Tools:
14mm socket and wrench
3/8” drill bit
Drill
9/16” wrench
4” C-clamp
Black spray paint
Punch

Time = 1 hour

Tips = be sure to check alignment of parts before drilling any holes.  Make sure you have the wheels centered before starting installation and replace the nuts and bolts supplied with grade 8 hardware.

Benefits = Reduced bump steering and following of ruts on the highway.  Off-road allow greater reduction of wheel deflection from rocks, ruts, potholes and obstacles.

Instructions—(from the Duff instructions plus personal input)

1. Replace the 2 – 3/8” x 1” bolts with grade 8 ones that are 1 ½” in length.  I stripped the treads on the grade 5 bolts provided in the kit when trying to torque down the bracket.

2. Place the cross member bracket behind the right side of the front cross member with the scribe line in the bracket horizontal.  Line that up with the bottom edge of the cross member and clamp tight.

3. Using the hole in the bracket as a guide, drill a 3/8” hole through the cross member and bolt the bracket to the cross member with a 3/8” x 1 1/2” bolt, nyloc nut and 2 washers.

4. With a center punch, mark a spot on the face of the cross member in the approximate position shown (1 ¼” from the left side of the end of the bracket and  ½” up from the bottom of the cross member.

5. Install the remaining 3/8” x 1 1/2” bolt, nut and 2 washers in the new hole.  Remove the clamp.

6. Install the drag link bracket to the drag link.  Leave it loose enough so it can be slid up and down the drag link.  Remember the drag link is the bar that attaches to the steering box and the passenger side wheel.

7. Install the boot on the stabilizer.

8. Install the stabilizer on the bracket.  Do not over tighten the bushings or they won’t work properly.  The bushing should be tight, but not to the point that the bushing is deformed.

9. Extend the stabilizer until approximately half the rod length is exposed (about 4 ½” on a James Duff stabilizer)

10. Position the drag link bracket to minimize and side load on the stabilizer and tighten the bracket to the drag link)

11. To check for proper clearance, rotate the wheels from lock to lock.  Recheck all bolts after 100 miles of use.

Notes: Some notes on the kit.  The instruction provided have some good drawings to help assist you in your installation.  I have not included these diagram notes here.  A tip from installing a Rancho kit is to turn the wheels to the full right, then extend the stabilizer fully minus ½”.  Then tighten the drag link bracket at that point on the drag link.