DK-816989F Instructions

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

2. Raise the vehicle and prepare for installation

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

3. Remove brake line bracket to spindle

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

4. Remove brake line bracket to the frame

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

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.

6. Detach sway bar

a. Detach the sway bar from the 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.

8. Remove tie rod end

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

9. Remove shock

a. Remove the upper shock hardware.

b. Remove the lower shock hardware.

c. Remove the shock from the vehicle.

10. Remove outer frame plug

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

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.

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.

13. Install the reservoir mounting bracket (continued)

a. Ensure the bracket is parallel to the frame and torque the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

19. Install sway-bar link spacers (continued)

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

20. Install sway-bar link spacers (continued)

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

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.

22. Attach brake line bracket to the frame

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

23. Attach brake line bracket to the spindle

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

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.

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.

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.

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.