Rough Country 253X User Manual
921253X00
2011-UP CHEVY/GM 2500 HD 7.5”NTD DROP LIFT KIT
Thank you for choosing Rough Country for all of your suspension needs.
Rough Country recommends a certified technician installs this system. In addition to these instructions, professional
knowledge of disassemble/reassembly procedures as well as post installation checks must be known. Attempts to install
this system without this knowledge and expertise may jeopardize the integrity and/or operating safety of the vehicle.
Please read all the instructions before beginning the installation. Check the kit hardware against the Kit Contents list on
next page. Be sure you have all the needed parts and understand where they go. Also please review the tools needed
list to be certain that you have the tools necessary to complete the installation.
PRODUCT USE INFORMATION
As a general rule, the taller a vehicle is the easier it will roll. We strongly recommend, because of rollover possibility, that
seat belts and shoulder harnesses should be worn at all times. Avoid situations where a side rollover may occur. Braking
performance and capabilities are decreased when significantly larger/heavier tires and wheels are used. Take this into
consideration while driving. Also, speedometer recalibration is necessary when larger tires are installed.
Do no add, alter, or fabricate any factory or after-market parts which increase vehicle height over the intended height of
the Rough Country product purchased. Mixing component brands, lifts, with this suspension lifts voids all warranties.
Rough Country makes no claims regarding lifting devices and excludes any and all implied claims. W e will not be responsible for any product that is altered.
Due to differences in manufacturing, dimension and inflated measurements, tire and wheel combinations should be test
fit prior to installation. For this application we recommend a wheel not to exceed 9” in width with 4.5 “ of backspacing..
Additionally a quality tire of radial design is recommended, not exceeding 35” tall and 12.5” wide. Please note that use
of a 35” x 12.5” tire may require modification to the front valance. If this vehicle was equipped from the factory with 17”
wheels and if purchasing new wheels, the wheel size must not be below 17” but can be larger than 17” due to the vehicle
being equipped with larger calipers /rotor.
Due to varying cab, motor, and bed length configurations on these trucks the final ride height measurement
may need to be adjusted. After installation roll the truck forward and backwards, next measure from the center
of the front hub to the edge of the fender the truck should be a minimum of 31.0” and a maximum of 32.5”. The
torsion bar bolt will need to be adjusted until the measurement falls into this range.
NOTICE TO DEALER AND VEHICLE OWNER
Any vehicle equipped with any Rough country product must have the “Warning to Driver” decal installed on the sun visor
or dash. The decal is to act as a constant reminder for whoever is operating the vehicle of its unique handling characteristics. INSTALLING DEALER—It is your responsibility to install the warning decal and to forward these installation instructions on too the vehicle owner for review and to be kept in the vehicle for its service life.
We hope installing your Rough Country lift kit is a positive experience. Please note that variations in construction and assembly in the vehicle manufacturing process will virtually ensure that some parts may seem difficult
to install. Additionally, the current trend in manufacturing of vehicles results in a frame that is highly flexible
and may shift slightly on disassembly prior to installation. The use of pry bars and tapered punches for alignment is considered normal and usually does not indicate a faulty product. However, if you are uncertain about
some aspect of the installation process, please feel free to call our tech support department at 800-222-7023. We
do not recommend that you modify the Rough Country parts in any way as this will void any warranty expressed or implied.
