I went to lower my truck today and tried to follow the directions but didnt accomplish my goal. On the front I couldn't get the lower ball joint off, thus not being able to remove the spring.
The rear the gas tank is in the way does that have to come off?
If anyone has any tips or tricks in doing this please let me know or if there is a good write up. I got the ground force kit 3/5 springs in front and new leaf springs and shackle in back. Thanks for any help it will be greatly appreciated.

 

On the lower ball joint - I use the double hammer method - one ball pein on the knuckle and hit it til it pops or - stop at auto zone or advanced - pick up a tool - it will pop the ball joints - you can rent it or buy it
make sure you have a jack under the lower control arm...
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the gas tank - loosen the 2 straps - I removed my front one and push that tank to the right - have to push like a $%^&* but the bolt will come out.
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Then re-assemble.

 

Dont try to break the balljoints loose, more often then not, people bust the dust boot then are pissed to find out you cant buy just the boot, you need to buy the whole stupid ball joint assembly. Go to your local auto parts store and borrow a pair of spring compressors to take the springs out. With the left side front leaf spring bolt, loosen the gas tank mounts and shove it over and you can get the bolt out. Make sure you always use 2 spring compressors when you are compressing the stock spring so that if one breaks, you dont get your face busted. If you're lucky, the new springs will be short enough to put in without being compressed.

 

Thank you you for the info I will try the ball joint tool this weekend. I got everything off the front but the stupid lower ball joint on the spindle wouldn't come off. Do you have to remove the top one to or not. On the directions it says not to remove. Thanks again for your help.

 

It says not to because it is unnecessary and it will probably rip the boot.

 

a fork will not fit in the lower ball joint there is not enough clearance in there unless you modify the fork then it is still tight and you will prob tare up the boot. if i were to do it again i would take the back of the control arm off with the suspension unloaded there is vertualy no spring load.

on the back i droped the tank a bit.

 

if the ball joint wont come loose with a hammer.
dont use a pickle fork - it will tear the boot.
they are right above...
They do make a tool - to pop the ball joints
Easy to use - works great.

 

Thanks for the help again and I rented the ball a ball joint separtor and a spring compressor for this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. I'll also post some pics when it is done.

 

since I was going to get an alignment anyways, I just unbolted the upper control arm, swug it aside and used a spring compressor to get the spring out. my 2" drop spring didnt need to be compressed to go in. As far as that stubborn bolt for the leaf, I got sick of trying to lower the tank so I just sheilded everything with cardboard and cut the end of that bolt off - no threads were taken off just hex end (if you call it that) - then it had room to slip out.

 

I have seen guys do that also... an option.