DK-816989F Instructions

Dirt King DCA Coilovers

Parts Included

Quantity
Item Description
Part #
1
Driver Side DCA Front Coilover
DK-816989F-A1300
1
Passenger Side DCA Front Coilover
DK-8169989F-A1400
1
Driver Side Reservoir Mount
DK-816989F-A1301
1
Passenger Side Reservoir Mount
DK-816989F-A1401
2
Sway Bar Link Spacer Kit
DK-816985F-A1202
1
Spanner Wrench
DK-SW001

1. Tools needed

a. Gather tools needed for the job:

  • Socket wrench
  • Torque wrench
  • Sledge hammer
  • 14 mm wrench
  • 15 mm wrench
  • 22 mm wrench
  • 5 mm Allen socket
  • 10 mm socket
  • 12 mm socket
  • 13 mm socket
  • 14 mm socket
  • 15 mm socket
  • 19 mm socket
  • 21 mm socket
  • 22 mm socket
  • 24 mm socket
  • Pliers
  • Drill
  • Flat head screwdriver
Tools needed for Dirt King 2.5 coilover installation

2. Raise the vehicle and prepare for installation

a. Safely support the vehicle by the frame and remove the wheels.

Supporting vehicle by frame and removing wheels

3. Remove brake line bracket to spindle

a. Remove the bolt attaching the brake line to the spindle and remove the bracket.

Removing brake line bracket from spindle

4. Remove brake line bracket to the frame

a. Remove the bolt attaching the brake line bracket to the frame and remove the bracket.

Removing brake line bracket from frame

5. Remove ABS line from the upper control arm

a. Remove the bolt holding the ABS line to the upper control arm and remove the bracket.

Removing ABS line from upper control arm

6. Detach sway bar

a. Detach the sway bar from the lower control arm.

Detaching sway bar from lower control arm

7. Separate upper control arm from spindle

a. Loosen the upper ball joint nut and separate the upper control arm from the spindle.

Separating upper control arm from spindle

8. Remove tie rod end

a. Remove the nut on the outer tie rod end and separate from the spindle.

Removing tie rod end from spindle

9. Remove shock

a. Remove the upper shock hardware.

b. Remove the lower shock hardware.

c. Remove the shock from the vehicle.

Removing shock from vehicle

10. Remove outer frame plug

a. Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the frontmost outer frame plug.

Removing outer frame plug with screwdriver

11. Install the reservoir mounting insert

a. Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the frontmost inner frame plug. This plug can be accessed through the outer frame hole that was exposed in Step 10.

b. Place the extruded section of the included threaded insert into the inner hole that was just exposed.

Installing threaded reservoir mounting insert into frame

12. Install the reservoir mounting bracket

a. Place the reservoir mounting bracket over the outer frame hole that was exposed in Step 10.

b. Align the leftmost hole of the bracket with the threaded insert that was installed in Step 11, and install the included bolt and washer.

Placing and securing reservoir mounting bracket

13. Install the reservoir mounting bracket (continued)

a. Ensure the bracket is parallel to the frame and torque the bolt to 19 ft-lbs.

Torquing reservoir bracket bolt to 19 ft-lbs

14. Install the reservoir mounting bracket (continued)

a. After the bracket placement is complete, install the included self-tapping screw into the rightmost hole of the bracket.

Installing self-tapping screw into reservoir bracket

15. Install the Dirt King shocks

a. Note: Aftermarket upper control arms are recommended to allow for the additional down travel that the coilovers provide.

b. Insert the Dirt King shock into the coil bucket.

c. Apply threadlocker to the upper shock hardware and torque bolts to 35 ft-lbs.

d. Apply threadlocker to the lower shock hardware and torque bolt to 122 ft-lbs.

Installing Dirt King 2.5 coilover into coil bucket

16. Reinstall tie rod end

a. Insert the tie rod end into the spindle and torque nut to 89 ft-lbs. Ensure a cotter pin is installed.

Reinstalling tie rod end into spindle

17. Attach upper control arm to spindle

a. Realign the upper ball joint with the spindle and torque the nut to your corresponding upper control arm torque specifications. DK-816993 = 85 ft-lbs.

Torquing upper control arm ball joint nut

18. Install sway-bar link spacers (when applicable)

a. Note: These spacers are required when aiming to achieve over 2" of lift. If the desired lift height is under 2", these are not required.

b. Remove the upper sway bar link mounting point.

c. There are two included spacers with different inner diameters. Install the spacer with the smaller inner diameter on this stud.

Installing upper sway bar link spacer

19. Install sway-bar link spacers (continued)

a. Reinstall the upper sway bar link mounting point and torque the nut to 111 ft-lbs.

Torquing sway bar link nut on upper mounting point

20. Install sway-bar link spacers (continued)

a. Add the second included spacer with the larger inner diameter to the lower control arm stud.

Installing lower sway bar link spacer

21. Install sway-bar link spacers (continued)

a. Reinstall the sway bar link to the lower control arm and torque to 111 ft-lbs.

b. Note: This bolt should be torqued when the vehicle is at ride height.

Reattaching sway bar link to lower control arm

22. Attach brake line bracket to the frame

a. Attach the brake line bracket to the frame and torque to 21 ft-lbs.

Attaching brake line bracket to frame

23. Attach brake line bracket to the spindle

a. Attach the brake line bracket to the spindle and torque to 21 ft-lbs.

Attaching brake line bracket to spindle

24. Attach ABS line to the upper control arm

a. Reattach the ABS line to the upper control arm. The process will vary depending on the upper control arm.

Reattaching ABS line to upper control arm

25. Locate reservoir

a. Insert reservoir into the reservoir clamps. Torque bolts to 12 ft-lbs.

b. Note: Verify hose clearance is satisfactory. If not adequate, the reservoir can be rotated within the clamps to adjust hose clearance. Rotate reservoir if needed and retorque bolts.

Installing and securing Dirt King reservoir into clamps

26. Review your work and repeat steps on the other side of the vehicle

a. Inspect all components to ensure they are properly installed, while making sure that all lines are routed properly.

b. Reinstall the wheels and torque the lug nuts to your wheel manufacturer’s specifications.

c. Have the vehicle aligned at a certified shop. If equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ensure recalibration is performed.

Final completed Dirt King 2.5 coilover installation

27. DCA Series User Guide

Discover the full potential of your Dirt King shocks with this detailed guide. We’ll cover everything you need to know about the Dual Compression Adjusters (DCA), preload settings, and the impact of these adjustments on your vehicle’s handling, ride quality, and off-road performance.

View Guide

Silver Silverado
For warnings and disclaimers, visit Dirt King Disclaimer.

Need Help?


Phone
619-944-8913
Email
info@dirtking.com

 

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