Eibach Pro Truck Lift Kit Installed (Step by step of install)

[Waterfowler41]

SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR MY FEEDBACK ON THE KIT

 

I purchased the Eibach Pro Truck lift kit the other day so below is a quick how to on the process and some initial feedback I have on the kit. My truck has 75k miles and I knew before purchasing anything I had a blown rear shock.  I wanted to lift my truck higher so instead of purchasing OEM equipment and adding more rough country spacers (already had a 2" lower up front), I saw the Eibach kit.  It included everything to complete a reasonable 2.5" lift AND included new springs for less than $600.   From my tuner days, Eibach was the go-to for lowering springs, I assume they know what they are doing plus they are American made, can't go wrong. The struts are adjustable like Bilsteins so this was the best option for achieving the lift I wanted.  With the Eibach springs and the struts at their lowest setting, my truck would be 2.5" higher according to the instructions.  Also, the rear shocks in the kit, safely handle a +1" lift in the rear. This is what I wanted!

 

Since I was already touching every other suspension component, I figured I might as well add the 2" rear blocks I've been eyeing so I bought those direct from RC. 

 

Truck set up before project:

20" wheels, Falken AT3W 33" tires, RC 2" lower spacer with stock struts and shocks one of which is completely blown. The ride was sloppy, pulling into driveways or other major bumps my truck was rocking and rolling, signs my stock set up was done.  I would wince before hitting large bumps on Chicago expressways knowing my cage was about to get rattle.  The 20" wheels and heavier tires aren't helping but the dampers needed to be retired.

 

Purchased parts:

Eibach Pro Truck Lift kit: E80-23-006-02-22

• Includes new springs, new monotube struts, and new monotube rear shocks.  Also includes new king nuts for struts and bump stop collars for reusing OEM bump stop. 
• https://eibach.com/us/i-8809-pro-truck-lift-system-stage-1.html

 

 

Rough Country: 6532 (2" rear blocks)

• Includes new u-bolts, washers, nuts, and 2" tapered rear blocks
• No link, this is the rear blocks from their leveling kit, you have to order over the phone.  Side note, RC folks are REALLY nice on the phone.

 

If your are uncomfortable working on compressed springs do not attempt the strut disassembly yourself.  Take them to a shop.  I've done several spring projects in my life and understand how dangerous they can be.  Be safe and take the necessary precautions and where the right PPE.  If the compressors fail, they should fail in an open area, not in front of you. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. I am not responsible for misuse of the below info. 

 

Important tools:

1. Eye protection and hand protection
2. Pneumatic gun
3. Spring compressors 
4. pry bar
5. jack and jack stands
6. Sockets 10 mm and 15 mm all the way up to a deep 22 mm
7. Wrenches 15 mm all the way up to 22 mm
8. A friend, loved one, kid, someone to help. I did this work by myself and it took me probably 6 hours in total, would've been half that with a second set of hands. 

 

Before you do any suspension work, always take measurement from fender to ground or from fender to top of wheel.  This gives you baseline measurements to calculate your final lifts. 

 

Rears (blocks and shocks):

1. Jack your car up on both sides.  Put on jack stands.  You want the rear axle to drop straight down.  Only doing one side at a time will be an issue, I learned the hard way.

2. Doing one side of the truck at a time, remove the upper shock bolt (the nut is welded, just remove bolt) and the bottom bolt/nut.  Shock should pop right out with some love. 3. Place a car jack under the differential.  Remove the (4) 21 MM bolts on the factory u-bolts.  Again only on one side at a time.

3. SLOWLY lower the rear differential to allow enough room to remove the stock blocks.  Watch your brake lines,  you have some play but not too much. 

4. Before installing the new block, clean the alignment pin and hole on your truck.  Mine had a lot of dirt and salt.  A wire brush cleaned it right up.  I also sprayed it down with WD40 for good measure. 

5. Once the block is installed and lined up, slowly raise your diff back up.  If your blocks are tapered make sure the taller side of the block is closer to the rear of the truck.  Install the new u-bolts and torque the new 22 mm nuts down in an alternating pattern.  Old block next to new blocks below.

