FABTECH FTL5107 Leveling Kit Instruction Manual

FABTECH FTL5107 Leveling Kit

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

 TOOL LIST

Required Tools (Not Included)

• Basic Hand Tools
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands
• Assorted Metric and S.A.E sockets, and Allen wrenches
• Torque Wrench
• Die Grinder w/ Cutoff Wheel or Sawzall
• Hammer
• Coil Spring Compressor (2019 only)
• 36mm socket (2019 only)

PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES

For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800 or e-mail: info@fabtechmotorsports.com READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION –

• Check all parts to the parts list above before beginning installation. If any parts are missing contact Fabtech at 909-597-7800 and a replacement part will be sent to you immediately.
• Read all instructions thoroughly from start to finish before beginning the installation. If these instructions are not properly followed severe frame, driveline and / or suspension damage may occur.
• Check your local city and state laws prior to the installation of this system for legality. Do not install if not legal in your area.
• Prior to the installation of this suspension system perform a front end alignment and record. Do not install this system if the vehicle alignment is not within factory specifications. Check for frame and suspension damage prior to installation.
• The installation of this suspension system should be performed by two professional mechanics.
• This suspension must be installed with Fabtech shock absorbers.
• Use the provided thread locking compound on all hardware.
• WARNING- Installation of this system will alter the center of gravity of the vehicle and may increase roll over as compared to stock.
• Vehicles that receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs, tie rods ends, pitman arm and idler arm every 2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as needed.
• Verify differential fluid is at manufactures recommended level prior to kit installation. Installation of the kit will reposition the differential and the fill plug hole may be in a different position. (For example, if the manufacture recommends 3 quarts of fluid, make sure the diff has 3 quarts of fluid). Check your specific manual for correct amount of fluid.

Footnotes

• Some models may not sit level after install
• Will not fit models equipped with Adaptive Ride Control
• Does not fit GMC AT4 or Chevy Trail Boss models

Recommended Tire Sizes

• Use 285/70R17 tires w/17×9 wheels w/5.5” BS w/ minor trimming
• Use 295/65R18 tires w/18×9 wheels w/5.5” BS w/ minor trimming
• Use 305/55R20 tires w/20×9 wheels w/5.5” BS w/ minor trimming
• Use 305/45R22 tires w/22×9 wheels w/5.5” BS w/ minor trimming

(2007-2018 TRUCK MODELS)
(2007-2021 SUV MODELS)

1. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Jack up the front end of the truck and support the frame rails with jack stands. NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE! Remove the front tires.

2. Working from the driver side, support the bottom of the
   A- arm with a jack. If vehicle is equipped with authorize disconnect the plug on top of the coilover assembly. Remove the autoride bracket (if equipped from the A-arm and save hardware. SEE FIGURES 1-2

3. Loosen the upper ball joint nut, strike the knuckle with a hammer till it comes loose from A-Arm. Save all hardware.(Use care not to hit threads.) SEE FIGURE 3

4. Loosen the tie rod nut and strike knuckle with hammer till it comes loose. Save all hardware (Use care not to hit threads.) Disconnect the factory swaybar endlinks and save with the hardware. SEE FIGURE 4

5. Remove the bottom coilover bolts and save. Disconnect the ABS line retainer from the stud on the coilover and remove the three nuts attaching the coilover to the coilover mount, discard hardware. Remove the coilover from vehicle. SEE FIGURE 5

6. Repeat steps two through five on passenger side of truck.

7. Locate FT20275BK Coil Spacers and the supplied 10mm nuts and flat washers. Attach the Coil Spacer to the top of the factory coilover and torque to 30 ft-lbs. (DO NOT USE AN IMPACT ON THE FACTORY STUDS) Using a die grinder with a cutoff wheel, cut the excess of the factory studs flush with the top of the coil spacer. If required, use a die grinder with a sanding disc and sand the stud flush with spacer. Be sure not to cut into the spacer. SEE FIGURES 6-7

8. Install coilover and rotate it 180 degrees from the original position. This will align the new spacer to the original mounting holes in coilover mount. Attach the bottom part of the coilover to the lower A-Arm with the factory hardware. Torque bolts to 30 ft-lbs.

