HAMOM - Sunday, 2/16 | Matthews, NC (1 Viewer)

[FJinTegaCay]

I’m very fortunate in that @Roxx let me jump in on a buy for a Dobinson’s lift and @roadstr6 graciously offered to host a HAMOM to install it.

When: Sunday, 2/16 @ 1pm
Where: Dave’s home in Matthews, NC

I believe I’ve hit all the nuts and bolts with PB Blaster twice and, with Dave’s tools and some heat, I’m feeling optimistic about this undertaking.

Ideally, 2-3 local guys can join us for an afternoon of wrenching, learning new swear word combinations, and story tellin’. Plans are to knock it out that afternoon as it’s headed to @Trollhole ’s shop the following day for an electric power steering upgrade.

Post up if you think you’ll earn enough brownie points on Valentine’s Day to slip away and join us on Sunday.

 

[forrest5000]

Im going to try to make it.

 

[JohnVee]

Sorry, I'll be traveling.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

Sorry, I'll be traveling.

Your presence will be sorely missed. We’ll have to step up our game without you there.

 

[Roxx]

I dont know if i will be able to make it. I have been working on a work project and kids are complaining already that dont see me enough. I did mine in a couple of nights. My recommendation is not to fight any hardware when you are removing it. If it doesnt go the easy way, cut it and move on. You have all new hardware so everything old is going to trash. I will use a sawsall in stead of heat, just me. It should take you a couple of hrs per axel.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I'd be happy to lend a hand for a few hours.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Good luck gents. I'll be there in spirit.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I'll be there with spirits

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

We'll the spirts got the best of me. Hope the new suspension went on smoothly.

 

[Roxx]

Pictures or it didn’t happen

 

[roadstr6]

Pictures or it didn’t happen

It happened. Miller has the pics.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

More to come but here are a few of the work crew hard at it and our well-earned feast.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

A huge thank you to @roadstr6 and his family for letting me take over their Sunday afternoon, evening and night.

Here is a before picture with the 40 loaded down with the new lift kit and some tools.

I arrived early and Dave and I jumped right on it. If I recall correctly, we had mostly disassembled the front when @forrest5000 arrived. We needed Dave’s air chisel to get to the u-bolt nuts as the plate evidenced my poor off-roading skills. We only broke one bolt when removing a pin and we only used the saws-all on one pin.

With Eric’s help we got the front end wrapped up. Eric joked it had the perfect Carolina Stance (aka Carolina Squat) like we see far too often on trucks. Then it was time to order dinner. We were thankful to have set up in the garage as it began raining at some point.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

We learned some lessons doing the front and used that knowledge to knock out the rear a bit faster and didn’t break any bolts or need the saws-all in the process. At some point we broke for dinner and more beer.

Once the new shocks were installed, we put the tires back on, Dave tightened everything down, we lubed the greaseable shackle pins and called it a day. As hoped for, it sits a good bit higher.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

It drove well on the way home and this morning I drove it mostly highway and interstate miles to @Trollhole’s shop for the electric assist steering upgrade, new tie rod ends and the installation of the new steering stabilizer.

It handled well in my opinion and I didn’t think the ride was terribly stiff or bouncy. Below are pics from when I dropped it off where you can hopefully better see the new stance.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

Thanks again to @roadstr6 and @forrest5000 for their assistance and friendship. It was a time consuming grunt work filled job but they kept great attitudes throughout and the time went by quickly. Dave’s garage was the perfect place and the pneumatic tools were helpful. I’m hopeful the rust that fell in Dave’s ear all came out with a Q-tip and that Eric managed to get all the dirt and grease off his hands. I’m not sure if my wife is going to wash or throw away my clothes.

 

[stevezero]

Thanks again to @roadstr6 and @forrest5000 for their assistance and friendship. It was a time consuming grunt work filled job but they kept great attitudes throughout and the time went by quickly. Dave’s garage was the perfect place and the pneumatic tools were helpful. I’m hopeful the rust that fell in Dave’s ear all came out with a Q-tip and that Eric managed to get all the dirt and grease off his hands. I’m not sure if my wife is going to wash or throw away my clothes.

Nothing a little bit of warm salt water can't wash out of his ear.

I should have dropped my gx470 off there. it would have gotten more done on it than it did here.

 

[JohnVee]

Okay @FJinTegaCay ...Pay it forward. Wanna help me lift the 40, 450 or 470? Oh, I'll need to borrow your garage!

 

[FJinTegaCay]

Okay @FJinTegaCay ...Pay it forward. Wanna help me lift the 40, 450 or 470? Oh, I'll need to borrow your garage!

I’d be honored to help. Clearly, I may be more helpful on your 40 given my recent experience, but I’ll lend a hand on any or all three.

 

[roadstr6]

The truck looks great, Mr. Miller. Congrats! Keep us posted on the fancy-pants power steering setup you are having installed.