My Leveling Kit Nightmare

[TuggerNutz]

A couple tips: clearly mark the Alignment Cam bolts with paint pen or Magic Marker to get them really close when bolting LCA back to frame. Jack was used under LCA for lowering and reinstalling.. Disconnecting the tie rod end ball joint from spindle is not absolutely neccessary. I did it just so I would have more room to swing my ratchet on the strut to LCA bolts...

So kinda like how this guy did his?

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[ppfd]

LOL all I want to do is the FRL 1 or2 inch spacer kit.
Reading this is why I'll never do it ?

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I'm not sure why my girlfriend always shakes her head when I say im going to do a quick part swap on my car....

But I think this thread might be clearing it up.

Because I never read the torque specs and just ugga ugga like those dealer mechanics.... Yeah, that's it...

 

[JasonTremor]

This video illustrates a lot of how not to install new coilovers or lift spacers. If this person is a member here, thank you for sharing so others can learn from your experience.

Spoiler alert, 11:30 to 11:50 is where it went bad.

 

[Whiplash]

So kinda like how this guy did his?

Yes....that would be it...except I'm a skinny 64 year old man, working on a outdoor concrete parking slab, off jack stands, with all the cheater extensions and helper tools in my arsenal to make up for my weak , frail physique..???...

 

[TuggerNutz]

Does someone have the proper torque specs for those bolts from the service manuals? If I ever do this I will go this route. I guess the "Ford" way is too minimize time due to needing an alignment afterwards.

 

[Theslim_spaydee]

Did I do something wrong on my install or something because I had the Fox coilovers , rear struts and the 7 pin harness done within 1.5 hours. I don't recall having to do any of the above to install. Did have access to a lift a large human though.

After watching the above video it appears I just got super lucky not effing anything up.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Does someone have the proper torque specs for those bolts from the service manuals? If I ever do this I will go this route. I guess the "Ford" way is too minimize time due to needing an alignment afterwards.

Manual with torque specs in post #25 - read the manual front to back - too many of the videos on YT lead to trouble.

Or, follow the procedure others have posted about the LCA method.

 

[TuggerNutz]

Or, follow the procedure others have posted about the LCA method.

I was leaning towards the LCA method. Thanks though

 

[ylwjacket]

Does someone have the proper torque specs for those bolts from the service manuals? If I ever do this I will go this route. I guess the "Ford" way is too minimize time due to needing an alignment afterwards.

You can download instructions from Eibach or Ford, and they have that info.

 

[ppfd]

Manual with torque specs in post #25 - read the manual front to back - too many of the videos on YT lead to trouble.

Or, follow the procedure others have posted about the LCA method.

LCA - Lower control arm?
Is this the method the owner from ford ranger lifts shows in his video installing his spacer kit?
This is all I want to do a spacer 1 to 2".
Are there any threads pointing out the steps, I do need to search the forum. Just wondering if there was one everyone is referencing.
I'm sure I'm overthink this this, I'd be the guys in that 2nd clip. Though they seemed to be good sports about it.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

LCA - Lower control arm?
Is this the method the owner from ford ranger lifts shows in his video installing his spacer kit?
This is all I want to do a spacer 1 to 2".
Are there any threads pointing out the steps, I do need to search the forum. Just wondering if there was one everyone is referencing.
I'm sure I'm overthink this this, I'd be the guys in that 2nd clip. Though they seemed to be good sports about it.

Hey Tony,

Yes, Lower Control Arm. I’m not familiar with the Rangerlifts video. I think someone referenced the thread that has the step by step instructions for that method, earlier in this thread. Here’s what was posted….

”thread titled "Labor Shop Time for Shock/Strut Installation 2019 4x4 Lariat"...thread started by Progeny2021
...March 23 2022..Post #15 by Whiplash...”

I’ve not done it that way and I can’t attest to whether or not the instructions are correct. Others have done it that way and may have posted to the same thread. I’ve performed the method in the Ford manual a couple of times without incident and I’m aware of the pitfalls those two guys in the video were not aware of - they seemed to be doing that job for a customer - yikes.

If you decide to do LCA method, read all you can. If you decide to do it the Ford Manual way, PM me and I’ll explain the pitfalls and how to avoid them.

 

[ppfd]

Duke,
Thanks! I will for sure. I've never seen a part or parts with some many ways to install it!

Well for some reason I can't get the YT video to paste here.
I'm pretty sure it has been posted here.
Woolworth motorsports.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Reminds me of when I finally swapped to my eibach kit.

The dealership (prior to my purchase) had installed a top hat spacer level.

The particular Ford Tech who handled the job apparently said screw any form of specs and just hammered away at the top hat nuts until his impact gun wouldn't tighten them any futher.

Had to completely mangle and destroy one of those bolts to even get it off. I tried everything from soaking it to burning it with the fires of hell to break it loose.

Ended up drilling a small angled divot in the side and using a punch/hammer combo to get it to finally creep and break free.

The tech that installed it can choke on a bag of dongs. Caused a couple of hour project to turn into a foul mouth laden whole day affair. I can only imagine what my neighbors thought hearing the word vomit spewing from my garage that day. Like national lampoon christmas, but the entire outburst was rated R.

 

[ylwjacket]

A big thanks to everyone who has posted tips or links to help others avoid this. That is what I was hoping this thread would do.

Great folks here to offer so much to a Ranger newb!

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