4" lift. no steering

[coreys87]

okay long story short. swapped axles and original axle had the raised arm for a 4inch lift new one doesnt. old steering arm broke. should i just buy a raised steering arm, or get a longer pitman arm? thanks

 

[crazy4offroad]

The steering arm is the cheapest alternative, but it can be a real bitch to get the old one off. Have a propane torch handy and a BFH.

 

[coreys87]

yea i figured that lol.

 

[79K10]

while we're on the lift subject... i guy gave me some 4" lift leaf springs, rancho shocks for the front, 4" blocks for the back.
is it easy to install the lift? ive got air tools and a can of pb blaster for the bolts...
my question is do i need to buy anything else? will the steering need a new arm,new brake lines or am i good because of the small lift, will the u bolts in the back accomadate the blocks or do i need new u bolts too?
thanks in advance

 

[smurph20]

YOull probably need new ubolts up front and will have to have them in the rear relocating the brake lines brackets should be good enough not sure on the steering.

 

[79K10]

YOull probably need new ubolts up front and will have to have them in the rear relocating the brake lines brackets should be good enough not sure on the steering.

ok, so, front u bolts,maybe back u bolts, relocate brake line brackets (no need to get new lines) maybe some steering linkage.

as far as an install goes, is this a 2 man garage job? or having never done one should I get someone who has done em before (dont want to kill anyone or have something fall off down the road)
thanks

 

[smurph20]

Maybe front ubolts you will relace rear if you use those blocks. 2 man yes even 1 aslong as you double and triple check everything before you drive. SAFTEY is the biggest thing.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Unless the u-bolts are new I wouldnt even consider reusing them if they are OEM. It will be much fast and easier to just use a cut-off wheel and cut them off. You'll need a 4" raised steering arm, or a steering arm block, or a drop-draglink, or a drop pitman arm. If you only have rancho shocks for the front, you'll need a new pair for the rear too. Address the brake lines before you start on anything, so you dont stretch the rubber lines. When you do the rear, make sure your driveshaft slip yoke isn't abut to come out of the trans when you jack up the bumper and let the axle hang after getting the blocks in. I doubt it will but check it. The front driveshaft should be OK.

 

[Swims350]

you neeed u bolts front and rear for the kit, rear is a must.

you need the steering arm, raised one.

You may need the little metal plates that relocate the brake lines lower, we did not on our 86, we didn't wheel it so it had plenty of room, driveshafts were both fine.

We however had to use sway bar drop brackets, the sway bar would not bolt up without them and barely did with them. Just something to check once you lift it up.

 

[79K10]

great, thanks for all the info. I feel pretty good about giving it a shot now

 

[Swims350]

it's easy with an impact, hardest bolts is most likely the leaf spring to hanger/shackle ones, u bolts aint bad as c4 said cut em if need be.

The arm is a pain but we jacked the truck up, put a jack stand under the old arm, let the truck sit down on it, soaked em repeatedly, then smacked on it some, popped right off.

 

[bucket]

I've got/had a few with 4 inch lifts, none have needed the drop brackets for the sway bar. I also like using extended brake hoses rather than messing with the drop brackets and bending the factory lines. IIRC, 2wd front hoses are a cheap alternative to extended fronts.

 

[GreaseDog]

NEVER reuse ubolts! As time goes on,and after removing and retorquing them especially, they will stretch ans weaken. Is the $80 you will spend on ubolts worth an axle coming loose and destroying your truck, or worse, injuring some innocent motorist orpedestrian?

For a 4" lift (front springs rear blocks):
Raised steering arm
longer brake lines, or relocate stockers
Proper length shocks at all 4 corners
8 NEW QUALITY ubolts

 

[Swims350]

that's what everyone said that NONE of them had to relocate the sway bar with the drop brackets, BUT we DID, it would not line up without them and it barely did with them.

 

[79K10]

NEVER reuse ubolts! As time goes on,and after removing and retorquing them especially, they will stretch ans weaken. Is the $80 you will spend on ubolts worth an axle coming loose and destroying your truck, or worse, injuring some innocent motorist orpedestrian?

For a 4" lift (front springs rear blocks):
Raised steering arm
longer brake lines, or relocate stockers
Proper length shocks at all 4 corners
8 NEW QUALITY ubolts

sounds good to me, i want to be safe