ADS Off-Road Racing Shocks - Information, Pictures, & BS Thread

Hey @PNW Explorer any specific tools you recommend before starting this swap? I was planning to do this at a buddies shop but a large tree fell on his house and I think I am going to be doing this in my driveway. I have a decent set of tools but was not sure if there was some stuff the average joe may not have that helped you with the install. Or any tool that was pivotal or would be very helpful now that you have gone through the process. I opted for SPC arms but I am sure the control arms will be just as difficult on mine.

 

Depends on if you are doing front and or rear.

For the front a set of ratchet wrenches would have helped with stock coil removal as well as removing some components under the hood. I would also have a gameplan to remove the UCA bolt. Are you going to bend the wheel well? Then a big pair of vise grips would be beneficial. Honestly after success on the driver side with bending and failure on the passenger side I would contemplate taking a Dremel and cutting a notch for bolt removal. It could be cleaner and easier.

If you are doing the leafs in the rear then have an idea for removing the eyelet in the shackle. I had to go buy a reciprocating saw. Others had success with a drill press.

Other than that it involved a lot of sockets, deep well and regular, sometimes one of each in the same size. I needed up to a 22 mm. A breaker bar also came in handy. Lastly I ended up placing a jack stand under each side of the frame and one jack stand under whichever side's LCA that I was currently working on.

 

@Quadabaum I forgot to mention I was able to do everything by myself with some muscle besides about 5 minutes of a second pair of hands installing the second UCA bolt.

 

Nice, thanks for the tips. Im gonna get a few extra tools this week. I am doing front and back, ecgs, and brake lines. Currently looking like ill be doing it alone in my driveway.

 

@Quadabaum good luck! I'll have to read up on ecgs....I didn't get around to the brake lines but the parts are sitting on my workbench as a reminder. Mods are never done lol.

 

I am going to look into a brake bleeder kit, doing it the old fashioned way is nearly impossible alone and takes much longer but I dont want to spend a ton on a special tool. lol. We will see. The ecgs looks fairly easy from the videos I have seen, I did opt to buy their special tool from a forum member on here. I may not have any issues but I want to do this ONE time. lol.

 

Why are you guys getting new brake lines? What lift do you have that is causing that?

 

I ordered from @HeadStrong Off-Road and the brake lines were a part of the kit. I only plan to go a max of 2.5" but I went extended travel so I am guessing thats the reason for long brake lines.

 

My birthday is next month. Should I pull the trigger on the resi clicker extended travel 650# fronts? It’s either these or the Bilstein 8112’s. Want a soft street ride with great ‘shitty road’ dampening but something that doesn’t jarr on the trails

 

Extended travel is only for the fronts I thought so you must mean extended front brake lines?

 

I opted for clickers because I wanted to buy once cry once. I went ADS for quality and service. Read the stuff on their site, its the real deal. Also Made in the USA which swayed my choice.

 

The kit comes with extended front and rear brake lines. Looks like coated steel braided lines, theyre also made in the USA.

 

they are for the front and back. At full droop in the back with ext travel shocks, you will need extended brake lines.

 

Even with Dakars?

 

Its what I have. Dakars HD with AAL in the back. Ext travel shocks in the back as well with extended brake lines.

 

Especially with the dakars.....

 

Brown Santa blessed me today.

 

What did you go with?

 

These shocks are above expectations. I am blown away. Can not wait to install next weekend. Adding pictures for future googlefu and because I am super excited. Thats spray foam packaging, robust and I had no issues with handling damage.

 

Just posted some pictures. 2.5" with clickers and 700lb springs