C Jeff
Member
- Joined
- January 19, 2001
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Indianapolis, IN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '95 Ex Expedition 2Dr
I installed my PA #853 this weekend and it went very smooth!! and looks great!!
I only had a couple of tough areas, 1 was the drivers side body mount in the engine compartment, which was the only bolt I used an impact wrench on, and finding 2 bolts short enough for the body (160mm), which I was unable to locate so until I do I just used a big stack of washers on longer bolts. My biggest fear was the front bumper, but it ended up being pretty easy. I was able to use the 2 brackets that came with the kit. I mounted each bracket to the outside hole of the bumber mount and then removed the bottom inside bolt from the bumper bracket drilled it out and used it as a second mounting location ( sorry my camera is broken), so I ended up having 4 bolts in the front and more than enough adjusting room both up and side to side. I did have to remove the plastic spoiler and driving lights,( I was able to make a few cuts to the spoiler to make it fit) and I will have to trim the driving light brackets to get them back on, but first I need to go somewhere to get about an inch cut off the lower outside bracket on each side so my driving lights will fit. It took me about 3 hours to complete the front bumper. The rear bumper was a breeze. I used the brackets from the kit and flattened them out with a small sledge hammer drilled 3 new holes in them used the existing bolts and holes in the frame and in about an hour had it back on. All I need to do is get about 2-3 inches cut off the bottom of the PA brackets that stick out below the bumper. Sorry I don't have any pictures my camera is broken right now, but when I get it fixed I plan on taking the bumpers off and taking pictures of the brackets.
The whole thing was fairly simple to do and I am by no means a qualified mechanic nor have I or my friend that helped me ever done a lift before. I borrowed an air compressor and an impact wrench, but only used it once and I used the torch only once on the same bolt I used the the impact on. I do reccomend having a good 1/2" drive break loose handle and sockets, a really good 1/2" drill bit with a good drill. I also used 2 jacks on the body 1 behind the front wheel and 1 in front of the rear wheel both with a lot of wood blocks. I tried to include as much info as possible, but I am at work and have had many things to do, so I will try to answer any questions it may just take me a little time.
I also enjoyed doing the lift !
I only had a couple of tough areas, 1 was the drivers side body mount in the engine compartment, which was the only bolt I used an impact wrench on, and finding 2 bolts short enough for the body (160mm), which I was unable to locate so until I do I just used a big stack of washers on longer bolts. My biggest fear was the front bumper, but it ended up being pretty easy. I was able to use the 2 brackets that came with the kit. I mounted each bracket to the outside hole of the bumber mount and then removed the bottom inside bolt from the bumper bracket drilled it out and used it as a second mounting location ( sorry my camera is broken), so I ended up having 4 bolts in the front and more than enough adjusting room both up and side to side. I did have to remove the plastic spoiler and driving lights,( I was able to make a few cuts to the spoiler to make it fit) and I will have to trim the driving light brackets to get them back on, but first I need to go somewhere to get about an inch cut off the lower outside bracket on each side so my driving lights will fit. It took me about 3 hours to complete the front bumper. The rear bumper was a breeze. I used the brackets from the kit and flattened them out with a small sledge hammer drilled 3 new holes in them used the existing bolts and holes in the frame and in about an hour had it back on. All I need to do is get about 2-3 inches cut off the bottom of the PA brackets that stick out below the bumper. Sorry I don't have any pictures my camera is broken right now, but when I get it fixed I plan on taking the bumpers off and taking pictures of the brackets.
The whole thing was fairly simple to do and I am by no means a qualified mechanic nor have I or my friend that helped me ever done a lift before. I borrowed an air compressor and an impact wrench, but only used it once and I used the torch only once on the same bolt I used the the impact on. I do reccomend having a good 1/2" drive break loose handle and sockets, a really good 1/2" drill bit with a good drill. I also used 2 jacks on the body 1 behind the front wheel and 1 in front of the rear wheel both with a lot of wood blocks. I tried to include as much info as possible, but I am at work and have had many things to do, so I will try to answer any questions it may just take me a little time.
I also enjoyed doing the lift !
