No pics yet, but I have passenger side installed, and going to do the drivers side today. The dampening on the shocks is way stiffer than stock. (At least my stockers that are leaking at 40,000mi) I put the clip on the highest position which should give me 2" lift in the front. Install went ok. The top nut on the old shock to separate the shock from the spring was a beast to get off, rusted like crazy......I will update tonight with pics!


Quetion:
Can you replace the upper ball joint on the control arm, or do you need to replace the whole arm? If i let the suspesion "relax" I can hit the upper control arm with my fist and make it clunk a tiny bit, is this normal? seems like not? Thanks

 

yes you can replace the ball joints without replacing the UCA. If it has any give/play, replace it. otherwise you're fine

 

do you need a shop press to replace the uppers?

 

Well got everything done. (Alignment tomorrow)

I skipped the upper ball joint replacement for now. The ball joint press from Autozone did not work:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...&brandName=OEM

and the Moog Ball joint I bought from Advance would not even fit into the top of the hub/knuckle??? Not sure what the deal was, but I kept the stockers for now. I placed the new ball joint into the knuckle and the threads did not even come through, it was way shorter than the Stock.

ANYWAY, as far as the level shocks.....they are awesome! I have it on the max setting and I have exactly 2" of lift. I am not sure if that will change after alignment? They ride 100% better than stock. I am going to have to get Bilsteins for the rear now!

I had to cut one of the bottom shock mount bolts off in order to get it out. Got a new bolt from Fastenall, I am going to replace both.

Pics:

http://butch151981.shutterfly.com/1425

 

nice i just put a post up about needing a lvl and new shocks and they were one of the 2 i was gonna use the other was rancho quick lift tell me how they performe plz

 

like I said they are way better than stock shocks. I would find it hard to believe the Ranchos would be any better for the extra money...

 

Looks great! I just seen my front tires were wearing a little on the outside so I fig. I might need an alignment and fig. If Im getting an alignment then might as well put the bilstein kit on. In the pics, do you have air in the back for level out? I am debating getting the bilstein front setting it at 2" and puttinga 1" block in the rear. Thanks for any info!

 

I admire your internal fortitude, This was not an easy job, I went thru the better part of the day getting one side off ,let alone put together. Let me ask you a question. Can you see this being done without the workbench, vise and other components at your disposal. What I mean is I found it damn near impossible. for a driveway job. Just hand tools with no 1/2 inch sockets. Other than that yes I agree these are the shlt!! Nice ride, Just came back from Ohio. Glad I had it done! On your alignment let us know how far off you were. It's kinda important. thanks.

 

I also forgot too mention, I had too adjust my headlamps a tad. If you don't you will find a well lit highway sign on the highway. It's the equivalent of high beams, and we all no what that does too drivers.

 

Nice post and pics - yeah I don't have a vice - I need to get one anyway.. I'm considering doing this because my front end is all over the place on rough pavement. I am also getting a nasty low-pitch squeak/grinding/rub noise on the rebound travel when I hit bigger dips/bumps - I took to the dealer and they didn't do anything. Did your shocks make any noise when they went bad? not sure if it is shocks, ball joint, control arm bushing or what.