Bilsteins on the way...

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Just ordered some Bilsteins and they should be here on Friday. Planning on installing them myself but was just curious if anyone has run into any problems that I should be aware of... Planning on setting them on a low setting for the time being until I can buy bigger tires. The install looks pretty simple, but I know that nothing is ever simple when it comes to me doing mechanical work.

Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has the torque specs I'd need that would be great. I see there is a sticky for it but I had a hard time finding just the ones I need.

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Frosty415 said:
Just ordered some Bilsteins and they should be here on Friday. Planning on installing them myself but was just curious if anyone has run into any problems that I should be aware of... Planning on setting them on a low setting for the time being until I can buy bigger tires. The install looks pretty simple, but I know that nothing is ever simple when it comes to me doing mechanical work. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has the torque specs I'd need that would be great. I see there is a sticky for it but I had a hard time finding just the ones I need.

Upper Ball Joint Nut - 70
Tie Rod End Nut - 55
Lower Shock Bolt - 100

These I know but I am still uncertain about the sway bar link nut (stablizer link nut??), the 3 upper strut nuts, and was wondering if there is one for the top of the strut(the one that holds the strut/strut plate together)
I'm just not very good with the technical names of them. I kinda have my own definitions of things lol

Laddy · Oct 9, 2017

I always throw this one out there when someone asks for tips and tricks. Every day, up until you are ready to do the install, spray everything with WD40 or some type of PB blaster.

It'll be the best thing you do for yourself.

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Laddy said:
I always throw this one out there when someone asks for tips and tricks. Every day, up until you are ready to do the install, spray everything with WD40 or some type of PB blaster.

It'll be the best thing you do for yourself.

Hey, thanks. Ill be sure to do that this week. Truck has very low miles on it so I was just banking on it not being too hard to get apart

Fanta1500 · Oct 9, 2017

If I were you, I would set them at whatever height you want them at and leave them. It is a good amount of work to take them all apart again and raise them later on. Make sure you do an alignment after install and a few months after (because of settling in). Like others said spray everything in wd 40 or some blaster as well. Also make sure washer goes on before the top hat.

JB1 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
If I were you, I would set them at whatever height you want them at and leave them. It is a good amount of work to take them all apart again and raise them later on. Make sure you do an alignment after install and a few months after (because of settling in). Like others said spray everything in wd 40 or some blaster as well. Also make sure washer goes on before the top hat.

^^^this all of the above

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
If I were you, I would set them at whatever height you want them at and leave them. It is a good amount of work to take them all apart again and raise them later on. Make sure you do an alignment after install and a few months after (because of settling in). Like others said spray everything in wd 40 or some blaster as well. Also make sure washer goes on before the top hat.

I ultimately was going to go with 2.1 and possibly raise the rear up an inch later on down the road. I'm thinking it'd be a year before I took them back apart and adjusted.(I wanna use up the stock tires before upgrading) My only worry is that the front end will look a little funny with the stock tires and being lifted up. Ill have to throw the jack under the front and get an idea of what I want. Thanks.

Fanta1500 · Oct 9, 2017

This is mine set at 2.8 to give you an idea

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

As far as alignment goes....how bad will it be when its all finished?? Still drivable?? It may be a day or two before I can get it in to a shop is why I ask..

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
This is mine set at 2.8 to give you an idea

Damn that looks nice man. Those are stock wheels/tires?? 275/60/20?

Fanta1500 · Oct 9, 2017

Yup. Leveled the front right with the back. 39.5 inches all around

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
Yup. Leveled the front right with the back. 39.5 inches all around

That looks way better than I thought 2.8 would. I wasnt going to go higher than 2.1. I don't suppose you have a side view pic??

2k9ram · Oct 9, 2017

Frosty415 said:
Just ordered some Bilsteins and they should be here on Friday. Planning on installing them myself but was just curious if anyone has run into any problems that I should be aware of... Planning on setting them on a low setting for the time being until I can buy bigger tires. The install looks pretty simple, but I know that nothing is ever simple when it comes to me doing mechanical work. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has the torque specs I'd need that would be great. I see there is a sticky for it but I had a hard time finding just the ones I need.

The lower shock bolt has been known to give guys a problem. Impacts can make your life easier if you have one at your disposal. For a novice getting the upper ball joint to release can be a head scratcher, but is completely doable.

Fanta1500 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
Yup. Leveled the front right with the back. 39.5 inches all around

Sadly no, not w my stock wheels

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

2k9ram said:
The lower shock bolt has been known to give guys a problem. Impacts can make your life easier if you have one at your disposal. For a novice getting the upper ball joint to release can be a head scratcher, but is completely doable.

Yeah I have an impact, not the greatest one ever but should do the job just fine. To be honest the only area that I'm not 100% on is the disassembly of the shock itself. But as long as I take my time I shoulnt have any issues

Frosty415 · Oct 9, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
Sadly no, not w my stock wheels

No biggy. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

Frosty415 · Oct 12, 2017

Fanta1500 said:
If I were you, I would set them at whatever height you want them at and leave them. It is a good amount of work to take them all apart again and raise them later on. Make sure you do an alignment after install and a few months after (because of settling in). Like others said spray everything in wd 40 or some blaster as well. Also make sure washer goes on before the top hat.

Just to clarify...the washer goes on before top cap?? I was sure that was right but then I watched an install video the other night and someone put it on after the top cap, right before the nut.

JB1 · Oct 12, 2017

That video is wrong, that guy needs to delete it. Read the comments below the video

Frosty415 · Oct 12, 2017

Can anyone tell me the torque spec for the sway bare end link nut?? Is it 75lbs?? That seems a little hefty to me

JB1 · Oct 12, 2017

I always just tighten until bushings swell slightly

Bilsteins on the way...

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