ITGuy's 2003 Sierra 1500/2500 4x4 RCLB Build Thread
- Thread starter ITGuy
- Start date
Really looking good. having done a few lift kits don't sweat it if you don't have a cotter pin, because once you seat the balljoint taper it's not coming off.
And I really feel ya, doing this stuff is hard by yourself, between the heavy parts and tight confined spaces it can be a bit of a pain.
And I really feel ya, doing this stuff is hard by yourself, between the heavy parts and tight confined spaces it can be a bit of a pain.
Tight spaces can be a pain in my small garage but the rest of it I just consider a workout.
It is coming together though. Just got to stick with it and punch it out.
Planning on dropping off my rims / tires in the morning.
It is coming together though. Just got to stick with it and punch it out.
Planning on dropping off my rims / tires in the morning.
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should have put the CV's on before the hub, would have made life easier.
you may be ok, since you have to run the CV spacer anyway.
you may be ok, since you have to run the CV spacer anyway.
nahh cause these trucks are designed to remove the cv axle without taking anything else apart, done it a bunch of times
Yes, I expect there to be a 1/2" gap between the CV axle and the diff, making re-installation very easy. Cognito includes the CV Axle spacers to take up that gap.
Plus, you can rotate the spindles easily without the tie-rods hooked up allowing for some more play if needed. You can do this with stock spindles and pull the CV axle right out without much trouble.
What really helped me with this lift installation was reading the directions, probably multiple times and then outlining the whole build in general terms.
That way while paint was drying on one section, I could move to another without messing up the order of the build.
There is nothing worse than bolting something up and then finding out you have to remove it all because you missed a step or didn't realize that steps difficulty.
Plus, you can rotate the spindles easily without the tie-rods hooked up allowing for some more play if needed. You can do this with stock spindles and pull the CV axle right out without much trouble.
What really helped me with this lift installation was reading the directions, probably multiple times and then outlining the whole build in general terms.
That way while paint was drying on one section, I could move to another without messing up the order of the build.
There is nothing worse than bolting something up and then finding out you have to remove it all because you missed a step or didn't realize that steps difficulty.
Ordered
Black Cat Custom Gauge Plate
Blue LED Kit
Denali Instrument Cluster Faceplate / Lens
I have a couple of lights out in my dash (if I remember correctly) so time for a small upgrade
Black Cat Custom Gauge Plate
Blue LED Kit
Denali Instrument Cluster Faceplate / Lens
I have a couple of lights out in my dash (if I remember correctly) so time for a small upgrade
I don't mind it. I have all the tools to do it from one of my other hobbies [circuit boards etc]
Will post results next week sometime. Not an urgent project but should start my interior upgrades.
Will post results next week sometime. Not an urgent project but should start my interior upgrades.
Shoulda just gone the easy way and get a blue LED strip and soldered that in and wrap it around the inside of the cluster.
Got a bit more done tonight.
CV Axles + Spacers : test fit
Torqued in @ 70ftlbs w/ Loctite
NTBD Mounts installed and torqued to 100ftlbs / 40ftlbs on the shock mount
Rear Torsion bar Crossmember - removed for cleaning and painting
Torsion bars installed and waitng for parts to be painted.
I can't wait to get this out of the garage and pressure wash the frame so I can finish painting it.
CV Axles + Spacers : test fit
Torqued in @ 70ftlbs w/ Loctite
NTBD Mounts installed and torqued to 100ftlbs / 40ftlbs on the shock mount
Rear Torsion bar Crossmember - removed for cleaning and painting
Torsion bars installed and waitng for parts to be painted.
I can't wait to get this out of the garage and pressure wash the frame so I can finish painting it.
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Next up a bunch of misc things while waiting for paint to dry
-Grind, prime and paint torsion bar cross member + Tbars
-Clean and tape off Calipers, hit with a few coats of Red Caliper paint
-Clean Rotors
-Secure ABS lines
-Grease inner and outer Tie-rods, idler and pitman
-Install Cognito Allison Transmission Bracket
-Secure cable to front differential.
-Extend Vacuum line to front differential [needs 5 more inches or so]
-Install Cognito CV Driveline
I'll get as much as I can off this list done tomorrow night.
-Grind, prime and paint torsion bar cross member + Tbars
-Clean and tape off Calipers, hit with a few coats of Red Caliper paint
-Clean Rotors
-Secure ABS lines
-Grease inner and outer Tie-rods, idler and pitman
-Install Cognito Allison Transmission Bracket
-Secure cable to front differential.
-Extend Vacuum line to front differential [needs 5 more inches or so]
-Install Cognito CV Driveline
I'll get as much as I can off this list done tomorrow night.
Not sure at the moment. I didn't want a lot of color in there, just enough to grab attention. They would probably look ok red though.
3 coats of paint takes like 3 days, so I better get started soon lol.
No luck at stop #1 Paulin's Tire. They are a good group of guys, so definitely going back for alignment and service in the future :thumbsup:
They told me they would not be able to get a 35x12.50 onto a 22x12 rim, and furthermore with the massive offset they would have to mount it on the face of the rim.
Next Stop - Sullivan Tire. They have locations all over the East Coast.
They have a new shop over on Brighton avenue, and I got a chance to speak to the guy who does the mounting.
He says the only tires he has ever struggled with was some low profile tires on Dodge Viper rims.
Picking them up from Paulins and dropping them off @ lunchtime. Hope to have them back in a day or so.
At least I am getting my morning workout.
They told me they would not be able to get a 35x12.50 onto a 22x12 rim, and furthermore with the massive offset they would have to mount it on the face of the rim.
Next Stop - Sullivan Tire. They have locations all over the East Coast.
They have a new shop over on Brighton avenue, and I got a chance to speak to the guy who does the mounting.
He says the only tires he has ever struggled with was some low profile tires on Dodge Viper rims.
Picking them up from Paulins and dropping them off @ lunchtime. Hope to have them back in a day or so.
At least I am getting my morning workout.
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