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Stock or 2in Lift Suspension Suggestions

Gotcha, thanks. Will have to check to make sure so I don't get it mostly apart then can't get to that.

I've obviously been dreading doing this as I'm 8 months from the start of the thread and haven't gotten working on it yet. Part of that is I've had to fix other higher priority things to keep it on the road so haven't had the extra cash for all of the parts at once. Hopefully buying rear springs soon, and I think that's the last thing other than new hardware and some tools needed
 
You can fit an open ended wrench in there. It's sloppy but it will do it if you impact the other side.
 
Finally got started on this today for a couple hours. Most of the way through the tear down of the drivers side front. Taking it slow because it’s literally my first time jacking up my truck.

Everything is being way more cooperative than I expected, which is encouraging, but waiting for the first thing that stumps me. The shock I removed is completely toast, so I’m sure that was another contributing factor to my poor ride quality
 
A couple questions
1. How hard are the front upper hanger bushings to remove from the frame? I got the replacement ones from energy suspension awhile back, and know I should switch them out while I’m in there. Just not really sure what I’m getting in to.

2. also thinking about cleaning up the axles and painting while I have everything off. What’s the best way to clean them up and what to paint them with? There’s still a good bit of whatever the original protective coating, it’s just in rough shape. I’d also hate to paint & it not be as tough as what’s there, leading to additional rust and it looking like crap quickly as it chips
 
1) My stock upper shackle bushings were so rotten they fell right out. It is definitely worth doing. These are a super common wear point and will help with your overall handling.
2) Power wash them with some degreaser, and some of my favorite paint is engine enamel with ceramic, it's super tough. Or try steel-it or a similar paint.
 
Thanks for the help. And to follow up on painting, I don’t need to knock off what’s there with a wire whee or anything. Just use a degreaser to clean then paint over it
 
That all depends on the level of filth. I've seen grease like a 1/4" thick on some axles due to a persistent leak and lack of maintenance. Clean makes for a better finish, so get off all the grime you can.
 
Another update and question: spring & shock are out. only thing left is the upper bolt for the upper shackle. it can't come out because whatever is in this pic is directly in line. What is that? Is it fine to loosen & partially disassemble to get bolt out, then put back together? Does it need to be put back together precisely how it is now or just tighened back down?
IMG_8791.jpg

Also, the actual bushings there look fine to me. I don't know if I'm going to mess with removing them because they're pretty solid...I would like to at least replace the bolt/nut there though, so still want to get bolt out
IMG_8789.jpg
 
So that 1st pic is the shift linkage. It is ok to take apart, mark it with a scribe or Sharpe. You'll want it back together as it is now. This can adjust how the shift lever in column find the detents in the trans.
Those bushings do look ok. It appears to me that these have been done b4. The bolt looks overly long and the shackle looks heavier/thicker than factory.
 
If you can remove the center of the bushings easily do so clean them up apply silicone grease and reinstall
 
If they're not factory, must've been done back when the add-a-leaf was put on these springs. Surprised to find anything they did "correctly" lol. But nice to find something that isn't wonky with the suspension :D
 
Was looking at my service manual and noticed it shows a spacer above & below spring pack. Is that something I should have to reinstall? There were no spacers on the old setup. Talking about #226 in the photo

81D38A4A-D64E-4646-B6EF-E170626D2020.jpeg
 
Thanks -- I hadn't seen anything about spacers unless I put in a zero-rate or something similar, so was surprised to see that in there.

I think I'm going to go the easy/lazy route and not paint the axle, mainly because I'm impatient. I'm telling myself that the whole truck will get a thorough refresh at some point and I'll do it then.

Hopefully will start on reassembly in the next couple days. Just moved into a house so trying to balance things that actually need to be done with the house vs things I want to do on the Jimmy.
 
I haven't seen anything substantial there either, I have only taken one unmolested k truck front springs apart and there were plastic shims under the u bolt plate. The plastic was chewed, old, and brittle. Since I was molesting the truck with 2.5" lift springs, I didn't reinstall.
 
I hear ya I am in a new place to, Wife wants whole house painted and I have a new garage to set up and organize, a whole long list of Burb tasks. A trailer of shop equip and whatnot to unload...... just doesn't seem to end.
 
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