Tools needed for my lift kit install?

[robustbambi]

Title pretty much somes/sums? it up haha.
I'm gonna be getting an ironman lift kit from ACC in a few weeks and to try and save a little money, I'm going to be installing it myself with a couple other LC owners, hopefully.
I know some of you guys can bust this out in an afternoon, but for me, it's kinda a big deal.

I have a s*** ton of tools, but I'd really like to be sure I have everything necessary before I start calling people up and ten having everything come to stand still cuz I left the correct socket 30 minutes from home, where I'm doing the install.

So I'd like to ask you guys, is there a list of tools (like socket sizes, saws for slicing through old war out parts, etc) you guys used to install the lift?

Thanks and wish me luck

 

[Simozed]

pretty straight forward job. can be time consuming tho if u run into rusted/stubborn pins/bolts.
if the existing springs + shackles looks like they been there for many years id suggest getting a few tins of good proper penetrating fluid. give it a good spray the day before doing the lift, and if you can get some heat (oxy or portable heating torch works) this can make the whole process ALOT more friendly for removing stubborn pins and bushes, ive had to burn out bushes before on a rusty old hilux that was fun every pin was rusted in i guess it had done its fair share of beach work haha. other tools needed a 1/2 inch socket set, rattle gun, BFH, jacks, spanner set. and many BEERS

 

[tclark]

id suggest getting a few tins of good proper penetrating fluid.

I highly recommend Kroil

 

[TallCanDan]

Air tools are a must have! Even with nothing rusted on they are worth their weight in gold, which i am sure you already know. In case you need to remove any factory rivets from the frame, what worked for me was a home depot air hammer (air chisel?). Made by Cambell Hausfeld, price was around $30, and it came with a pointed tip and chisel tip. Take a thin cut off wheel, grind as many "X"s into the rivet head as possible. Now take the chisel and chisel the head completely off. Take a 3/16" or 1/4" drill bit and drill about half way through the rivets body. With the pointed air hammer bit, drive the rivet out. Before I figured this method out, first couple rivets took an hour, remaining rivets took about 15- 20 minutes. Hope this helps, good luck, be safe, use jack stands!!
Danny

 

[snowboardonsnow]

start putting penetrating oil on it now every day until you tear down, why not.

x2 on torch nothing beats a torch for loosening a stubborn nut.

 

[robustbambi]

Sadly I haven't got air tools Fxxx! so it's gonna be more of a wrenching all day kinda thing. The cruiser is pretty rust free underneath but I've been on blasting the hell out of all the removable pins and bolts in for the last few day and will continue doing that until the install to make it as simple as possible. Im working on getting acetylene torch in working order, but might stop if a blow torch would suffice. I've got a couple of them and theyre fine.

And I'm getting a free set of used black diamond fj40 springs, should they fit alright in a 62?

 

[CruiserHappy]

I did mine without air tools, no big deal. Rachet straps are a must for positioning the axles. Socket sizes depend on your new lift kit. Getting the old stuff off is the normal 14mm, 17mm, and 19mm get normal and deep well sockets (U-Bolts). My OME lift used a 15mm on the greasable shackles and 21mm for the u-bolts I think.

 

[darwink1]

If you live anywhere where salt is used or if theres your rig has any corrosion plan on cutting the leaf mount bolts. Every set of leafs that Ive taken off the mount bolts were seized to the inner sleeve of the bushing. A grinder with a 5" cut off wheel works good but a recip saw also works in a pinch.

D

 

[snowboardonsnow]

And I'm getting a free set of used black diamond fj40 springs, should they fit alright in a 62?

No they wont

 

[klinetime574]

FJ40 springs are too narrow.

I did my whole OME suspension with hand tools. No ratchet straps and no penetrating oil. I love Texas haha.

It's fun. Get the truck as high as you safely can. When I installed my new springs they had so much droop in the back I had to put on my stock tires and wheels then swap for my 33's on aftermarket wheels after it was off the stands. It's fun and can definitely be done in one day with a few guys.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

FJ40 springs are too narrow.

Actually, FJ40 springs and FJ60 springs are the same width, but they are much too short to use in the rear of an FJ60 or 62. It's the bushing lip that's wider on an FJ60/62.

 

[robustbambi]

Alright, ill tell the him, Rockabilly Cruiser, that his offer was EXTREMELY generous, but it would be rather pointless for me to take them.
Dang, i thought i was saving like $500 on springs haha
ill probably get the complete iron man kit from ACC, id like for everything to just "fit" together correctly haha.

Here are some pics of underneath the truck, its relatively clean so I'm hoping that everything disassembles pretty easily.















Thanks for all the replies, y'all have been really helpful. And if any of you guys are in the atlanta/Alpharetta area and want to help a noob out, pm me your name and number and ill give you a call a couple days before the install to see if you're still interested

 

[Cruzer_89]

Torch to melt those stuck bushings...

 

[Mace]

Torch to melt those stuck bushings...

If they are stuck, it looks like the spring have already been replaced once.

OME by chance?

 

[Simozed]

They do look like after market springs , they shackles are for sure actually look similar to mine but not greaseable. It looks as tho it won't be too bad heck even your bushes look good still , looks can be deceiving tho haha , just keep giving it a squirt untill u pull them out. Don't forget to grease it all up properly. I had a mate once who did new bushes and didn't grease them lol.

 

[robustbambi]

Im not quite sure what kind of springs are in now, i always thought they were stock with extended grease able shackles? i never thought they were OME since they ride so bad and are sitting so flat. OME would prob hold up better for a very long time.

I'm just gonna go with the full Ironman kit so everything fits together perfectly haha.

 

[robustbambi]

i was doing a little cleaning today and got all the grime off the top of the leaf springs and found two (+) signs on both of the front springs.
Anyone seen those before or know what type I've got?

 

[dtt255]

duct tape.....

 

[Elbert]

mid size ratchet strap....helps get the springs alingined with the mounts...etc, when you have to move them another inch or so and the spring just will not budge without some leverage.

 

[TallCanDan]

Gettin close to install huh? Are you still on track for installation dates? Keep us posted

-Danny