ITGuy's 2003 Sierra 1500/2500 4x4 RCLB Build Thread
- Thread starter ITGuy
- Start date
Got a lot done today.
Centerlink & T-rods cleaned and painted.
Idler + support bracket. The Pitman and Idler took a while to install. Big PITA.
Centerlink, idler, pitman, damper & Cognito steering supports all installed, loctite used where needed and everything torqued to spec.
Also bolted down the new HD Idler Assembly. Everything fit great!
Differential got 2nd top coat. Also did some touch up work underneath the frame and a few other areas.
I still need to pressure wash the frame in some parts so I can paint, but it will not hold up the build.
Centerlink & T-rods cleaned and painted.
Idler + support bracket. The Pitman and Idler took a while to install. Big PITA.
Centerlink, idler, pitman, damper & Cognito steering supports all installed, loctite used where needed and everything torqued to spec.
Also bolted down the new HD Idler Assembly. Everything fit great!
Differential got 2nd top coat. Also did some touch up work underneath the frame and a few other areas.
I still need to pressure wash the frame in some parts so I can paint, but it will not hold up the build.
CV axles are painted the same. Going to see how it looks bolted up. I can always flat black it if I don't like it. It came out good though, just taped off the sections and painted it.
We'll see. I think it will look pretty cool with the axles installed. Can't see much of it anyway once it is back up inside the front end. Really just from underneath, or looking down through the wheel well.
Cranking along today.
New Differential mount installed, torqued to 45 ftlbs with blue loctite (serviceable)
Passenger side differential mount, torqued to 85-95 ftlbs
Test fitting spindles, shields and hubs.
-Just finished tightening the UCA's and servicing / greasing he sleeves.
-Tightened the Upper Ball Joint but will not service it until spindles are mounted.
-Removed bump stops and painted. Waiting to dry so I can install new brackets.
New Differential mount installed, torqued to 45 ftlbs with blue loctite (serviceable)
Passenger side differential mount, torqued to 85-95 ftlbs
Test fitting spindles, shields and hubs.
-Just finished tightening the UCA's and servicing / greasing he sleeves.
-Tightened the Upper Ball Joint but will not service it until spindles are mounted.
-Removed bump stops and painted. Waiting to dry so I can install new brackets.
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Still cranking.
- Cognito Bump stop repacement brackets drilled and installed.
- Rear Differential Crossmember
I will clean and touchup and paint anything I scratch off.
Differential is on it's way in. Just need to get it on the jack and lift it up and align the new mounts.
- Cognito Bump stop repacement brackets drilled and installed.
- Rear Differential Crossmember
I will clean and touchup and paint anything I scratch off.
Differential is on it's way in. Just need to get it on the jack and lift it up and align the new mounts.
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Getting Ready to install the Front Diff.
Lining things up
I got the differential tightened down to the passenger side mount and the rear cross member. Nothing is torqued down yet.
Sorted hardware packages that are left for the front.
Lining things up
I got the differential tightened down to the passenger side mount and the rear cross member. Nothing is torqued down yet.
Sorted hardware packages that are left for the front.
I got the Front Cross member installed, but not torqued.
Time to fit on the skid plate
Skid plate differential mount wouldn't slide over this. Had to grind it down.
This was the only mod I had to make to entire Cognito install that wasn't in the instructions.
Time to fit on the skid plate
Skid plate differential mount wouldn't slide over this. Had to grind it down.
This was the only mod I had to make to entire Cognito install that wasn't in the instructions.
Rear & front cross members + skid plate holding up the diff.
Tomorrow I will torque everything as spec'd, and make certain everything is back where it belongs.
I'll also take some time and top coat a few locations that I scratched up underneath.
Looks great so far. All the part fitment has been great.
The things that have taken me the longest so far:
- Welding in the idler arm assembly
- Reinstalling the steering with the steering support brackets & shanks
- reinstalling the differential onto the new diff mounts & cross members
- And of course those damn torsion bars.
All of these would have been easier on a lift with more clearance and a extra pair of hands.
Tomorrow I will torque everything as spec'd, and make certain everything is back where it belongs.
I'll also take some time and top coat a few locations that I scratched up underneath.
Looks great so far. All the part fitment has been great.
The things that have taken me the longest so far:
- Welding in the idler arm assembly
- Reinstalling the steering with the steering support brackets & shanks
- reinstalling the differential onto the new diff mounts & cross members
- And of course those damn torsion bars.
All of these would have been easier on a lift with more clearance and a extra pair of hands.
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You were a big help getting a few things torn down.
Just talking about + planning the build helps too.
Me too bud! Getting anxious. Going to be beastly!
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I will be dropping them off at the shop tomorrow morning. I am also going to take this Friday off.
I am planning on finishing everything this week and using Friday to wrap up any loose ends.
Tonight's plans
- Torque all bolts to spec on cross members, diff mounts, skid plate.
- Mount the lower control arms
- get as far as I can mounting the Spindles / hubs
Beyond that it's just wiring, calipers, clamps, cv axles & linkages.
[I should paint the calipers while I have them out]
I will then re-install stock rims and tires and move jacks to the rear to proceed with lifting the back.
I've already loosened up all the ubolts and shocks though, so it should go along a bit easier.
Not waiting, I have all the parts now. Just listing out the installation order.
I meant get as far as I can due to time.
I usually only have a couple of hours on weekdays to work on it, but I may have a bit more tonight.
I meant get as far as I can due to time.
I usually only have a couple of hours on weekdays to work on it, but I may have a bit more tonight.
ok i wasnt sure if it was time constraint or not, normally i just go as far as i can until i fall asleep.
Progress as promised.
Hubs, shields and spindles assembled and torqued to 95 ftlbs.
Sensors are a bit pinched against the new spindles. I'll try and do something before caliper install.
Old upper control arms in the pic too. +1 for new and shiny stuff
Differential mounts, skid plate, cross members all torqued to spec. Took a while.
Air ratchet really helps on that back cross member.. Tight space with the diff right there.
I was then able to move on once all bolts were safely tightened.
Lower control arms installed, and I greased the upped and lower ball joint.
[possibly over pumped, but they are holding]
Yeah it's really dirty and dusty after sitting for 5-6 weeks now in the garage..
After both sides were completed it was time to mount the spindles.
Torqued ball joints to spec. Lost a cotter pin. Banged my head on UCA. Many curse words were spoken. :banghead:
Spindles & hubs getting jacked into place.
Mounted
Tie-rod test fit. Alignment is terribad at the moment.. but nice to see it all together.
Next comes the NTBD Arms... tomorrow.
Hubs, shields and spindles assembled and torqued to 95 ftlbs.
Sensors are a bit pinched against the new spindles. I'll try and do something before caliper install.
Old upper control arms in the pic too. +1 for new and shiny stuff
Differential mounts, skid plate, cross members all torqued to spec. Took a while.
Air ratchet really helps on that back cross member.. Tight space with the diff right there.
I was then able to move on once all bolts were safely tightened.
Lower control arms installed, and I greased the upped and lower ball joint.
[possibly over pumped, but they are holding]
Yeah it's really dirty and dusty after sitting for 5-6 weeks now in the garage..
After both sides were completed it was time to mount the spindles.
Torqued ball joints to spec. Lost a cotter pin. Banged my head on UCA. Many curse words were spoken. :banghead:
Spindles & hubs getting jacked into place.
Mounted
Tie-rod test fit. Alignment is terribad at the moment.. but nice to see it all together.
Next comes the NTBD Arms... tomorrow.