Who has done a self-install 6" pro-comp?

Well, I was actually hoping for a detailed step-by-step written by somebody...

I never like to be the first in those situations...

 

Actually the Procomp kit doesn't require you to weld in the plates. You are only cutting a small section out since the kit uses some of the crossmember for the new crossmember to attach to. I used a sawzall and a grinder with a cutoff wheel the remove mine.

 

Is it doable with just a grinder and cutoff wheel? I don't want to have to go out and buy a sawzall....

 

You should be able to get it done with that.

I use a sawzall whenever I can, I hate spinning wheels of death.

 

LOL!!!!

The other day, I was grinding some angle iron, and I thought to myself "This thing really should have a button like a drill, where I have to depress it for it to spin..."

The grinder I have, you just flip the switch on and it goes... If you drop that heavy thing.... bionic foot is your knew name.

 

Well it is very tight around the crossmember. You probably can but a sawzall is a heck of alot easier.

 

OK, did the crossmember cut relatively easy though? With the month nearing end, procomp has a good deal of a $400 rebate... I was thinking just save up the money and have the shop install it.. but if I just order the kit online and it myself, that's $400 rebate on the kit and NO installation charge.

I read the instructions A-Z, and I think every part is doable in my garage with the exception of the frame cut. If I do end up doing this (and I am leaning heavy towards yes lol) then I want to make sure I don't get halfway stuck.

That being said, with whatever tool you used, did the frame cut easily as expected?

 

I haven't done a second gen but I ran a 4" pro comp in the 98 I bought new. I imagine the install is about the same considering I've had the front end of a few 05's apart too. It took me roughly 10 hours to do it the first time. Then 3 years later I bought a 95.5 reg cab V6 and took the lift out of the 98 and put it in the 95.5 in one day. Completely solo. But I do have a well equipped shop and I've been doing this kind of stuff for over 20 years. On the old trucks a Sawzall was by far the best way to cut the crossmember. Just be sure to make it a clean cut just in case you ever need to weld it back in like I did.

 

Ya,

Well, I don't have a fancy shop or anything. Just a home garage like the next guy. But I do have a decent set of tools (craftsman sockets/ratchets, wrenches etc.. a nice collection I've built up over 10 years) and a pretty decent electric impact gun. Other than a couple of decent jack stands, I'm not sure there are any specialty tools needed.

The idea is to get as much information as possible and research as much as possible. I do that all the time with most any job I tackle and it has proven to be well worth it.

I'm pretty confident, and even though I'll be rolling solo, it looks all doable from my perspective, I just wonder about the cutting part the most. Because its not like loose material that I can re-purchase and try again, its the frame of my truck lol. So I only have one chance.

If there was a nice video or something of the frame being cut, that would be very helpful. I know I'm not the only guy in the world wanting to know this also.

 

Where are you located? I've read the entire two pages as I am itching for a lift on my 07.....We think alike; I am doing lots of research on this but I only want to go up to 3" lift. I love tools and I would be happy to help and as a form of payment, all I want is the experience from doing it. I have an air compressor, pneumatic tools for the job and a sawzall that I would suggest you get since it will make your world a lot easier.

So where are you exactly in this world wide web? and could you share that link as to where you found those instructions? I've googled it but got nothing.

 

Ya, I need to update my bio-information page thingie. I live in NM (ya, ya, I know... moving in a couple of years). I bought the truck new in July and wanted to put a lift the whole time. The dealer guy keeps telling me to do 3" only, but if you look at the damn costs of legitimate 3" kits, you might as well go the distance for the 6", at least that's my thinking.

I went to one shop a couple of months ago to get a quote, and I asked him what he thought since I was on the fence about the two, here is his response "We do both types of lifts regularly, but the 3" spacers outnumber the 6" 10-1... every now and then I will have 3" customers come back and say they wish they had gotten the 6" kit... but never since I been doing this have I had a 6" customer wish they did 3" (or otherwise)"

That did it for me lol. BTW, here is the link for the install, its right on procomps website: http://www.procompusa.com/downloads/PDFs/is/57396_57396MX.pdf

If I do end up doing this, and I do end up doing it myself, I'm going to make a VERY detailed tutorial with 30 million pictures lol so people in the future can use it like I have been looking for one hahahaha. The good thing is, a LOT of people on this forum have good info and know what they are talking about.

