simple spring swap question (1 Viewer)

[concretejungle]

I was thinking that if i got a bull bar (allready have the spring spacers) and go to install the spacers, could i chock the rear wheels, put the emergency brake on, and jack the front of the truck up using a high lift on the bull bar? THis will unload the springs, unbolt the shocks and they should droop enough to get the spacers in, or new springs? Yes, No? Dangerous?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[tltaylor22]

Do your self a favor and throw something under the frame in case the high liftgives way while your pulling the springs out. Putting in spacers or springs up front is fairly simple as you have described, just don't get lazy with safety. A guy here in town died this fall when his jack gave out and the car fell on him. Good luck.

Trent

 

[concretejungle]

Thanks Trent. I will put either the tires or some jack stands under too stay safe!

 

[sleeoffroad]

Unbolt the bottom of the shocks first before you lift it up. That way the axle does not drop but just stay on the ground. Make sure you don't overextend the brake lines or ABS wires.

 

[concretejungle]

Christo, i didn't even think about the ABS wires! Fawk! I do have the extended SS brake lines (thanks to you) but didn't even think about the wires. I should go out and check them at full stuff.

 

[Beowulf]

I should go out and check them at full stuff.

The problem would be at full droop. They stuff fine.
-B-

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It is safest to unbolt the abs wires from the sway bar, then unbolt the sway bar from the brackets. This makes the operation much easier. Support the truck from the frame with jackstands placed just behind the rear-most leading arm mount. You really should use a good floor jack as your life is not worth a 1 inch spacer.

 

[Beowulf]

You really should use a good floor jack as your life is not worth a 1 inch spacer.

I agree and they are cheap at Sears right now. 3 ton SUV model with extended lift and some heavy duty jack stands. I'll sleep better thinking about you using a floor jack rather than the hi-lift and we all want old Beo to sleep well.

-B-

 

[mabrodis]

Not just the ABS wires, also the front diff breather will need to be pulled off the axle or unbolted from the frame. Even with your extended brake lines check those, since they are extended so they aren't the limiting factor, but when you disconnect the shock, they might become the limiting factor. You still have to pull the tires off I think, I've never tried it without the tires off, would be very tough if not impossible I think.

Using the highlift would certainly be doable, but be careful, getting the springs in/out takes some rocking of the vehicle and such, things that aren't a big deal when it's on jack stands, but on a highlift is totally different...

Good luck, and don't get hurt!

 

[Rookie2]

Any reason NOT to use a spring compressor? They're free to use from Autozone.

 

[MoJ]

I agree and they are cheap at Sears right now. 3 ton SUV model with extended lift and some heavy duty jack stands.

-B-

Wifey got me one for the holiday.

 

[sleeoffroad]

This is how you do it on the Boobicon trail without a hi-lift