Suspension lift Install

[Hastykiwi]

I know we need another suspension tute like a bull needs tits , but your gonna get one, if only for entertainment value.

I had been sweating install for this weekend because the tracking number was saying that the parts were not going to arrive before monday. I then rang the depot today to see if that meant to them on monday, or me. They said to Perth, so no chance of a pick up. 2 hours later SWMBO rang me at work to say the freight co had rung, and the kit was going to be delivered in 20 mins!!?? SWEET!

So install is scheduled for 12 noon tommorrow. Obviously rule 1 applies here, (it hasn't happened, or it does not exist, unless photographic evidence is provided), so expect a MOntage to accompany the next post.

Nick

[Hastykiwi]

Ok. There's been a slight hiccup with the tute. We were so dead keen to get cracking with the install that i forgot to take any photos whatsoever until we were just about finished bolting up the front. At this point i figured there wasn't much point in getting all techomological about it for just the rear, so there are just before and after shots.

You've all seen plenty of informative installs on the forums anyway so you'll just have to close your eyes and imagine this one.

Couple of points that I learn't from this though.

Make sure you know which springs go where.

You WILL need spring compressors for the rear.

An air gun, for various bolts is a great help.

Spacing of some sort for the front cross member is essential, if you plan to do any offroad work after the install.

The retro look looks gay.

We measured the difference from start to finish, and given that there was about 7-8 mm difference around the 4 wheels at the beginning, there ended up being a consistent 50 mm lift, exactly as the product advertises.

Thanks to Shane @ Suspension Stuff - took my call at 10pm on Sunday night and got the goods here by friday

Peter, Peter, and Keith for helping with the install,

and the nice lady at the freight company who got the parts out on friday instead of the scheduled next monday.

Next stop, the tyre shop in a few weeks.

Nick

[Hastykiwi]

BTW hopefully this is obvious, but the first pic is before, 2nd pic is front done only, last is finished job.

N

[simonl8353]

Thanks for the before and after shots, definately looks like it'll get over more stuff now when off-road.

What tyres are you going from and to?

last, does the extra height effect the insurance and are you suppose to disclose it as a modification?

[that_kid]

hey mate i did the same thing looks good ey!!!

definately look into gettin some steelies n running a second set of tires. cos i run my muds on steels n kept alloys for on road. you might get sick of changing tires but your muddies will last forever!

have fun!

should come up to cruiser on the 28th of feb n 1st of march n give it a test!!!

[Hastykiwi]

Yep, another set of rims is exactly what i have been thinking, if i can find a set cheap enough.

Looks horn. Brisbane might be a lengthy trip from here, but your right its got to be deflowered. First job tho, is to replicate your cross member mod. Did you use a specified part, or just make it up as you went?

Nick.

[stevo68]

Hey Nick,

Looking good....though the tute needs some work :p. What suspension did you end up running with..ie brand etc ??

Regards

Stevo

[Hastykiwi]

Hi thanks. Yes tutorials are harder than they look, esp when you forget to use the camera. :angel: The kit is Shane's standard 2" dobinsons coils and lovells shocks. Curious about yours steve, did you have to space the cross member, and if not, why not.

Nick

[that_kid]

haha u just saw that your from perth! :P

i paid $130 a rim brand spankin for my dynamic designs steelies i was pretty happy to part with that sort of cash.

but all i did on the crossmember was use these steel spacers that my brother in law had at his workshop. more or less they are just 5 or 6mm thick steel washers. easy as pie did even need to change the bolts. i do however think that if its lifted further i will make up a 10-15mm plate to go in there, but so far it hasnt hit with just the 5mm spacing. hope that helps.

[stevo68]

Hi thanks. Yes tutorials are harder than they look, esp when you forget to use the camera. :angel: The kit is Shane's standard 2" dobinsons coils and lovells shocks. Curious about yours steve, did you have to space the cross member, and if not, why not.

Nick Ah no.....should one? I had 2 pretty experience people do mine and wasnt done. Having said that...I just asked one of them and he said doesnt mean I dont so will check next time I see him,

Regards

Stevo

[Hastykiwi]

ok next step, is to fit the cross member spacers. Adam, (agrojnr), kindly offerered his lasewr cutting services, which were absolutely spot on, except that i got the measurements wrong first time:o. Just as well Adam is a TOP guy, and he cut me a second set.:D

step one, parts :

13761


Step two, remove cross member
13762

step three, done.

13763


theres a tute for ya.;)

Nick

[simonl8353]

That looks like around 12mm? eh?. Very nice.;)

[Franz]

"You WILL need spring compressors for the rear."

You can actually do the job without spring compressors if you unbolt one of the cross links (I think that's what they are called) this will allow enough droop to pull the spring out without using a spring compressor.

Cheers,

Franz

[Hastykiwi]

You are probably correct Franz, I'm not that clued, but we simply could not sit the truck any higher to get any more droop, so lucky we had the compressors on us.

Nick

[disco dan]

hey guys

im about to do this lift this weekend if a get the spacers by then. a few questions because i have ACE do i need to do anything different or just drop them and replace. also with the cross member should i have a spacer made to suit.

also anyone done the ashcroft install for the full kit lever and update for transfer as i have that to put in also

[simonl8353]

Just drop and replace. I have ACE and installed a 12mm spacer about a year ago, no problems. Remember you will need longer bolts M8x1.25x30mm lg (for a 12mm spacer) available at Supercheap

rough sketch of plate dimension attached.

[nealo]

Thanks for the sketch...I have passed this onto my guy on the CNC plasma cutter...the joys of having one at my disposal

NIck...did you have to massage the bodywork under the overflow bottle to get the drivers side front shock absorber bolt out??

I had to give it a light massage...by boilermaker standards:p

I have also fitted the same kit last week...ended up using the sping compressor all round...horrible things

[disco dan]

Just drop and replace. I have ACE and installed a 12mm spacer about a year ago, no problems. Remember you will need longer bolts M8x1.25x30mm lg (for a 12mm spacer) available at Supercheap

rough sketch of plate dimension attached.

cheers for that when you did the lift was it just pull out put in or did you have to disconnect the sway bars and ACE. as it says that in the rave manual when fitting new shocks and coils

[simonl8353]

cheers for that when you did the lift was it just pull out put in or did you have to disconnect the sway bars and ACE. as it says that in the rave manual when fitting new shocks and coils

I took the lazy option and asked AMV to do the work. The only bit I did was make and fit the spacer. ;);)

[JBM770]

I redid your sketch on CAD at lunch today.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/465.jpg