Welding?

[Swamper]

So when I asked a buddy of mine about helping me with my 2" Performance Accessories BL for my 02, 2WD Sonoma he said he'd have to look at it to see if there needs to be any welding.

Do you need to weld anything with that kind of installation? It sounded odd to me...

[crazy91s10]

dunno bout the second gens... but the only piece that came with the kit that needed to be welded was the auto trans shifter linkage extension. and instead of using the weld-on piece i fabbed up my own bolt on extension.

[S15vortecpwr]

the last body lift kits i installed no welding was needed, but they were on fullsize Z71

[Twisted Minis]

I worked at a shop that did this professionally. I've never installed a kit that required welding. But sometimes it was just easier.

[Swamper]

So I guess then it'd be hard to say until we actually get to puttin it in?

[crazy91s10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Swamper

So I guess then it'd be hard to say until we actually get to puttin it in?

basically... but it is safe to say that if there is welding involved it will be very little. if the secondgen shifter linkage is basically the same as the firstgen then i could share my secret bolt on linkage extension with you... and in that case it should eliminate any need to weld anything

[EddieHunt05]

there was no welding on my 99 4x4

[JohnnyG]

I have a 99 2wd, ext cab, automatic. And I just did mine a couple of weeks ago and I didnt have to weld anything together. Im pretty sure and 02 is the same as a 99. Also if your truck is a manual that might be a bit different.

[muddubber]

no welding on mine either...pretty straight forward too. unbolt, jack, slid in block, bolt in, and your done basically.

[Swamper]

I hope mine goes as easy as yours muddubber. That'd make my day.

[What?]

no welding, you'll be fine with the kit

[ChrisInVT]

If it's an auto (column shift) you *might* have to weld, your best bet is to look at the instructions and/or give them a call and ask. I had to weld an extension on my shift linkage, but my truck is a 1st gen - not sure what the 2nd gens look like.

[bassguy354]

1st gen trucks (and 1994 2nd gens) use a solid linkage setup for the automatic shifter on the column. 1995+ uses a cable for the shifter. The cable has over 2 inches of slack in it and runs under the carpet on the driver's side. You should not have to worry about shift linkage on a 1995+ automatic.

[Swamper]

bassguy, how much lift is on your truck and what size tires are you running?

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisInVT

If it's an auto (column shift) you *might* have to weld, your best bet is to look at the instructions and/or give them a call and ask. I had to weld an extension on my shift linkage, but my truck is a 1st gen - not sure what the 2nd gens look like.

second gens run a cable.

[ChrisInVT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tim99Zr2

second gens run a cable.

Well there ya go, no welding.

[Swamper]

Beautiful I got some 31" Kumho MT's from a buddy so once I get around to putting the lift on and throw on the tires and put some pics up. Thanks guys.

[4x4zr2GA]

no welding. 2nd gens have cable shift linkage. not solid. youll be fine. if its a truck the only thing they require you to weld are the metal square blocks that are a support for the bed. theres only 2 and most people dont even use them, they just get thrown away.... ive never seen anyone use them on any truck for that matter. i have like 6 of those from body lifts my buddies did at my house... just laying in the bolt bin. so no... no welding.

[Tim99Zr2]

i dont think my PA lift came with them?

[bassguy354]

Swamper, I'm running 31 x 10.5 x 15 Firestone Destination M/Ts. As for lift, I have a 2 inch body lift, Fabtech lift spindles, 4.3L stock coil springs (on a 2.2L truck), CST leaf spring hangers and shackles, and a strong stock leaf pack that was higher than average before lifting. I also have wheel spacers (1.25 inch in front, 3 inch in back) and Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender flares. I sit a little higher than a ZR2. In the picture below, mine is the truck on thew left with my niece and nephew standing in front of it. The truck on the right is a ZR2 I saw in a Wal*Mart parking lot.

[Swamper]

Good deal. Well, I am tired of waiting on schedules to work together. I work on weekends when my buddies are off and the work during the week when I have more time. So I decided enough is enough. My buddy is off work tomorrow so he's comin over and we're puttin on my body lift.

Only thing is we can't start until around 3 as I can't really take my truck apart early because I have to pick my dad up from work at 2:30. How long would you guys say it'd take to put on? Think I could finish it in one evening/night?

[Tim99Zr2]

prob. we did mine in like 2hrs. its simple if you got air tools

[Swamper]

No air tools.... So i guess it'll take a little longer, but even still it should work huh? That makes me feel good.

[Swamper]

Bassguy, do you have stock control arms?

[Swamper]

Alright, so, my buddies and I got to work on my BL this afternoon at 3. we got the bed done and then moved onto the cab. we got to reading the instructions (which are for almost every S10 model under the sun) and that's where we got stumped. Is it possible to take out the bolts and just slip in the blocks? Or do we have to unbolt, remove, loosen, etc. everything that it says to?

[Tim99Zr2]

take the grille and bumper off get them out of the way (you need to later anyway)

take all the bolts out on the drivers side of the truck (rad support and the 2 or 3 cab bolts)
loosen up the passanger sides
jack up the drivers side floor
slide blocks in, finger tighten bolts in
then repeat on pass. side
tighten all bolts down.

[Xtreme24]

Quote: Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

I worked at a shop that did this professionally. I've never installed a kit that required welding. But sometimes it was just easier.

really? when I was doing that at a truck accessory shop every auto 94-01 dodge ram 1500 we did had to have the shifter linkage extended and came in the kit.

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Xtreme24

really? when I was doing that at a truck accessory shop every auto 94-01 dodge ram 1500 we did had to have the shifter linkage extended and came in the kit.

first gen s10s also requrie that. (i think) but second gens are no welding at all.

[Swamper]

Tim99Zr2 that's all it takes? That kinda ticks me off it it is because we coulda had it done. What about all the stuff with the fan shroud, radiator, air filter cover, and all that? Leave it and just go with your directions?

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Swamper

Tim99Zr2 that's all it takes? That kinda ticks me off it it is because we coulda had it done. What about all the stuff with the fan shroud, radiator, air filter cover, and all that? Leave it and just go with your directions?

i just took my lower fan shroud off, never put it back on.

nothing with rad, or air filter cover.

and you have to lower the oil filter with the supplied brackets and bolts.

[Swamper]

Good deal. Well that'll make tomorrows work alot easier and it also means I'll have it finished tomorrow. Tires on Wednesday and then ya'll will get some pictures.

[AVTekk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tim99Zr2

first gen s10s also requrie that. (i think) but second gens are no welding at all.

95+ 2nd gens only, 94s use the linkage as stated above

[ChrisInVT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Swamper

What about all the stuff with the fan shroud...

I took the time to upgrade to an e-fan so I wouldn't have to mess with mine. I couldn't be happier.

[Swamper]

how much work and $ went into that? because i dont have too much to be spending now anyways so...if i did it it'd have to happen later anyways.