Daryl Z71's 2006 Silverado Z71 Re-build

[Daryl Z71]

Both bushings are finally out.

 

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by Daryl Z71

[Daryl Z71]

Well the frame is painted, and one bushing installed. Going to install the 2nd one tomorrow, and try one last time to get the torsion keys separated from the bars. I sprayed them all day with PB blaster, and the one key moved some, but the other one won't budge. It's just ridiculous. Looks like I'll be taking a torch to them tomorrow to heat them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Daryl Z71]

Well today started out somewhat good. One of the keys finally let loose. Still working on the other with PB Blaster. I've used half a can or so now.

 

[LongrangeLauber]

Make sure you wire brush that bar so it's a little easier to slide the new key on, take a grinder to the rust if need be

[sabbotage]

I coated my bars with a little anti-sieze too in case I ever had to remove the keys again for some reason.

[Daryl Z71]

I coated my bars with a little anti-sieze too in case I ever had to remove the keys again for some reason.

Make sure you wire brush that bar so it's a little easier to slide the new key on, take a grinder to the rust if need be

 

Both of you guys read my mind.

[LongrangeLauber]

I believe first time I did my bars, before I replaced them, I used anti seize as well. Also, lay your bars on a flat surface make sure they aren't torqued, mine were, making me lose lift

[Daryl Z71]

I believe first time I did my bars, before I replaced them, I used anti seize as well. Also, lay your bars on a flat surface make sure they aren't torqued, mine were, making me lose lift

Oh I'm going to load that SOB up with anti-seize. The bar I got out looks almost straight as an arrow. So far so good.

[Daryl Z71]

Okay so Dad ended up stopping in from out on the truck, and gave me a hand with getting the last key out. Thankfully after beating on it in every way imaginable it is out!

 

[Daryl Z71]

I definitely wasn't kidding about the anti-seize.

 

 

[Daryl Z71]

Well after three days of dealing with rusty parts the frame is painted, torsion bar mounts, and leveling kit are installed.

 

 

 

[Daryl Z71]

Here are some fender measurements.

 

Front before:

 

 

 

Front after:

 

 

Rear after:

 

 

 

 

The before image of the front is a little misleading. It's actually over 35" so I'm estimating that I got around 2 1/4" of front lift. After I add my rear block I may raise the front more depending on where it sits after that.

 

After looking at the torsion bars they were torqued a small amount, but it doesn't seem to affect the lift too much. The keys were 1-3" lift so I imagine that helps. As far as ride goes it doesn't seem to ride any worse to me.

[LongrangeLauber]

Don't raise the front anymore, just added stress on your tie rods and ball joints

[Daryl Z71]

Don't raise the front anymore, just added stress on your tie rods and ball joints

That was my thought too. I'll have to get a picture of the angles tomorrow. They're not as bad as I thought they would be, but I could use others thoughts as well. It was about a half inch higher, but I lowered it down for the reason you said. Maybe I'll just add the Hellwig helper spring like you did, and not install the rear blocks...

[LongrangeLauber]

That was my thought too. I'll have to get a picture of the angles tomorrow. They're not as bad as I thought they would be, but I could use others thoughts as well. It was about a half inch higher, but I lowered it down for the reason you said. Maybe I'll just add the Hellwig helper spring like you did, and not install the rear blocks...

I didn't want to go any higher in the rear considering I didn't want to have to use a drop hitch