Shocks (2)
Pass Brake
Line
Fr Shock Reloc
Brkt (2)
Rear Blocks (2)
Rear
KIT CONTENTS
Rear U-bolts (4)
Rear Cross Member
Pass. Diff Brkt
Brake
Line
Brkts (2)
E-Brake
Brkt
Brake
Line
Brkt
Rr BumpStop
Brkts (2)
Front Shocks (2)
Dr Brake Line
Dr Diff Brkt
Pass Side
Knuckle
Sway Bar
Link (2)
Pass NTD Brkt
NTD Bracket Sleeve (2)
KIT CONTENTS ON NEXT PAGE
Skid Plate
Front Cross Member
Dr Rr Diff
Brkt
Dr NTD Brkt
Driver Side
Knuckle
Kit Contents:
1253Box1:
Driver Side Knuckle
1253Box2
Pass Side Knuckle
1253Box3
Dr Fr Diff Bracket
Dr Rr Diff Bracket
Pass Diff Bracket
Front Shock Brackets (2)
1253BAG1
1253BAG6
RR Lift Blocks (2)
5/8” X 3” X 16” Square U-bolts (4)
5/8” Nut Bag For U-bolts
Front Shock Part #658741 (2)
Rr Shock Part #658704 (2)
1253Box4
Torsion Bracket Sleeves (2)
Bump Stop Brackets (2)
Fr Sway Bar Link (2)
Rr Dr Diff Brake Bracket
Rr Pas Diff Brake Bracket (2)
Rr E-Brake Bracket
Dr NTD Bracket
Pass NTD Bracket
1253BAG4
1253Box5
Rear Cross Member
Frt Cross Member
Dr Fr Brake Line
Pass Fr Brake Line
1253Box6
Front Skid Plate
Fastener Breakdown:
For Front Cross Member: 1253Bag2
18mm x 120mm Bolt (2)
18mm Nylock Nut (2)
Flat Washer (4)
For Rear Cross Member:
18mm x 140mm Bolt (2)
18mm Nylock Nut (2)
Flat Washer (4)
For Pass Side Dif Drop Brkt: 1253Bag3
12mm Lock Nut (2)
12mm x 35mm Bolt (2)
For Driver Side Front Dif Drop Brkt.
12mm x 35mm Bolt (2)
Flat Washers (2)
For Driver Side Rear Diff Drop Brkt
12mm Lock Nut
12mm x 35mm Bolt
For Front Sway Bar Links:
Sway bar Link (2)
Sway Link Washers (8)
7/16” x 3” Bolt (4)
Link Washers (8) 1253Bag7
For Front Shock Absorber Bracket
1/2” x 1 1/2” Bolt (4)
Flat Washers (8)
1/2” Lock Nut (4)
9/16” x 3 1/2” Bolt (4)
Flat Washer (8)
9/16” Lock Nut (4)
For Skid Plate:
3/8’ x 1 1/4” Bolt (4)
Flat Washer (8)
3/8” Lock Nut (4)
For Non-Torsion Bar Bracket: 1253Bag8
Sleeves (2)
3/4” X 5 1/2” Bolt (2)
3/4” Lock Nut (2)
3/4” Flat Washers (4)
For Rear Bump-stop Brackets: 1253Bag4
3/8” x 1 1/4” Bolt (4)
3/8” Flat Washer (4)
3/8” Flag Nut (2)
For Rear Brake Brackets:
5/16” Lock Nut
Flat Washer (5)
5/16” x 3/4” Bolt (4)
5/16” Lock Nut (4)
For Rear Bump-stops: 1253Bag7
Flag Nuts (4)
For Front Brake Lines: 1253Bag5
Brake Crush Washers (4)
Black Cable Ties (2)
For Rear Shocks: 1253Bag6
Shock Sleeves (4)
Rear U-bolts:
5/8” Nuts
TOOLS NEEDED:
10mm socket /wrench
11mm socket /wrench
13mm Deep Socket
13mm wrench
15mm socket / wrench
17mm socket / wrench
18mm socket /wrench
19mm socket /wrench
21mm socket /wrench
24mm socket /wrench
9/16 socket /wrench
Torsion bar Tool
Drill
13/32 Drill Bit
Loc-Tite
Reciprocating Saw
Floor Jack
Jack Stands
Size Grade 5 Grade 8
TORQUE SPECS:
3/8” 30 ft/lbs 35 ft/lbs
7/16” 45 ft/lbs 60 ft/lbs
1/2” 65 ft/lbs 90 ft/lbs
9/16” 95 ft/lbs 130 ft/lbs
5/8” 135 ft/lbs 175 ft/lbs
Class 8.8 Class 10.9
10MM 32ft/lbs 45ft/lbs
12MM 55ft/lbs 75ft/lbs
18MM 170ft/lbs 240ft/lbs
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Chock the rear wheels.
