Topic: BDS 4.5 finished

[N8whitie]

So I put in my lift and it took a Friday night and some of Saturday. The installation of the kit went smooth with the exception of a few bolts that refused to come off but some PB Blast and wrench finesse took care of that. I took the 3" body lift off and left the track bars off too. The ride is 100% better from what it once was with the shackle/body lift from the previous owner. I will get some pics up as soon as I can of the before and after. The one mistake I did make was breaking the banjo bolt off in the caliper ( didn't hear or feel the torque wrench click) and that was a hassle. For those who don't know, you can't get a banjo bolt from Monument or Kragen so I had to order it from the dealership in Dublin and I got it on Tuesday. So I reinstalled my brake lines, bled the system and it was all good from there. One thing I did notice from the previous owner was that he ran the exhaust pipe through the rear passenger side shackle... never seen that before so I had to saw that off. I just thought it was a strange way to run your exhaust pipe. Once I get a new exhaust system I'm just going to have a knock down around the center of the body so its totally free and clear of everything.
** Pics to follow soon**

[N8whitie]

Before


After

[N8whitie]

Pics of body lift and shackles from previous owner. Notice the exhaust going through the shackle.

[N8whitie]

A few pics of me and my buddy during the work.

[Jeffy]

Looks a lot better without the ghetto shackles and body lift.  How tight did you do the shackle bolts?  If you have nylock nuts you can drop the torque down to 45-ish without worrying about them coming undone.  This sill make sure the suspension is able to flex when necessary.  Also, you'll want to recheck and maybe loosen then torque the shackle and spring hanger bolts to make sure there isn't any preload on the suspension.  This would cause for a harsh ride.

So was this last Friday and Saturday or are you somehow in the future as it's not even Saturday yet?

[N8whitie]

haha. I tried the future thing and it wasn't for me so I came back. Yeah, it was last Fri and Sat. The Shackles are torqued to 50 all around. Thats a good idea with the nylocks, I'm going to grab some on Sunday and throw them on. I've checked all the bolts like 10 times already out of sheer paranoia... kind of a ( I think I left the stove on, I'd better go back and check) OCD thing. I seem to be getting a wierd wobble thing going sometimes now... Like the whole front of the drivetrain is shaking.... shifter, clutch pedal, steering wheel, gas and brake pedals all start wobbling then it goes away and comes back after a while. It doesn't last long but would you have any ideas on what it might be?

[sharpxmen]

those are the most ridiculous shackles i have ever seen

looks much better without that body lift too.

[N8whitie]

Thanks man, I'm really happy on how it turned out.... and yes, Those shackles were insanely, ridiculously, absloutely, positively, no question about it stupid. I'm not too sure what the guy was thinking but they're gone now and i feel much better about it. It was actually pretty embarassing driving around with that set up on it. When I took the lift blocks out they were all full of sand so I guess he just took it on the beach once in a while and thats about it.

[OH-YJ]

A great improvement from the shackles and body lift. I was going to go with a BDS lift (when the time and money are right), but I'm going to go SOA instead.

[Jeffy]

haha. I tried the future thing and it wasn't for me so I came back. Yeah, it was last Fri and Sat. The Shackles are torqued to 50 all around. Thats a good idea with the nylocks, I'm going to grab some on Sunday and throw them on. I've checked all the bolts like 10 times already out of sheer paranoia... kind of a ( I think I left the stove on, I'd better go back and check) OCD thing. I seem to be getting a wierd wobble thing going sometimes now... Like the whole front of the drivetrain is shaking.... shifter, clutch pedal, steering wheel, gas and brake pedals all start wobbling then it goes away and comes back after a while. It doesn't last long but would you have any ideas on what it might be?

Hmm, a wobble?  Well, if you're trackbar is off you might have some bumpsteer which would affect the steering.  I don't think you would have death wobble since you have a new suspension.  Maybe you have some minor driveshaft vibration.  It would probably go away once you get some mileage on the leafs and the ride height settles in.  You can try cycling it a bit my jumping on the front end a few times.

Maybe you're just not used to having some caster on the front axle. 

[Torch_Ind]

should the shackles not be the other way ?

[sharpxmen]

should the shackles not be the other way ?

i don't think it matters in this case, but you're right i seen them have the elbow pointing inwards

[FourbangerYJ]

Looks much better N8! Now you need to ditch those chrome tube bumpers   

[N8whitie]

Thanks bud. The bumpers get replaced next week. I'm getting the rock crusher front and rear. pretty stoked on                                        it.

[Torch_Ind]

i don't think it matters in this case, but you're right i seen them have the elbow pointing inwards

they go the  other way because in theory is to have the shackle sit against the frame and get the most out of your springs