Mtbcoach
Moderator
Since I was doing this mod, some asked for some pics of the process. It is very simple, a 1.5 out of 5 on the difficulty scale. Found a couple tricks that others mentioned which worked well. Obviously, I blocked the front wheels, jacked up the truck, put jack stands under the rear axle and pulled off both rear wheels, all making for much easier access.
Do one side at a time, used LocTite on everything and torqued the bolts to 55lbs to not crush the bushings per instructions, 19mm sockets for link nut/bolts, 12mm for e-brake mounts...
Weighed the new All-Pro Extreme links as compared to the stock...stock weigh 5 lbs, new weight 11.5.
Some pics of the stock set up for comparison...
Trick - use a tie strap to secure the rear end BEFORE removing the stock link. This makes putting in the new link WAY easier. Just wrapped it around the slider, attached it to the rear lower shock mount and put some tension on it before dropping the stock link, the new ones slide in without issue...
Old (stock) VS New...
The stock e-brake mount, not the alignment and clear rubbing where mud is being rubbed off...
The tab has to be bent straight for these new links...
Like this, and so does the "barrel"...
I just used some channel lock pliers to "massage it" into the best alignment...
Now, things look to be lined up nice and straight...
The new set up...looks strong and trail ready...
Just gives some piece of mind knowing how much harder it will be to damage these on the trail...
Do one side at a time, used LocTite on everything and torqued the bolts to 55lbs to not crush the bushings per instructions, 19mm sockets for link nut/bolts, 12mm for e-brake mounts...
Weighed the new All-Pro Extreme links as compared to the stock...stock weigh 5 lbs, new weight 11.5.
Some pics of the stock set up for comparison...
Trick - use a tie strap to secure the rear end BEFORE removing the stock link. This makes putting in the new link WAY easier. Just wrapped it around the slider, attached it to the rear lower shock mount and put some tension on it before dropping the stock link, the new ones slide in without issue...
Old (stock) VS New...
The stock e-brake mount, not the alignment and clear rubbing where mud is being rubbed off...
The tab has to be bent straight for these new links...
Like this, and so does the "barrel"...
I just used some channel lock pliers to "massage it" into the best alignment...
Now, things look to be lined up nice and straight...
The new set up...looks strong and trail ready...
Just gives some piece of mind knowing how much harder it will be to damage these on the trail...