Suspension kit install

[mattadams]

Well looks like I'll be getting the Skyjacker lift... only problem is I don't have a place to do the install (because once lifted it will be to tall for my parents garage), and I'm not sure I know exactly how... I know a lot of the details of it, but not all of them. But I would like to do the lift myself rather then paying someone else to do it.
Has anyone out there done a lift themselves on one of these vehicles with the torsion setup that would like to help for beer and food? (beer after, soda during, LOL). It doesn't look TOO complicated... other then some things I dont have the tools for... yet.

[clavos]

I haven't done one either, but am willing to help out. I don't think it would be too terribly difficult.

[Walking Eagle]

I would also like to help. I have no experience with suspension lifts. How long do they take to put on? or I should ask how long are they supposed to take?

[mattadams]

Well, I've done a few lift kits on Explorers, and they would typically take a day or sometimes two. I'm not sure how different they are from the F-150 lift kit, I know theres a difference between TTB (Twin Torsion beam- like the Explorers have) and the Torsion bar setup that the F-150's have, I just don't know which is easier or harder, LOL.

[CNTRYCOWBOY]

I'm game. Just let me know when! Don't know anything about installing them but i'll help all i can.


Dom

[Burg460]

Well Matt,

You are more then welcome to come over to my place on a weekend and do the lift. I have a air compressor and air tools to make it easier along with a bunch of other misc. tools and crap.

I talked to my friends dad and he said it should be pretty straight forward and not too difficult. He even said he would come over and watch/help. He told me that he has been doing alignments and suspension stuff for 25 years. He even said before you start it crawl under it and spray all the bolts with some lubricant a few times over a couple of days and it will help just that much more.

[mattadams]

sweet! You da man! :).

[mattadams]

Hey Burg, is your garage door tall enough? I figure it would have to be an 8' door at least, even if I take the lights off it still won't fit in a 7' door once its lifted. Also, what are you doing for the July 4th weekend? Anything? :).

[Burg460]

I am not sure if I am doing anything on the weekend of July 4th.

My garage is only 7' high. I can barly get my truck in there with 31's on the front with the roof rubbing the seal for the garage door. I do have a good floor jack that I have rolled vehicles around on with it on the jack, it just takes another person to help push. Or we could do one half then turn it around and do the last half. It doesn't matter to me. Personally I think your truck would fit even with the lift (minus large tires) but I may be wrong as you can see ceilings/roofs alot more then I can... :lol:

[Burg460]

Oh and another thing...

I looked over the install instructions and the only thing that I don't have for tools is that 1-7/16" socket for the CV Joint nut, unless a 27mm (i think thats what I have) fits it. Also, I don't have that little special tool for the torsion shafts that they say to use during the first couple of steps. I will ask my friends dad if he has this and if it would be ok to borrow. If you want to shoot for July 4th weekend that sounds fine to me.

[mattadams]

Burg, I have a 1 7/16" socket (just bought it last weekend) but I dont have the torsion tool either. Could probably pick it up though... tools come in handy later.

[Burg460]

Ok, kewl! I was told that you don't even really need that torsion bar tool as long as you use jack stands on the frame and letting the suspension hang then there shouldn't really be any pressure on the torsion bars and that they "should" come right out.

[mattadams]

interesting... so what are you doing the July 4th weekend? LOL.

[Burg460]

Well I suppose if you want to give it a shot then lets shoot for that weekend. Are you wanting to start on it on Saturday? If so I need to make sure I can get off work for Saturday which shouldn't be a problem.

[mattadams]

Yeah starting Saturday would probably be best... that way if theres any problems it can carry over to Sunday or whatever...
Check out the following thread:
http://www.rmftc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=106

[rpenner54]

Where is this install going to be???

[mattadams]

Your house, didn't I tell you? LOL j/k. We're probably doing it at Burg's house. My parents said they dont want me lifting my truck, LOL.

[rpenner54]

Yeah I would do it here but the driveway is slanted.... :)

[mattadams]

Ryan (penner), are you going to be able to make it? Hopefully so, the more the merrier. I just ordered the kit today and they said it should be here by then no problem.

[rpenner54]

Yeah I can probably make it for a while. :) Is it going to be at the Longmont location or the Fort Lupton???

[mattadams]

Im not really sure exactly where burg lives, Im waiting for him to post some directions, LOL.

[Tray]

So you're going to make sure and create a how-to while doing this correct? Eventually I will hit the lotto or get an inheritance from some long lost relative, and I'll get to lift my truck too.

[mattadams]

I probably will, hopefully Jeff will be able to get some decent pictures while we're working on it.

[Burg460]

This will be happening at my place in Fort Lupton. I don't think my parents would be to crazy about me doing a lift on Matt's truck... LOL They weren't that crazy when I bought my black (new 95) truck and switched everything over off the green one to the black one.

I will get some directions posted on how to get there, I am just lazy...

[Walking Eagle]

Is Ft. Lupton in Nebraska?

[clavos]

It is pretty close.

[mattadams]

naw Ft. Lupton is only about half hour out of Denver, Im not too concerned :). The only part Im worried about is driving back with a bad alignment, LOL.
By the way if we have too many people there and some people are looking for something to do, you can help cut the rhino lining away from the bed, so I can remove the bed... and if that gets done, we can work on taking apart the interior of the truck and removing the rollbar, for its NEXT project :).

[Burg460]

Directions are posted under "Events and Happenings" thread...

[mattadams]

:(
http://www.rmftc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=142

[mattadams]

I guess because of the fact I want gears done at the same time and I am also going to be changing out bushings, etc. 4-wheel parts might just be doing the install for me. They gave me an offer I might not be able to refuse.