ok im going to be ordering my 3/4 drop soon and i need a few tips on installing it. i changed out the shackles on my buddies lightning a couple days ago no big deal, my main concern is the hangers. what is the best way to remove the hangers? one way that bryan (aka axist6) told me was to heat the bolts up with a torch and blast them through. i have the torch to do this and experience with a torch, just wondering if anybody has any other methods? also anything i should remember to keep the leaf springs from flying anywhere? and lastly what about the front coils? is it as simple as replacing them and thats it? i helped a buddy change his front springs on his 02 ws6 and it did not drop until like a day or 2 later, is this normal or did we do something wrong? all tips and tricks are welcome, thx fellas. o ya and i also know ima have to drop the gas tank for the hangers. thx

 

The springs will take a little while to settle, so it could be a while before getting the full drop.

For the rear, I wouldn't use a torch that close to the gas tank, but thats just me. I have read of guys using an air chisle or a grinder to get the heads of the rivets off.

 

Yup, a grinder and air chisel for the rear hangers.

Use a spring clamp or jack under the lower a arm to prevent it from shooting downward. The new spring should be easier to install since in it is shorter.

 

I used an air chisel to get the rivets off and it was strenuous but they call came off. As for the springs your going to need to rent a spring compressor from somewhere so it doesn't shoot through your fender well or your face.

 

i drilled out the rivets then took an air chisel to finally get it the rest of the way off with my old truck

 

for the front coils you do not need a spring compressor, take the wheel off and remove the shock. Pop the tie rod out, place a floor jack under the LCA and put a little tension on the LCA with the jack, You will need the front of the truck on jackstands. Then loosen the nut about 5 or so threads on the ball joint then get a ball joint seperator and place between the rubber boot and beat on the bit%& until it seperates, then slowly lower the LCA down and pull out the spring and replace with new one and jack the lca back up into place and reverse what you did above.


for safety i would recomend getting a medium stength chain and wrapping it around the coil to the frame when lowering the LCA, Those compressors are actually way more dangerous because the coil is under load.
I have installed coils both ways with and without a compressor and find it way easier to do it without one.


for the back a side grinder works well to get the heads off the rivets.

 

I saw screw the chain. Just don't be a dumbshit when you're taking them off. The way I do it is just leave the shock on there so the spring can't go flying off. Bang a pickle fork in the ball joints and pop it off. I've done 3 sets of springs on my truck and 1 set of spindles on different occasions. There have never been any close calls. Just use common sense and take your time.

 

Yea its safe but **** happens lol.
yep by remove the shock i should have specified just from the LCA, i dont completly remove them either.

good luck

 

Hey Dry Kill, don't use no grinder or torch!
I used an air chisel and a regular air compressor.
Each of the rivet heads popped off in about 15 seconds.
Take the bed off BTW! It makes everything so easy. The bed easily comes off.
If your doing this some night, give me a call and I'll give you a hand. I'll even bring the air chisel & bits. You just have to supply an air compressor.
Do you have jacks and jack stands? You'll need those as well.
I remember everything from doing mine myself other than lifting the bed off. It helps to have a few friends to lift it off to eliminate scratching the bed.
Just let me know when your going to do it.
What drop are you going to consider buying?
Use Belltech or DJM.

Jim

 

I helpd a friend install a 2/4 drop on his truck. Taking the bed off and using an air chisel on the hangers is your best bet.

WTF does "ima" mean?