Raising front end
#1
#3
If you live in an area where rust is a problem, you may want to check out the torsion bar bolts. I tried to crank mine without heating it up and I actually broke the bolt. When that bolt breaks and the truck isn't up on jackstands (my stupid idiotic mistake) it sounds like a shotgun going off and the truck drops in a hurry. Two guys in my shop came running full speed because they thought I was squished. The bolt itself only cost $8 (dealership only price because the head of the bolt is small compared to the shaft, and there is a guide washer that needs to seat) and I was able to salvage the rest (the block of metal that the bolt threads into, which is basically a solid cylinder of steel with a threaded hole through it) If I wasn't able to salvage the threaded cylinder, it would have cost me $50 for that part (dealership price) When you actually go to adjust them, make sure to turn each bolt about 1/4 turn at a time, and measure, measure, measure. There is nothing worse then adjusting them both, and looking at your truck a week later and noticing that the driver's side is an inch and a half higher than the passenger side lol
#4
By all means raise the front end off the ground. I dont care if you have brand new bolts they will snap if all the weight is on the front end. A 1/4 turn at a time will take you FOREVER to get it level. I cranked my sides about 20 turns each(which comes out to about 8-10 spins of the bolt) sat the truck down bounced the front end a few times then measured the difference. I think I went a few more turns to get it just right. I was done in about 10 min. Dont forget to get a alignment afterwards.
#6
Same thing for me, I did the tie rod end links at the same time and had to get it aligned twice because it steered right after the first one, you think they'd take it out for a test to make sure. A free alignment analysis from Tires Plus and back I went to get it realigned haha.