Took 9 months to get around to, but I've finally done the 1.5" ball joint spacers!!!

The install went exactly as described on SDORI's website (with good pics <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />). The only things of note not mentioned or to elaborate on is the following:

1 - I found it much easier to completely loosen the torsion bars to allow the UCA to move as far up as possible.

2 - Undo the sway bar to allow the lower control arm to droop as low as possible.

3 - Consider removing the shock to make more room to work in. I didn't, but if you're not comfy with an angle grinder you may want to (so you don't accidentally puncture that nifty Bilstein <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />)

4 - Speaking of grinders: Don't bother trying to use a grinding wheel on a drill or a dremmel; Go spend the $20 at Harbor Freight on a 4.25" angle grinder... It'll make your life a lot easier. And yes, I tried both first. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

5 - Get yourself a 1.25" picklefork for the balljoints (yep, that was a parts store run... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />). Also get yourself 2 new cotter pins for the castle nuts on the underside of the ball joints. Remove the castle nut & jack the rig up by the UCA (I used a 2x4 as a spacer for my floorjack <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />). The LCA and knuckle will fall with a little coaxing from the pickle fork & a good framing hammer.

6 - All you need to grind off the UCA is the rear lip on the underside of the ball joint mount, and .25" back towards the frame. Damn, sparks sure are cool. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

7 - Gotta get an alignment... Those things really add a helluvalot of positive camber. I'm probably around 8-10%.

Tomorrow I figure out what I'm doing with the rear end... I have my old Downey AAL, but it'll push up 1.5" & I think I'm going to back the bars down .5", thus the front will be up by 1". That allows for clearance of the 35's and about 3" of uptravel. Maybe I'll see if the 4WP down the street will sell me 1" blocks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Pics to follow... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pics my friend!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't believe it.....

can this be done to the stock suspension for more lift? what are the negatives?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> My ISP is having issues; Wanna host the pics for me?

Yes, this can be done to a stock suspension... Seems as though I'm the 1st T to do it, but it's successes are well documented on the 86-95 pick up. Wasn't that hard to do either; Easy 1.5" lift. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Update... I figured out what I'm doing with the rear - Ordered a set of Daystar 1.25" lift shackles (listed for Taco) from 4wp. It'll be in Monday. I figure I'll drill & cut to suit where I want 'em to sit.

Anyone ever remove the bushings out of the T's leaf? Are they the kind that come out easily or do they need to be burned out?

Sure. I'll pm you with an email address if you want to send them my way.

I'm obviously very interested to see pics and any more details you can share about the install (picklefork?). You're definitely breaking some new ground - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Pics have been sent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

All in all, a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be... While I hate to oversimplify, everything above fills in any gaps in SDORI's explanation. That's it, man!

Oh, and here's a picklefork... About 16" long, the opening needs to be around 1.25". You shove that in between your UCA & steering knuckle (after shimming up the UCA & removing the castle nut) & give it a few good whacks with a hammer. It'll spread 'em apart. Any narrower than 1.25" & you'll be whacking into the old ball joint itself (care to ask how I know that one?)... Needless to say, my other picklefork is 13/16th. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Pics from 4xGeek. Now I'm a believer! Too cool T100 on 35" MTR's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Passenger side -


Passenger side, looking towards rear -


Passenger side, looking towards front -


With the pimp 35" MTR's !! -


Serious positive camber! -



It may look a little bowlegged now but once you get that and the rear set up, you'll have the toughest looking T100 in the PNW. Awesome, awesome job. Thanks for remembering all of us with the photos and being the guinea pig for the board - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Creeper, thanks for the kudos (and the pm's hollerin' at me to do it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)... Problem is, this just opens up more doors to even more stuff to do to her. Oi, it will never end. I'm ok with that... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Doing the shackles Monday eve, doing the alignment Tuesday mornin' at Firestone... They still have the lifetime alignment for $159. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> It'll be kinda funny to see the look on the tech's face when he gets a load of that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />