Question on install of leveling kit.

[Mactruck]

Hi there,

I started installing my Skyjacker leveling kit. I've made good headway but I have a question???

I'm to the point of installing the new springs. But they are to tall for the space. So I either need to figure out a way to compress the spring or lower the axle further from the spring pocket by removing the upper control arm for added clearance.



Any suggestions????



Not 911... ... YET



Thanx

Kevin

 

[Amianthus]

You need to use a spring compressor. When we did Extreme1's truck last year, we had to use spring compressors to get the project done. I will warn you. You need to really plan where you put the compressors on the springs. We removed, installed, removed, installed, removed, and finally installed one of the springs because we couldn't remove the compressor once we installed the spring. It just takes some planning. His kit worked pretty well and I'm sure he can fill you in on more details. Hope this helped.

 

[RO'neal]

I agree...

I know a few guys that have found "other ways" of installing them but the safest way is to get spring compressors. You can pick some up at most any parts store for around $25, well worth the money.

 

[Clinton]

I'm one of the other guys who didn't use a compressor. I don't think I compromised my safety or the truck's integrity in the least by disconnecting the upper control arm bolt at the axle. Don't mess with the lower arm; it has a camber (or is it caster?) eccentric and could throw off your front end geometry. The arm does not need to be removed, just disconnected. This is assuming you have the trac bar and sway bar disconnected. You will have to find a method to rotate the axle (toward the rear) to get the control arm hole to line up once the spring is in place, which is simple since it only needs to go a few degrees. I used a block of wood with the floor jack at the sway bar link perch. Good luck.

 

[Mactruck]

Thanks for the input guys,

Clinton - I had already removed and replaced my lower control arm with the SJ replacement arm. Set it up as close to stock as Possible. I'll get it aligned when I'm done. Are you saying if I did remove the upper arm I can get the spring in without a spring compressor?



I'm going to call NAPA and see what the cost on a Spring Compressor is. Seems like the best (and safest) idea

 

[Clinton]

Yep, that's pretty much what I'm saying. Better yet, specifically what I'm saying, is that on my D25 project on my '96 2500 I had the trac bar, sway bar, shocks, and tie rods disconnected and the old coils out before I realized the D25 coils would not go in. I disconnected the upper control arms and that provided enough space to get the D25s installed. At no point in this process did I feel like I had made either a poor mechanical or safety judgement. I would have disconnected the lower arms and the driveshaft as well to have avoided using a compressor.

 

[Seed Guy]

I didnt unbolt any control arms and did the install without a compresser. Just got out the factory jack and got it between the bump stops and the axle. Got my clearence and threw the spring in. Good install but i did get a DT trac bar about a week later i couldnt stand the off center axle.