Egan's Mini Lift

[Egan]

This past Memorial Weekend I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and get my suspension goodies installed. The goal was to lift the Sport Luxury Utility Truck (SLUT) by about 2? via Torsion Twist and rear coil spacers.
Parts list:
? Traxda keys
? Traxda 1.5? rear coil spacers
? Bilstein shocks x4
? Cognito UCA?s with replaceable ball joint
? Kryptonite front endlinks
? Traxda shock extenders (ended up not needing these)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02357.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02357.jpg.html)

[Egan]

I started in the rear since it?s easy. First job is to jack the truck up, put it on jack stands, remove the wheels, and support the diff.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02359.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02359.jpg.html)

Next I disconnected the top of the swaybar endlink from the frame and completely removed the shocks since I was replacing them anyway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02360.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02360.jpg.html)

Then I lowered the diff as far as I could to make room to install the spacers above the coil springs. I had to detach all of the ABS lines from the diff in order to drop it far enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02361.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02361.jpg.html)

[Egan]

Then it was a simple matter of placing the spacer above the coil.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02362.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02362.jpg.html)

The last thing to do was install the new shocks. For whatever crazy reason, I put the driver?s side shock on upside down. Of course I did not catch this until I finished up for the day and had to spend a quick half hour the next morning flipping it around.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02363.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02363.jpg.html)

[Egan]

With the wheels back on and everything buttoned up in the rear, I moved to the front. Jack it up, put it on stands, and remove the wheels.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02364.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02364.jpg.html)

First stop was the torsion bars and keys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02366.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02366.jpg.html)

I spent the $120 on the proper tool having learned my lesson over the years that I would pay 10X that amount in frustration and/or damage otherwise. The tool worked great, especially with an air tool to crank it up and down. I placed the tool on the key and cranked it up to take pressure of the nut that holds the key bolt. Once I removed the nut, I uncranked the key, completely unloading it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02367.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02367.jpg.html)

At first I struggled with trying to push the torsion bar forward, but all it took was some PB Spray and jiggling the key at the same time I pushed the bar forward to get it out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02368.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02368.jpg.html)

[Egan]

Then I installed the replacement keys and cranked them back to their stockish position.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02369.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02369.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02370.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02370.jpg.html)

[Egan]

Next I moved on to the front components. Here?s the stock set up:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02371.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02371.jpg.html)

Removing the stock UCA was a pain because I didn?t have a pickle fork, but I eventually got it out of there. With the UCA out, I then removed the shock and shock mount. I installed the shock mount, then the new shocks. I built the Cognito UCA?s on the ground before installing each in place. Tip: grease up the sides of the UCA bushings because it will be a tight fit!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02372.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02372.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02374.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02374.jpg.html)

[Egan]

After a lot of research I discovered I didn?t need the longer shock mounts which is why the shocks look so scrunched up in the pictures. I put the stock ones back on to take advantage of the longer travel shocks. I did have to raise the LCA/hub with the jack to get the shock to line up at full droop.
I also added the beefier front swaybar endlinks while I was at it. When everything was done, I cranked the torsion keys until I got the lift I was looking for.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02375.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02375.jpg.html)

I had measured the ground to fender lip distances at the center of each wheel before I started. I now compared my new readings to the old (after a short test drive to settle the suspension).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02376.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02376.jpg.html)

All looks good at about 2? up front and level side to side. I must have recorded the initial left rear incorrectly because there is no way I got 1.7/8? of lift from a 1.1/2? spacer! ;)

[Egan]

Here?s a side by side with the before on the left and after on the right. I still have a slight rake (hard to tell in the pictures due to driveway slope), but a 2? lift in the front.

The rear was probably a couple of hours of work. The first front side I did (including changing both torsion keys) took the better part of 5 hours. I did the other front side in about 3 hours.
Next up is 37? tires!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/sidebyside-small.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/sidebyside-small.jpg.html)

[BUNNY15]

Very nice detailed install write-up! Looks good...can't wait to see the 37's on it.

[lasvegash2]

great write up with nice pics. Can you tell a ride difference with the blisteins?

[Egan]

great write up with nice pics. Can you tell a ride difference with the blisteins?

The front is definitely stiffer and feels like it has more control. The rear feels a little squishier, but that could be the spacer. All in all, I like it.

[HummerJim]

. All in all, I like it.

I like it too! Very nice:perfect10s: with excellent DIY pictures.

[guruerror]

This is an AWESOME write up! Excellent detail!

I've got the same setup as you and thought that I too still had a slight rake, but the body of the truck itself seems to rake downward as it goes toward the front.

I always take my 'level' measurements at the front and rear of the rock sliders since they're level with the frame; even with them equal I still have about an inch clearance difference at the top of my Gobi...the front being about an 1" lower (6' 8.75" at the front of the front of the rack and 6' 9.5" at the rear).

FYI: I take my roof measurements by laying a level on the rack, letting the end stick out off the side of the truck, then measure from the ground up.

[Egan]

I think I installed this lift just in time. I hit a deer on the way to work this morning and caught him with the bottom left corner of my bumper. 2" higher and he would have hit the plastic "bumper", daytime running light, and my fastrack transponder (bridge tolls). Other than a seriously dented license plate there is no other damage. The deer wasn't so lucky - he was thrown into the median and then rolled into oncoming traffic on the other side.

This was a two lane (in each direction) road. The speed limit is 45 and most people are doing 55-60. I was in the left lane and a guy on a motorcycle was in the right lane and we were side by side when the deer ran out. The motorcycle guy is a lucky SOB because if that deer had come out 1 second earlier he would have hit it. He's also lucky I knew he was there and didn't try to swerve to avoid the deer.

And now I am really glad I didn't drive the BOSS this morning!

[iwillnc]

Well damn, quite a morning.
Nice to hear of no damage, did the oncoming traffic hit it? Damage?

[Egan]

Well damn, quite a morning.
Nice to hear of no damage, did the oncoming traffic hit it? Damage?

Not sure. Traffic is very light when I go into work (6AM). I hit him pretty good, but I was braking and it was a deflecting blow, so he might have got back up.

[glennf1]

NICE WORK! Do you mind posting a pic of the suspension loaded instead of drooping? Would like to look at the angles. I have been thinking of a lift but I really like the nice ride of the stock suspension. How does yours ride?

[Egan]

NICE WORK! Do you mind posting a pic of the suspension loaded instead of drooping? Would like to look at the angles. I have been thinking of a lift but I really like the nice ride of the stock suspension. How does yours ride?

It rides great! I'll have to take some pictures with it loaded.

[Egan]

ATX Artillery 17x9 Teflon with Toyo Open Country MT 37x13.5x17 installed today! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02380.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02380.jpg.html)

I think I'm going to need some wider fender flares! :o

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02382.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02382.jpg.html)

[Egan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02386.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02386.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02387.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02387.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02388.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02388.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02385.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02385.jpg.html)

[Egan]

I have a full size spare too (the reason the tailgate is down in the first pics), but my spare tire carrier is at a local welding shop getting the guruerror treatment.

[jsbihn]

I have a full size spare too (the reason the tailgate is down in the first pics), but my spare tire carrier is at a local welding shop getting the guruerror treatment.

Egan,
That is one bad ride!
What was the final cost to do all this, and did you have air suspension prior?
If you had air suspension, would doing this convert it to spring.... or would you have to first convert then do the mini lift.

(btw, should have got the deer, had deer steaks and mounted it on the wall of your garage - you know.... being your first kill and all..... make sure that you stripe the H2 (again since it is its first kill) )
:beerchug:

[Egan]

Egan,
That is one bad ride!
What was the final cost to do all this, and did you have air suspension prior?
If you had air suspension, would doing this convert it to spring.... or would you have to first convert then do the mini lift.

(btw, should have got the deer, had deer steaks and mounted it on the wall of your garage - you know.... being your first kill and all..... make sure that you stripe the H2 (again since it is its first kill) )
:beerchug:

First kill with the H2. I hit one with my 04 Subaru STi on the way to the coast 7 years ago. Damage was a lot more though. :(

I converted the air suspension shortly after getting my H2 last year: http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42682

I've seen other posts where people did the mini lift keeping the air in the rear. A lot of people only raise the front to level the truck out.

Here's a breakdown on cost:

Cognito UCA - www.dmaxstore.com - $470
Bilsteins x4 - www.dmaxstore.com - $330
New torsion bolts - www.dmaxstore.com - $10
Kryptonite Front Endlinks - www.dmaxstore.com - $100
Torsion Bar Tool - www.dmaxstore.com - $120 (should be able to sell this and recoup some $)
Traxda torsion keys, rear spacers, front shock extenders (not used) - www.traxda.com - $347
Install - me - $0
Alignment - Goodyear - $79
ATX Artillery 17x9 - America's Tires - $190 x5
Toyo Open Country MT 37x13.5x17 - America's Tires - $375 x5

Next up - wider fender flares (any ideas?) and lower gears in the pumpkins.

[New York City]

That looks awesome.

Your balls must add extra weight to the truck... As I personally wouldn't have an ounce of ball sack to even touch the suspension in my car.

Great job! 5 Star!

[accely]

awesome job man that looks amazing. I'm ordering pretty much the same stuff except for rims.

Just got :
Traxda Lift and Level Kit
Cognito UCA kit
4x bilstein 5100 shocks
Kryptonite HD Sway Bar End Links
2x new torsion bolts


Question for you, I'm on the fence about trying to DIY. would be me and a friend and I'm just not sure if it's something I wanna risk with.. I've done lots of things on vehicles before but nothing do with with suspension, etc. What do you say for attempting it on my own or just paying a shop?

[accely]

Then it was a simple matter of placing the spacer above the coil.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02362.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02362.jpg.html)

The last thing to do was install the new shocks. For whatever crazy reason, I put the driver’s side shock on upside down. Of course I did not catch this until I finished up for the day and had to spend a quick half hour the next morning flipping it around.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02363.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02363.jpg.html)
Egan, how did you compress the coil so you could place the rear spacer on it?

Also noticed you are using air tools.... I have a 150 PSI 4gal compressor, is that enough to operator the air tools I would need? What air tools do you recommend? Are they used primarily for removing lug nuts on the rims or for other nuts as well?

thanks man.

[accely]

Next I moved on to the front components. Here’s the stock set up:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02371.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02371.jpg.html)

Removing the stock UCA was a pain because I didn’t have a pickle fork, but I eventually got it out of there. With the UCA out, I then removed the shock and shock mount. I installed the shock mount, then the new shocks. I built the Cognito UCA’s on the ground before installing each in place. Tip: grease up the sides of the UCA bushings because it will be a tight fit!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02372.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02372.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02374.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02374.jpg.html)
For these steps, would you recommend something like this ? Craftsman 5-Piece Pickle Fork Kits to aid in removal?
What would you do if you have the pickle fork? I guess it would make sense if i was in the process of removing the UCA but I figured I would ask in advance. Trying to get all this straight in my head. Seems like most of this isn't too difficult especially with your nice write up


Also- I assume you used the Kryptonite HD Sway Bar End Links (For 2" LEVELED Trucks), right?

[Egan]

awesome job man that looks amazing. I'm ordering pretty much the same stuff except for rims.

Just got :
Traxda Lift and Level Kit
Cognito UCA kit
4x bilstein 5100 shocks
Kryptonite HD Sway Bar End Links
2x new torsion bolts


Question for you, I'm on the fence about trying to DIY. would be me and a friend and I'm just not sure if it's something I wanna risk with.. I've done lots of things on vehicles before but nothing do with with suspension, etc. What do you say for attempting it on my own or just paying a shop?

