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My Subframe Drop Install Thread


01silvapathy
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Okay so based off of a few requests an such for pictures i figured id go ahead and make a thread about my lift install. So here goes,I know my kit is not the same as others but the blocks and how to take off the subframe and steps I took should all be the same. I am missing a few pics and will try to get them updated and such once its light out again to take pics.

 

How she entered the shop

SFDInstall004-1.jpg

 

Removed Wheels and tires and placed 10 ton jack stands on the frame rails right under the door jam....removed the struts

SFDInstall005.jpg

 

Pile of parts removed, disreguard the cv axle I replaced one while I was at it. But the easiest way to do the lift is to LEAVE the CV attached to the diff

SFDInstall006.jpg

 

Strut removed and sway bar detached, used mig wire to run through the knuckle and up to where the struts mount to keep the weight off of the ball joints and to stop the knuckle from dropping down

SFDInstall007.jpg

 

Support axle with floor jack and Remove the 4 bolts per side that hold on the axle to its mounting bracket and slowly lower the axle allowing the cv axles to "bind" on the lower control arms. This is to drop the axle enough to access the motor mounts

SFDInstall008.jpg

SFDInstall009.jpg

 

Next up, remove the motor mount bolts that are bolting the motor to the subframe. Its easier to take off the bolts without the floor jack/wood supporting the motor now cause the motor weight will just go onto the subframe which is still bolted up at this point

SFDInstall013.jpg

 

They are a bit trickey to get to so we found the easiest way was to just use your leg to do the work

SFDInstall014.jpg

 

Once those bolts are removed, find something to support the motors weight from the oil pan. In our case we only had one floor jack, so we cut a 4x4 block to length to support it...worked like a charm!

SFDInstall015.jpg

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Onto removal of the subframe bolts that mount to the body. These bolts gave us the greatest issue of all, and we had to use a torch to get the bolts red hot than a big impact gun to remove the bolts

SFDInstall016.jpg

 

Be careful for fires :crossedwires:

SFDInstall019.jpg

 

There are two points on each side of the truck were the subframe bolts to the body, 2 bolts per location so 8 bolts total. Here are the other bolts that need to be removed where the LCA bolts to the body. DO NOT COMPLETELY REMOVE ALL BOLTS YET JUST LOOSEN THEM!

SFDInstall010.jpg

 

Once all bolts are loosened we took ratchet straps and ran them through the knuckle to support it while allowing the knuckle to travel down with the subframe. We also placed jackstands right under the lca mounts where the bushings are to rest the rear of the subframe on

SFDInstall020.jpg

 

Disconnect the steeering linkage, after securing the steering wheel....I haz no pics of this

 

Once thats done, we took a 2x4 cut to the length of the front of the subframe and laid it on the jack, to support the length of the subframe. Once the jack is in place, remove all the bolts that bolt the subframe to the body and slowly lower the subframe, watching for any wires being conected. Also the rack and pinion pressure sensor wire needs to be removed. Lower just enough to place the engine blocks on the studs, about 5in.

SFDInstall021.jpg

 

Jack setup

SFDInstall022.jpg

 

Start placing all the blocks in place starting with the engine blocks and then the subframe blocks

SFDInstall023.jpg

 

This is about where we stopped, took me and a friend from 7pm til 3am to get this far

SFDInstallPart2001.jpg

Edited by 01silvapathy
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So the next day we both slept til about 4pm and went back to work

 

Placed all the blocks in place and torqued them to spec

SFDInstallPart2003.jpg

 

Engine Blocks

SFDInstallPart2004.jpg

 

Rear view

SFDInstallPart2005.jpg

 

Once all the blocks are in place raise the subframe up to the blocks and install all bolts. Its easier to use a screwdriver with a long shank to help pull everything into place.

 

Once everything is pulled into place and torqued to spec install your steering extension and reconnect the rack and pinion pressure sensor. Dont have any pics of this step.

 

Bolt the strut spacers to the struts and check for proper alignment of them. Take them and hold in place while using a jack to raise the knuckle into location to place the strut bolts into the strut. (again no pics..sorry)

 

Next up is to take and bend the rack and pinion bracket (i will get a pic tomorrow of this) basically take off the bracket and bend it then re install allowing the steering rack to turn

 

Lastly torque on the wheels and tires...we had to use a few 2x4's to get the truck high enough to do so

SFDInstallPart2007.jpg

SFDInstallPart2015.jpg

 

Finished front, just have to get another camber bolt for the passenger tire and switch out one strut spacer when I can get back into the shop to work again. My front fender measurment is at 43 1/2 inches at the moment

SfdDrivingPart1001.jpg

 

Before the lift

 

beforesfdtank.jpg

After

SfdDrivingPart1003.jpg

SfdDrivingPart1005.jpg

Edited by 01silvapathy
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Took some pics of the steering rack rotation, literally takes about 10 minutes to do. You can see the rack, and the brackets that hold it on. Loosen the passenger bracket and remove the drivers side braket, bend accoring to the picture I got from Shift220, and replace with washers to make up for the difference in space for mounting.

016-4.jpg

015-4.jpg

 

Rest of post reserved for rear lift

Edited by 01silvapathy
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Whats with all the hate lately on r50s? Its probably because we finally found a way to lift up higher and really challenge a wd offoroad

I don't see any hate?

 

I was just messing with you bro. You know I love your rig.

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Thanks guys, I figured id be the one to post up the first decent kinda step by step instructions of sorts. I know id have loved to see more of the process before I had my go at it, but I just took things as they came. Andrew (shift220) has also been a huge help in the process.

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LOOKS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so jealous right now dude...

Question for ya though how much $ are you in on the lift so far???

and I'm sorry bout not getting back to you about the missing link I've been really under the weather for the last little while...

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LOOKS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so jealous right now dude...

Question for ya though how much $ are you in on the lift so far???

and I'm sorry bout not getting back to you about the missing link I've been really under the weather for the last little while...

 

Uh well about 600 for the ac lift (coils, struts, shocks, Manual Hubs) and I paid 800 like an idiot for my sfd plus a 52 dollar custom brake line, and possibly 152 for different strut spacers which I may or may not use. So me personally, im in atleast $1452 to $1604. WOW, I never really added it up before LOL. But I paid for hte sfd two years ago so I kinda got over spending that much. But now you can get a sfd kit for $450 so you should be able to get where im at for around a grand, which is right about what it would cost to lift any other vehicle 6in as well so its whatever. Gotta pay to play :itsallgood:

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hi folks from freeeeezing England ,i like what youve done there, now ive got to work it all out to right hand drive and take up residence in my work shop. just need to get a compressor before i start, figure air tools are the future. thanks for putting youre photos on . cool rig

 

 

Franc

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hi once again from a cold england, what do people do to raise their pathy's without the sub frame drop . springs ? shocks? if so has anyone sourced any hybrid parts?

thanks

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