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Isuzu Diesel Engine Workshop Manual 4BB1 4BD1 6BB1 6BD1 6BG1 4BDIT 6BD1T 6BG1T

Tools & PPE
- Basic: floor jack (3–4 ton), jack stands (rated for vehicle), wheel chocks, breaker bar, torque wrench (0–250 ft·lb), ratchets & sockets (metric & SAE), combination wrenches.
- Suspension-specific: spring compressor (coil), heavy-duty C-clamp or leaf spring clamp, ball-joint separator / pickle fork, pry bars, hammer, punch, drift, dead-blow, bench or hydraulic press (for stubborn joints), torque angle gauge (optional).
- Cutting/finishing: grinder / die grinder, file, wire brush, anti-seize, thread locker (Loctite 242/243), penetrating oil.
- Alignment & safety: camber/caster gauge or professional alignment machine after install.
- PPE: eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toe boots.

Parts commonly required (depend on kit & vehicle)
- Lift kit components (spacer blocks, lift coils or add-a-leaf, new leaf packs, torsion keys, control arm drop brackets, track-bar relocation brackets).
- New shocks sized for lift (longer travel).
- Extended/longer U-bolts (rear leaf spring installs) – always replace U-bolts.
- Brake line extensions or longer flexible hoses and new brackets.
- Sway-bar end-link extensions or new longer links.
- Bump stop extensions or relocated bump stops.
- Track bar/drag link/steering drop bracket if required.
- Driveshaft spacers or adjustable driveshafts, CV joints or dogbone (for PTUs) if driveline angle changes exceed spec.
- New nuts/bolts where supplied (use grade-matching hardware).
- Wheel alignment after installation.

Safety precautions (must-follow)
- Work on a level surface, chock remaining wheels, set parking brake.
- Support axle with jack stands before removing any fasteners that hold suspension loads—never rely on a jack alone.
- Relieve spring tension before removing retaining hardware (use spring compressor for coils; support axle under leaf packs).
- Wear eye protection; compressed springs and pry-offs can be lethal.
- Replace any worn suspension components (ball joints, tie rods, bushings) rather than reusing marginal parts.
- Torque fasteners to factory specs. Re-torque after 100–500 miles.
- Get a professional wheel alignment after installation.

Prep & baseline
1. Measure and record ride height (hub center to fender), front & rear, left & right.
2. Photograph suspension before disassembly to aid reassembly.
3. Verify lift kit contents against manufacturer parts list.
4. Loosen lug nuts; raise vehicle; place on jack stands under solid lift points; remove wheels.

Step-by-step procedure (generic for Isuzu truck chassis — adapt to your specific front suspension type: coil/torsion or leaf)
A. Rear leaf-spring lift (most common for Isuzu medium trucks)
1. Support axle with floor jack under axle tube; leave spring under slight load to control movement.
2. Remove shocks top & bottom if they interfere.
3. Remove U-bolts: remove axle seat nuts, lower jack slightly so axle separates from spring perch (be ready—axle will drop a small amount).
- Replace U-bolts with new longer ones supplied; do not reuse old U-bolts.
4. Install lift block (if kit uses block spacer): orient block correctly (tapered side in/out as kit directs). Place block between spring perch and axle pad. Align centering pins.
5. Re-install axle onto block and spring perch; install new U-bolts and nuts. Tighten in incremental crosses to recommended torque (see Torque section).
6. Install new shocks sized for lift, front-to-rear as kit directs. Use supplied bushings/isolators; torque shock hardware to spec.
7. Fit brake line extensions or brackets; secure lines to frame and axle so they never stretch through full suspension travel.
8. Fit sway-bar link extenders if needed.
9. Lower vehicle enough to get spring seated; tighten U-bolts final torque with vehicle at normal ride height (jack under axle to mimic load).
10. Check driveline angles; if pinion angle is excessive or vibrations occur, fit driveshaft spacer or adjust as required.

B. Front lift — coil spring, torsion bar or lifting torsion keys
(Identify whether front uses coils or torsion bars; proceed accordingly)

Coil-sprung front:
1. Support vehicle on stands and support lower control arm/axle with jack to relieve spring tension.
2. Remove front shocks and sway-bar end links.
3. Use a coil spring compressor to safely compress the spring and remove top strut/spring mount nuts (if MacPherson strut), or unbolt lower control arm to relieve spring tension.
- Compress evenly on both sides; never compress more than necessary.
4. Remove old spring and install lift spacer or longer coil per kit. For spacer-type lift, install spacer on top or bottom per kit instructions and ensure correct orientation.
5. Reassemble strut/top mount; torque top nuts to spec. Reinstall sway-bar link and shocks with new longer shocks where supplied.
6. Fit extended brake lines and any track-bar relocation bracket.
7. If torsion bars are present instead of coils, follow torsion procedure below.

