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THIS KIT INVOLVES EXTENSIVE WELDING ANDGENERAL FABRICATION SKILLS. ONLY COMPETENT WELDERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO INSTALLTHIS KIT.

 

 

 Tools Required :

Safety Glasses, Gloves, Tape Measure, Socket Set, Wrenches,Wheel chocks, Jack, Jack stand.  CuttingTool of your choice (Sawzall, Grinder, plasma, cutting torch)  Welder.

 

Step 1:

Inventory that you have all of the parts for your order If you are missingparts or have incorrect parts contact Artec Industries Immediately @(855)-278-3299  M-F from 8am-5pm MST   If it is after those hours please EmailSales@Artecindustries.com

 

Step 2:

Place wheel chocks at the rear wheels of the vehicle.  Break free lug nuts on front wheels (Do not fully loosen or remove lug nuts yet.)

 

Step 3:

With the vehicle sitting on the ground, Measure your rideheight at the frame and height of the centerline of the axle, Also takemeasurement of your wheel base.

(Make a note of this for later.)

 

Step 4: 

Jack up the front of the vehicle and set the axle on Jackstands, Remove the front wheels from the vehicle,  With the wheels removed Jack the vehicle upagain.  Securely place tall jack standsunder the frame behind  the LCA or Leafspring mounts at the previously measurement of ride height. Place a 2nd sent ofjack stands under the front axle.

 

Step 5: 

Remove the existing front axle from the vehicle.

 

Step 6:

Prep axle the truss will be welded onto by removing allmounts and paint/ rust.  Once the axle isprepped. Slide new axle under the vehicle and place on jack stands at themeasurement of what the centerline height was at ride height also make sure it isset to the wheelbase you will be using.

 

Step 7:

Using another jack stand or block of wood set under thePinion of the axle, Set the Caster angle and pinion  to desired angle of your build to ensure itdoes not get changed . Now place the truss on top of the axle so it is levelwith the ground and not tilted forward or backward (If your truss is angled it can cause upper armmounts or the truss to twist off under load)  You may need to trim some gussets on thetruss to allow it to sit level depending on your wheelbase and pinion angle. (Ford9” trusses will need to be trimmed to fit your axle)

 

Step 8:

With the truss set level on top of the axle tack weld Thetruss ends to the axle tubes.

 

Step 9:

With the truss tacked into place Pull the axle from underthe vehicle to allow more space for welding.  Once the axle is pulled from under the vehicle.  Heat the axle to about 400 degrees Startto  weld the gussets to the axle andtruss .When welding, Start on one side of the axle, Weld a small amount, Thenmove on to the opposite side of the axle to allow each side to cool. This willhelp prevent warping .Stitch welding is preferred  and welding every inch of every seam is notnecessary. Grind and clean the rosette welds on the axle. (Optional) Stitch weld the axle tubes to the ends of the casting foradded axle strength and to prevent the axle tubes from twisting. If yourtruss has a Ram mount you will place the ram mount on the axle and roll it upinto place until the ram mount contacts the gussets and weld it into place. youwill want to mount your steering ram to the mounting blocks and center the ramas much as possible you may only be able to run 3 of the mounts to center theram.  with the ram at full lock andknuckle in full lock you will want to weld the mounting blocks into position sothe Ram's shaft and tie rod are inline (if they are notinline it could cause stress to the shaft and damage the ram) .   Ifyou have any Control arm mounts, Shock mounts, Coil over tabs, Track bar mountsthat need to be welded on to the axle you will need to place the axle under the vehicle on jack stands at rideheight and desired wheelbase an weld them on at this time in their properlocation for your specific build.  Onceall of the welding is complete you will wrap the axle in a welding blanket to slowly cool overnight.

 

Step 10:

Clean the Truss and axle of any machining oils and Prep forpaint or powder coat.

 

Step 11:

Install the axle back under the vehicle and place on jackstands. Install the wheels on the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts (Do not torque them down yet.)   Lift the vehicle and remove all ofthe jack stands and set the vehicle on the ground.  with the vehicle on the ground check all ofthe bolts and lug nuts are torqued to proper specs. we recommend drawing a lineon the nut and bolt heads and where they are mounted for quick reference whenchecking for tightness after 50 miles .