Hellwig install Hell-but some good comes from it.

[Sumo99]

How important is it to have a torque wrench for this install? Can I get by with a socket set, or should I go out and buy a torque wrench?

Thanks

[Jack Burton]

Originally Posted by Sumo99

How important is it to have a torque wrench for this install? Can I get by with a socket set, or should I go out and buy a torque wrench?

Thanks

Hey,

I didn't use a tq wrench. Use reasonable pressure when tightening the nuts. You might want to use a dab of loctite on the nuts if you're worried about them coming off..... JB

[Jack Burton]

Originally Posted by Trouthead

What should be about an hour job with good pictures and detailed instructions ended up taking me about three. That includes running into the house to print another picture from "tremo's" great write up. Hellwig puts out crap for instructions and pictures. It might take somebody four or five hours to do a really good job with instructions and pictures, and Hellwig should do that. Shade tree mecanics with less OCD than I could probably do it in an hour, but seriously Hellwig needs some more detailed instructions and better pictures. The pictures were so dark on my instruction sheet as to be useless.

"tremo's write up was really helpfull.


That all being said it is a nice mod, but I do not think it miraculously transforms the truck. It does take corners better and so far after 20 miles of dirt road driving it seems to also help on semi smooth dirt. I am glad I did it, but I don't share the view of other that my Tundra is now going to handle like a Miata or a s2000. Hell it doesn't handle corners as well as a 95 Maxima, but it is better.

Hey Joe,

Have you changed out the OEM shocks yet..??? If you haven't, try that and see how the truck handles....

JB

[Sumo99]

Originally Posted by Jack Burton

Hey,

I didn't use a tq wrench. Use reasonable pressure when tightening the nuts. You might want to use a dab of loctite on the nuts if you're worried about them coming off..... JB

Thanks JB

[Trouthead]

Originally Posted by Jack Burton

Hey Joe,

Have you changed out the OEM shocks yet..??? If you haven't, try that and see how the truck handles....

JB

I have not changed them out as of yet. I do have a TRD with the Bilstiens, and have already purchased a set of the next step up Bilstien front shocks. Everyone seems to indicated the Bilstiens last a long time, but I am not convinced. I think these have about another 10,000 in them at best. They don't bounce when you push the corner up and down, but they are not as sharp as they used to be. Out on the flats of Wyoming I used to cruise in the high 80's, now I am down to the low 80's. It just doesn't feel solidly planted anymore.

[casta]

Just finished my install on a 2005 DC. It wasn't too bad except the drivers side frame bracket ... just like nearly everyone else's experience. I am glad I searched TS like crazy regarding the install because I had never heard of crush-nuts. I thought I had some crappy nuts because I couldn't get a few of them on the bolts. I did notice the square imprint on the side of these nuts. I didn't use the crush-nut on the driver's side top bracket bolt. Really simplified the install. I bought some lock-washers to hopefully get the same affect.

I did have some problems getting the nut on the end-links. I used two vise-grips to squeeze down on the top of the bolt and the first two bushings. This gave me just enough thread to get the nut on.

It's football sunday so I haven't gone for a test drive but will after the Cowboy game.

I have one question for all you hellwig experts. How critical is it for the bar to be absolutely centered? I think mine is a bit shifted to passenger's side. I couldn't get it centered like I would have liked.

Thanks for all the posts here that made my install much easier. Especially Tremo's install pics!!