2011 Leveling kit install *Pics*
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So my sister traded in her '06 for a 2011 the other day and asked if I could install her leveling kit with her... So I decided to take some pictures through the process on the passenger side.
So here we go... all in all it was a very easy install and took about 40 min total A-Z, no special tools req'd
First disconnect your battery, after you jack the truck up safely, I used the front most lower control arm frame bracket but make sure the jack leaves room for the LCA to droop for the install; and pull your tire off...
Remove the two brakets that hold your ABS and brake lines on the frame and steering knuckle to allow droop without stressing the lines
Then loosen and remove the nut from the top of the sway bar link
Now you can loosen and remove the nut on the upper ball joint so you can release the upper control arm
Give the knuckle a few good wacks right here... It took me three and pop it goes... just stand clear, you can also leave the nut partially on if you feel more comfortable that way
Now remove the three nuts on the top of the strut assembly and the large nut and bolt on the bottom and pull the whole assembly right out
Now install the leveling spacer on the assembly, I put a lick of lock tight on there...
Now put it all back together, you may need to carfully use another jack or set the truck on jackstands and use the jack to jack up the LCA you may also need to use a pry bar to set the UCA ball stud back into the knuckle like this
Puttin it all back together is pretty self explanatory, just make sure the ABS lines stayed in thier clips so they don't rub the wheels, and be sure to double check that you tigtened everything etc... let it down and head over to the other side of the truck!
So here we go... all in all it was a very easy install and took about 40 min total A-Z, no special tools req'd
First disconnect your battery, after you jack the truck up safely, I used the front most lower control arm frame bracket but make sure the jack leaves room for the LCA to droop for the install; and pull your tire off...
Remove the two brakets that hold your ABS and brake lines on the frame and steering knuckle to allow droop without stressing the lines
Then loosen and remove the nut from the top of the sway bar link
Now you can loosen and remove the nut on the upper ball joint so you can release the upper control arm
Give the knuckle a few good wacks right here... It took me three and pop it goes... just stand clear, you can also leave the nut partially on if you feel more comfortable that way
Now remove the three nuts on the top of the strut assembly and the large nut and bolt on the bottom and pull the whole assembly right out
Now install the leveling spacer on the assembly, I put a lick of lock tight on there...
Now put it all back together, you may need to carfully use another jack or set the truck on jackstands and use the jack to jack up the LCA you may also need to use a pry bar to set the UCA ball stud back into the knuckle like this
Puttin it all back together is pretty self explanatory, just make sure the ABS lines stayed in thier clips so they don't rub the wheels, and be sure to double check that you tigtened everything etc... let it down and head over to the other side of the truck!
Last edited by A7X; 11-11-2011 at 02:26 PM.
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WhiskeyRunner (02-02-2013)
#5
That's the great thing about a new truck.
The truck won't have things rusted together.
Looks good !!!
The truck won't have things rusted together.
Looks good !!!
#6
Looks good!
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#8
You won't need any air tools, they just help. And if yours isn't rusted up you should be alright...I've seen one winter rust up trucks bad enough to where we had to shear the heads off bolts and drill them out
Just make sure you have the LCA supported when you smack that top BJ loose.ill post a pic of what happens if everyone isn't too squeamish