We are in the process of installing a 2" day star leveling kit on my 06 dodge dakota. We got the strut/shock out and have the spacer on, but we cannot get the shock back into the upper control arm. The lower control arm is all the way down with a ratchet strap but the top bolts still will not clear to go back in, any suggestions?

 

I had a similar problem when I put in my leveling kit. The first thing I had to do was rotate the spring mount 180° so that the new bolting holes would line up correctly. We ended up having to do two things, first we had to Use a spring compression tool to compact the spring. Then, we had to use a prybar to somehow get the bolts to slide in. Honestly, it was a few years ago and I cannot remember exactly what we had to do, but it was a pain in the butt.

 

Thanks dude!
On way to get compressor now!

 

I have the daystar kit as well, had that issue getting it in (lol)... anyhow
bit prybar and rotating the mounts a little will get everything to line up correctly, as for the getting it down far enough to get it to pop in, I detached the upper control arm, from the knuckle, used a prybar (bigger the better) and it popped right in with a little influence.

 

x2. pop the upper control arm ball joint out of the spindle. done deal.

 

Yeah like he said the upper control arm...big help. Now I remember, I couldn't get the strut off because the bolt connecting it to the lower control arm was being a PITA...if I could've taken it off the lower control arm it would have been breezy.

 

Put the top in first.