It's now Sunday morning and I got started bright an early. I knew the tire shop closed at 4 so my goal was to have everything finished by 3:30 so I could make it over there.
Let's get to it...
After much research I chose to use the MetalCloak front shock relocation brackets over the EVO ones. I studied the geometry and the way MetalCloak rotates the bottom of the shock just makes more sense to me. Rather than binding on the bushing it can rotate freely as the suspension flexes. I guess time will tell if it was the correct choice.
As I was working through the front I ran into a little snag. To mount the front bump stop you need to drill a hold in the factory base, and then thread in a bolt using a self-tapping 15mm bolt. Well, there was no way I was getting that bolt to thread even with my massive biceps :rolleyes2: I needed a 15mm socket driver but the largest I had was 10mm. My neighbor is always working on cars and loaned me some tools already so I went over to see if he had one. Of course not. I think it's the only tool he didn't have. After trying to MacGyver something we struck out. Time to use a lifeline so I called JeepJeep75 and he came right over to bail me out. He had a cordless impact driver and an adapter that worked perfectly so what would have taken me an hour to 2 minutes for both sides. Thanks Bro!
After that was out of the way I was able to put the springs and shocks in and at that point the only thing left was the draglink.
I got the draglink all in and the front finished up!
Damn, it's high and the tires aren't even on! :rock:
I was super stoked I was able to do the install myself. I learned a lot and most importantly I know how it all goes together in case I need to make field repairs.