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NOTES: Be sure to read and fully understand these instructions before starting the installation process. These hoops are
designed to run a shock with about 13" of travel on a vehicle with approximately 3-7" of lift. Proper shock length is determined
by spring travel, vehicle use, and the placement of the bumpstops relative to ride height. This shock hoop can be installed with
any ride height, but shock length must be varied for proper fitment. It is the responsibility of the installer to cycle the
suspension and determine the proper shock absorber length prior to installation.
1) Raise and support the rear of the vehicle so that the rear suspension is easily accessible.
Remove the spare tire from under the rear of the vehicle if applicable.
2) Remove the bolts that mount the rear brake proportioning valve to the frame rail. Remove the
valve or CAREFULLY bend the lines to pull the valve assembly away from the frame. Fully clean the paint from the inside face
of the frame directly above the bumpstop drop bracket on both sides.
3) Before placing the shock hoop in the vehicle we recommend painting all but the outer edges where
the welding will take place.
4) Place the shock hoop between the frame rails directly above the bumpstop drop bracket with the
3" square gussets between the hoop sides and frame. At times this may be a "press fit" and may even require a small amount of
grinding to the ends of the hoop to allow fitment. The hoop should be placed so the shocks will face the front of the vehicle.
When looking at the setup from the side of the vehicle with the rear suspension unloaded, the shocks should be angled with the
bottom slightly toward the front of the vehicle, so that at ride height the shocks will be standing straight up and down.
5) Before doing any welding be sure that all brake hoses, fuel hoses, lines, plastic, etc. is
protected from sparks by covering the items or removing them.
6) Once properly aligned, tack-weld the hoop and gussets into place. Double-check the alignment
of the hoop before fully welding. Carefully weld the hoop and gussets into place. We recommend welding the gussets to the
frame on all 4 sides in "stiched" sections, leaving consistent small gaps to allow flex in the components. We then recommend
fully welding the hoop to the gussets.
7) Remove the parking brake cable from the actuator levers on each brake drum backing plate.
Remove the 2 bolts that retain the proportioning valve lever to the axle housing.
8) Clean a 3"X3" section of paint from center of the rear face of the axle housing. This should
be done so the center of this section is approx. 3" to the inside of the inner leaf spring U-bolt.
9) Place the 2"X2" gusset plates in the center of the cleaned section and tack weld the center of
the plates to the axle housing. Shape the flat gussets to the rounded housing. Working from the center out, hammer the gussets
onto the housing and tack weld the gussets to the housing. Fully weld the gussets to the axle housing.
10) Using a level or whatever tools necessary center and align the studs on the axle housing gusset
plates then tack weld into place. Be sure that the studs protrude perpendicular from the rear face of the axle housing and are
parallel with the ground. Fully weld studs to the axle housing gussets.
11) Once everything has cooled paint the bare metal on the frame, hoop, and axle housing.
12) Once the paint has dried install and fasten the proportioning valve to the frame rail. Install
the proportioning valve lever bracket on the axle housing. In some cases the proportioning valve lever may interfere with the
shock body. If this is the case, we recommend relocating the proportioning valve axle bracket to the front of the axle housing,
next to the differential. In doing this, be sure that the lever mount is placed at the same height it was at on the rear side of
the axle housing.
13) Install the shock absorbers on the shock hoop with the provided nuts washers. Fasten the parking
brake cables to the levers.
14) Re-install the spare tire and lower the vehicle to the ground. Cycle the suspension and check for
proper shock clearance, length, and fitment. CAUTION: At times the rear brake proportioning valve actuating lever may have to be
modified to clear the shock absorber body.
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