Every product page links to the manufacturer's installation instructions where the brand publishes them. Bilstein, Fox, King, ICON, BDS, ReadyLift, SPC, Air Lift and Firestone all do. Follow the brand document first; this page covers the things the brand documents tend to assume you already know.
Before you start
- Confirm the part number on the box matches the product page, and the application in the title matches the truck. Opened and installed parts are not returnable.
- Measure and write down all four fender heights (center of hub to fender lip) before the truck goes on the lift. You will want the before numbers.
- Front strut and coilover jobs on IFS trucks need a spring compressor or a fully assembled coilover. Most 5100 fronts require you to transfer the factory spring. 6112, King, Fox 2.5 and ICON coilovers come assembled with their own spring.
Torque
Use the factory service manual torque values for factory hardware, and the brand's values for supplied hardware. Suspension bolts with rubber bushings (lower control arm bolts, leaf spring bolts, some shock mounts) must be torqued at ride height with the truck's weight on the suspension, not in the air. Torquing them at full droop winds up the bushing and ruins the ride.
After install
- Alignment is required after any leveling kit, lift, coilover or control arm install. Book it for the same day.
- Re-torque lug nuts at 50 miles, and re-check suspension hardware at 500 miles.
- Ride-height-adjustable struts: set both sides to the same groove before the first drive.
- Air springs: set minimum pressure (usually 5 psi) unloaded and never run them at zero.
Difficulty
- Rear shocks: 1 hour, basic tools.
- Strut spacer leveling: 2 to 3 hours, spring compressor not needed on most trucks.
- Ride-height struts or front coilovers: 3 to 5 hours, spring compressor for 5100 fronts.
- Coilover lift with UCAs: 5 to 8 hours.
- 4 to 6 in drop-bracket lift: full day or two, shop recommended.
- Air spring kit: 2 to 3 hours, plus compressor wiring.