Installing My Lift in Stages.....

I don't want to be rushed so I'm going to install my lift in stages. I'm thinking about the following stages with possibly a week in between each stage.

1st) Put on the AAL and rear 5100s

2nd) Install TC UCAs

3rd) Front preassembled coilovers

4th) 285/70/17s


Can I ride around with the entire front completely stock except for the TC UCAs with rear AALs and 5100s installed? I don't see a reason not to but thought I should ask.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks!

 

Just take a weekend and do all of it bro!

 

Well, the front struts have to come out to install the UCAs, so you might as well install the new ones at the same time.

 

No they don't. You just need to support the spindles when the UCA is removed so it doesn't hang on the brake line. Absolutely no need to remove the dampers.

 

I did it kinda like that. Istalled tires, 2 weeks later installed new dakar's and OME N182, then 2 weeks later put the front coilovers and UCA on.
No problems, but as someone else said if your doing UCA's is simple to do coilovers then.

 

Now that I think about it, I guess that is right. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

The front struts are pretty easy to replace though (at least on my 1st gen). Do it while the wheels are off, I think.

 

Is it ok to ride around with just the TC UCAs on the front with no other mods on the front?

 

bump

 

no, you will blow out your wheel bearings....

 

Since you're talking about doing the mods only one week apart, I think I'd just do the whole front at once. From what I've seen, the coilovers swap out pretty quickly, especially since you're already in there. It'd be less work plus you'd probably have more room to work on the UCAs without the coilover in there.

 

If you do UCA's, you might as well do the coilovers and wheels at the same time. You've already got the truck up, the tires off and the tools out.
Another thought... you'll need an alignment after just doing the UCA's. You'll also need an alignment after only raising the suspension. Might as well just do both at the same time, install the larger tires and get the alignment done once.

I did mine over the period of 1 year. Suspension w/o UCA's... needed an alignment. Then did the UCA's... needed another alignment. Don't make the same mistake.

 

This is a good point. You really should get an alignment after doing the rear as well. Lifting it changes the caster in relation to the ground and the weight on the front end as well.

 

I did all the same things you are doing (less the tires) in about 6 hours. I would get as much done at once as possible if it were me. Less effort to align it and make sure they are right....Plus you'll find out if you need anything else to eliminate shims or anything...

 

I get free alignments so that's not a factor.

 

All that can be done in less than 8 hours taking your time. When I did my install it took around 7 hours with us takin our time and going to the store to get parts.

 

If sitting around waiting for the alignment and/or doing them over and over yourself is okay with you- Then swing it any way you want!!!

The UCAs shouldn't hurt you on the stock front end...and with a good alignment you should be able to drive just fine with each of those changes...