 

 

6. Install the new rear shocks, start at the top then do the bottom.  I had to compress the shocks about 1/2" to get the bottom bolt in. 

7. Repeat on other side then your done.  

 

I took the truck for a quick test drive to test out everything.  No shutter, no issues. Picture below of my old shocks next tot he new, one looks blown...

 

 

 

Time for the fun part, the fronts!

 

Fronts (struts and springs):

1. Unbolt the 3 nuts on the top of the strut.  Easy access through the engine bay.  You can remove these before the car is lifted without issue. Leave the outside nut hand tight to prevent your strut from dropping out. 

2. Jack up one side of car and remove wheel.

3. Unbolt the sway bar end link, tie rod end, two bolts on bottom strut mount, and the upper control arm ball joint.  The UCA will need a BFH (code for hammer) to help it out. Leave the nut finger tight so the UCA doesn't shoot out of knuckle right away.  Some people say you can do this without removing the UCA but I just couldn't see how that could be done in my application. 

4. If you're by yourself place a car jack under the knuckle, remove UCA ball joint nut and slowly lower front hub assembly, there should be plenty of room to remove the strut now.  I used a jack stand to hold the hub assembly while I unscrewed the top nut on the strut and carefully remove it.  Once the strut is out, loosely reattach the UCA to the hub so you can leave it for a while.

 

 

5. With a permanent marker, draw a line down the strut assembling marking everything.  The line should be on the outside face of the strut assembly.  This is your index line, when you transplant these pieces to your new strut they should all line up.  If they don't you messed something up. 

6. Now the dangerous stuff, install your McPherson spring compressors on the stock spring, try to grab coils that are far from each other as the spring will be easier to compress. Compressors should be 180 degrees from each other to ensure even loading.

 

 

 

7. Put on all your PPE, say a pray, and start tightening the spring compressors until you see a gap between spring and strut per mounts. Treat loaded springs like a gun, never point it at anyone and try not to drop it, jostle it, anything that could affect the compressors grip.  Personal note, when I am doing dangerous stuff in my garage I either text someone letting them know what I am doing and text them after I am done or tell my wife if shes inside to check on me occasionally. 

8. After you remove the king nut, open up the compressors, you can toss the springs. You will need to remove the upper assembly of the strut (top mount, bracket, spring boot, and bump stop).  You will also need to remove the lower spring perch.  Do this by gently tapping the perch towards the top of the strut to release it. PB blaster helps speed this up. 

 

 

9. Prepare the Eibach struts. These are adjustable to dial in your final ride hide.  In my application, when used with Eibach springs, the bottom level (lowest setting) will achieve a 2.5" lift up front. Snap ring was moved into the bottom grove and collar installed.  The lower perch from OEM strut was installed.

10. There is a metal collar inside the yellow bump stop, pull this metal piece out and replace with the one supplied by Eibach.  The shaft is bigger on Eibach struts so the collar needs to be upsized. 

11. Dangerous part 2, install the compressors on your Eibach spring.  Again try to grab coils that are far apart to ease the compression process. I believe the springs needed to be compressed 1/2" to fit on the strut.  This was the most nerve wrecking part of this project.  The compressors have seen better days.  Those bends are pretty ugly. 

 

 

 

12. Once compressed start lining up the strut, inside rubber boot, bracket, and top mount.  Your line you drew earlier should all line up with the outside face of the strut. Make sure the bottom of the spring is fully seated on the perch plate.

13. Install top metal spacer/washer from OEM strut and new king nut provided by Eibach.  Tighten down nut then your good to unload the springs. Once the springs compressors are removed the scary part for that strut is over. 

14. Remove the nut on the UCA and reinstall your strut.  Have at least one bottom strut mount bolt available so once you get the strut lined up, you can throw a bolt on the hole to keep things in place.  