9. Using the supplied 3/8”x 1-¼” bolts, flat washers, split washers and thread locking compound, attach the coilover into the factory coilover mount. Torque to 30 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 8

10. Attach the upper ball joint to the factory knuckle using the factory nut. Torque to 60 ft-lbs. Now reattach the tie rod to the steering knuckle using the factory nut. Torque to 50 ft.-lbs.

11. Attach the factory swaybar endlinks with the factory hardware and tighten just till the bushings start to bulge. Attach the autoride bracket to upper A-Arm using the factory hardware. Re-connect the ABS sensor plug and attach the ABS line back to the upper A-Arm mount.

12. Install tires and wheels and torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications. Turn front tires left to right and check for appropriate tire clearance. Note – Some oversized tires may require trimming of the front bumper & valance.

13. Check front end alignment and set to factory specifications. Readjust headlights.

14. Recheck all bolts for proper torque.

15. Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.

16. Check the fluid in the front and rear differential and fill
    if needed with factory specification differential oil. Note
    – some differentials may expel fluid after filling and driving. This can be normal in resetting the fluid level with the new position of the differential/s.

17.  Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.

Vehicles that will receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs and all steering components every
2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as required.

RE-TORQUE ALL NUTS, BOLTS AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800 

(2019-2021 YEAR MODELS)

1. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Jack up the front end of the truck and support the frame rails with jack stands. NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE! Remove the front tires. Using a paint pen mark straight line down the center of the coilover at the top cap, lower spring perch and the lower mount. SEE FIGURE 1

2. Starting with the passenger side. Disconnect the ABS wire bracket from the upper control arm and the brake line bracket from the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES
   2- 3

3. Remove the factory tie rod end nut and strike the knuckle with a hammer till the tie rod end comes loose. Save all hardware. Use care not to hit any other parts. SEE FIGURES 4-5

4. Using a 36mm socket, remove and save the axle hub nut.  SEE FIGURE 6

5. Remove and save the sway bar link nut from the bottom side of the lower control arm. SEE FIGURE 7

6. Loosen the upper ball joint nut and strike the knuckle with a hammer until it comes loose from the upper control arm. Next, remove and save the factory nut. Then detach the knuckle from the upper control arm. Push the knuckle to the side and secure if possible. SEE FIGURE 8

7. Locate the plastic wire harness channel on the top of the passenger side coilover mount. Push it up and back to allow access to the three coilover nuts. Remove and discard the upper coilover nuts. SEE FIGURES 9-10

8. Remove and save the two lower coilover bolts. Then remove the coilover assembly from the vehicle. SEE FIGURES 11-12

9.  Measure and cut 3/4” of thread off the factory upper  coilover studs. SEE FIGURES 13

10. Install the FT20275 (Spacer) onto the top of the coilover using the supplied M10-1.5 nuts and flat washers. Torque to 35 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 14

11. Using a coil spring compressor, compress the spring enough to rotate the strut body 180 degrees around. The marks you applied in step 1 will help with this. Then remove the compressor. SEE FIGURE 15

12. Install the coilover assembly into the vehicle using the supplied 3/8” Bolts, lock washers and flat washers for the upper mount and the factory hardware for the lower mount. Torque the 3/8” to 49 ft-lbs and the factory hardware to 56 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 16-17

13. Locate the factory bumpstop tab on the frame mount. Using a cutoff wheel remove this tab completely off the mount and sand to a smooth finish. SEE FIGURE 18-19

14. Reinstall the upper control arm to the knuckle, the sway bar link to the lower control arm and the tie rod end to the knuckle torque all nuts to 35 ft-lbs. Reinstall the axle hub nut and torque to 156 ft-lbs. Re-attach the ABS bracket to the control arm and the brake line bracket to the knuckle. Torque to 11 ft-lbs.

15. Repeat steps 1-14 on the driver side of the vehicle.

16. Install tires and wheels and torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications. Turn front tires left to right and check for appropriate tire clearance. Note – Some oversized tires may require trimming of the front bumper & valance.

17. Check front end alignment and set to factory specifications. Readjust headlights.

18. Recheck all bolts for proper torque.

19. Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.

20. Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension.

