A weekend of modding- Installed my new Gabriel Hi-Jackers, etc
01-22-2007, 05:26 AM
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A weekend of modding- Installed my new Gabriel Hi-Jackers, etc
Spent most of the weekend out in the garage. Installed my new Gabriel Hi-Jackers on Saturday. Start to finish, it took me about 3.5 hours. That included stopping and chatting with my neighbor for a while.
I decided to do the driver's side first since it appeared to be more difficult. I used a hefty pair of vice grips to hold the shaft of the shock. Then I weaseled my hand up behind the fuel tank and around the top to drop a 9/16" socket (Rancho shocks) onto the nut. It broke free without any real fuss. Had the old shock off in a jiffy and the new one on in short order, too. That side took me a total of 45 minutes and required the use of only two tools: vice grips and 9/16" socket on my 3/8" drive ratchet. Then came the other side.
I thought the passenger side would be easier since there's more "wiggle" room. I used the same approach: locked the vice grips onto the shaft and dropped a socket onto the nut. It broke free easily and I thought my whole project would be done in a matter of minutes. Then, a few cranks of the ratchet later, the nut seized. It wouldn't budget. I was able to get one of my small breaker bar extensions in there to attach to the handle of the ratchet. But it only moved the nut about 1/2 a turn before REALLY seizing. So, after swearing a little, I broke out my pneumatic 3" cutoff wheel and went to work. A couple minutes later, I was in business. New shock went on without a hitch. Got all the lines hooked up. Made sure everything was sealed and air tight. Aired them up to 35 psi and went for a spin. They feel really good on the road. Can't wait to try them out off-road.
Sunday, I installed my Addco front sway bar and greasable bushings. Took me 90 minutes start to finish. And, again, I had to use the cutoff wheel to cut away a bolt that had seized. That cutoff wheel is the best $15 I've spent at Harbor Freight yet!
I haven't been able to really test the new sway bar. Denver got a couple inches of snow and I can't go throwing my truck into corners lest the back pass the front. But, when the pavement dries, I'll have a review.
I decided to do the driver's side first since it appeared to be more difficult. I used a hefty pair of vice grips to hold the shaft of the shock. Then I weaseled my hand up behind the fuel tank and around the top to drop a 9/16" socket (Rancho shocks) onto the nut. It broke free without any real fuss. Had the old shock off in a jiffy and the new one on in short order, too. That side took me a total of 45 minutes and required the use of only two tools: vice grips and 9/16" socket on my 3/8" drive ratchet. Then came the other side.
I thought the passenger side would be easier since there's more "wiggle" room. I used the same approach: locked the vice grips onto the shaft and dropped a socket onto the nut. It broke free easily and I thought my whole project would be done in a matter of minutes. Then, a few cranks of the ratchet later, the nut seized. It wouldn't budget. I was able to get one of my small breaker bar extensions in there to attach to the handle of the ratchet. But it only moved the nut about 1/2 a turn before REALLY seizing. So, after swearing a little, I broke out my pneumatic 3" cutoff wheel and went to work. A couple minutes later, I was in business. New shock went on without a hitch. Got all the lines hooked up. Made sure everything was sealed and air tight. Aired them up to 35 psi and went for a spin. They feel really good on the road. Can't wait to try them out off-road.
Sunday, I installed my Addco front sway bar and greasable bushings. Took me 90 minutes start to finish. And, again, I had to use the cutoff wheel to cut away a bolt that had seized. That cutoff wheel is the best $15 I've spent at Harbor Freight yet!
I haven't been able to really test the new sway bar. Denver got a couple inches of snow and I can't go throwing my truck into corners lest the back pass the front. But, when the pavement dries, I'll have a review.
01-22-2007, 01:34 PM
#5
A few notes on highjackers..........the white ones .right???
I installed them on my 99 runner but had way more than 35 lbs in them.
On the first trailride with full articulation.......KABBOOM! The shock extended and blew out sideways locking against rear wheel.
Being MCgyver.......... I was able to break off the shock and get off the mountain while my buddy looked on in a panic .
Then I got smart and went for the Airlift bags and 4 inch spacers on stock springs.
I'm running 16lbs in my airlifts and left the bumpstops one section longer so higher PSI was not needed. Just installed 4 Bilsteins as well.
Oh so sweet and the bags have been taking a beating for 2 years without fail.
Kenny S.
I installed them on my 99 runner but had way more than 35 lbs in them.
On the first trailride with full articulation.......KABBOOM! The shock extended and blew out sideways locking against rear wheel.
Being MCgyver.......... I was able to break off the shock and get off the mountain while my buddy looked on in a panic .
Then I got smart and went for the Airlift bags and 4 inch spacers on stock springs.
I'm running 16lbs in my airlifts and left the bumpstops one section longer so higher PSI was not needed. Just installed 4 Bilsteins as well.
Oh so sweet and the bags have been taking a beating for 2 years without fail.
Kenny S.
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