Suspension Lift Is Done!!!
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Suspension Lift Is Done!!!
Finally got good enough weather to install the rancho 4" liftkit. Two helpers and myself started at around 10:00 am Sat and worked at a steady pace with only a couple soda breaks. (No beer with these instructions!!) Come 3:30 am Sunday we were complete; driving around the block measuring tosion bar heights.
Here are some tips for those of you consitering this mod as a do it yourself project.
If you dont have access to a vehicle lift (like I didnt) get some good jackstands .......make sure they go atleast as tall as the back bumper. Also invest in a creeper to get around under there (your back and shoulders will thank you later....mine are still pissed!)
Good tools are a must! I broke every cheap socket and wrench im my box on this job. Metrics AND standards, mostly 1/2" drive,deep sockets and boxend wrenches!(spindle nuts took a 1 3/8" socket with a 250 ft# torque wrench!)
As for the kit, most everything fit just as it was supposed to. My Rancho kit came with a new trasnsmission crossmember that was discovered not to be nessary (or even fit) AFTER WE HAD THE OLD ONE OFF!(bad news at 1 am!)
Instructions were fairly well detailed but still needed to open up the Haynes manual frequently to see better pics of the procedures being described.
Following the directions given, with a weekends worth of time and a box of good tools this is not too tough for someone with some mechanical inclination. Take your time and do the steps as they are presented to you. A driveway with a tripod halogen light at 3 am wouldnt be my choice for the next lift I install but I will certinaly go with Rancho again. The ride is 110% better with the new rsx shocks than it ever was with the "motorcraft rancho's."
My wheels and tires go on in the morning and I will post all of my before and after pics tommorow evening.
Gordon
Here are some tips for those of you consitering this mod as a do it yourself project.
If you dont have access to a vehicle lift (like I didnt) get some good jackstands .......make sure they go atleast as tall as the back bumper. Also invest in a creeper to get around under there (your back and shoulders will thank you later....mine are still pissed!)
Good tools are a must! I broke every cheap socket and wrench im my box on this job. Metrics AND standards, mostly 1/2" drive,deep sockets and boxend wrenches!(spindle nuts took a 1 3/8" socket with a 250 ft# torque wrench!)
As for the kit, most everything fit just as it was supposed to. My Rancho kit came with a new trasnsmission crossmember that was discovered not to be nessary (or even fit) AFTER WE HAD THE OLD ONE OFF!(bad news at 1 am!)
Instructions were fairly well detailed but still needed to open up the Haynes manual frequently to see better pics of the procedures being described.
Following the directions given, with a weekends worth of time and a box of good tools this is not too tough for someone with some mechanical inclination. Take your time and do the steps as they are presented to you. A driveway with a tripod halogen light at 3 am wouldnt be my choice for the next lift I install but I will certinaly go with Rancho again. The ride is 110% better with the new rsx shocks than it ever was with the "motorcraft rancho's."
My wheels and tires go on in the morning and I will post all of my before and after pics tommorow evening.
Gordon
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Photo gallery is down for service here guys! I think were all sol! Got the wife trying to post these on another webpage and when she does I will get you all a link on here........sorry for the wait! Gordon
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Here is the link to the early pics we have on now....still more to come but this will give you an idea of what ive done! Gordon.
http://www.geocities.com/robinlm25/4x4.html
http://www.geocities.com/robinlm25/4x4.html