SS 1.2 Suspension with Stock UCA's?

[rossgoldie]

I am looking into buying the Sonoran Steel 1.2 suspension and I am hoping to keep my stock upper control arms. I have heard that it is very hard and damn near impossible to get the new shocks in with the stock UCA's. Does anyone have any experience with stock UCA's while installing the SS 1.2? Any tips or tricks while installing?

 

[baja1]

I just finished my SS 1.2, just be sure to read ALL the instructions before you start! I found the fronts to be waaay easier than getting them monster LC springs in the rear!

 

[sggaz]

I agree with baja1. Read and follow the instructions. Also, if you call Steve at SS he will give you pointers. He was very helpful to me. It seemed like a big deal to me when installing as I hadn't done anything like that before but in retrospect it wasn't bad.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I have SS1.2 with stock UCA's and no problems. Use the stock bottle jack in the wheel well to push down on the UCA and get the lower shock hole to line up.

 

[habanero]

Steve told me to loosen the upper control arm bolt to install, then tighten it again after the truck was back on the ground. Worked great. Steve has been very very helpful when I needed it. Satisfied and happy with the kit over the past 5 years/80,000 miles and with the occasions I have emailed/talked with him.

I do believe he's got the store turned off until July 8th...yet still he took the time to answer questions when I emailed him this past week.

 

[baja1]

I have SS1.2 with stock UCA's and no problems. Use the stock bottle jack in the wheel well to push down on the UCA and get the lower shock hole to line up.

LOL...but don't do what I did and put the jack on the plastic in the wheelwell. pop pop pop!:redbrick:

 

[rossgoldie]

Steve told me to loosen the upper control arm bolt to install, then tighten it again after the truck was back on the ground. Worked great. Steve has been very very helpful when I needed it. Satisfied and happy with the kit over the past 5 years/80,000 miles and with the occasions I have emailed/talked with him.

I do believe he's got the store turned off until July 8th...yet still he took the time to answer questions when I emailed him this past week.

Sweet, did you have to disconnect the LBJ then to fit in the coil?

 

[Ula'Tek]

Sweet, did you have to disconnect the LBJ then to fit in the coil?

I didn't need to disconnect the LBJ's, just a bottle jack as Bandit said and everything slid right in

 

[baja1]

hey Ross, CHECK THOSE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS! the alignment shop showed me how shot mine were! I think you can buy whole new units for less than I paid to have them replace mine! perfect time to address it!

 

[cashmoney]

I didn't need to disconnect the LBJ's, just a bottle jack as Bandit said and everything slid right in

If I did mine again I'd do this instead of unbolting the LBJ's. Those were a bit of a pain to get lined back up.

 

[habanero]

Sweet, did you have to disconnect the LBJ then to fit in the coil?

I don't believe so.
I have also occasionally used that same trick to make it easier to start the LBJ bolts.

 

[rossgoldie]

hey Ross, CHECK THOSE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS! the alignment shop showed me how shot mine were! I think you can buy whole new units for less than I paid to have them replace mine! perfect time to address it!

Great advice! I did get new bushings about 1.5 years ago though

 

[rossgoldie]

I agree with baja1. Read and follow the instructions. Also, if you call Steve at SS he will give you pointers. He was very helpful to me. It seemed like a big deal to me when installing as I hadn't done anything like that before but in retrospect it wasn't bad.

How long did the install take you?

 

[sggaz]

How long did the install take you?

I don't recall exactly but I know it spanned the entire weekend. That was the first time. When doing it on a second vehicle it took about a day. If I did it a third time I'd get it in maybe half a day. I started at at 'noob' and have graduated to semi-competent.