Trouble With Rc Leveling Kit

brims · March 31, 2009

I tried to install my Rough Country 2" leveling kit today but it seems my truck won't have such a thing. I jacked the front end up and set it down on jack stands, both tires were at about 2" off the ground. First I loosened the upper strut nuts. Then I loosened the upper ball joint nut and hit the upper ball joint with a hammer at least a dozen times, sides and top. It would not budge.

So I remembered that some did not remove the upper ball joint so I figured I'd give that a shot. I then loosened the 2 lower strut bolts and tried to see if there was any slack. Nothing, it was like the lower strut was still bolted tightly to the lower control arm.

Any pointers you guys can give me would be appreciated. Maybe I wasn't giving it enough muscle, but I don't see why I wasn't. Thanks in advance.

03blackz71 · March 31, 2009

This is what I did.

after jacking the truck up and putting on jackstands I remove the wheels. Then I loosened the sway bar end links all the way. Then I removed the lower strut bolts and clips. Then push down on the a-arms to get them as low as they will go. Then I used a prybar under the strut to pry it up enough to install the block. I install the front bolt from the top down. Then install the rear bolt from bottom up. Then torque the bolts down and tighten the swaybar end links and torque to specs and install tires. Then it is done. Took me about an hour to do.

brims · March 31, 2009

I didn't loosen the sway bar, that is probably why there was still tension on the struts. Oh well, guess I'll try again later. There was nothing to do at work so I was trying to do it here. I just didn't want to get it all apart and not be able to get it home. Thanks for the input.

BuckFeverZ · March 31, 2009

I also unbolted the upper ball joint.

Stevens03 · March 31, 2009

A bigger hammer?

J-man67 · April 1, 2009

Those ball joints take some serious hits to make them budge. Probably a good thing though haha.

stlavsa · April 1, 2009

Keep hammering it will come off, u gotta hammer alot, more than a dozen times, and as hard as u possibly can.

brims · April 1, 2009

I was under the impression it wouldn't take too many hits to remove it. I was able to get it without removing the upper ball joints. When it's time for new shocks I'll keep this in mind as I figure it will be a LOT easier with the ball joint removed.

Got the kit in, looks awesome, it fells better too.

BuckFeverZ · April 1, 2009

Good deal man.

sgrah230 · April 1, 2009

congrats, are the pictures coming tomorrow?

brims · April 1, 2009

congrats, are the pictures coming tomorrow?

If you insist. I'll post some pictures of my newly leveled and dirty truck.

brims · April 1, 2009

Here are some pictures of my truck, still have the General AmeriTrac 245/70R17s on it. When I need new tires I'm probably just going to stay with the same size.