Ready to put on lift, any install advice?

[SwaintaN]

It was like XMAS for me... Opening all the boxes... Got my RC 4" Susp lift w/ Steering Stabilizer. Any advice for install; besides follow directions

 

[turboranger91]

have fun.... i did.

 

[SwaintaN]

found out i gotta/needa do ball joints before the lift, shesh.

 

[bigbzc]

found out i gotta/needa do ball joints before the lift, shesh.

never heard that one. I made my lift from scratch though, ( 10" total) my body has that lift kit installed though and he did not need ball joints. I would advise a pitman arm for a 4" likt though. You can get it at www.summitracing.com cost about 60 bux. It made a good difference on my '91

 

[SwaintaN]

pitman arm extension came with it, we jacked the track up while doing the brakes.. noticed the bottom ball joints were bad... so we figured better do them before the kit

Kit Contained
Coils
Leafs
Drop Brackets
RA Drop Brackets
Bump Stop Extenders
Steering Stabilizer
Lime Green Shock Boots

 

[SwaintaN]

the lift is actually under way on being installed.. started today (Friday 2-27-09) and goes in on Monday for the alignment... 4" RC lift, i ordered red bump stops and 3-4" lift kit for the front sway links also. now if i could get find some for the rear.

 

[Dannyboy]

You can lose the rear sway bar, it won't really make any difference.

I will tell you from experience, extend your brake lines. Also get comfortable with the grinder and get those rivets off!!!

Did the kit come with shocks?

It's pretty straight forward. If you have a grinder, basic socket set, 1 1/8" wrench for coils, pitman arm puller and picklefork it should go pretty smooth. Use locktite or even better nylock nuts or make sure you tighten that up after a few miles.

 

[SwaintaN]

lol ill lose the bar for now till i can find the links or get time to make em, yeah it came with shocks; that im selling because i already had nitrogen lift shocks, it came with instructions but for a ranger :rangergreen: not an explorer :exp: lol getting there though. doing a few other things while its in the air

 

[Four0Sport]

the instructions are the same for the front of a ranger/explorer. same front end there buddy. also.. x2 on ditching the rear sway bar, you dont need it. the front however, i will atest to how nice it is to drive on pavement with the front bar attached.

btw.. you should ask a moderator to merge this thread with the other one you posted with the picture of the rear leafs installed. no sense cluttering up the site!

 

[Four0Sport]

and im still mad at you for copying me on the green shock boots. i was trying to be original!

 

[SwaintaN]

lol you are being original, your ex is red, boots are light green, my ex is black and boots are florescent green lol


haha didnt think of it, yeah they should merge it

 

[Four0Sport]

youre about as original as this guy

i gotta get to work.. enjoy putting your lift on!

 

[SwaintaN]

lol

 

[SwaintaN]

Tips I noticed

Im throwing a few hints out there for other people who might find this thread looking to do a lift.Order all parts before starting

Be Prepared for the worse
Order Extended Sway Bar Links
Order Extended Steel Brake Lines
New Bump Stops
Radius Arm Bushings
Axle Pivot Bushings

Having these items will help greatly so your not later tearing into it again to install these. I had to cut off stock bump stops and use new universal ones with the bump stop drop brackets (yes there was drilling). The extended sway bar links up front puts less stress on front sway bar, be ready to remove and lose the rear sway bar, after i ordered the links i noticed the shocks were rubbing the rear sway bar mounts.

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE the radius arm bushings and axle pivot bushings, a good time to buy some Polyurethane bushings and do them at the same time... Your already gonna be griding the rivets out, might as well do that at same time.

 

[Four0Sport]

thats some good advice.. something else you might want to add is that now is a good time to check your u-joints and driveshafts since they will be on a bind from raising the front and rear differentials. its also a good time to change fluid, like you did, and give your undercarriage a good look over.

 

[SwaintaN]

hey good point, didnt think of that to tell them. oh yeah, as i found out... good time to check them ball joints