Need help with suspension install - yay!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Jack up the frame as high as you can safely then place the jack stands ( two of them) under the frame just behind the control arms - remove both tires - then the sway bars ( lower those and watch the abs line un clamp it first before you lower the sway bar) you should not need a coil compressor at all - I even did the slee 6" without a compressor - you should not have difficulty with it -
 
it might be better to also remove the DS this will make it easier with less in the way to lower the axle ( on side at a time) make absolutely sure the jack stands are solid and not moving on an angle when you jack up or lower the axle
 
Those jack stands are a bit small - I am in Cali right now -if you need larger ones I can send you to my house and my GF will be able to get them out for you- I have a 12 ton pair - your call
 
Ok, I got the front figured out...

After I removed the swaybar bolts, it still wasn't budging. Those instructions never said to remove the bottom bolt of the shock, which was what was keeping me stuck...

Got 1 spring out...
 
OK good plan - hard for me to go through the process in my head - you are on your way

pay close attention to the direction of the coils and how they seat in the bottom - and obviously the label on the coils :)

good luck and be careful
 
Ok, maybe I read that wrong...now I see where it says to do all of that...

I have 850J A, and 850J B

863J A and 863J B

Which spring goes where?
 
Done!...

I got everything installed finally. Ended up stripping one upper shock bolt and replaced it but that was really the only mess up.

I did have a little scare with the back axle and the jackstands wanting to tip to the side, so I had to go millimeter by millimeter in movements there to not die.

I got everything else buttoned up...and I did attach both front and rear sway bars.

The only piece I did not attach was the rear breather line bracket, as it seemed stretched to the limit just while parked.

I took it for a quick ride to check for squeaks and rattles and none were found. The only noticeable difference besides the firmer ride, is that the car is much more touchy as far as steering goes.

I don't know if thats because the sway bars are more maxed out without the spacers...or because I haven't had it aligned yet.

I plan on taking it up to Alvarez Tire tomorrow if theyre open since they seem to specialize in lift kits and whatnot (unless someone else tells me they are horrible and will break everything).

Here's the best pic I could get at night... I haven't measured yet, but it seems even - I have the Mr Gasket spacers in the front.

IMG_0124.jpg
 
Didn't we have someone in the club who was making those spacers?

If so, are they still available? PM me the price...
 
:cheers: Much better!:cool:

CodyRx7 said:
...
I got everything else buttoned up...and I did attach both front and rear sway bars.

Make sure you have enough clearance at the driveshaft, many slip covers have been destroyed this way!

CodyRx7 said:
...
I took it for a quick ride to check for squeaks and rattles and none were found. The only noticeable difference besides the firmer ride, is that the car is much more touchy as far as steering goes.

I don't know if thats because the sway bars are more maxed out without the spacers...or because I haven't had it aligned yet.

Are the caster correction bushings installed? Other than adjusting the drag link so that the steering wheel is centered, there is no alignment needed. If you still going to take it to the shop, have them set the toe to the Max setting or a little more, most lifted big tire trucks drive better this way.
 
I don't have the bushings, I have the caster plates from Slee. I still need to install those...if I can figure that part out myself...or maybe I'll meet up with someone for that.

I don't plan to do any wheeling from the stuff I heard about the driveshaft connecting to the swaybar until I get the spacers installed.

Would installing those spacers mess up an alignment if I got the alignment first and then added the spacers later?
 
No caster correction is why the truck is twitchy and no swaybar interference. When the caster correction is installed rear side of the axle is moved down, lowering the driveshaft into the swaybar. Swaybar spacers won't affect the alignment, caster correction will.
 
Alrighty - so install the plates before I get the alignment done?
 
Congrats!!
 
looks great Cody :cheers:
 
I had some extra time today so I removed the running boards and rear mudflaps.

IMG_0134.jpg
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom