I placed vice grips and a ratchet strap around the torsion bar with tension pulling from a solid point one hit on it pops out the most stubborn keys

@MegaMilesBen

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip. Thanks for watching!

Nice job bro. 😎 Just one complaint. Didn't get a profile shot of finished product. 🤔 🤦‍♂️

@MegaMilesBen

Ай бұрын

I do a quick shot at 20:00 For some reason I always forget before and afters. I get right into work as soon as they get here. Thanks for watching!

Awesome video. Great work. Keep it up. I’m looking into lifting my avalanche so this gave me the general idea. Thank you

@MegaMilesBen

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Amazing job

@MegaMilesBen

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

Just got a 05 avalanche as my first truck and I’m planning on putting some wheels and a leveling kit on it plus maybe some katskin seat in too

@MegaMilesBen

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you're gonna have some fun!

@johnmills837

Жыл бұрын

These are not Trucks

@user-hr3bx7ru9d

3 ай бұрын

@@johnmills837 hmm it’s crazy I sore they had a bed🤔

Great Video. Thanks. You've made my DIY leveling so much easier. One question, if you have the time. I installed the new keys but when I went back up front the lower control arm which was hanging down, was very hard to raise, even with a bottle jack. So I took the keys off again an slid the torsion bar out of the lower control arm. The lower control arm is now manageable to put everything back on after removing the spindle and hub assembly to replace the lower ball joint. My question is where should the lower control arm be when I re-install the torsion bar and adjust new keys? Should it be back on the ground on the tires, or hanging as low as it will go after new sway bar link, and new shock, and new upper control arm are installed maybe? Thank you Sir.

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

I do the keys completey alone from anything else. All front and rear suspension is 100% together. With the vehicle raised on stands or lift, mark the front of the torsion bar to the frame. Mark the key to the rear of the torsion bar. After the mass struggle of uninstalling, take the keys to the new keys and transfer your marks (even though theyre different its easy to tell which it shoukd be). Install the front of the torsion bar to your marks and push it forward enough to slide the keys in the rear and line up those marks. When pulling the torsion bar back into place, make sure your front marks stay aligned. AFTER all that and all your marks are aligned, install the bracket and key adjuster bolt. Only put the 2 key adjuster bolts up a few cranks after theyre tight . Put the vehicle on the ground and then adjust the 2 key adjuster bolts with the vehicle on the ground stopping every few bolt cranks to measure ground clearance both front and rear, left and right. Repeat many times untill proper/desired height is achieved to all 4 corners. Take vehicle to be aligned asap.

@donoberloh

3 жыл бұрын

@@MegaMilesBen thank you so much for getting back with me. Your advice help a lot.

I have an 03 avalanche z71 4x4 . Great video by the way! Any ideas on a cheap 3" lift with shocks? ??

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

My clients provide their own parts. I just do the grunt work :) Bilstien has a really cool Leveling Lift that is only struts and shocks. They're adjustable.

How is the front CV axle angle?

I’m thinking about a small lift for my Avalanche, after putting a plow mount on it I bottom out everywhere.

@johnmills837

Жыл бұрын

Get a HD truck

Hey nice job man what shocks did you put In frunt

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

My clients provide their own parts. The shocks were part of the leveling kit he provided, I dont remember the brand, I'm sorry. I have the same leveling kit by Wulf Suspensions linked in the video description description for you if that helps.

What that long bar called that from the lower control arm going to the back with that keys

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

Those are the torsion bars.

DAMN SON! You wrecked that! That looks like you did that in record time. Do you install a lot of lift kits or just a seasoned mechanic? I wish all mechanical videos were done in real time like yours. I've been told in other KZread videos that the keys are hard to remove and now I know they really are. Great video! Simple and direct. I have a 2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71 so I watched the video to see the entire installation process and what other tools or difficulties I might have doing it myself. What was the brand of the lift kit?

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

I actually do do quite a few lifts. Please keep in mind that a lot of struggling is cut out. That passenger key took my about an hour to pop off (just to give you an idea of time). I did that lift in about 4 hours. I don't provide parts so I don't remember the brand, I'm sorry. Thank you!!

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

I have a tip for you too... To get the nuts from the top bolts in the rear shocks, cut the circular part of a 21mm wrench about 2" in length. Put it over the nut and the piece of wrench will catch the frame and lock the nut so the bolt pops right out. Same for installation.

Where did you buy those step rails?

@MegaMilesBen

6 ай бұрын

Its a clients vehicle, Im not sure.

What site did you buy your kit at? I have a 04 Avalanche and trying to find a kit

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

My clients provide their own parts. I really dont remenber on this one. Im sorry.

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

Simular lift kit by Wulf Suspensions... amzn.to/3liJ2yg

You NEVER try to raise your vehicle by the torsion keys while the weight of the vehicle is on them. Raise the front end off the ground, then turn the bolts. That's how you strip the bolts... it's ok to lower your vehicle without lifting the front end though

@MegaMilesBen

Жыл бұрын

Ive been doing it this way for many many years and have never had a problem. I was told when I started doing lifts eons ago, that the only thing lifting the vehicle off the ground does is make the key bolts easier to turn. I didnt have any struggles with the bolts coming out or going in and it saves time dropping and lifting the vehicle to measure each time. 30+ years behind me, Im not going to purposely strip a bolt, I do have common sense. My clients been back in with other vehicles since this job. Hes very happy with the lift. We later lifted his tahoe and rav4 as well.

@franklee9127

Жыл бұрын

You've been doing it wrong for years then... it's too hard on the threads of the torsion bolts... always take the weight off if you're raising it

@MegaMilesBen

Жыл бұрын

@franklee9127 if its never been a problem in 30+ years, it is really wrong? Maybe just a different way than youre used to and it saves a lot of time from lifting and lowering the vehicle 10 or so times. I know what stripping a bolt feels like, its not like I use a power tool. People that dont know how to back off when they feel something wrong are the ones that have problems striping and snaping bolts. Had it giving me any type of concern, then I wouldve approched it differently.

Recommended Tire size after install?

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

He brought his own. I dont remember what he was running, Im sorry. I dont deal with tires so thatd be a good question for like maybe Big O or the company youre getting your lift from. Im just the labor guy :) I like it that way, it keeps it cheaper for my clients too.

@grantcasados1496

3 жыл бұрын

At 15:58 you can see the tire says 35 x 12.5 R22, pretty impressive to fit 35's with a 3inch level

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

Good catch! It did rub a little on tight turns. The thick lugs on the tires. Some wheel spacers would take care of that. I mentioned it to him, I dont know if he did yet or not. I do believe I made a small trim on both sides of the front bumper too, again the lugs on the tires caught it.

@donoberloh

3 жыл бұрын

@@grantcasados1496 wow. that's awesome

what is the brand of the kit? I'm looking for my 2003 avalanche

@MegaMilesBen

2 жыл бұрын

Simular lift kit by Wulf Suspensions... amzn.to/3liJ2yg

ive got another if youd wanna work on it ;)

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

Of course :) Feel free to text me... 720-357-8192

@orlanmedina3693

3 жыл бұрын

@@MegaMilesBen how much is the installation?

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

Depends on the lift. Every lift varies.

Amusing to say the least. WTF! NEVER ADJUST THE KEYS WITH THE WEIGHT ON THE SUSPENSION!!

@MegaMilesBen

Жыл бұрын

Id truely like to hear your explination on why not? Ive been doing it this way for many many years and have never had a problem. I was told when I started doing lifts eons ago, the only thing lifting the vehicle off the ground does is make the key bolts easier to turn. I didnt have any struggles with the bolts and it saves time dropping and lifting the vehicle to measure each time. My clients been back in with other vehicles since this job. Hes very happy with the lift. We recently lifted his tahoe too.

How much do you charge for this job

@MegaMilesBen

Жыл бұрын

I dont discuss my labor on youtube.

tire size ?

@MegaMilesBen

3 жыл бұрын

It was pointed out by someone they seen 35/12.50R22

struggles that much with the keys then doesnt antisieze the new ones 🤦‍♂

@MegaMilesBen

2 жыл бұрын

I never have with aftermarket keys. For some reason, they don't stick like stock.