15. Reverse the beginning steps with the reassembly of the hub parts.  You'll will need a pry bar braced on the spring to hold the UCA down firmly into the top of the hub so you can tighten the nut without the ball joint spinning. 

 

 

16. Repeat on other side. 

17. Take your truck for a quick test drive, if no noises or issues, take in for an alignment. 

18. Take final measurements to confirm relatively even lift.  Drivers side may be lower due to gas tank. 

 

Final thoughts on the upgrade:

I am absolutely in love with the kit.  I've been putting off replacing shocks for a while, so glad I finally did this project.  Dare I say, Eibach MDFA? (Made Driving Fun Again...) Like I mentioned above, I was beginning to notice I was wincing before hitting big bumps because of how loosey-goosey my suspension had become since I bought it. The Eibach kit firmed up the ride noticeably. At slow speeds I do feel small bumps which is a given with monotubes, 20" wheels, and aggressive tires.  At speed, the dampers turned those crazy earth shattering/dash destroying bumps on Chicago expressways into muffled bumps on the road.  Also the dampers recover quickly.  Driving into parking lots or steep driveways, my truck you to rock back and forth, now the truck rocks and correct quickly. No over correction.  I would highly recommended this kit as an alternative to the Bilstein kit.  If your looking to lift your truck, its hard to beat this package. 

 

Overall very happy with the kit and how it turned out.  Excited to get some off road time this hunting season!  I filmed the install and will be posting the video when its edited. 

 

Thanks!

 

WF41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 4, 2018 by Waterfowler41

[Sierra Dan]

Great write up!

I wonder how much different the new Eibach springs are over the OEM and why the OEM is not used in the kit as with Bilstein, other than price?

The silver colored springs gives it a trick look.

[Waterfowler41]

8 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Great write up!

I wonder how much different the new Eibach springs are over the OEM and why the OEM is not used in the kit as with Bilstein, other than price?

The silver colored springs gives it a trick look.

3 things come into play with the Eibach springs.  They are longer than stock by 3/4" I think.  They have additional coils which I believe translates to a smoother more consistent compression, and they are silver which is cool.

 

The Eibach struts are longer than OEM so with the spring and the strut, you already get a 2.5" lift on the lowest setting of the strut.  You can go higher but with only 33's and OEM UCAs I wasn't chancing it even though I really wanted too.  

 

No idea why Bilsteins don't come with springs but if you are already going through the work to replace the strut, might as well replace the spring while everything is apart.  Spring fatigue happens over time.  

Edited September 4, 2018 by Waterfowler41

[Sierra Dan]

The Ever Elusive Bilstein 6112 kit that was first mentioned back in 2015 was suppose to come with springs.

However, that shock kit is still not available for the Silverado and Sierra. There is a part number but no vendor that carries them.

The kit is currently available for 20115 and up Tahoe/Suburban.

[PhantomSierra16]

Nice post, I've been eyeing a strut/spring install for a while now. It was a battle between Bilsteins, Fox, and Eibach, but this made my mind up. What is the warranty on these? 

[PhantomSierra16]

Just now, PhantomSierra16 said:

Nice post, I've been eyeing a strut/spring install for a while now. It was a battle between Bilsteins, Fox, and Eibach, but this made my mind up. What is the warranty on these? 

Jk, just saw the "Million Mile Warranty" LOL

[Waterfowler41]

40 minutes ago, PhantomSierra16 said:

Jk, just saw the "Million Mile Warranty" LOL

Yeah buddy!

https://eibach.com/us/p-19-eibach-million-mile-warranty.html

[Waterfowler41]

Some pics of my angles i took today.




Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

[chris15706]

I had the 6112’s on order but gave up and decided to go with this same kit. I thought the springs give you 2 inches? Did you take any fender measurements? Glad you didn’t have any problems with those spring compressors. Think I’m going to chicken out and just have a shop do that part.

[Waterfowler41]

4 hours ago, chris15706 said:

I had the 6112’s on order but gave up and decided to go with this same kit. I thought the springs give you 2 inches? Did you take any fender measurements? Glad you didn’t have any problems with those spring compressors. Think I’m going to chicken out and just have a shop do that part.

