I got the front part of the truxxx kit in. I had two main problems with it. Mainly as a result of the poor instructions.

1. I couldn't compress things enough to reconnect the lower ball joint. I tried and tried with no luck. I watched the THQ video over and over but it was to dark to see what he put the ratchet strap on. I finally figured out that what we are trying to do is pull down the upper control arm not pull up the ball joint, after I figured that out it was pretty easy but led to problem #2

2. While trying to figure out how to get the LCA back together I thought well maybe if I hook up the sway bar again, so I tried to do that. WRONG! You can kind of get it started when not on the ground but it won't go back in properly like that. So in my zealous attempt I think I broke loose the welded nut on the passenger side in the rear of the bracket! I'm not sure what can be done with this problem since it is all closed in!!! When I take it in for the alignment I will ask them to have a look at it hopefully they can weld it back in somehow for $50 or something. So the alignment place charged $60 for the alignment (NAPA Autopro) That was a pretty good deal, Kal-tire wanted $104! Anyways I got them to look at the broken nut problem. Called me to ask if they could drill a hole into the frame to get at the nut. I was a little leery so I called the local stealer and he said it shouldn't be a problem. Especially since the hole would be forward of the suspension and the engine. Anyways I called them back and said to do it. Charged me .7 hrs and $8.12 for a new bolt & nut. They painted every thing all up drilled about a 1" hole. I think I will get a grommet to stick in there to keep the crud from filling it all in. This was my fault but I still think with better instructions from Truxxx it wouldn't have happened.

I think I will have another look at the control arm positions too because when I turned it around the wheel was pulling pretty hard to the left. I am assuming that this is an alignment issue but I am a bit concerned about driving to the shop. My dad always used to tell me if you drove very far after doing things to the front end like tie rod ends you could wipe out your tires pretty quick and really mess things up.

One other thing. What about torque? The ball joint spec is 200N-m! My 1/2" torque wrench only goes up to 80N-m. I just used my impact on setting four for most stuff.

PS Attempting this without an air ratchet and an impact would be awful. For a simple example 200N-m is equivalent to applying 20kgf (force of 20kg at sea level) to a 1m long breaker bar. if your normal torque wrench is 1/3m that means 60kgf, maybe more to get the bolts out! That would be tough on the arms!!!

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2007 Slate Metallic
5.7L (Do they make another engine?)
Double Cab SR5
TRD Off-Road 4X4



Black Billet Grille, TundraTruckz Stubbie Antenna, Armourthane Liner, Leer Canopy, BF Goodrich A/T 285/65-18, Truxx Levelling Kit, Ride-Rite Rear Airbags.