I had done a similar setup on my Titan and have done lots of car suspension mods when I was racing. It's not hard, especially if you have the right tools. It really takes no special knowledge and is mostly bolt turning.

[Egan]

Egan, how did you compress the coil so you could place the rear spacer on it?

Also noticed you are using air tools.... I have a 150 PSI 4gal compressor, is that enough to operator the air tools I would need? What air tools do you recommend? Are they used primarily for removing lug nuts on the rims or for other nuts as well?

thanks man.

No need to compress - I was able to get the diff low enough to slide the spacers in.

My compressor is 150 psi 60 gal. Yours will be enough, but it is going to run a lot refilling that small tank. I just use air tools because it's quicker to get lugs and bolts off. There were a couple of places where I had to do things manually due to space, but otherwise the air tools were a big help.

[Egan]

For these steps, would you recommend something like this ? Craftsman 5-Piece Pickle Fork Kits to aid in removal?
What would you do if you have the pickle fork? I guess it would make sense if i was in the process of removing the UCA but I figured I would ask in advance. Trying to get all this straight in my head. Seems like most of this isn't too difficult especially with your nice write up


Also- I assume you used the Kryptonite HD Sway Bar End Links (For 2" LEVELED Trucks), right?

Correct on the links.

I didn't have a pickle fork, but a sledge hammer broke the UCA loose. :)

[accely]

thanks!!

[accely]

egan- did you do measurements after you put the 37's on? Those toyo's are actually 37.0" inflated so I'm thinking compared to my current tire (wrangler duratrac) which sits under 34", I should gain a few inches just based on upgrading the tires alone.

over all it sounds like you get around 2inches from the parts and potentially another 1-2 from tires? So 3-4 over all height gain? Could you measure and compare before and after with your 37's now?

thanks!

[Egan]

egan- did you do measurements after you put the 37's on? Those toyo's are actually 37.0" inflated so I'm thinking compared to my current tire (wrangler duratrac) which sits under 34", I should gain a few inches just based on upgrading the tires alone.

over all it sounds like you get around 2inches from the parts and potentially another 1-2 from tires? So 3-4 over all height gain? Could you measure and compare before and after with your 37's now?

thanks!

I'll measure when I get home tonight. But since it's 109F today, it may have to wait until 3AM! :(

[Egan]

I'll measure when I get home tonight. But since it's 109F today, it may have to wait until 3AM! :(

Due to the sweltering heat, I only measured one side, but it should be close enough for your purpose.

This is after the suspension has settled in, a front end alignment, and the new tires.

FR before with "35"" BFG AT KO's = 41.1/4"
FR after lift = 43.1/4"
FR after 37" Toyo's = 45"

RR before with "35"" BFG AT KO's = 41"
RR after lift = 42.1/4"
RR after Toyo's = 44.1/4"

So it looks like a solid 2" out of the tires, maybe more considering the suspension settled a bit.

YMMV

[Egan]

Finally had the chance to get my modified spare tire carrier mounted. It's been lifted 6" with a 5 degree angle back towards the bed. A local welder did the work for $90, including tacking on my CB antenna mount. On the first go around the tire was tightened down against the mount near the bottom. I was concerned about damaging the tire over time, so I added a couple of thick washers to each lug to keep the tire pushed out a bit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02392.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02392.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02393.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02393.jpg.html)

[Egan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02394.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02394.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Egan70/H2/DSC02395.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Egan70/media/H2/DSC02395.jpg.html)

[guruerror]

Looks great!

[Egan]

Looks great!

Thanks for the inspiration on the tire carrier mod!

[Lucky1]

Do you write text books for a living ??? Lol... That is an awesome write-up with illustrations. Your truck looks awesome too !

[Egan]

Do you write text books for a living ??? Lol... That is an awesome write-up with illustrations. Your truck looks awesome too !

No, I just used to moderate a few forums, especially the DIY sections. I still get emails from people asking questions about the write-ups on my 2001 Sporttrac (which I traded in back on 2005).