2" daystar front lift installed

5602 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by hunterdan, Sep 2, 2010

hunterdan

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2010 (Edited by Moderator)

I just bought a 2" leveling kit from another member here earlier this week. I got the spacers in yesterday and installed them this morning. The install is pretty straightforward, with the hardest part removing the lower shock bolt. Even the ball joints weren't too bad as all I had to do was tap the spindle with a hammer to knock it loose. The first side, driver's side took me about an hour or so to knock out. My biggest issue was the lower shock bolt. I nearly stripped the nut trying to muscle it off. I finally gave it and just grabbed the propane torch and heated the nut for a minute or so. Put the socket back on, and used a 3 foot pipe for leverage. It gently and easily came off after that. I was surprised as to how easy it really is to remove and replace the front coilover, let alone put the spacers on the top. I put it all back together and went over to the passengers side. Learning what I needed to do on the other side, it only took about 30 minutes to tear it down and put it back together. That ball joint was a bit more stubborn and needed a bit more persuasion to pop out, but still not bad. Once I got to the lower shock bolt, I just heated the nut for a minute or so, used the ratchet and pipe extension and it came right off, no big deal. On the otherside, I broke 3 decent 3/8" drive ratchets. I will be taking a ride to sears tomorrow to see if I can swap them out (I don't know how they broke? I didn't hit them with a small sledge or anything.) All in all, it really is an easy task to do. I could probably do this again in under an hour with what I know now. Next up is a front end alignment and soon after a small lift in the rear. I'm thinking about going with an add a leaf.

Before:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/hunterdan_2002/before.jpg

After:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/hunterdan_2002/after.jpg

Dan

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hunterdan

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 30, 2010

Thanks for the compliments. I don't have anything in the rear yet. I am leaning towards an add a leaf though. I was thinking blocks, but would rather use the leaf. No air tools were used. I just used basic hand tools. A couple ratcheting wrenches, 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchets, small sledge hammer and a pair of pliers. Only specialty tool used was the propane torch. I haven't had any rubbing at all. I did hear some cb contact once so far when I went from a paved road down to a gravel parking lot. I'm not running really big tires, just 265/75/16s.

Dan

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hunterdan

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 30, 2010

Thanks, that is pretty neat with the comparison. Would have been better if I would have gotten closer to the first picture, but it still shows the difference.

Dan

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hunterdan

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 30, 2010

Thanks for that link. I was thinking about doin that on my way home lastnight. I will see if I get any more contact over the next few days. If I do I wil add them, if not I will hold off a few weeks. My next step is to get an alignment so I don't ruin the new tires. Up after that will be the rear lift.

Dan

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hunterdan

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 2, 2010

Well, just got done installing 2" lift blocks from PRG in the rear, I didn't like the way the tail looked like it was dragging when there was even a slight load in the back. I wanted to do the AAL in the rear, but just didn't have the extra money for the AAL I wanted. I was going to go with the 3 leaf pack from AC. I do haul stuff and want to be able to keep the over load spring. But the install was easy, aside from the bottom shock bolts. I was unable to get the one loose because I rounded it off. But I was able to get the other loose after learning from the other side to use heat. Overall, easy install and the look is what I wanted. And some time next year after I get my tax refund I will be replacing the blocks with the AAL that I wanted to get. I haven't noticed any axle wrap yet either, and I was trying, even with my truck on the 93 performance tune, I couldn't get it to hop.

Dan

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