homelessduck
Full Access Member
I'll get this engine pulled and torn down soon. Depending on how bad this engine looks I may just drive the parts up to you instead of shipping them, and check out your engine.
VERY true.Starter is much cheaper than an engine though!
Step one: replace lift kit with a proper lift kit (Dana 60)
Undo the front end of the springs.
Attach the springs to the axle.
Now jack it up and attach the front end of the springs.
I suggest this, because it is usually easier getting a grip with ratchet straps and pry bars and such, to wrassle the front ends of those springs back in place, than trying to compress the springs as they are.
I don't know much about aftermarket suspension stuff but it's starting to sound like you got the wrong spring kit. Or at least the wrong springs with the correct hardware. The full weight of the pickup should compress them a couple inches at least. And the centering holes should be the right size.
You might try throwing on the u-bolts and hitting them with the impact until snug(to stay safe) and then jacking up the axle and dropping the jack as fast as possible. Maybe they are stuck from the paint job or rust inside/under the paint. I only work on my stock rig with add-a-leafs but this is how I get the springs back under torsion. I've just hit it with the impact until everything is tight. Drive around a bit and snug up again.
That's pretty crazy that you can't get them to compress! An IDI has nearly 4,000lbs over the front axle all the time. Even if it was the wrong kit most pickups wouldn't weigh any more than that.
Step one: replace lift kit with a proper lift kit (Dana 60)