Yes, with the LCA out no issues getting a wrench in there. Mine came finished, but I agree with AmishMike, rattle can on top of primer will be all you need and then easy to touch up.
They should have been powder coated black, unless something has changed. Most satin black spray paint matches well.
I just ordered mine and they came bare, noting a couple of coats of flat black primer and paint shake can couldn’t fix. Installing them was a different story, those lca bolts are torqued super tight, I guess they are similar to the front and about 190ft/lbs. might be time to invest in a battery powered impact gun...
Talked to Rusty’s and he said they used to PC them but are sending them out bare steel now.
Thanks.
Have prImered and rattled canned mine and am now ready to install. Once I loosen the LCA bolt and then move the LCA out of the way, will there be a problem in terms of lining the LCA back up to put the bolt back in? Will I have to loosen the shock side bolt in order to line back up the LCA?
No, just do one at a time, on level ground and set parking brake and block wheels so no movement. If it does shift you can use a floor jack on the differential just behind the pinion to tilt the rear differential and pull the control arm back
If the axle shifts, even a tiny bit you'll need to re-align the bolt hole. This usually happens to me when removing control arms but I use a large screwdriver or solid round stock to pull the holes into alignment on one side and drive the bolt through the other
This is a fact. I put skids plates on everything. Rock Hard, did not think about the frame.
Ground them down. There on now. The JT is a great off road truck. However it needs protection. The more the better.
In case the axle moves forward another method is to attach a ratchet strap around the axle and then to the frame. This allows you to get everything in place and have both hands to get the bolt through. Just posting up in case this helps someone down the road.
Tried the ratchet strap and a friend pushing on the tire. Neither worked. Maybe because I set the emergency brake. I o dear if I should release the brake and or jack up the tire a slight amount. P.S. I got the lca bolt in part way but it goes in crooked and will Not go thru all the way. Or maybe I need a better ratchet strap or a stronger friend???
Should have read maybe I should release the emergency brake or jack up the tire a slight amount.
If you place your jack just behind the pinion it will pull the control arm back and if you lift from the pumpkin it will push forward
