What most everyone forgets to do after installing a lift kit.

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robert.janowski

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I've been doing a lot of reading when it comes to lift kits. And form what I can tell not one of them tell you that you need to do a redo of the preload on all your pivot bushings. Upper and lower control arms, torsion bar, and rear link arms. If you don't you leave you bushings in a loaded position after the lift. This causes poor handling and a rougher ride. Plus it wears the bushings out much quicker. Also. Most everyone forgets about the torsion bar end links. You (meaning anyone who has put a lift kit on) just raised your suspension 2+ inches. And you use the factory length link. Know when the you lower the vehicle your torsion bar is now loaded. This deffently will give a harsher ride than factory. One needs to put on longer end links to put the torsion bar back at a pre loaded position. I think some people know this and don't complain about the ride because they've done it While others just slap on the kit. Then moan the whole time about the poor ride.
Watch "Control Arm Bushing Preload, Important Information!" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-QczV_6v42A

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tommudd

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I've been doing a lot of reading when it comes to lift kits. And form what I can tell not one of them tell you that you need to do a redo of the preload on all your pivot bushings. Upper and lower control arms, torsion bar, and rear link arms. If you don't you leave you bushings in a loaded position after the lift. This causes poor handling and a rougher ride. Plus it wears the bushings out much quicker. Also. Most everyone forgets about the torsion bar end links. You (meaning anyone who has put a lift kit on) just raised your suspension 2+ inches. And you use the factory length link. Know when the you lower the vehicle your torsion bar is now loaded. This deffently will give a harsher ride than factory. One needs to put on longer end links to put the torsion bar back at a pre loaded position. I think some people know this and don't complain about the ride because they've done it While others just slap on the kit. Then moan the whole time about the poor ride.
Watch "Control Arm Bushing Preload, Important Information!" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/-QczV_6v42A

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I assume you have not been under a KJ nor have you not installed any springs/ shocks etc as of yet. Over 30 plus lifts installed on KJs and have not once had to deal with any torsion bars :whip:
 

robert.janowski

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Sorry. Ment sway bar. Been up for 27 hrs when I posted this . Plus anybody with any common sense would have figured that out when they read end links after it.

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robert.janowski

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Boy I'm a d@ck when I'm tired. Sorry your right. But I did mean sway bar.

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tommudd

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Sorry. Ment sway bar. Been up for 27 hrs when I posted this . Plus anybody with any common sense would have figured that out when they read end links after it.

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We do nothing to the sway bar either, no need to at the height we go
My 04 has over 198,000 lifted miles, most in and over 4 inches
Sway bar bushings are still stock from day one and in good shape, do not run extended links either , no need to
 

tommudd

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Not turning this into a spark plug/ oil/ oil filter/ air cleaner debate either :happy175:
Thanks for the info
 

rknight68

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thanks for the tip on tightening while on the ground to set the preload instead of in the air.


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CactusJacked

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This isn't specific just to lift kits. You also want to do preloaded suspension tightening on stock 2wd control arms, leaf springs, etc. It's a universal "what one should know" thing when replacing suspension bushings.
 

4x4kayak2112

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Well.....guess all of these years we have been installing KJ lifts wrong. Better sell both of mine for cheap before get dystroyed

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