2. Jack up the front of the vehicle.
3. Place jack stands on the frame behind the lower control arms.
4. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and remove the tires and wheels.
5. Place the floor jack under the differential.
6. Using a torsion bar tool, unload the torsion bars using a 21mm socket and remove the threaded block. Retain the
stock hardware See Photo 1.
7. Slide the bars forward to disengage the torsion bar adjusters. Play attention to how the adjusters are positioned /
clocked in the cross-member.
8. Remove the torsion bars from the vehicle and be sure to mark bars driver and passenger side and front to rear.
9. Remove the skid plate from the frame using a 15mm socket. See Photo 2.
Photo 1 Photo 2
REMOVE THE TORSION BAR KEYS REMOVE THE SKID PLATE
10. Remove the upper shock using a 21mm socket. See Photo 3.
11. Remove lower shock 21MM remove shock. See Photo 4.
Photo 3
REMOVE THE FRONT SHOCKS REMOVE THE FRONT SHOCKS
12. Remove tie-rod using a 21mm socket / wrench. Retain the stock hardware. See Photo 5.
13. Remove brake line bracket from knuckle using a 10mm socket / wench. Retain the factory hardware. See Photo 6.
Photo 5
Photo 4
Photo 6
REMOVE THE TIE ROD REMOVE THE BRAKE LINE BRACKET
14. Remove the ABS wire from the bracket as shown in Photo 7 and from disconnect at the frame as in Photo 8.
Photo 7 Photo 8
REMOVE THE ABS WIRE UNPLUG THE ABS WIRE
15. Remove brake caliper from the rotor using a 21mm socket / wrench. Retain the factory hardware. See Photo 9.
16. Remove sway-bar link hardware as shown in Photo 10 using a 15mm socket/ wrench. Retain the factory hardware.
Photo 9 Photo 10
REMOVE THE BRAKE CALIPER REMOVE THE SWAY BAR LINK
17. Remove dust cap using a flat head screwdriver to access the axle nut.
18. Remove axle nut using a 33mm socket. Retain the factory hardware. See Photo 11.
19. Loosen but do not remove the upper ball-joint nut using a 18mm socket/ wrench. Strike the knuckle to release the
ball joint and remove the nut. Retain the factory hardware. See Photo 12.
Photo 11 Photo 12
REMOVE THE AXLE NUT
REMOVE THE FRONT SHOCKS
20. Loosen but do not remove the lower ball-joint nut using a 24mm socket/ wrench. Strike the knuckle as shown to dislodge the ball joint and remove the nut. Retain the hardware for reuse. See Photo 13.
21. Remove knuckle from the vehicle.
22. Remove the axle shaft as shown using a 15mm socket/ wrench. See Photo 14.
Photo 13 Photo 14
REMOVE THE LOWER BALL JOINT HARDWARE REMOVE SHAFT HARDWARE
23. Remove lower arm using a 21mm socket and wrench. Retain hardware for reuse. See Photo 15.
24. Remove the 4 bolts (2 each side) securing the cross-member using a 18mm socket and wrench. See Photo 16.
Photo 15 Photo 16
REMOVE THE LOWER ARM HARDWARE REMOVE THE FACTORY REAR CROSSMEMBER
25. Remove the front drive shaft using a 11mm socket. See Photo 17.
26. Remove the differential wiring harness from the axle and vent tube. See Photo 18.
Photo 17 Photo 18
REMOVE THE DRIVESHAFT HARDWARE UNPLUG WIRING HARNESS AND VENT TUBE
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