Harbinger

I just installed my rancho kit on Saturday. I was worried about the u-bolt installation myself, but after torquing everything down, I have no doubts it will hold up. The bracket is held onto the CL by two ubolts with nylock nuts. Doesn't want to budge at all. Looking at pics of the OEM monroe stablizer, it does seem that then Rancho 5000 shock supplied is a bit larger. I got the kit for christmas from my brothers, they in turn bought it from AC. Took me about an hour and a half to install it, including grinding the stock tabs on my grassroots CL. I had a head start because my skid plate was already off. By far one of the easier to install mods I've done to this truck. Really like it's effect on steering too.

No kidding. Replacing all 4 front ball joints took me most of last summer! Granted I did quite a bit more than just ball joints when I had the front end all torn apart. I installed my AC (Rancho) Steering Stabilizer on Saturday.

I drove Apathy in the rain to work. Will probably sacrifice a chicken on my lunch break so I can afford to fill the ole girl up.

I was able to get a socket/breaker bar in there for removal. Installation I used a 24mm wrench. X2 on those being in good shape! Good thing you changed them when you did. By the point I got this far I had to order up two new rods.

Today I: Bought a grease gun and greased every zerk in the front end. Installed a K&N air filter and changed the oil. Installed energy suspension bump stops on my LCAs. Put the tires on the front end, and drove it for the first time since June. Still have to adjust the T-bars down a bit, shame those AC 3" coils give so much height! Install the skid plate, get her aligned and bob's yer uncle!

Tonight I finished installing the new bushings/end links on my front sway bar. Bled the new brakes, and greased a few bushings I had missed. Tomorrow she might actually wear her front shoes again!

Yesterday I: Finished installing new tension rods & bushings. Replaced the front sway bar bushings, and one end link. Today I plan on: Running to the hardware store for some new bolts/nuts. Installing the other end link. Hopefully get to changing my oil and installing the oil filter relocation kit. Lessons learned: Often times on a truck with OEM parts still installed after almost 200K miles, the best option is to just cut the rusted bolts with a grinder.

Replaced the front Calipers, Pads & Rotors on Saturday. Also repacked my wheel bearings and slapped my new Warn hubs on. The brakes drag a bit but otherwise turn freely. Do I need to change something? Yesterday started on the Tension rod bushings. Got one tension rod removed but have a frozen bolt on the passenger side, figure I'll take the torch to it tonight, and if that doesn't work, I'm grinding the bastard off. From the looks of the tension rod I'll be ordering new ones as the old metal bushing sleeves are so rusted in place I can't remove them. O'well, what's another week or two of sitting on jack stands? Started on replacing the front sway bar bushings and end links, but ran out of light last night.

Well we'll see how she settles once I can drive her again. Don't really want to go more than 2.5" up front, but might have too if the rear doesn't settle a bit.

Installed my new lift coils + shocks. The AC 3" coils gave me nearly 4" of lift! I'm hoping they'll settle down closer to 3". I then cranked the t-bars up about 2.5" on each side. Need to wait to drive it a bit to see how everything settles, but that won't be till next weekend. Rockauto is awesome and all but waiting for parts sucks! I really want new tires now too...

I recently had the same issue. The answer was in fact, get a bigger hammer. If you can smack the side of the joint hard enough, it will temporarily disfigure the tapered joint to pop it loose.

Installed new TRE's (all 4, + the adjusters) and my new Grassroots CL last night. Combination of all those REALLY tightened up my steering! Also ordered up some Warn manual hubs, so I'll be able to throw her back together once those get in!

Yesterday I drilled the idler arm taper out to 5/8ths, and installed it along with the new AC brace onto the truck. Tonight, I try and pull the steering box to drill out the pitman arm. Wooo.

I was referring to me. Was trying to get the zombie post comments out of the way. Just thought I had some relevant data for the thread, since it showed up in a search.

As a dog owner, I agree. Lets see...today I removed her centerlink (Now we wait for the grassroots replacement!). Also popped the upper ball joints out of the steering knuckle. The replacements are already installed on the new UCA's, just have to sort what bolts to use.

Holy zombie post Batman! These ball joints do have grease zerks. They seem to be of high quality, but I haven't got them on the truck yet.

Got both steering spindles dismounted over the weekend, as well as all the ball joints and front shocks. Now searching for an impact wrench to undo the stubborn bolts that are leftover, order some UCA spindles, and throw her back together. Might do the brakes while I've got her broken down this far too.

Placed the front end on jack stands, took off the tires, and in a holding pattern until parts arrive. There's a point to the holding pattern though. Already took a can of engine degreaser to all the bits I'm going to be removing & hosed em off. Soon as she dries off I'm going to go back and hit key bolts with PB Blaster again.