 

4x4,

thanks for that link. I was way off when searching...Too bad, I have property in Colorado, the Springs to be exact but I have all my tools in Augusta where I am currently stationed. Otherwise, I would love to lend you a hand.

Now, you got me all confused here as I am new to lifts but I just want my for the looks and I do not off road (not yet)...what do you consider a legitimate 3" lift? Brands? Links?

Happy holidays to you and let us know how it turns out for you.

Rob

 

Good stuff...

When I first started looking at lifts for my tacoma, I looked at 3" spacers... I figured, since it's a spacer, might as well just be cheap about it... nothing special to a spacer.. so I found some kits for like $190 on ebay, including a rear add-a-leaf...

Then I did more research, and people were telling me they are garbage, and it made sense. So I started looking at toytecs and OME lifts. They are like $700+. So, I figured I'd rather be shot dead than do something moronic like drop $700+ on a spacer lift, which left me in question of what to do (I dont want to run anything bigger than 33s or 34's at most...)

Then, I remembered, I owned a chevy with a 6" IFS lift and 35's. And I never once had a problem or a complaint or a regret or anything. So, that made my decision to (hopefully) go with a 6" DB Procomp... The prices for these kits seem to keep going up, WTH is up with that?

Being a fairly inclined mechanical guy... spacer kits just don't seem right to me (on a 4x4). Its just not natural. They arch the A-arms and CVs in angles they aren't intended for (this is just my opinion). DB are more natural, and 6" is the max one should go....

Hope that helps with you making your decision... In the long run, the price isn't that great of a difference, so you might as well get the one that REALLY want (in my case, the 6").

 

honestly, im surprised no one has come up with a writeup or something yet. I know when i did my drop, the DJM site had very detailed, step by step instructions with actual pictures, and people had posted up some tips as well, and some instructions on the harder parts. idk what's involved in a DB lift installation, but i know for mine it really helped to print out applicable pages out of the factory service manual.

& it's good that your trying to find the most info possible, cause it REALLY helps when your truck is up in the air and your entire front suspension is out, but at least you know you have all the right tools, and don't need to go and catch a ride to the nearest autoparts store.

anyway, good luck!

 

I have a 3" and I wish I had a 6" you spend a lot of money for 3" and imo I can hardly tell my truck is lifted

 

I did it with my friend it took about a day and half. It was pretty simple just alot of bolts. Need couple jacks and sawsa.

 

I personally think your over complicating it. There are no specialty tools needed. If you dont have a sawzall go buy one, there will always be a use for it later down the road. If you go with the pro comp lift there is no welding just the cut for the driveshaft.

Just jump into it and get it done. Im sure you have a buddy that would be willing to help. Its really not all that hard and you should be able to get it done in a weekend.

 

Ya, that might be just the way I'm going to go... I'm about 99.99% sure I'm going to go with the procomp kit. Now, about the no-welding, according to procomps instructions on their site, there is an area where you have to weld on the steering stops on each lower ball-joint mount...

I don't feel I'm over-complicating, I just wanted to get feedback from those who have done it before.

Thx

 

It's pretty simple. I mean if you can use common tools and read instructions in english, you can install the lift. The only problem is time. This will take a good amount of time to get done. Be prepared to dedicate a whole weekend in doing this. If you are not a patient person, then I suggest you cough up the dough and have it done at an off road shop.

 

You have the 800 dollar coil set? Any issues with the drive train? I want to go as high as 3" but your comment has me wondering....you really see no difference? While I could go for the 800 dollar set, I just can't justify it. I am not and will never get hardcore when it comes to off roading it. I have read several postings in here where the adjustable 5100 set for the front along with the 5100 for the rear is a nice compromise but I think they only give you 2.5" if lift. The other thing that makes me wary is that I read comments that the drive train suffers when you go up and past 3" without the right equipment...

Looking at your pics, it is hard for me to tell what you have in there....