Good day!….Um, er to spend money!!! So I had the tow guy, I use Cain, pick up the Scout. Cost me $150 to get it up the lift kit place but I don’t have any other option.
My mechanic grabbed a crate and told me it could be fun after he finishes driving it with a crate to see if he can get pulled over. There are no lights or really anything, so that may be problematic. Below, you will see the checklist I used for packing.
Overview:
- Remove old body bushings and replace all new hardware.
- Install 1′ body lift during the same process.
- Remove old springs/shocks/stabilizer on the front end.
- Install Skyjacker Lift Kit
- Install Gas Tank
- Update the steering joints
- Install rear end – Yukon 3.73 – True Trac Locker
- Install 3.73 front-end Ring and Pinion
- Update shims and kit.
- Master brake cylinder
- connect brake proportioned.
- Burn CASH!
Updates:
Day 1 is over, and here is the start of this project: the teardown.
UPDATE: Few pics from Day 2
My guy called me, and as you can see from the left picture, he was able to spray before he put the 27-gallon gas tank back in place. Great call out to block rust.
Update: Day 3
Checklist done – Lift Kit Installed / Drag Link and Tie Rod Installed / Ring and Pinion 3.73 match to new rear axle installed / Rear Axle installed / Drop Pitman installed.
Day 4 Update: Here is the total work that my mechanic completed this week. No real big issues during the lift removal and install.
Work Complete:
New Yukon Axle 3.73
New Front End Ring and Pinion 3.73 Gear Ratio
New SkyJacker 2.5 Inch Lift (Leaf Springs front and rear)
4 Degree Shims Added
New Shocks and Steering Stabilizer
New Body Bushings
New 1 Inch Body Lift Kit
New Drag Link and Tie Rod (Heavy Duty)
New Drop Pitman
New 27 Gallon Gas Tank
New Radiator
Refurb Gas Vaporizer
Redo Gas Lines
Rust protection behind the gas tank was applied.
Brake bleed and disc brakes front and back
Retrofit Parking Brake
5 inches total overall inches of gain:
Update: (9/26/2025)
I had the guys flip the shims this morning. My mechanic originally put the thin in toward the front of the vehicle. It acaully pushed my pinon up to make the angle better in relation to the transfer case. As you can see below.s
We flipped the shim as recommended by the Wallace 4×4. This will add some angle to the transfer case, but I think we will be within tolerance levels and shouldn’t get any vibration. We shall see after a test drive if it helps with the caster or not.
Update: (10/3/2025)
Second game changer! Now, when I turn the wheel, it actually tries to push back to center. The truck holds straight in the road. Is it a brand-new 2025 vehicle? No, but the change in caster really helped! There is a slight challenge. It put the 4X4 drive axle in a slight bind. I have not locked the hubs or put it in Four Wheel Drive. There may be a slight vibration or a slight hitch. I don’t plan on needing the Four Wheel Drive much, if at all. I think that if I want a positive caster number, AND Four Wheel Drive, I will need to do a cut and turn.
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