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Going to need all the help I can get!

MuddinSuburban

MuddinSuburban

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I ordered my 6 inch suspension lift from Suspension connection, and it just dawned on my, I have no idea what I am doing here. What I do know is, for the price I was quoted at Les Schwab's, I made out with 4 Super Swampers and my lift for just their lift price.

I have a friend who did his lift at home, he just used 3 foot logs to keep the frame up.

I wanted to use something less crude, I was thinking jack stands, but I am having trouble coming across 4 stands, found 2 from a buddy, thats where it ends though.

Is it possible to do this lift with only 2 stands?

Can anyone help me out here? I'm super excited I had earned enough money to buy my tires and lift, but now my excitement high is coming down to the cold facts.
 
why couldn't you just do the lift with 2 jack stands? just do one axle at a time. the difficult part will be that the jack stands will likely not be tall enough - be careful.
 
Yeah, I am well aware of the stands being to short. I can barely squeeze underneath it now.

I was going to use some 2x12's to add some height.

Only reason I asked about where to start is my bud said to start by lifting all 4 corners.

Also, I'd like to know the optimal jack placement zones. What part of the frame and axle?
 
well, it won't do you any good to lift from the axle because you need to let all of the compression out of the springs that are under it now, so lift it from anywhere on the frame and put a jack under the frame so that the axle is just a touch off the ground. remove the ubolts so the axle drops down, free from the springs. you will likely need to unbolt the shocks too. then, unbolt and remove the springs and put the new ones in. put on some new ubolts, install the shocks, lower truck.

you'll likely need to get the truck up at least 8 inches (probably more) and sitting on stands at that height. i like the sound of the 3 foot logs myself. sounds more stout - assuming what you mean is that you've got 3 foot lengths of a WIDE trunk-like log that you stand upright and set the frame down on. who cares if it's crude? it'll get the job done more safely than some little tiny 2 ton jack stand on top of 8 boards that you hope are level enough, and won't split under the weight of your rig.
 
For the front, put the stands just behind the shackles. Remove the tires from the front diff. Get the floor jack under one side and remove or cut the U-bolts...lower that side as far as the jack will go down. Remove stock spring, install new spring and jack the diff up to it. Add U-bolts but don't tighten them up past snug yet.

Repeat on the other side. Make sure the center pins on the springs go into the holes in the spring perches. Snug the U-bolts up so nothing can move, but don't torque them yet.

This is where 4 stands would be handy...you'll need to re-install tires and jack each side up to get the jack stands out from the frame, then jack the front end up and get them under the diff. Remove tires (for access) and torque the U-bolts down.

It's important to do this with the weight of the vehicle on the springs. Before putting tires back on you'll be swapping the new steering arm on and adjusting your draglink. Check your brakeline length too

Similar for rear. Stands just forward of the front spring hanger.

Rene
 
I think i can...I think I can...I know i can! I know I can!! :D

Don't get overwhelmed, take your time and stay near the computer for when you have questions. It really isn't that hard...it's just unfamiliar for you so right now it seems harder than it is.

Tools you will need though...

Floor jack.
Stands.
1/2" breaker bar and good selection of deep sockets
Grinder with cut-off disc
Big F'in hammer.
A friend that will help
CK5.

Start an account at www.photobucket.com and post up pic's of anything you have a prob with. There is always someone here that will be able to help. Literally thousands of us have installed lifts in the driveway before...a lot of us have done it multiple times.

Rene
 
Don't sweat it!

Here is one idea if you have a place to mount the straps.
12_24_07_136.jpg


And as far as being overwhelmed the pics below are what I started with and what I ended up with on my first build and I didn't have alot of knowledge to start with. I owe most of my know how to the guys here on CK5

I started with this...
12_24_07_180_1.jpg


And ended up with this...
picture.php
 
MuddinSuburban said:
Problem will be finding said logs. A little skeptical that I can do this on my own now.
Click to expand...
it's really not that bad, just take your time and be safe. i'm sensing that you're new to wrenching of this sort, so i'd definitely recommend you have someone else brainstorming with you on making sure each action you take is safe.

i figured you could borrow the logs from your buddy. i would recommend NOT suspending your truck, unless you have some serious knowledge about the strength of the fasteners you're using to secure it to the uprights.

when i have my truck up on stands and i will be doing work that requires a significant amount of shaking/pushing etc (like getting that steering arm off or getting the springs to fit into the shackles), i very much like to put my tires/wheels under the frame just in case it falls - it'll land on the tires/wheels and not me.
 
I put my lift in in the driveway with out too many issues. Its not as hard as it seems just unbolting the old and bolting in the new. Like it says above just take pictures as you go and ask questions if you have any trouble
 
I have done 2 lifts so far, both 4" and mainly used jackstands and floorjacks, and basic handtools. Of course it would have been much easier with an impact wrench and deep sockets.
 
colbystephens said:
it's really not that bad, just take your time and be safe. i'm sensing that you're new to wrenching of this sort, so i'd definitely recommend you have someone else brainstorming with you on making sure each action you take is safe.

i figured you could borrow the logs from your buddy. i would recommend NOT suspending your truck, unless you have some serious knowledge about the strength of the fasteners you're using to secure it to the uprights.

when i have my truck up on stands and i will be doing work that requires a significant amount of shaking/pushing etc (like getting that steering arm off or getting the springs to fit into the shackles), i very much like to put my tires/wheels under the frame just in case it falls - it'll land on the tires/wheels and not me.
Click to expand...

This is good advise with the wheels and tires under the rig. If you have a welder and some old rims you could make a pretty bad ass jackstand like they use at the pick n pull.

As far as hanging your rig like I did only do it if you know the supports arn't going anywhere and use several large straps. I used 4 14,000# straps under mine and I still wouldn't get under it unless I had wheels and tires next to me to break the fall.

Basicly no matter what you do DO IT SAFE!
 
Thank you guys! Yes, this will be my first suspension lift, I have installed body lifts, but never suspension lifts. I am very unfamiliar being outside of the engine bay, and I'd like to thank everyone for the comments on how to do this. I already have a photobucket account, and already have a build thread on another site, but I think yall can help more then they can.

Thanks
 
Afternoon fellas,

Still haven't heard anything from suspensionconnection. Getting a little worried, no tracking number, no replies to customer service emails.

We will just wait and see, The company is in Utah, so to Idaho it won't take that long on a frieght truck.

Heres a link to the kit ( I know blocks are the devils, but its all I could afford at the time) http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/167304.html
 
Is that the outfit here in West Valley City, AKA the wrong side of the tracks?

Nope, Suspension Connection
4172 West 8370 South
West Jordan, UT 84088


only about 7 miles away
 
Called the customer service line today, got put on hold 4 times.

Talked to a real nice fella, will ship Thursday, come home and there is a UPS email, so they sent the billing information after I called them.

time to crack down on the tire people to...

In other news, got 4 jack stands today from buddy, now I gotta find me a good garage, or a flat driveway.

EDIT: forgot to add that I live 6 hours from the Utah border, so freight should be here Friday, or Saturday even.
 
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