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leveling kit install tips inside

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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 06:42 PM
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leveling kit install tips inside

When I was reading up on how to install my Lorenz leveling kit, I saw a lot of guys either using coil spring compressors or removing the track bar bolt. Neither of which is very fun, getting the track bar bolt threaded back onto its hidden nut is something I never want to do again. The driver side spring goes back in easily if you unbolt the sway bar, not the case with the passenger side.

Try this: get a small bottle jack (I used a Craftsman 6 ton) and put it in between the frame and the axle on the passenger side, there's a nice flat spot just inside the lower spring mount. Jack the axle and frame apart and the spring slides right in. Slide the shock tower mounting bolt ring inside the base on the frame with the shock installed in the tower and finger tighten all 3 nuts, will hold it in place while you slide the springs back in. Remove the nuts, slip the shock tower onto the bolts and tighten up.

I unleveled my old truck and leveled the new one in a few hours, got it down to a science. Wish I had thought of this the first time. If anyone needs a complete write-up let me know, makes the job go smoother if you've never done one.
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 07:05 PM
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From: manteca ca
thanks man i am going to be trying this for the first time on my 06 when i get stateside next month i got a revtek kit going in i figured jack up one side to compress the spring then lock in compression with a ratchet strap untill i get the spacers in
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 07:57 PM
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If you r having to jack the truck & axle apart, what is it that is putting up the fight & are you not bending that part? Seems like you are going to be tweeking something if you have to jack it apart. I'm not saying your doing anything wrong, I'm just curious 'cause I'll be doing this real soon. TIA
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by LFD2037
If you r having to jack the truck & axle apart, what is it that is putting up the fight & are you not bending that part? Seems like you are going to be tweeking something if you have to jack it apart. I'm not saying your doing anything wrong, I'm just curious 'cause I'll be doing this real soon. TIA
not bending anything, all you're doing is pushing the axle assembly down to where it will be located by the taller spring. it just takes a lot of force.

alternatively if you have any 350lb friends have them stand on the hub and hold on real good while you throw the spring in there
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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Easiest way! Take it to a wheel and tire or frontend shop, give'um $150.00 to install them and do the alignment! Go for lunch and a couple of cold ones, return in a couple of hours and it's done!
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Buckshotmckee
Easiest way! Take it to a wheel and tire or frontend shop, give'um $150.00 to install them and do the alignment! Go for lunch and a couple of cold ones, return in a couple of hours and it's done!
now I'm going to do the writeup just to spite those who pay to have stuff like this done
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 08:53 PM
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I figured my time and effort was easily worth $150.00.
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 08:56 PM
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i did my wifes truck 06 mega cab ,, and oh ya stood my fat but on the hub and a friend put the spring in ,,, got my springs from summit racing ,skyjacker, i think it was 160.00 to my door
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Old Oct 8, 2007 | 09:15 PM
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i did mine at work and it was no fun...i didnt have a spring compressor and had to use the spreaders to compress the spring...

for those that know what a spreader is then you know how dumb that was and for those that dont, its the "jaws of life" that spreads instead of cuts...

brett
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 07:19 AM
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From your BC "Hey brett, your telling me you took that engine OOS to work on your truck?" HAHAHAHAHA!!! CLASSIC.
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 08:59 AM
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you can also use the stock jack, what I have used many times.

good tip.
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 09:05 AM
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I installed my kit in about 2 hours, I have a friend with an auto shop, and I borrowed his spring comperssor. Was not hard at all. I took my time. Now I have $150 to put toward other mods.
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 09:33 AM
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I didn't use a jack or a spring compressor - just disconnected the sway bar & track bar and squeezed the coils a little with my hands.
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by XLR8R
I didn't use a jack or a spring compressor - just disconnected the sway bar & track bar and squeezed the coils a little with my hands.
stock coils I believe, Lorenz coils I question.

how'd you get the bolt back in? took 3 mechanics and a new bolt at the dealership. it wouldn't have killed Dodge to have welded the nut behind the axle.
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Old Oct 9, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by LFD2037
From your BC "Hey brett, your telling me you took that engine OOS to work on your truck?" HAHAHAHAHA!!! CLASSIC.
well it was just the rescue and it couldve been ready to roll pretty quick!! this was at my old job too...we wernt as busy there

brett
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