HELP!! McGaughys 4.5/6 kit issues

Hey everyone. I installed the 4.5/6 kit this past weekend. Has anyone ran into the issues I have listed below? Issues I ran into:

- rear shocks were not long enough to work with the shock relocation brackets. they were about 2” too short. I had to use the OEM shocks.
- front shocks I had to compress the front suspension about 3/4” to get the shocks to mount properly.
- I had to bend the front brake lines to clear without anything hitting them. I would have thought new lines would have come with the kit.
- No install instructions at all.

- also, I am running 255/45/20 on Ridlers wheels 20x8 on the front with rubbing issues on bumps and turns. What would be best solution to resolve? New Ridetech coil springs 4” and raise rear 1”?? Or cut and roll?

Truck looks great, nice stance, you mentioned that you had to compress the front control arms to fit the shocks, that is what will be holding your truck down, the shocks are not long enough. The shocks should have rebound movement to make them able to work correctly. Not a good idea to drive it as you are presently set up.
Good luck

GTP51 said:

Truck looks great, nice stance, you mentioned that you had to compress the front control arms to fit the shocks, that is what will be holding your truck down, the shocks are not long enough. The shocks should have rebound movement to make them able to work correctly. Not a good idea to drive it as you are presently set up.
Good luck

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I agree, sounds like the shocks are too short and acting as limiting straps.
Truck looks good though!!!

GTP51 said:

Truck looks great, nice stance, you mentioned that you had to compress the front control arms to fit the shocks, that is what will be holding your truck down, the shocks are not long enough. The shocks should have rebound movement to make them able to work correctly. Not a good idea to drive it as you are presently set up.
Good luck

Click to expand...

Thanks man. When the truck was on the lift, I had to push the suspension up to mount on the shocks. This is definitely an issue. Once I get new tubs installed, I'm ordering correct length shocks!!

Yep. Shocks are holding the suspension from being able to properly travel.

I have the correct part numbers should you need them

Did you get this issue resolved? I have the parts to do a McGaughys 4.5 drop on the front coming in today. I'm using BellTech shocks though. 2103HA part number.

If you had the suspension unloaded because the truck was on the lift, it's not uncommon at all to have to compress the suspension to install shocks. Yes, when the suspension is unloaded the shocks are acting as limiting straps. This doesn't mean the shocks will be a problem during normal driving unless jumping the truck is part of your normal driving. If the truck was sitting on its suspension and you had to compress the suspension further, then you're looking at an issue with shock length. While the truck is sitting on its wheels, the shocks should be compressed. My suggestion would be to take the shocks off while the suspension is loaded. The shocks should extend once removed from their mounts. The ride height of the truck shouldn't change.

Rear shocks: Remove the mount extender and see if the McGaughys shocks fit then. I'm not aware of their kit including mount extensions. It could be that with the extenders you're exceeding the working range of the shocks.