lift - pics w/tires included 3-1-07

[AKbigsub]

I spent Saturday with a friend removing my 4" lift (rear blocks and tired front springs) and installing 6"Tuff Country EZ Ride front springs (thanks ORD), rear shackle flip with cross-tied shackles (thanks DIY4x), and Zero Rates in the rear (ORD). The shocks are Skyjacker Nitro 8000's (thanks 5 Star Automotive in Anchorage). It took the two of us about eleven hours from start to finish. We had only minor problems with a couple frozen spring-eye bushing bolts. Nothing that a little cutting and and improvised press couldn't fix. I had the foresight to purchase new bolts on Friday but didn't think to get new bushings. We we able to save the bushings but I will replace them soon. We also relocated the rear shock mounts so the shocks wouldn't hit the axle tube. The only other problem was the lift block centering pins broke off in the spring purches. A little hat wrench and POW, problem solved. The front went together fine with no problems. I gained 3" in the front and 2 1/4" in the rear. It sits nice and level and is begging for the 15/38.5-16 Boggers that are coming in this week . Here are a few pics:

Started with this:


and ended with this:


Ball-joint press used to remove seized spring-eye bolt:


Lets cut some rivets - hearing protection was used!


The scrap pile begins

 

[AKbigsub]

Look ma, no bracket!


The scap pile grows:


Cool action shot! Prepping the axle for shock mounts:


The scrap pile at the end:

 

[AKbigsub]

The end! Pics before mounting the tires.

 

[twoslo4five0]

what you doing with the old front springs???

 

[AKbigsub]

what you doing with the old front springs???

I may sell them.

 

[W7NB]

Looks great! I spent the weekend on the same project - see http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200392 - but got hung up by some incorrect parts. Can't wait to get it on the wheels! How did it drive with the 6" lift?

 

[AKbigsub]

It drives a lot better! Especially since the old springs were soft and the shocks were worn out.

 

[TexasBlazerBoy]

Looks awsome




I have been trying to do the almost exact same kit(ORD flip) and it has taken me three weekends. The front went on like a dream.

I had a lot of problems with make brake lines also.

Oh how I wish I would have known how hard it was going to be to get the new bushings in. I am having them pressed in today.

 

[cbbr]

That looks great.

 

[AKbigsub]

Looks awsome




I have been trying to do the almost exact same kit(ORD flip) and it has taken me three weekends. The front went on like a dream.

I had a lot of problems with make brake lines also.

Oh how I wish I would have known how hard it was going to be to get the new bushings in. I am having them pressed in today.

Thanks!
I had a local company make the brake lines when I installed the 4" lift a couple years ago. I had them make the rubber lines eight inches longer than stock so i could go taller in the future; they used the original ends.
As for the difficulty your having, that sucks. A routine job doesn't take too much to become non-routine. I hope you can get it done soon without any more problems.

 

[AKbigsub]

That looks great.

Thanks. How 'bout your Burb? Have you repaired it after the flop? I have admired that rig since I first saw it. It takes someone with some gumption to buy a rig like that off the lot and build it like you did; it would be a shame to not have that thing on the trail!

 

[babyburb]

I purchased almost the EXACT same thing. 6" cross tied shackles, shackle flip, 6" new front shackles, and new bushings from DIY4x. 4"HD front Tuff Country springs and Zero Rates all around from ORD. New Pro Comp Gas 9000 springs and steering stabilizer from 4wheelparts. Hopefully I will be able to get it done in the next couple of weeks.

Looks Good AK! Hope mine goes as smooth.

 

[cbbr]

Thanks. How 'bout your Burb? Have you repaired it after the flop? I have admired that rig since I first saw it. It takes someone with some gumption to buy a rig like that off the lot and build it like you did; it would be a shame to not have that thing on the trail!

Thanks for the complement. I actually got it back together and took it to Az and Nm about a month ago. Its is the perfect prom vehicle now - looks great from the passanger side.

 

[TexasBlazerBoy]

As for the difficulty your having, that sucks. A routine job doesn't take too much to become non-routine. I hope you can get it done soon without any more problems.

It has definately been a learning experience. I have done everything on my own. Thankfully my dad and father-in-law have lots of nice tools they let me use to make that part of it easier.

I can't remeber who posted it(many people have), but they told me to take my time and just do it right. That is what I have been doing. It feels pretty good to say that I have done everything myself.

I would have never had the confidence to do this on my own without all of the pics and post I have seen on here. Gotta give it up to CK5

 

[AKbigsub]

It has definately been a learning experience. I have done everything on my own. Thankfully my dad and father-in-law have lots of nice tools they let me use to make that part of it easier.

I can't remeber who posted it(many people have), but they told me to take my time and just do it right. That is what I have been doing. It feels pretty good to say that I have done everything myself.

I would have never had the confidence to do this on my own without all of the pics and post I have seen on here. Gotta give it up to CK5

Good job! I too have gotten some great ideas from "The Brotherhood". Welcome to the "Built, not bought" club!

 

[AKbigsub]

Well, I got the Boggers on it tonight and boy does it look good. Y'all will have to wait until tomorrow for pics.
I will have to upgrade the sound system to cover up the noise from these meats; man they're loud . I can't wait to get the sheetmetal cut and see how this thing flexes.

 

[TexasBlazerBoy]

We need pics ASAP

 

[AKbigsub]

Here is a pic after the lift and before the boggers:


Similar view with the boggers:

I know that the rear end is sagging. It sat level before changing the tires. It's not too bad considering that the fuel tank is full (320 lbs), there are four ten ply tires on rims in the back (300+ lbs), and a very heavy seven foot long by ten inch tall piece of 1/4 in. steel (HEAVY) in the back.

Different angle:



They don't stick out as far as I thought they would (that's a good thing!)

 

[AKbigsub]

I told my wife that I really wanted to drive it in the yard but she agreed that I had better before I do anything off the hard-pack.

 

[TexasBlazerBoy]

Man thoughs look awsome, congrats on all the mods