drguitarum2005

I was searching around the forums and didn't find anything exactly answering this question so I thought i'd ask the pros. Im considering doing the 2.5"/3" suspension spacers (http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoo..._96_02_liftkit)
and was wondering if there is anything i could possibly need to go along with those to ensure I don't bend something or break a joint or anything like that. Does this add too much stress to the suspension or anything like that? I don't want a huge lift and I can't really afford to do a big suspension or body lift.

Also, as far as tools go for installing something like this, I'm perfectly capable of digging into the suspension and all but would I need some sort of spring compressor to hold the front suspension while this goes on or how does that work?

Thanks guys

bflooks

for the 3" front spacers, you would want the front diff drop mod. very simple, and about 20-25 bucks. this relieves stress on the front cv's by rotating the front of the diff downwards.

also, you would need a spring compressor to do the fronts. i myself don't have much faith in autozone rentals or what not, so i am going to have a local garage do the front spacer install for me. to be honest, the idea of a compressed spring coming out of the compressor scares the hell out of me. i'll let someone with a wall mount compressor handle that.

ebelen1

Ditto on the spring compressor. The fronts definitely need them but the rears also help if you have a hand-tool spring compressor. It's much easier to compress the rear springs w/ the spacer than to try to force the sucker in.

Ditto on the front diff drop but you may also need a panhard drop bracket or a whole new panhard bar. This has been debated on this forum and some say you need it and others don't. From what I've read, your rear axle is not centered after a lift and this bracket or bar will center it. With it not centered, you can start blowing out rear shocks due to the unalignment. Again, this is something you should think about.

You said that you can't afford a body lift. This is probably the cheapest form of lift you can get and is definitely cheaper than the Cornfed lift you are looking into. Search 4crawler or RB body lift for more info. Good luck.

Mr. Bob

At work we had a small spring comperssor... it sucked... I have had spring blow out of it and scare the crap out of me...

we have since upgraded to a wall mounted unit... BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

The rear is no big deal, but take the front struts out of the vehicle, go to a shop you trust and have them comptess the spring and put the spacers in.... if its a good shop they will probably only charge you about a half hour or so to do this... so not even much more than a rental spring compressor,,,,

emptypockets

Ditto on the front spring compressor thing from me too! I had a shop compress mine for me and then just installed the whole unit. I did new shocks at the same time...you're there doing the work anyway so if you have 50,000+ miles, shocks are a no brainer.

I did the Daystar 2.5" lift specifically so I could avoid the diff drop and panhard bar on my rig. 3" plus, and those mods are a definite necessity! Top it off with LT 265/75 16's and you're ready to run!

emptypockets

Oh btw, here's before and after pics of my rig with the 2.5" spacer lift...

Pre lift...


After lift with stock 265/70 16's


After lift with 265/75 16's (gained almost 2 inches additional!)

emptypockets

A better after pic with mods and larger tires...