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- 1). Set the shift selector in park for an automatic. Set the shift selector in neutral, if equipped with a manual transmission. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack, high enough to place two jack stands under each side of the frame at full height. Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack to place two jack stands under each side of the frame at maximum height.
- 2). Set the floor jack directly under the rear differential. Place a few thick blocks of wood on the floor jack spoon. Pump up the floor jack to relieve all the hanging weight of the rear suspension. Connect an air ratchet to a compressor. Locate the top shock mount nuts on the vehicle, which might be underneath the vehicle, or accessible through the trunk or rear side compartment panel. Refer to your owner's manual if necessary. Remove both shock top nuts with the air ratchet.
- 3). Use the air ratchet to remove the shock absorber bottom mount bolts. Pull the shocks down and set them aside. Use an end wrench to loosen the brake line mounting bolts connected to the axle or the frame on both sides. Pull down enough brake line to allow some bending slack. Use the air ratchet to loosen the the large U-bolt nuts that hold the leaf springs to the axle housing. Remove all four U-bolts -- two per side.
- 4). Use the air ratchet and a socket to remove the leaf spring eye bolt nuts at the end of each spring. Pull all four bolts out. Remove both leaf springs from the vehicle. Release pressure on the floor jack, lowering the axle to make room for the new lifting springs. Place the lift kit springs into position. Hook the front eye bolt through the spring sleeve and tighten it only by hand with a socket and wrench. Do not tighten it all the way.
- 5). Align the rear eye bolt of the spring with the rear sleeve and insert the bolt and nut. Tighten it only with a socket and wrench. Perform the same procedure on the other side of the vehicle. Have an assistant raise or lower the floor jack as needed, according to how much room is required to connect the eye bolts and nuts.
- 6). Pump the floor jack up until the new kit springs touch the axle housing. Hook two U-bolts over the axle on one spring and screw the nuts on by hand. Use the air ratchet to tighten the U-bolt nuts. Do the same thing on the other side of the vehicle, adjusting the floor jack up or down in slight increments, as needed. After all the U-bolts have been tightened, use the air ratchet to go back and tighten all the front and rear leaf spring eye bolts.
- 7). Extend the shock absorbers to their maximum length. If your vehicle has rear compartment top shock mounts, have your assistant push the shock up from underneath the vehicle while you attach the top nut to the shock. Tighten the shock nut with the air ratchet. Have your assistant push the other shock stud up through the opening. Screw the nut on and tighten it with the air ratchet.
- 8). Align the bottom of each shock absorber with their mounting holes, remembering to raise or lower the floor jack, or compress the shock so they fit. Tighten all the bolts with a socket and wrench. Bend and position the brake lines back into place, then align the brake line brackets and insert the bolts by hand. Tighten the brake line bolts with a socket and wrench.
- 9). Lower the floor jack all the way. Remove the wood blocks. Place the floor jack at the rear of the vehicle and lift the frame to remove the jack stands. Use the floor jack to raise the front of the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Test drive the vehicle, noting of the increased ride height and stiffer suspension.
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