way to help protect those low hanging parts that will come into contact with rocks, stumps or whatever else you might be going over. It’s a very simple install, but can also cause you to curse when thing that once lined up, no longer line up.
If you have access to a lift, it will make it even easier to do the install, if not; this is what I would suggest to do.
1) Before doing anything, run a decent sized ratchet strap from the rear axel to a forward point on the frame of the vehicle and tighten. Be sure to leave the strap on till the completion of the install.
Doing this will help keep the lower link and front link bolt holes aliened.
*NOTE, If you remove the bolts from the lower link or front link while the vehicle is on the ground without using a strap, the
rear axle will shift ever so slightly (about ¼ of an inch) to the rear. You can push and pry it back into place. You might even need to break the stock jack out to keep them from falling out of alignment as you are pushing, pulling, and cursing trying to get the bolt back in.
If you want, you can use a floor jack to raise the vehicle up, taking some tension off of the side you are working on, but I did not notice a difference with or without the FJ being jacked up.
Assuming the stock bolts are not rusted or any other issues, they should come out fairly easy and straight. If you notice the bolt leaning to the front of the vehicle as you are removing it and it is very difficult to remove, there is a good change the axle is moving to the rear of the vehicle. Simply give the ratchet strap a few clicks and try to finish removing the bolt. Once it comes out with ease, you should be lined up just right.
If the bolt is leaning to the rear of the vehicle and difficult to remove, there is a good change the axle is moving to the front of the vehicle. Simply back the ratchet strap off a little and try to remove the bolt. Once it comes out with ease, you should be lined up just
Once the stock bolts are out, clean the area and slide the armor on. I would suggest using some Anti-Seize on the new bolts to help with future removal if needed.
Using a strap to hold the rear axle in place and installing the armor can easily be done by yourself.