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Am I missing anything? Suspension upgrade parts and tools

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by SilverRider, Aug 19, 2020.

  1. Aug 19, 2020 at 11:02 AM
    #1
    SilverRider

    SilverRider [OP] New Member

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    Tires are starting to show their age so it's time to spoil myself with a suspension upgrade.:)

    I'm trying to make a list of all possible parts and tools I might need.

    This is what I've gathered so far:

    Wheels- TRD off-road(not pro) no intention to change.

    Tires- 90% sure I'll go with 285/70/18 ridge grapplers.

    Shocks - still researching. Looking at 2.5" of lift with adjustable coilovers. As of right now, leaning towards elkas.

    Rear - looking for 1-2" of lift to keep rake. Probably just do shackles.

    UCA - may or may not need one with 2.5" of lift. With my luck I will, so I'm planing on getting some. Probably JBA. I like what they have to offer plus they look good.

    Diff drop - don't want to mess with it.

    Carrier bearing drop - might need it if there is shudder at take off

    Brake line extension - to be safe since lifting rear.

    Bump stops - I read somewhere in here that Elkas work with stock bump stops, would have to confirm with them. If I go a different route would I need a spacer? Would lifting the truck by the lower control arm(or rear axle in the back) with a jack compress the suspension enough to determine if I need to mess with the bump stops?

    Tools - I have a basic set of tools, sockets, wrenches. Breaker bar. Jack, jack stands. I have a torque wrench that goes from 10-100.
    Looking at the torque specs seems I need one that goes up to 200/250

    If doing shackles/upgrading to polybushings, buy/rent a ball joint press.

    Am I missing anything? Any tools that'll make the job easier?
    I'm planning on doing rotors and pads at the same time so I want to have everything lined up and be prepared for any surprises and avoid trips to the store if possible.

    Any help is appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 19, 2020 at 11:03 AM
    #2
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Impact wrench and a breaker bar set (i used the harbor freight 3pc set).
     
  3. Aug 19, 2020 at 11:15 AM
    #3
    SilverRider

    SilverRider [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. I'll take a look at the breaker bar set. I have a corded impact wrench. It's quite bulky but I do try to use it whenever possible.
     
  4. Aug 19, 2020 at 11:24 AM
    #4
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    limited wannabe, suspension and tire improvements
    Some aftermarket UCAs will rub tires on stock wheels (60mm offset). Based on other members trucks that have lifted 2-3" and kept stock TRD off road wheels, some have had to get spacers to avoid stock and aftermarket UCAs, some haven't had to run either (spacers / UCAs). The closer you stay to 2", the less likely you'll need UCAs and thus spacers. Many have cleared 295/70 with just the front mudflap removed and some skid plate trimming. There are several TRD Pros with stock wheels, no spacers, no UCAs and clear 295/70s just fine. Thats a 2" lift up front, nothing in the back. Essentially "leveling" your truck.

    Unless it's absolutely critical to have everything done at once, you could lift, then align and see if the UCAs are necessary to achieve proper alignment or not. Then install UCAs and spacers if necessary. Just unsolicited $.02
     
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  5. Aug 19, 2020 at 12:55 PM
    #5
    SilverRider

    SilverRider [OP] New Member

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    I thought about that but I would prefer to do everything at once. Plus with UCA the alignment numbers would be better.

    I also plan on going with 285/70 instead of 295/70 since they are slightly narrower and not as heavy. Hopefully that'll avoid any rubbing on the UCA.

    I would like to avoid spacers if possible but I'm not opposed to use them if needed.

    Thanks for the input.
     
    AggiePhil and PermaFrostTRD like this.
  6. Aug 19, 2020 at 1:13 PM
    #6
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    I cant really recall any tight spaces that i had to get into with the impact.....you should be good.
     
  7. Aug 19, 2020 at 3:47 PM
    #7
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Looks like you got everything - I did my suspension upgrade this spring and the impact wrench will be a big help. I’d recommend the Tekton 1/2” torque wrench on Amazon...0-250 LB-ft and $60!
     
  8. Aug 19, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #8
    SilverRider

    SilverRider [OP] New Member

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    Awesome. Now is time to :spending:
     
  9. Aug 19, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #9
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Doing it yourself helps justify buying new tools! :thumbsup:
     
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  10. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #10
    Shifless Joe

    Shifless Joe New Member

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    Get the largest 22mm box end wrenches you can find, very handy for the uca nuts.
     
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  11. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:48 PM
    #11
    ZeRussian

    ZeRussian New Member

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    I could not get the damn upper ball joint to separate when I installed my suspension. Every video I watched “just tap here and eventually it’ll separate” hell no, I beat the shit out of it, pry bar, etc and still nothing. Had to get this:

    GEARWRENCH Universal Ball Joint Separator - 3916D https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YVWHOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ECCpFbS8YBZ23

    it took a lot of force and it finally made a loud popping sound almost like a gun shot. I don’t live in a rust belt either so not sure why it was so seized.

    I also installed my shackles and bushings and thought I could rent the ball joint press like like all other tools, but nobody had it in stock around me, I don’t think they even stocked it. So look around first to make sure you can rent one or if you need to buy one.
     
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  12. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:52 PM
    #12
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    All good info. I rented a ball joint press kit from AdvanceAuto to upgrade my stock leaf spring bushings. As a wise man once said: the right tool for the right job!
     
  13. Aug 19, 2020 at 11:08 PM
    #13
    SilverRider

    SilverRider [OP] New Member

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    And spending more on the suspension:D

    Good idea I don't think I have one that size.

    Interesting. All videos I've seen also they just hammer it a couple times and it separates:monocle:

    I should probably get both, the ball joint press and separator just in case. Better to have it and don't need it.
    This is a reason I made this thread. I really appreciate the heads-up on unexpected problems.:hattip:
    Very true. I remember having to work in cars with very limited tools and spending more time trying to figure out how to use them in an non intended way. I've got to say, necessity can make you very creative...
    I'm just glad nobody got hurt:anonymous:
     
  14. Sep 17, 2020 at 7:19 PM
    #14
    Brocksw

    Brocksw New Member

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    Elka 2.5 reservoir front(+3") and rear, JBA UCAs, toytec +1.5" shackle, Falken Wildpeak 285/75r18.
    Be careful when you break the away bar bracket free from the bottom of the frame. Mine were really tight and I went to hard and busted off one of the nuts that was spot welded on the inside of the frame. Not really a big deal as I got it far enough out to notch the reservoir bracket and wedge it in there. Still, that sort of thing annoys me.

    I literally squatted the big nuts on the uca with a breaker bar. Once they started moving it was all gravy.

    Be prepared to put the shocks in and then have to pull them back out until you get ride height where you want it. I had to do it twice and need to do it again on the driver side to eliminate the driver side lean.

    Fun project. Have fun.
     
  15. Sep 17, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #15
    Kanobi13

    Kanobi13 New Member

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    Alignment punch
     

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