Jeep JK 2-Inch Rear Coil Spacer: Install and Ride Impact
By Body Armor 4x4 | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to install a 2-inch rear coil spacer on your Jeep Wrangler JK, what it does to ride quality, and key fitment checks for 2WD and 4WD models.
Quick answer
A 2-inch rear coil spacer is a bolt-on way to level the stance of a Jeep Wrangler JK or add clearance for larger tires. It preserves stock ride quality because it does not change spring rate, and it can be removed to return the suspension to stock.
Why a rear coil spacer instead of new springs?
A coil spacer simply raises the rear ride height without altering the spring itself. That means the suspension compresses and rebounds exactly as it did from the factory, so the ride quality stays close to stock. New lift springs, by contrast, often have a higher spring rate, which can make the ride firmer.
The trade-off is that a spacer does not add wheel travel or improve damping. If your goal is serious off-road articulation, a full suspension system with new springs and shocks is the better route. For leveling the rear or clearing slightly larger tires, a spacer is the simpler, lower-cost option.
Installation steps
- Prepare the Jeep: Park on a flat, level surface, chock the front wheels, and loosen the rear lug nuts before jacking up the vehicle. Support the axle with jack stands so the rear suspension hangs freely. Never rely on a floor jack alone—always use jack stands for safety.
- Remove the rear wheels: Finish removing the lug nuts and pull the rear wheels off. Set them aside where they won't get scratched. Check the lug nut torque spec for your JK and have a torque wrench ready for reassembly.
- Disconnect the sway bar links: Unbolt the rear sway bar end links from the axle. This allows the axle to droop further, giving you room to slide the spacer into place. If the links are rusted, spray them with penetrating oil the day before to avoid rounding the nuts.
- Support the axle and remove the coil spring: Place a floor jack under the rear axle and raise it slightly to take tension off the spring. Remove the lower spring retainer bolts and lower the axle enough to pull the coil spring out. Do not let the axle hang unsupported—keep the jack under it to control the drop.
- Install the coil spacer: Position the spacer on top of the spring or between the spring and the isolator, depending on the kit design. For the Body Armor 4x4 spacer, it sits on top of the spring. Reinstall the spring and retainer bolts, then torque to spec. Make sure the spacer is fully seated and the spring is centered—misalignment can cause clunks.
- Reconnect sway bar links and wheels: Reattach the sway bar links, put the wheels back on, and torque the lug nuts to the factory spec. Lower the Jeep to the ground. Recheck the lug nut torque after 50 miles of driving.
Product spotlight
- 2007-2018 JEEP WRANGLER JK 2WD/4WD 2.0" REAR COIL SPACER: Bolt-on installation with a durable powder coat finish. You can install it with basic hand tools in your driveway, and the powder coat resists rust and scratches from trail debris.
2007-2018 JEEP WRANGLER JK 2WD/4WD 2.0" REAR COIL SPACER
