Couple questions.. 1) Do we need a spring compressor to do this job? 2)What year van is this 3)What was the original length of the swaybar lengths? Trying to figure out which one to order. 4) Was the Alignment still done to the standard specs? Thanks for the video!! Hoping to do this soon, we have access to a lift so rather save the $600-800 the shop wants.
If you’re really careful, you can get an internal spring compressor in the rear spring. Just need to undo the bolt that tightens the compressor all the way out in order to remove it. A bit of Tetris but it works. Just finished my lift and your video was essential. Grateful for your help!
@@dougfong5397 I did not lower the diff to install. You need to rent a claw foot spring compressor and attach it from underneath the spring with the claw foot directly in the middle. Then compress it a lot. Be careful. If you’re careful you can fit it in there. It’s not easy and spring compressors are dangerous. If you’re unsure then it’s worth paying a shop to install.
@@teachthestory Thanks, i'll try that. i have a good air impact gun and multiple spring compressors. I figured i would need to buy an internal claw foot compressor. They sell them for 40. on amazon. i've seen some people drop the front part of the rear diff to get more room.
@@dougfong5397 awesome. Autozone has them for free to rent. When you put it in there it only aligns in one direction. Then when you go to release it, the center bolt and thread will need to come down in a way you can get out. So align that to go in and come out ahead of time. I had the car high on jack stands to give me a ouch room.
hey did your kit come with the correct sway bar links? The links my kit came with are the same as stock.. so they are too long. which sway bar links did you use?
I asked my mechanic about the lift and his only objection was the CVJ's are at a greater angle and will wear much faster. I would like the height as the last little dip I went through I touched the front bumper to the other side of the dip.
If your van is sagging from camping gear you are better off going up one or two steps in rear spring weight. Even with a lift kit your suspension will still be sagging and likely close to bottoming out when loaded. That’s a bad situation for driving and maintaining control if you hit a big impact. If you are needing increased ground then get the lift kit(or get both if needed to address each issue)
Hey man, I'm trying to install the same kit and I have great trouble to install the front passenger side. To be able to put the bottom strut bolts, I have to move the rest of the suspension and my axle keeps poping out (on the side attached to the midshaft). I had no problem to install the driver side one. Did you encounter this problem?
@@TheCohesiveGarage And the other side did not pop out?? I tried to do it your way but the other side keeps popping out and I can not get it to pop back in when all the bolts are in place
Is there any certain ways to install the front spacer? Have the same kit, but the alignment way off, especially the camber. curious about instructions no. 12 Rotate strut hat 180 degrees. What is that mean?
@@stephencoe4384 I used Coil Spring Specialist in Kansas. They do a great job. They will ask if you would like a little more lift in the back i said 1/2 inch. I wouldnt go anymore than that as it will set higher anyway with the new stiffer springs.The van doesn't drive like a boat anymore and i never have issues with the hitch dragging or bottoming out. Im very happy with it.
How do I get in contact with you to do work on my BMW? Many times I've tried email, text, left many voicemails. I assume you haven't closed up shop since you're still making videos. Are you not taking new customers?
@@TheCohesiveGarage is this kit easier on your suspension like ball joints for example? I heard that the 3inch lift kits like the ones from journey definitely wear out ball joints and puts a lot of stress on the suspension.
Same issue here. I had to cut mine 2'' like he did (5:08) but it's still not perfect. I have interference with the base of my shock. I'm tryna find somebody who knows the perfect lenght to cut links.
so did he ever show us the final product and how it rides, etc?
Couple questions.. 1) Do we need a spring compressor to do this job? 2)What year van is this 3)What was the original length of the swaybar lengths? Trying to figure out which one to order. 4) Was the Alignment still done to the standard specs? Thanks for the video!! Hoping to do this soon, we have access to a lift so rather save the $600-800 the shop wants.
If you’re really careful, you can get an internal spring compressor in the rear spring. Just need to undo the bolt that tightens the compressor all the way out in order to remove it. A bit of Tetris but it works. Just finished my lift and your video was essential. Grateful for your help!
did you lower part of the rear diff to install? also did you remove the drivehshaft?
@@dougfong5397 I did not lower the diff to install. You need to rent a claw foot spring compressor and attach it from underneath the spring with the claw foot directly in the middle. Then compress it a lot. Be careful. If you’re careful you can fit it in there. It’s not easy and spring compressors are dangerous. If you’re unsure then it’s worth paying a shop to install.
