Finally Getting Around To It Build

After weeks of trying to figure out where my UCAs went, I finally received them. The dealer wrote down the wrong PO box and the post office said they didn't have it, although I got an email saying it was delivered. Had to work my way up to upper management to actually have them put an effort to look for the package. Low and behold it was sitting in the back.... Anyways, now I have all the parts I should need to redo my front suspension. Can't wait for it to warm up so I can install everything!

 

King remote reservoir shocks and Wheelers superbump bump stops ordered! Going to take a week off work toward the end of the month and get everything changed out. Kings both front and rear, front extended brake lines, rear bump stops, and TC UCAs. Should be fun!

 

So, I got an email from Wheelers and they said that it would take about 4 weeks to get my King shocks and that the shocks that I ordered only give 1 inch of lift. I talked to them on the phone and they helped me choose a better shock for what I'm looking for. After talking to them, I ended up getting some Fox 2.0 shocks. They ended up being less than half the price of the Kings and they even hooked me up with some cheaper shipping! Wish I could have Kings all around, but I think I made the right decision. Thanks again @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc! Great customer service as always!

 

Thank you, Austin! We appreciate your business.

 

So, today was full of setbacks but nothing too bad. Started the day by picking up my new rear Fox shocks and Wheelers bump stops at the post office. When I got there I handed them my slip and they brought out a package, but it wasn't the package I was looking for. They brought out my new OEM spark plugs and wires that I forgot I ordered. I told them that there should be another package and they didn't want to look for it until I showed them my tracking number and that it was dropped off at their post office. Finally after 15 mins they come out with my package all but hurt that the shipper didn't put my PO box on the package. Not my fault that I gave them my PO box # and they chose not to put it on there. Anyways, I get home and start taking the old shocks off no problem and get to the point where I'm taking off the U bolts for the bump stops and I find out that I don't have a big enough deep well socket to take the nuts off. I remembered I used my buddies deep wells the last time I messed with the leafs so I didn't have the socket I needed. Had to put the old shocks back on and head over to the store to get some deep wells. Get back home, take shocks off again, get the old bump stops off, the new super bumps on, U bolts tightened and go to put the new shocks on and welllll, the new shock had the wrong size bushings. Gave Wheelers a call and they had me send them some pictures and they did put the wrong bushings on one of the shocks by mistake. They apologized and sent out the correct bushings right after I got off the phone. It was a bummer that I ran into this issue but hey, people make mistakes and no use in getting mad about it. Put the old shocks back on for the second time today and wrapped everything up for the time being until the new bushings get here. Got the wrong bushings removed and now just have to wait for the correct ones to get in. Once I get the new bushings in, it should only be a couple mins to get the new shocks on, since I've got plenty of practice... At least I got the new super bumps installed! Heres a couple pics

New wires and plugs



Wheelers Super Bumps with 1/4" spacers


Fox 2.0 shocks


Old OME shocks which are still installed for now.


New vs old shocks


Driver side shock came with the wrong bushings



Old vs new bump stops


Wheelers super bumps installed. Might remove or add spacers depending on how they work with the new shocks once they're installed.





It wasn't too big of issue that I didn't get everything done today, but its ok, since next week I'm taking off the whole week to work on the truck. Just kind of a bummer.

 

Andddddd the setbacks just keep on coming! Was on my way to check out a bike on Craiglist and about 2 miles away from my house some tourist pulls out of a resort without looking at all or even stopping at the stop sign and runs his rental car right in to me. Luckily he admitted fault, everyone was OK and we were both adults about the situation. Swapped info, police report filed, his rental had to be towed away and I drove away. Nothing mechanical is messed up, just cosmetic for the most part. Even all the lights still work. Damage was fender that was already beat up from when I rolled the truck, turn signal, bumper is bent, hood is tweaked a little and might need some new parts to hold the grill and headlights on. Had some zip ties in the truck and ended up zip tying everything I could to make it work. In the mean time, its still perfectly drivable but will be waiting to hear from the insurance companies. Sucks, but all in all it could have been a lot worse. Can't forget the pics!

















Other car didn't fare as well...

 

Dang. That sucks. Bumper looks tweaked. Frame ok?

 

Damn! They must have been hauling ass when they hit you.

 

I was going about 35mph when they pulled out into me from a side street.

 

Way to keep on the sunny side.

 

Hows the tie-rods and all of that jazz?

 

Surprisingly everythings good. Checked the suspension and everything in the engine bay and no issues. Hell, even the alignment is good and all the lights still work, even the parking light that was smashed! Going to get a good look again at everything today but from what I saw yesterday, everything was fine.

 

Finally got around to installing the rear Fox Shocks. They were harder to put on compared to the OME. Got them installed and they seem to ride a lot better than the OME. Hard to tell since every bump I hit, I hear my worn out body mount bushings. Going to try to change those out soon. Also got the rock sliders and the frame reinforcement plates repainted. Plan to repaint the rear bumper too. Not going to mess with the front bumper since its messed up and insurance said they are going to buy me a new one. Heres some pics.









Hopefully within the next 10 days or so I can change the body mount bushings, repaint rear bumper, and install my TC UCAs, extended brake lines and Kings up front.

 

Those kings are so sexy.

Sucks about the accident but hopefully its better than before.

 

Sanded down, primed and painted the rear bumper. Nice to not see any more surface rust on the thing anymore.

 

Took a little while with the ball joints but I finally got my UCAs and Kings installed all by myself! Took the truck for a spin around town and I'm going to have to get used to no sway bar but damn the truck rides a hell of a lot better! Hopefully ill get it over to get an alignment within the next couple days. Also, I heard back from the insurance company about the accident and they're going to pay for everything including rental car! Today was a good day! Pics as always!

Sway bar and skid plates taken off


Old parts taken off


Suspension looking a little empty except for the ball joint.


New vs. old UCAs


TC UCAs installed


New vs. old shocks


Kings installed


Everything installed!

 

Is that hitch receiver a custom weld in? I’m wanting to do something that looks just like that. Do you have any pics of what it looks like underneath and behind the bumper?

 

Hopefully these help, sorry the lighting is kind of bad. I haven't towed with it yet but I have pulled someone out of the mud when they we're buried past their axles and it held up great. Let me know if you need anything else!

 

Those are very helpful! Thanks for taking the time to post those.

 

No problem! Glad to help!