Not going to be able to do anything this weekend, but I did get the rear shocks on. Beltech 2212DDs. So far, I can say these are quite a stiff shock. Perhaps they need to be worn in, but they feel over dampened. I don't mind, it's much better than the free movement I got from the KYB that were on there, these are almost an inch thicker too. Beefy shocks, I like them a lot. Only for lowering though :P

There is a small concern, the bolt hole is bigger than other model specific shocks. I doubt it will be a problem, but that's probably why it doesn't show our trucks in the application list.

 

alot of times these companys are too lazy to find out if an older or other part number would fit a newer application, they leave it up to us DIY'er

 

Ok, I finally got started on this, in progress in my driveway is a truck with no front end lol.

To recap, I am installing the rotors, pads, struts, sway arm links, and I am cutting the coil for a 1.5 to 2" drop, then an alignment. At least, that was the plan.

Cracked into it today, took caliper off (easy) and spun the rotor.. only to hear a nice "crunchy" sound in the hub bearing, I don't like crunchy sounds so I hammered off the rotor (oh man what a PITA) and the crunch was still there so I ordered a hub assembly.

I started removing the hub, and got two bolts off and snapped the 3rd... damnit. Ordered 2 just in case, and now I can't get the hub off the knuckle, it's rust welded real good.

I popped the upper ball joint and it seems good, but I was able to lift the spindle up a millimeter so I need a lower balljoint... order that.

Then came the strut.. omfg the strut... I should have used air tools. I may have ruin my lower C-arm trying to get that bolt out of the bushing. So guess what? I went an bought a 25g air compressor and some air tools YAH. If I can't get the bolt out the way it is now (used a cut-off wheel in anger to get the strut out of the way) then I have a cart ready at autopartswarehouse to overnight me an arm monday...

So it was late, couldn't make much more noise so I just set-up the compressor and tools and then loosened all the stuff on the other side without popping any joints, and would you imagine.. the 3 hub bolts and 2 caliper bolts on the drivers side came off perfectly. In the morning I will see if the rotor and hub (also bad, slightly loose) will be as nice as their bolts were.

I always go in twos, so on top of the planned stuff, I will now be doing 2 hubs, 2 lower ball joints (maybe a passenger control arm and driver side balljoint)

I'm half tempted to just do the full lower arms and two new uppers just for the hell of it, then I will have a whole new freakin front end minus tierods.

anyways, wish me luck! (ps, i have pictures to post tomorrow)

 

Ok it's a little past "tomorrow" but here's the progress and finished product of all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this cosmetic/repair build. There would have been more, and better pics but through all the frustration I think if I had picked up the camera, I would have cut it in half with my angle grinder.

Before I knew what I was in for.
DSC04795.jpg

After spring cut
DSC04804.jpg

How much I cut off
DSC04805.jpg

oooops...
DSC04808.jpg

How I modified my bumpstop to limit travel a bit, works very well. Cut this rubber stopper in half, inserted it between the stock bumpstop and the strut mount. rtv'd them in.
DSC04815.jpg

Taking a break....
DSC04823.jpg

Triumph!
DSC04830.jpg

Finished.
IMG_20120316_114959.jpg
IMG_20120316_114930.jpg

 

good work

 

good job, looks great.