Randy McElroy
 |
|
• St. Peters, MO, USA |
|
• Registered on 10/23/2003 |
|
• 12 posts |
|
|
|
 Posted:11/2/2003 13:34 |
|
|
Well, it's just about done. I need to adjust my track bar to center the axle. I probably had it right to start, but made unnecessary adjustments late last night. Yea, that's right, late last night. It took me and an old friend (Larry) about 11 hours. I was mistaken thinking we could do it in 4 to 5. Last year when I did my SD, it was me and Larry's son (Brian) that installed the lift and Brian has lots of experience with this sort of stuff. Besides that, he’s a lot younger and more agile. I am sore today. I need to adjust the bumper. Last night it looked straight at 11pm. Today, it is obviously crooked. I had to trim the corners of the valance and I still need to make it a neater trim.
It looks very nice. One big disappointment though, the back is 1” lower than the front. I feel I need to put the 2” block that I removed back in, but I afraid that will be too much tilt for the drive shaft. I was told it would be level, but it is not and it is fairly obvious. What ever it takes, I want that back up at least one more inch.
Larry and I pondered over those Bilteins. I noticed the small holes in the boots were at the top of the shock and I was concerned that the boots would fill up with water and not be able to drain out. Then I realized that Craig sent me some pictures of his X and I remembered seeing the body of the shocks above the tire. At the last minute, I decided to put them on the way I thought they should go. The bushing won’t fit over the stud. OK, we’ll just knock out that sleeve and it should fit. That sleeve won’t come out without a lot of effort. Fortunately, I saw that the shock will fit without any problems if I just install it upside down, or inverted as spartan mentioned, so I installed it correctly – inverted. The bolts holding the sway bar link and the rear shackle to the frame on the passenger side were a little more trouble than the drivers’ side. We figured out loosening the brackets they go thru would give us enough tilt to remove the bolts. That turned out to be a lot better option than removing the exhaust pipe like we first considered. I don’t doubt that if somebody doesn’t have their mind on just what they are doing, they could turn this project into a real job.
I really appreciate all of your comments. I’ve had a good time with this one. I need to go out now and finish up with the details. I am hoping that adjusting the axle back to the center will adjust the steering wheel back to center. I need to finish trimming that valance and come up with a way to get that rear end up a little more. Any info there would also be appreciated.
2002 Excursion 4½ Lift Project
Randy
|
|
spartan
 |
|
• Nashville, TN, USA |
|
• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
|
• 86 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:11/2/2003 18:12 |
|
|
I think maybe now you have a feeling for what I was talking about. I did the install by myself in severe heat - and don't forget that I did a complete spring swap by myself.
On the other hand - it's really not that bad, just time consuming and requires patience. Congratulations on your new suspension system. Give it a few days to settle and I predict you will be happy with the results. I immediately freaked on the lower rear end. After a few weeks the front end will settle and level out with just a slightly lower rear end. Then run it up to 80 MPH and see what happens. You may need some driveshaft work - maybe not - I hope not.
Congratulations again!
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
|
|
Hitch
 |
|
• Traverse City, MI, USA |
|
• Registered on 9/20/2002 |
|
• 22 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:11/3/2003 09:57 |
|
|
I have been wondering about the Edge kit and if it really sits level or not. All the pictures from SDHQ appear to be slightly "nose high". Do you think it will settle enough in front to correct this? Would the extra weight of the PSD engine help in this area also?
This is the one thing about the Edge kit that bugs me...I want our X to sit slighly higher in the rear after the lift.
Your X still looks great though, thanks for all the pics....now I can show my wife almost exactly what her rig will look like one day!!! 
Hitch
2002 Limited Ultimate PSD X, DVD w/3 monitors, Donahoe Racing 4.5" lift, 315 MT/R's, 16x10 Weld Velociti's, Husky Liners front to back, PSD Badges, Hellwig, SCMT, AFE Intake, Banks Monster Exhaust, Autometer gauges in under cubby pod.
http://community.webshots.com/user/hitch42 |
|
spartan
|
|
• Nashville, TN, USA |
|
• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
|
• 86 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:11/3/2003 10:18 |
|
|
Actually you need to give it a couple of months to settle. The PSD weight may even level it the day you install it. Mine is pretty much level now. If you really want a high rear end use six inch blocks in the rear instead of fives. That will give you a net 4" lift in the rear, but may also cause driveline problems you won't like..
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
|
|