Need help with leveling kit

[thomasduncan]

I'm in the process of putting a 2"leveling kit on the baby. I have removed the springs and now can't get them back in. I have rented two different spring compressors and neither one will work, not heavy duty enough. The compressors are too small and will not work on the lower part of the spring where it is bigger. Any help from guys that have done their own install would be great. Thanks in advance. Tom You just gotta love these trucks.

 

[lawdog]

What I did on my 2000 was disconnect the sway bar links, and put the jack between theflat area on the axle above the top control arm and a space above on the frame, I think there was some bracket that was there. I jacked the jack down creating a little more room. Yes it did bend the top of the control arm pocket a little, but no big deal. Put your spring in the top first then use a prybar under the edge of the spring and lift it as it slides onto the lower spring mount. Sounds confusing, but it worked on the 1/2 tons I have lifted and my 2000 CTD

 

[CIverson]

Originally posted by lawdog

What I did on my 2000 was disconnect the sway bar links, and put the jack between theflat area on the axle above the top control arm and a space above on the frame, I think there was some bracket that was there. I jacked the jack down creating a little more room. Yes it did bend the top of the control arm pocket a little, but no big deal. Put your spring in the top first then use a prybar under the edge of the spring and lift it as it slides onto the lower spring mount. Sounds confusing, but it worked on the 1/2 tons I have lifted and my 2000 CTD

That won't work on the 03's



I just had a topic up about what kind of compressor to use and some have used those bar types that go on the outside like what are used for struts.



Haven't tried them yet, but there are no other types of compressors in my town that will work.

 

[Bunn]

I just went through this process a few weeks ago... You can put the kit in without spring compressors... Trust me.



Make sure that your sway bar links are disconnected and also disconect the track bar at one end, it dosn't really matter which. With the shocks out the front end will drop down, but you don't have to worry about it crashing down or anything. The controll arms will stop it from moving very much. When the front axle assembly is down its possible to put the level kit in and the springs back in.



Hope this helps, I had to wrestle with it for 2 hours or so.

 

[BigDaddyMC]

Bunn is on the money. You have to get the axle pretty free and then do the job. Off Road Magazine did a feature on the 4inch kit from From Rough Country. It show the axkle just hanging on the upper shock mounts with tie-downs. You shouldn't to even get close to a spring compressor..... Once the axle is dropped enough, the spring should rock in top first then the bottom.



Keep us informed on your progress.



Which kit did you buy?

where did you get it?

What was the cost?

 

[thomasduncan]

Thanks guys for your help. Before I checked the site this morning I went out and tried the spring compressors that work on the outside. I had to use four of them since the springs are so stiff. After that it went really easy. I probably should have checked the replies before, but I was in a hurry to get out and work on it. The type of compressors that go on the inside will not work they are for much smaller springs than ours. The kit now fits like a dream and I love the way it looks. I used the Tuff Country steel 2" spacer and got it from Jackit for $129. 95.



Thanks again guys for all your help.

 

[muchsnow]

One of the swing arm bolts on both sides(don't remember which, but not the alignment ones, not at the same time) has to be pulled to get good drop, also start with the pass side first(one side at a time)watch out for what has to be loosened relative to vent and abs wires also.

The weight of the dif helps you when you do the drvr side last.

tires off, frame on jacks, axle housing supported w/ floor jack.

I used a pair of strut spring compressers at 5 and 12 oclock and got it done. had to pry a little bit against the axle on the pass side.

Just be sure to treat a compressed spring like a loaded gun (carefully)

Originally posted by thomasduncan

I'm in the process of putting a 2"leveling kit on the baby. I have removed the springs and now can't get them back in. I have rented two different spring compressors and neither one will work, not heavy duty enough. The compressors are too small and will not work on the lower part of the spring where it is bigger. Any help from guys that have done their own install would be great. Thanks in advance. Tom You just gotta love these trucks.

 

[Swayse]

I bought a spring compressor, but it was too light duty, the spring was too thick for the little u-bolts.



But, I found another way. Jack the left side of the truck up under the axle, get the tire about 8 to 10" off the ground. Put your jack stand under the frame, take the tire off and wrap two small chains around the spring at about 3 and 9 aclock. Make two rounds on each side, and hook as tight as you can. Loosen the nut on the swaybar link and take it off, take out the bottom bolt of the shock. Now lower the jack under the axle slowly, the jack stand should hold the truck in the air and the axle should come down enough for you to pull out the spring and get your revteck 2" spacer up in there and put the spring back in.



Be carefull what kind of chain you use, and treat the spring like a loaded gun, because it is, loaded that is.