Coilover Conversion with a 4in Superlift
#1
Coilover Conversion with a 4in Superlift
I figured I'd start my thread for this project. Now that I finally have some free time to get started on this. I've had all the parts for over a month now. All I've been able to do is look at them and say..."That sure would look better on my truck!"
Anyway, I started today and got the shock buckets prepped for the gussets to be welded up. I'll get that done tomorrow morning, and then I'm going to tackle getting the coil-over's installed. I'll update this thread and post pictures in this first post that way everyone can see progress. So tomorrow evening expect to see some more pics. I'm posting what I have right now:
Mmmmmmmmmmmm yes......yes!!!!
New Brake Lines
Lower Brackets
Upper Brackets
Gusset Prep
This is what $60 worth of Grade 8 looks like:
Garage FLEX hahahahaha
UPDATE:
Well I ran into some problems getting the install done tonight. First off we had welder issue's. Finally got that fixed, and got the
gussets welded on. They turned out pretty good. I recall from Casey's install he found out that the upper control arm hits the coil
at full droop. Which I found to be true on my truck as well. I found out on my truck (Casey chime in on this) the bump stop bracket
(I think) for the lower control arm is in the way. The coil actually hits it, in almost all of the travel up and down. So I'm going to have
to grind mine off. Casey I swear I don't remember having that problem when we installed your coilover's on your truck. Not only that but
I had to add 2 washer's inbetween the spacer's and bracket for the shock to tight. Let me also tell you guys when you do this install and
you go to drill your 3/8 holes and your 1/2 holes, make sure you have good drill bits. I had Snap-on Cobalts for 3/8. But I only had a 3/8
air drill with me. So I had to use generic 1/2 drill. OMG what a pain in the azz. Get good bits. And either get a corded drill or an air drill. Do
not try and do this with a battery powered drill. It will take forever. ONTO the pics:
Bracket's all primered:
Pictures of the gussets:
Teardown:
Shock removed:
Upper bracket installed:
Lower bracket installed:
Installation completed EXCEPT brake lines, limit straps and some grinding:
Here's the MOTHER F!$*$R bracket that the coil hits. I looked at Casey's pics that
I have and he doesn't have this bracket on his truck. So maybe this is 98-00? model
year thing? I dunno but I Have to grind mine off, to get the clearence. Well of course
I ran out cut-off wheels, and grind wheels. It's 8:45 at night.....so no luck. Also my
superlift kit came with a bracket that bolts to this piece. I know there was a bolt in there
and it was secure when I installed the kit, but now it's not there, and it's all FUBAR.
Here's a pic of the upper control arm hitting the coil at full droop (without limit straps)
That's all I have for now guys, I'm tired and worn out. I plan on hitting it again tomorrow after
work. Gotta get some more washer's and some grind wheels/cutoff wheels. So I'll post up again
later.
Final UPDATE:
well it's done. Whew.....pain in the ***...but well worth it.
PASS side all done cept brake lines:
DRVR Upper bracket:
Bump stop bracket cut off (grinder, and cut-off wheels work, but if you have a torn/plasma ****!
DRVR lower bracket:
DRVR side
New brake lines.....now before anyone starts crying, the LCA was at full droop when we bolt this
up and I plan on running straps an inch less than full bottom, so no worries. I'll have plenty of room
and not worry about ripping a brake line out:
LWR again:
Random:
Ok better half is 5'1:
Sorry the lights in the garage were making it hard to take pics....plus it was dark outside....I'll get more
tomorrow:
all done!
Anyway, I started today and got the shock buckets prepped for the gussets to be welded up. I'll get that done tomorrow morning, and then I'm going to tackle getting the coil-over's installed. I'll update this thread and post pictures in this first post that way everyone can see progress. So tomorrow evening expect to see some more pics. I'm posting what I have right now:
Mmmmmmmmmmmm yes......yes!!!!
New Brake Lines
Lower Brackets
Upper Brackets
Gusset Prep
This is what $60 worth of Grade 8 looks like:
Garage FLEX hahahahaha
UPDATE:
Well I ran into some problems getting the install done tonight. First off we had welder issue's. Finally got that fixed, and got the
gussets welded on. They turned out pretty good. I recall from Casey's install he found out that the upper control arm hits the coil
at full droop. Which I found to be true on my truck as well. I found out on my truck (Casey chime in on this) the bump stop bracket
(I think) for the lower control arm is in the way. The coil actually hits it, in almost all of the travel up and down. So I'm going to have
to grind mine off. Casey I swear I don't remember having that problem when we installed your coilover's on your truck. Not only that but
I had to add 2 washer's inbetween the spacer's and bracket for the shock to tight. Let me also tell you guys when you do this install and
you go to drill your 3/8 holes and your 1/2 holes, make sure you have good drill bits. I had Snap-on Cobalts for 3/8. But I only had a 3/8
air drill with me. So I had to use generic 1/2 drill. OMG what a pain in the azz. Get good bits. And either get a corded drill or an air drill. Do
not try and do this with a battery powered drill. It will take forever. ONTO the pics:
Bracket's all primered:
Pictures of the gussets:
Teardown:
Shock removed:
Upper bracket installed:
Lower bracket installed:
Installation completed EXCEPT brake lines, limit straps and some grinding:
Here's the MOTHER F!$*$R bracket that the coil hits. I looked at Casey's pics that
I have and he doesn't have this bracket on his truck. So maybe this is 98-00? model
year thing? I dunno but I Have to grind mine off, to get the clearence. Well of course
I ran out cut-off wheels, and grind wheels. It's 8:45 at night.....so no luck. Also my
superlift kit came with a bracket that bolts to this piece. I know there was a bolt in there
and it was secure when I installed the kit, but now it's not there, and it's all FUBAR.
Here's a pic of the upper control arm hitting the coil at full droop (without limit straps)
That's all I have for now guys, I'm tired and worn out. I plan on hitting it again tomorrow after
work. Gotta get some more washer's and some grind wheels/cutoff wheels. So I'll post up again
later.
Final UPDATE:
well it's done. Whew.....pain in the ***...but well worth it.
PASS side all done cept brake lines:
DRVR Upper bracket:
Bump stop bracket cut off (grinder, and cut-off wheels work, but if you have a torn/plasma ****!
DRVR lower bracket:
DRVR side
New brake lines.....now before anyone starts crying, the LCA was at full droop when we bolt this
up and I plan on running straps an inch less than full bottom, so no worries. I'll have plenty of room
and not worry about ripping a brake line out:
LWR again:
Random:
Ok better half is 5'1:
Sorry the lights in the garage were making it hard to take pics....plus it was dark outside....I'll get more
tomorrow:
all done!
Last edited by RangerNVS; 12-14-2009 at 10:14 PM.
#16
Great update post, Griggs. Subscribed now!
If I recall correctly, RCD's actually have you cut off that bump stop bracket for both coil clearence and since it's relocated into the front x-member drop. I don't think trevor's has it. I know mine does and so does my buddy's '98 along with Marie's '08. Believe that bumpstop bracket stuff is the same all across the board on torsion bar trucks.
I wonder if it's 'okay' to grind away at the UCA where it's hitting?
If I recall correctly, RCD's actually have you cut off that bump stop bracket for both coil clearence and since it's relocated into the front x-member drop. I don't think trevor's has it. I know mine does and so does my buddy's '98 along with Marie's '08. Believe that bumpstop bracket stuff is the same all across the board on torsion bar trucks.
I wonder if it's 'okay' to grind away at the UCA where it's hitting?
#18
yeah I just got off the phone with Mudslanger, and he cut his back, but still bolted the superlift bracket up.
Shane as far as the gussets. Yes your going to loose that bolt hole, but your no longer going to use that bracket anyway if you get the TJ brake lines. The gussets are really hit or miss. When I was looking at it, there was the limit strap holes, and then the stock holes that were already in the shock buckets. SO you kinda have to place the gusset where you are going to get the most welding to the actual frame. Obviously its' not a complete weld, and it's stitch weld, but it will work just fine. Just use your best judgement.
Shane as far as the gussets. Yes your going to loose that bolt hole, but your no longer going to use that bracket anyway if you get the TJ brake lines. The gussets are really hit or miss. When I was looking at it, there was the limit strap holes, and then the stock holes that were already in the shock buckets. SO you kinda have to place the gusset where you are going to get the most welding to the actual frame. Obviously its' not a complete weld, and it's stitch weld, but it will work just fine. Just use your best judgement.
#19
Thanks Eric. Yeah....I'm not really too concerned with losing that threaded hole....I can always make a new one. Well aware on getting the most weld there possible....so it's all good. I plan on running the stock bracket that bolts to the frame and running stainless lines from a local shop and eventually Cobra 13" front rotors and calipers. But that's a mod for another thread.
Don't have superlift brake like drops or bumpstop drops or limit straps. I'm effin' pimp like that. lol.
Don't have superlift brake like drops or bumpstop drops or limit straps. I'm effin' pimp like that. lol.
#20
#24