Vehicles that will receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs and all steering components every
2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as required.
RE-TORQUE ALL NUTS, BOLTS AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800 

Product Warranty and Warnings

Fabtech provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original retail purchaser who owns the vehicle, on which the product was originally installed, for defects in workmanship and materials.
The Limited Lifetime Warranty excludes the following Fabtech items; bushings, bump stops, ball joints, tie rod ends, limiting straps, cross shafts, heim joints and driveshafts. These parts are subject to wear and are not considered defective when worn. They are warranted for 60 days from the date of purchase for defects in workmanship.
Dirt Logic and Performance Coilover take apart shocks are considered a serviceable shock with a one year warranty on leakage only. Service seal kits are available separately for future maintenance. All other shocks are covered under our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Fabtech does not warrant any product for finish, alterations, modifications and/or installation contrary to Fabtech’s instructions. Alterations to the finish of the parts including but not limited to painting, powder coating, plating and/or welding will void all warranties. Some finish damage may occur to parts during shipping, which is considered normal and is not covered under warranty.
Fabtech products are not designed nor intended to be installed on vehicles used in race applications or for racing purposes or for similar activities. (A “RACE” is defined as any contest between two or more vehicles, or any contest of one or more vehicle against the clock, whether or not such contest is for a prize). This warranty does not include coverage for police or taxi vehicles, race vehicles, or vehicles used for government or commercial purposes. Also excluded from this warranty are sales outside of the United States of America.
Installation of most suspension products will raise the center of gravity of the vehicle and will cause the vehicle to handle differently than stock. It may increase the vehicle’s susceptibility to a rollover, on road and off road, at all speeds. Extreme care should be taken to operate the vehicle safely at all times to prevent rollover or loss of control resulting in serious injury or death. Fabtech front end Desert Guards may impair the deployment or operation of vehicles equipped with supplemental restraining systems/air bag systems and should not be installed if the vehicle is equipped as so.
Fabtech makes every effort to ensure suspension product compatibility with all vehicles listed on the website, but due to unknown auto manufacturer’s production changes and/or inconstancies by the auto manufacturer, Fabtech cannot be responsible for 100% compatibility, including the fitment of tire and wheel sizes listed. The Tire and Wheel sizes listed in Fabtech’s website are only a guideline for street driving with noted fender trimming. Fabtech is not responsible for damages to the vehicle’s body or tires. Fabtech is not responsible for premature wear of factory components due to the installation of oversized tires and wheels.

Fabtech’s obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at the Fabtech option, of the defective product only. All costs of removal, installation or re-installation, freight charges, and incidental or consequential damages are expressly excluded from this warranty. Fabtech is not responsible for damages and/or warranty of other vehicle parts related or nonrelated to the installed Fabtech product. This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied. This warranty shall not apply to any product that has been subject to accident, negligence, alteration, abuse or misuse as determined by Fabtech.

Fabtech suspension components must be installed as a complete system including shocks as shown on our website. All warranties will become void if Fabtech parts are combined and/or substituted with other aftermarket suspension products. Combination and/or substitution of other aftermarket suspension parts may cause premature wear and/or product failure resulting in an accident causing injury or death. Fabtech does not warrant products not manufactured by Fabtech.
Depending on the condition of the factory suspension components retained after the installation of a Fabtech suspension not all vehicles may have the same ride stance front to rear as described in the website. The blue color of suspension components shown in all Fabtech photographs are for display purposes only. The majority of all Fabtech components will be black specifically where noted with part numbers ending in BK.

Installation of Fabtech product may void the vehicles factory warranty; it is the consumer’s responsibility to check with their local vehicle’s dealer for warranty disposition before the installation of the product. Some state laws may prohibit modification of suspension to a vehicle in whole or in part. It is the responsibility of the installer and consumer to consult local laws prior to the installation of any Fabtech suspension product to comply with such written laws.
It is the responsibility of the distributor and/or the retailer to review all warranties and warnings of Fabtech products with the consumer prior to purchase.
Fabtech reserves the right to super cede, discontinue, change the design, finish, part number and/or application of parts when deemed necessary without written notice. Fabtech is not responsible for misprints or typographical errors within the website or price sheet. For the most recent Product Warranty and Warnings visit our website www.fabtechmotorsports.com

References

• Fabtech® - Suspension Lift Kits & Truck Accessories

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