For the last few days I've been wrenching heavy on my ride. Gear and carrier swap in the rear. New differential installed up front. DJM 3/4 suspension drop, LCA up front and hangers/shackles in the rear. Getting tired, sore and really ready to get it done.

Anyway working on the drivers side front suspension. Completely gave up last night in frustration at not being able to get the torsion key and such back in. Long story short I should have read the directions better and after thinking about it at work today had it figured out when I got home and it went together snap, crackle and pop this afternoon.

I was so excited, wanting to see how it would look. Put the wheel back on and let it down off the jack. Walked around to the side of it and looked. WTF, it was a good 3 inches higher than it was stock. Go to the front bumper and give it a push down.... it doesn't move one itsy bit. WTF... okay I'm saying to myself I didn't get the key right and the torsion bar is so dang tight it won't move. So I lay down on the ground, cussing myself and life in general to have a good look at the bar and key. Doesn't look to bad... hmmm. So I reach behind the jackstand and get and a socket and ratchet and start undoing the torsion key a bit, damn it doesn't move at all. Crap, Crap, Crap, I'm gonna have to tear this MF'er back apart then it dawns on me while I'm looking at it... the jackstand I had to reach around ISN'T suppose to be there. DUH.

Jack it back up and remove the jackstand and it works much better. The alignment is wayyyy out of wack of course but hey I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Now have the passenger side about halfway done. Should wrap it up tomorrow. Hopefully the shocks will arrive and I'll get it done.

 

haha yeah jackstands dont help

post up how you like those djm arms. i'm wanting to put them on in the spring.

 

LoL, too funny. I look forward to seing some pics of the new stance!

 

Please post up how you like them, I will be waiting to order them pending your review.

 

I literally laid there on the floor for 10 minutes trying to figure out what I had done wrong. The jackstand right there in front of me. Just as the title says. I am an idiot.

Here is a pic of the drivers side complete. Less shock. The DJM site specifically says "New Shocks required" I just figured it was a ride thing and would try out the stockers. The stock shocks will not bolt up. Ordered a set of the DJM shocks from Summit yesterday.


A shot of the passenger side to get and idea of how deep you have to go. It only took me about an hour to get this far after practicing on the drivers side.

 

I still love your floor

Any tips for someone installing them, now that you have been there done that so to speak.

 

I'll post up pics and impressions when I'm done. Here is one I did after getting the rear done. It is deceiving as the truck isn't level. It was the middle of an ice storm and didn't want to spend much time in the rain/ice taking pictures.

 

Hahaha, I'm beginning to hate my floor, being I've been laying around on it for hours...

It's really straight forward. Just a lot of work. The rears hard part is getting the old hangers off. You can get a grinder in on all but 2 of the rivets each side. Grind them down. The last 2 on each side drill them down to where they start going through the frame the a good cold chisel and BFH works. Then use the BFH to beat them through the frame.

Also wait till the tank is empty before starting. You will have to drop the tank to get a couple bolts and nuts into the hanger on the drivers side. I'll have to go back and do this when I run the tank out.

The key to the front is having the control arm darn near hanging just like the picture above to get the key installed and back above the adjuster. Have to beat the torsion bar into the LCA and the key with the same BFH used on the rear. Then jack it up with tension to install the lower ball joint back into the spindle.

 

maybe if you painted it?

 

LOL, remind me to punch you should we ever meet!