I took measurements, they are at home I will post them tonight.  My measurements are moving from a 2" RC leveling kit to the 2.5"/1" Eibach kit.  I do not have measurements from before my RC kit so can't confirm it I got an official 2" of lift.  Based on my current measurements, I think I had a little less than a 2" lift with the lower spacers.

 

Worth noting, I have a 1/4 GM lean tot he drivers side.  Probably gas tank related as I had this in my original measurements too. 

[chris15706]

1 hour ago, Waterfowler41 said:

I took measurements, they are at home I will post them tonight.  My measurements are moving from a 2" RC leveling kit to the 2.5"/1" Eibach kit.  I do not have measurements from before my RC kit so can't confirm it I got an official 2" of lift.  Based on my current measurements, I think I had a little less than a 2" lift with the lower spacers.

 

Worth noting, I have a 1/4 GM lean tot he drivers side.  Probably gas tank related as I had this in my original measurements too. 

I was going by this guys measurements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoDIX8yJLwM

He just did the springs and set them at the bottom snap ring. I was hoping to do the same and leave the rear alone. I had a 2 inch spacer level before and the front height was perfect to me.

[Sierra Dan]

7 hours ago, chris15706 said:

I had the 6112’s on order but gave up and decided to go with this same kit. I thought the springs give you 2 inches? Did you take any fender measurements? Glad you didn’t have any problems with those spring compressors. Think I’m going to chicken out and just have a shop do that part.

6112's were nothing more than hype.

Its funny how they are available for Yukon, Tahoe, and Suburban

[bcj001]

Just ordered a set of these for my 2016 Sierra 4x4 Crew Cab All-Terrain... should arrive in a week or so.... I am planning on getting "new shoes" on the truck after I get these installed, and alignment done. I am amazed there is not more discussion on this setup on the forum... From picture comparisons, I believe I have the forged steel UCA's.

 

I would like to keep the stock wheels (20's) since I am trying to do this on a budget. I have seen some posts where people are using strut spaces along with this setup, as well as taller back spacers. My goal is to make this truck, look like a truck... lol   that being said...  

 

If I only do the pro kit, and tires what size can I get away with? I was thinking / hoping 295/60/20, or 275/65/20 BFG TKO's will fit...  Will I need front strut spaces as well?

 

For folks that are running these Eibach's... any advice, anything I need to know?  I don't like the stock ride (with the factory garbage rancho's) esp on washboard gravel roads, and speed bumps...  Are you happy with the kit?  would you do it again?  lol   

 

Thanks for any input

Edited September 27, 2018 by bcj001

[bcj001]

well just got the truck back from the alignment shop..... interesting experience... the tech installed the spring for maximum lift (~4") then aligned it... took for a test drive and called me... said the ride was terrible... and it was... holy crap it was barely driveable.... bouncy bouncy over even the smallest bumps. (and the truck had a heck of a reverse rake) 

 

Talked to the tech, and asked about what setting they installed the springs on.... after discussing and looking at the install instructions he discovered his mistake.... he was concerned that even on the lowest setting it would not fix the ride since the springs were "so much more massive than stock"...  well long story short, they set the springs on the lowest lift position, re-aligned.... and man what a difference!!!  rides better than stock, going over speed bumps stock it would take forever to "recover" and bounce around 3 or 4 times before settling out.... not anymore!   Went to local store with monster speed bumps, ones that I had to "crawl" over before.... hit them at normal speed bump speed, barely a bounce, and almost instant "recovery"....  lowest setting yielded ~2.3" lift (nice and level) in the front, and a huge improvement in the ride.... it was CRAZY the difference in the ride between the 2 spring settings... I was worried.... but not after my test drive home....

 

now for tires  =)

[Waterfowler41]

I will say their instruction could be a little more clear. The mounting positions when your using the eibach springs result in completely different heights than when you run the struts with OEM springs so I can see how the tech got confused.

Glad they worked out!


Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork