Lifting Your Chevy Truck

nstalling a lift kit on your Chevy Truck is an involved project.Most kits will come with detailed instructions and there are countless manuals on how to do it.I'll describe most of the bigger details and try to keep it simple.Now you have to take into consideration that every make or model of Chevy is different.You may want to talk to someone about taking your truck to a qualified tech or shop.Remember that you will get detailed instructions with pictures included in your kit so I am just going to outline the "How To's" here.

Before you take off any front end suspension parts you must remove the torsion bars.Keeping mind that they are under a lot of tension.So count and write down how many turns are required on the adjustment bolts and just for good measure,make sure you mark the bolt and the nut with a highly visible marker.You will want to mark the front end position to the control arm.Your kits instructions will have more detailed procedures and warnings for removal of the torsion bars.

Removing the stabilizer bar then detaching the tie-rod ends from the steering arms is the next step.Disconnecting the shocks from the lower control arms can also be done at this time.

Now removing the steering knuckles requires you to take out the drive axles and take off the brake calipers,you can let the calipers hang out of the way with a piece of wire.Remove the brake disc and detach both control arm ball joints from the steering knuckles.Then you can lift the knuckles off.It would be a good idea to take the lower control arm off at this time.

Now the front diff has to come out and remember that there will be some modifications done to it.You are going to want to cut the differentials upper mount front the top of the housing.NOTE: Double check with the specific instructions for your make and model to make sure that this has to be done!

Depending on your kit,you may also have to cut back either the driver side,passenger side or both of the mounts on the frame.Your specific kit will instruct you on how to do this.DO NOT use an oxy-acetylene touch for this job.

Once you have done all that,you may want to install the new dropped rear cross member into place,it will mount to the frame where the rear of the lower control arms used to mount to.

You can now install the differential support bracket that came with your kit to the diff housing.It would be a good idea to use a thread locker when you bolt it together.NOTE:Once the differential is bolted back into place you will want to double check the fluid lever because you may have lost some when you removed some of the bolts so you could mount the bracket.Now bolt the passenger side diff/axle mounting tube to the frame.

Raise up the differential assembly,and bolt up the right hand side mount.Using the spacer provided attach the rear mount to the new cross member with the spacer between the mount and the differential.

It's time now to install the lower control arms.Make sure to measure and centered between the lower control arm mounting points on the cross member.Then tighten them down.

Now bolt up the hub and bearing assemblies from the old knuckles to the new ones.Now is a good time to install the drive axles with the new spacers provided with your specific kit.The Spacer will go between the differential output flange and the inner CV joint housing.

The torsion bar cross member and it's brackets can be installed now.Now,aligning the marks you made while removing the torsion bars,guide the torsion bars back into the adjustment arm.Installation is the exact opposite of removal.Again using the marks made on the adjustment nut and bolt,load the torsion bar.

You can now replace the rest of the front end suspension,reconnecting the front drive shaft,new stabilizer bar links,bushings and new shocks the were included in your kit.You want to take the time to double check that none of the lines or wiring harnesses (ABS brakes) bind during any of the range of motion from up and down to side to side.

Now,lets head to the back of the truck.Your going to want to support the read differential assembly while you unbolt all the mounting bolts.A decent set of jack stands and a floor jack will do the trick if you are not using a hoist.Unbolt the shocks and the u-bolts.Now,lower the axle using the floor jack,lucky guys have a hoist for this. You only need to go far enough to install the lifting blocks that come with your kit.

 

Install the blocks with the dowel pins on the blocks facing down and the shorter ends facing the front of the truck and bolt'em up.Install the new shocks.

You are going to be smart enough to make sure that your brake lines are long enough to allow for the full range of travel of your new suspension.NOTE:Anything more then a small lift will require new lines!