In most cases, you save money if you install your lift kit on your own. However, if you don't have the right tools, the cost of buying tools may exceed the cost of installation. If you want to save money, you need to know which tools you need and take their costs into account when making your final decision.

Here are five of the most important tools you need when installing your own 4x4 lift kit:

Floor Jack and Jack Stands

In order to get under your vehicle so that you can install the lift kit, you need a heavy duty floor jack and at least four jack stands. Use the floor jack to lift each corner of your vehicle one at a time, and then slide the jack stands under each corner of your vehicle to hold it up as you work.

Torque Wrench

Before installing your 4X4 lift kit, you will need to remove your tires as well as your shocks, u-bolts and springs. All of these items are held in place by tight bolts. You can try to manually remove them with a set of spanners, but that is hard and in some cases impossible. Alternatively, you can make the task a bit easier with a compressed air or electric torque wrench.

Propane Torch

Unfortunately, even if you have a powerful torque wrench, you will occasionally encounter a bolt that is too rusted to remove. To deal with these stubborn bolts, you need a propane torch.

To use it, spray the area with a lubricant, let it sit for a few moments, and then wipe off the excess liquid so it doesn't catch on fire. Train your torch on the stuck bolt, and as it heats, the bolt will come loose from the nut.

Hole Alignment Tools and Punches

Once you have everything removed, you need to rebuild your shocks and reattach them to your car. So that you can connect everything to the metal frame of your 4x4 vehicle, you need a punch tool, and to ensure everything is lined up correctly, you need an alignment tool.

Strut Spring Compressor

Any time that you are working with springs and shocks, they will stretch out when you remove them from their casings. However, to fit everything back together again, you need to have these springs compressed. A strut spring and coil compressor helps you do that. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is not possible to manually compress these types of springs so you need these tools.

 

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