Installing spacer/shackle lift this week!

[BTRs X]

Well Im going to put my spring and shackle lift on this week. I ordered new Rancho RS5000 shocks to go along with it. Monday I go look at new tires to put on the truck!

A few questions:

1. The new shock just go on the same way the old shocks came off, right?

2. I found info on installing the shackles, but as far as the spacers.....is there a thread on this?

Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[iroczddp]

hey man all u need to get is outside spring compressor tool from your local oreillys and then its pretty much straight forward put the tools on the out side of the springs and start turning till they are compressed enough to take off but u first need to take a 1-1/8th wrench and take out the lower "spring locks" i dont know what they are really called...but u will se them at the bottom of the spring... and then take it out... the only thing u reuse is the rubberish cushion thing that is there... take every thing else off to where its just the nut and the stud on the axle then insert the spring spacer... if u are using the f250 ones that little tab put it between the axle and the bar that runs back to the frame under the firewall... u will see what i am talking about then put back in the springs.. undo the spring tool... and tighten the 1 1/8th bolt and there u go....

 

[BTRs X]

Thanks....I guess the spring compresser is a must? Also, do you have a picture of you truck with the spacers, shackles, adn 31"s? Thanks.

 

[iroczddp]

no not yet but i will..... i might get them tonight and PM them to u tomarrow.... if u need anyother help PM me or e-mail me and i will try to help... but the spring tool is a must.... and be very carefull cause if the spring slips or pops out its very deadly if it flys in your direction......i and i did mine on a lift and had air tools so mine went easy.... but yours will go fine as well..

 

[X-1]

You do not need the spring compressor, when you are ready to take out the coil, just pull from bottom and swing out, it works kinda like like a hinge on the upper mount. The spacers have a right and a left stamped into them, install the right way, and put the pin on back side of axle, you will need an alignment afterwards, your front will look like this \ /, I had to change mine from 2 1/2 positive to 2 3/4 negative!!

 

[iroczddp]

now how are u going to get the springs out with out using a spring compressure? because the only other way i know of is take off the shock and let it swing down witch is not all that safe......

 

[TimW94XL]

Iroczddp. if you could i would like to see what your rig looks like i justed ordered the spacers for the front of mine. i have a 94 with 31's on it now at stock height. also what size shackles did you use for the rear. im also thinking of putting a 2'' body lift on it also.

 

[BTRs X]

I know there is a detailed thread on how to install the shackles, but is there a thread or instructions on how to install the spacers? Thanks.

 

[iroczddp]

i dont have a camera right now... i might be able to get one later this week.. let me tell u its the best thing i have done so far... and BTRs X the info i gave in my firstpost it pretty much all u will need......

 

[biggs92EB]

i have the spring shackle lift and i didnt use a spring compressor in fact i have pulled the springs out several times to paint them and to put new pivot axle bushings, all you do is disconnect the sway bar, shock, and take the spring nut off and the damn spring falls out it is not under any pressure whenever the truck is off of the ground other than stretching it a little cant see how it would be dangerous. its really easy in fact. I just put a 2" bl too and 15x10 rims with 31x10.50 less than a thousand bucks and my x looks mean as hell.

 

[XplorerKid]

Originally posted by biggs92EB
15x10 rims with 31x10.50

isnt that cutting it close i thought with a 10.50 u ran like an 8 inch wide wheel and u run a 10 inch wheel with like 12.50 ??

or im i jsut stupid ??
PEACE

 

[biggs92EB]

the 31x10.5 fit on the 10 inch rim but the tread looks thinner than the rim, im savin for 32x11.5 but in the meantime i have had nothing but praise for how my x looks, but yeah it needs bigger tires. And oh boy what a difference out at the river throws some killer roosters :smoke:

 

[BTRs X]

OK I got the front lift (spacers) done on my Explorer!

Now I have the driver side shackle unbolted at the top but the bottom bolt refuses to seperate from the bushing........any ideas on how to get this out? heating it? Thanks.

 

[JamminG4Jim]

BTR,

Spray a lot of penetratng oil on everything!

I am in the middle of my shackle install also. My passenger side went fine, but the upper bushing in the drivers side shackle is being a *****! I just got it out after working on it tonite for 4 1/2 hours. I finally got the head of the bolt cut off and used a ball joint press (B.F. C clamp) to press the bushing out. Bought new bushings/sleeves for both the spring eye (it came out in pieces also) and the upper bushing. All i have left to do is drive out the sleeve in the spring eye and press in the new bushing and bolt it all back together. Jesus, what a pain!

Just a note to all of you planning to do a warrior shackle install: If the bolts don't come out easy: STOP!!!! Take it to a spring shop and have them install the shackles for you!!!!! Trust me, Rusted bolts to sleeves to rubber bushings are NOT what you want to mess with! I wish I would have stopped!!!!

Hope this helps.

Jim

 

[BTRs X]

Where did you get the ball joint press? Do you think heating the bolt would help the bushing release it? Thanks.

 

[JamminG4Jim]

Heating it with what? a propane torch or an acetylene setup?

The spring shop here in town advised me NOT to heat the bolt (I had the same idea) because it would further fuse the bolt to the rubber bushing.

I got my Ball joint press off of e-bay for around $40 or so. You can rent them from most auto parts stores. I decided to buy one because it's a very versatile tool to have. You can press stuff in, you can press stuff out, you do the hoky pokie OPPS!!!!! Sorry, my mind wandered )

I just cut off the head of the bolt, put the screw shaft (he he) on what was left of the bolt and slammed the impact on it. Out in 2 minutes, after hours of farting around. One thing, make sure you keep all the old parts in case your new bushings don't happen to come with them, like outer sleeves, etc.

Gonna finish it up tomorrow morning (took tomorrow off cuz it's my birthday) and I'll let you know how it went.

Hope this helps

Jim

 

[BTRs X]

Happy birthday! I will try the press hopefully it will work. Thanks for your help.

 

[BTRs X]

Hey sorry to bother you but would you check this out on ebay and see if its the same thing you used?

Dead Link Removed

Thanks.

 

[TimW94XL]

You can use a air hammer with a punch bit on the end. It will help push the bolt out. I just put my 2'' spacers, and the shackles on this last weekend. it was alot easier than i thought.

 

[JamminG4Jim]

YES SIR!!!
That's the SAME one I have!
Jim

Originally posted by BTRs X
Hey sorry to bother you but would you check this out on ebay and see if its the same thing you used?

Dead Link Removed

Thanks.