@@teachthestory Thanks, i'll try that. i have a good air impact gun and multiple spring compressors. I figured i would need to buy an internal claw foot compressor. They sell them for 40. on amazon. i've seen some people drop the front part of the rear diff to get more room.
@@dougfong5397 awesome. Autozone has them for free to rent. When you put it in there it only aligns in one direction. Then when you go to release it, the center bolt and thread will need to come down in a way you can get out. So align that to go in and come out ahead of time. I had the car high on jack stands to give me a ouch room.
hey did your kit come with the correct sway bar links? The links my kit came with are the same as stock.. so they are too long. which sway bar links did you use?
Damn, bumping that Brotha Lynch Hung!
Seeing that you've worked with both the Traxda and Journey's lift, in your opinion, who makes a better kit?
The Traxda kit is for mortal sane humans and the Journeys is for Demigod assentation into the havens.
I asked my mechanic about the lift and his only objection was the CVJ's are at a greater angle and will wear much faster. I would like the height as the last little dip I went through I touched the front bumper to the other side of the dip.
Update on how it went. Any issues?
would you prefer longer shocks or go with the shock extenders?, looks a bit janky with the extra bits
Works either way but more shock options and easier to find with OE shock length.
I have a 2014 Sienna. Could I run just the rear shock brackets only? I have terrible sag when loaded down for camping.
If your van is sagging from camping gear you are better off going up one or two steps in rear spring weight. Even with a lift kit your suspension will still be sagging and likely close to bottoming out when loaded. That’s a bad situation for driving and maintaining control if you hit a big impact. If you are needing increased ground then get the lift kit(or get both if needed to address each issue)
did you remove the drive shaft in order to lower the front of the rear differential?
Hey man, I'm trying to install the same kit and I have great trouble to install the front passenger side. To be able to put the bottom strut bolts, I have to move the rest of the suspension and my axle keeps poping out (on the side attached to the midshaft). I had no problem to install the driver side one. Did you encounter this problem?
I removed the Axle nut and let the axle slide away freely from the hub.
@@TheCohesiveGarage And the other side did not pop out?? I tried to do it your way but the other side keeps popping out and I can not get it to pop back in when all the bolts are in place
Hmm maybe retention the spring clip so It holds. Keep trying. You'll get it.
@@TheCohesiveGarage Thanks! I did exactly that yesterday and it worked!
Brotha Lynch Hung straight up
Should there be any play where the rear shock attaches to the shock extender?
Is there any certain ways to install the front spacer? Have the same kit, but the alignment way off, especially the camber. curious about instructions no. 12 Rotate strut hat 180 degrees. What is that mean?
Dont do that step... The instructions are bad
I just went with custum springs that slightly lifted the van and stiffened it. Didn't need anything else.
Can you give more info on these?
@@stephencoe4384 I used Coil Spring Specialist in Kansas. They do a great job. They will ask if you would like a little more lift in the back i said 1/2 inch. I wouldnt go anymore than that as it will set higher anyway with the new stiffer springs.The van doesn't drive like a boat anymore and i never have issues with the hitch dragging or bottoming out. Im very happy with it.
How do I get in contact with you to do work on my BMW? Many times I've tried email, text, left many voicemails. I assume you haven't closed up shop since you're still making videos. Are you not taking new customers?
Do you recommend this kit or the 3.5" Journeys lift? Looking for a 2012 Sienna XLE FWD
I would say this kit. Its less trouble prone.
@@TheCohesiveGarage is this kit easier on your suspension like ball joints for example? I heard that the 3inch lift kits like the ones from journey definitely wear out ball joints and puts a lot of stress on the suspension.
I hat would it cost to have someone put a lift kit on the vehicle
Any reason you just didn't use a spring compressor tool?
Yes.
They don't fit
@@TheCohesiveGarage oh man, that makes me not want to try it. Figured one could just compress and remove.
My kit came with sway bar links that are the same as stock too. what links did you use?
I may have extended the new ones by cutting them in half and using another piece to make them longer. But I don't remember
Same issue here. I had to cut mine 2'' like he did (5:08) but it's still not perfect. I have interference with the base of my shock. I'm tryna find somebody who knows the perfect lenght to cut links.
@@PhilippeLanglois i used adjustable links from amazon. they were for a bmw, but they fit the van
How was the test drive?
Wonderful, It rides perfect!