) know when to let the pros take over. That builds character (so MY wife tells me) 
4" install woes
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
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From: TX
4" install woes
I was all ready to install my 4" lift, all new stands, jacks, hand tools etc. That's when I encountered my first problem. I could not, in any way get the truck up high enough. I don't think they make enough wood blocks to go under my jack.Letting the suspension drop fully is no easy job. Not to mention the sheer safety aspect. I tried to save a few hundred bucks by doing the install myself. Well after 3 hours and only being able to get one side high enough my wife saw what I was doing a proceeded to put a halt to my installation bussiness. I think the words were what the $*!%*! are you doing!! Well needless to say I put the wheel back on and proceeded to take it to the pro's. This was indeed a learning process. Feeling defeated and letting strange men touch my truck feels alot better than a body cast I was sure to have if I continued. Anyhoo just a note to the novice suspension installer, GET HELP!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,221
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From: Dallas
Hmm when I was doing mine, if I remember right i simply needed one piece of 4"x4" block in addition to my jack. Now for the jack stands I had to put them up on concrete blocks to keep them tall enough. Was your problems encountered with the stands or the jack itself?
At least you went the safe route and didn't risk your safety! .. no one needs a 7,000 pound truck on top of them!
At least you went the safe route and didn't risk your safety! .. no one needs a 7,000 pound truck on top of them!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
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From: TX
Yes, it was I, the wife who insisted on safety first. Hubby was very anxious and excited about his new 4" lift (I can't blame him), but the risks involved "7,000 lb. truck falling on top of him" was not worth it. So after a little consideration, he "let the pros take over".
Kudos to my hubby on taking the safe route and for sparing me from worrying!
By the way (hubby) your truck ("the mistress") will be ready Today!!!!
Congratulations.
"mrs." stealth1
Kudos to my hubby on taking the safe route and for sparing me from worrying!
By the way (hubby) your truck ("the mistress") will be ready Today!!!!
Congratulations.
"mrs." stealth1
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Bass Lake, CA
LOL
you REALLY need truck jackstands....i borrowed them from work, cuz im toooo cheap to spend 200 bux on jackstands!
the ones i borrowed are ~ 30-33" fully extended... and the floor jack, was like 120lbs, and has a handle at least 5' long..... it will raise up to something like 40".
ohh, and the trac bar is ~230ftlbs, no??? htf you gonna tighten that?
i got a 650ftlb impact wrench, i would not want to try w/o it!
now mind you i still have not installed em...
you REALLY need truck jackstands....i borrowed them from work, cuz im toooo cheap to spend 200 bux on jackstands!
the ones i borrowed are ~ 30-33" fully extended... and the floor jack, was like 120lbs, and has a handle at least 5' long..... it will raise up to something like 40".
ohh, and the trac bar is ~230ftlbs, no??? htf you gonna tighten that?
i got a 650ftlb impact wrench, i would not want to try w/o it!
now mind you i still have not installed em...
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 229
From: Gulf Coast, FL
Hey I understand. I dropped my rear spring on my finger. Yea OUCH!! Nine stiches later my truck is now 6" taller and my finger is better to boot.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 72
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Congrats on the lift. Safety is number one. Can't drive it if your dead. When I did mine, I did it at my work, pheumatic tools, truck stands, blah blah blah. When I was taking off the front springs, I was hand holding the wrench on one side and the impact in the other hand.
Spinning it off the impact backed into the bummper frame and pushed the nut and the wrench into the core support crushing my hand. Ouch!! Nothing broken, but swollen and brused.
Spinning it off the impact backed into the bummper frame and pushed the nut and the wrench into the core support crushing my hand. Ouch!! Nothing broken, but swollen and brused.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
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From: TX
It was ready yesterday!! My wife picked it up and showed up at my jog at quittin time. Total surprise... It looks great .I could not be more pleased with the look, ride etc. I did have a little take off shudder at first and had to install more shims on the driveshaft and now it is almost gone. I got alot of advice from the people on here and wanted to say thanks!!!!!! Sorry 'bout your hand. Thankfully I avoided ALL injury. Like everyone else has said, BE CAREFUL...
Last edited by stealth1; Apr 27, 2004 at 10:18 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 12
From: Marysville, Wa
I am doing the self install this weekend. Thank god i have access to a full lift and all the tools i could ever need. I cant imagine doing it in my garage. Military hobby shops are cool.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
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From: TX
When I bought my truck it was stock and there was a little shudder present. I added 1/4" shim and whola!! Gone.. When the lift was installed I had the shudder again. I installed another 1/2" it took about half the shudder away. Last night I put in another 1/2" and it is gone. It does take trial and error as far as knowing how many to install. The kit comes with about 6 different thicknesses of shims. It is VERY simple to install. They go on top of your carrier bearing in the middle of your 2 piece driveshaft if you have a 2 piece driveshaft. Mine looked straight too but it wasn't until now. The kit comes with longer bolts in case you have to install numberous shims to get the result you want. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: TX
The shims look very east to make if you have the tools. Actually all I had early on was washers until I ordered my kit. They did not offer this info when I bought the kit. Thanks to alot of info on here I already knew to ask about it and they said "oh yea!!" you will need that. Anyhoo, good luck on yours and I hope it turns out perfect...