Torsion-bar front:
1. Mark bar and adjuster position before removing.
2. Relieve torsion bar tension by unloading axle with jack; remove torsion adjuster bolt and slide torsion bar forward out of cross-member (support lower control arm).
3. Install new torsion keys or reverse-keys per kit instructions to raise preload, or install transfer plates.
4. Reinstall torsion bar and adjust to preload specified.
5. Reinstall shocks and links. Verify steering geometry.

C. Steering, track bar and steering linkage
1. Install track-bar relocation bracket if supplied to center axle under lift; this reduces steering wander.
2. Inspect drag link and tie rod ends; replace if excessive play. Some lifts require a drop pitman arm or drag link flip bracket.
3. Tighten all steering hardware, replace cotter pins, torque to spec.

D. Final assembly & checks
1. Re-fit wheels, lower vehicle to ground with normal load (no jack under axle), torque lug nuts to wheel spec.
2. With vehicle on ground, torque U-bolts, control arm bolts, etc., to manufacturer specs.
3. Grease fittings (if applicable).
4. Verify full suspension travel throughout droop and bump—check for contact between tires and body, brake lines, ABS wires, fuel lines, shocks, and bump stops.
5. Recheck all fasteners after a test drive (first 50–100 miles and again at 500 miles).
6. Get a professional front-end alignment immediately.

How specific tools are used (practical notes)
- Floor jack & stands: raise vehicle, position stands under frame lifts/support points; lower onto stands and give a tug to ensure solid support.
- Spring compressor: clamp on opposite coils, tighten evenly and alternately a few turns at a time until spring is unloaded from mounts. Never compress beyond safe travel; inspect compressor for wear.
- Ball joint separator: place fork between ball stud and control arm taper and strike with hammer; use pickle fork or a press for stubborn joints. Avoid damaging the boot.
- Torque wrench: set to specified value, snug bolts incrementally in a crisscross pattern, then final torque. For critical suspension bolts, use a calibrated torque wrench. When torqueing U-bolts, torque in stages (e.g., 30%, 60%, 100%).
- Hydraulic press: for pressing out/in ball joints or bushings; support components properly and press slowly to avoid sudden part release.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Reusing U-bolts: do not. Always replace with correct grade and length.
- Ignoring brake line length: install extensions or new hoses to prevent line stretching and possible failure.
- Wrong shock length: use shocks rated for the lift height; using stock shocks will bind and pre-load the suspension.
- Not addressing steering/track-bar geometry: leads to wandering, uneven tire wear and increased stress on steering components.
- Failure to check driveline angles: can cause vibrations and premature U-joint/CV failure—use spacers or adjustable components as needed.
- Over-tightening or under-tightening: always follow OEM torque specs; re-torque after settling.
- Not checking for tire-to-body clearance: test full lock and full compression to ensure no rubbing.
- Using spring spacers on top only without addressing lower geometry can increase wear on ball joints and CVs—understand kit design trade-offs.
- Not replacing worn suspension components: installing lift on worn bushings/ball joints compounds problems—replace as needed.

Torque references & re-torque schedule (guideline)
- Always obtain OEM torque specs for your specific Isuzu model. Typical ranges (examples only):
- U-bolts (light/medium truck): 100–160 ft·lb
- Control arm bolts: 120–250 ft·lb depending on size
- Ball joint nuts: 80–140 ft·lb
- Shock bolts: 65–120 ft·lb
- Re-torque schedule: re-torque suspension fasteners at 50–100 miles after install and again at 500 miles.

Final checklist before road test
- All fasteners torqued; cotter pins installed.
- Brake lines free and secure with no tension at full droop/bump.
- Shocks installed and free to move.
- No rubbing on tires at full lock and compression.
- Steering centered and no binding.
- Vehicle lowered to normal ride height before final torqueing of U-bolts/control arm bolts.
- Wheel alignment scheduled/completed.

Drive & follow-up
- Initial slow road test at low speed checking steering, brakes, and noise.
- Re-check all fasteners after test drive.
- Professional alignment (toe, camber, caster) mandatory.

End.
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