Tech Corner: Prepping for a DIY Lift Kit
Having a lift kit installed on a vehicle is a great way to inspire a sense of pride. This is especially true when you’ve installed it yourself. Maybe you’ve already got some experience under your belt. Or maybe you’re itching to get your hands dirty installing one for the first time. Either way, let’s take a look at what’s necessary to install an aftermarket lift kit, what tools you’ll need, and when it might be time to call in a professional.
Get Those Tools Out
Setting up a lift kit on your own is a tough job. Suspension work, by nature, is hard. So, you need to make sure you have everything in your corner to make that work easier—and that means having the right tools for the job.
First up: basic hand tools. If you’re looking for a reason to set yourself up with those Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches or some high tooth-count ratchets you’ve had your eye on, this is a fine time to do so. Also on the list should be pry bars, pliers, screwdrivers, mallets, and hammers. Depending on your vehicle, you may need a coil spring compressor, but this isn’t the only specialty tool that you’ll need. Ball joint separators and compressors, along with brake caliper tools are necessary for the installation of many suspension lift kits. And for assembly, you’ll need a good torque wrench and plenty of Loctite.
Going into a suspension job, you can expect that some bolts will be stubborn. That’s why dowsing every last bolt under the truck with PB B’laster a day or two before starting will give you a fighting chance. Even then, some can still be pretty rough to deal with. Having a torch, MAP gas or propane, along with a good breaker bar can make quick work of them. It’s also wise to be prepared for a few pieces of hardware giving up or needing to be cut with a reciprocating saw. So, if you can anticipate needing to replace some bolts, picking up the replacement hardware before getting started can be a major help.
Proper Jack Safety
While some of you may be lucky enough to have access to a lift, most will be working with a floor jack and jack stands. Your head, hands, and several other parts of your body may wind up underneath the vehicle as you work, so I can’t stress enough the importance of proper jack safety.
For starters, make sure you are on level ground and that your jack is tall enough and strong enough to lift the vehicle both before and after the lift kit is installed. Never leave the vehicle to rest on an extended jack—make sure you put the stands to work. And of course, if you are lifting the vehicle one side at a time, chalk the wheels to make sure the vehicle can’t roll off the stands.
Read Ahead & Know How to Ask for Help
Everything comes with instructions and, honestly, they’re something that you should take very seriously. Sure, you can use Youtube videos to help you through a process. Personally, I find them immensely useful. But your best source of information will always be the instructions. Working between the two can even help you decide whether or not you’re getting in over your head.
Plus, by reading ahead and looking into what’s in store, you can prevent yourself from winding up with a job you can’t finish but are already half-way through. With something like a lift kit, having to stop when the suspension is disassembled can be a real headache, especially if parts were damaged or lost.
As you study the process, if you come across a point where you become uncertain, such as cutting or modifying parts, you should stop and just let a professional do it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this.
Even if you’re highly skilled at lift kit installations, reading the full instructions before starting is just smart prep, as it gives you the chance to plan ahead. Setting up a game plan is always the key to a successful and enjoyable process. Study your truck, what tools you have, and even what habits you have. Regardless, you’ll likely get mad enough to chuck a wrench or two. (But having a game plan in place will reduce the amount of times you do.)
Do It Right the First Time
Remember: safety is everything. You do not want to half ass one single part of the process when you’re dealing with suspension. Every year nearly 5,000 people are killed or injured because of jack failures or misuse. So, when you have a vehicle up in the air—and you’re sticking your head and hands anywhere near it—you need to be careful.
Tragedy doesn’t discriminate—everyone, regardless of skill level, is at risk. Call a friend to help, or even just to keep you company and lend a hand if needed. Take the job as serious as a heart attack. Once you’re finished and the lift is in place, you’ve got your bigger tires on and your sense of pride is blooming, then you can have as much fun as you want.
