Trail Master TM102N) User Manual

400 W. Artesia Blvd. Fax: [phone]

Compton, CA 90220 Ph: [phone]

www.trailmastersuspension.com

GM 1500 4WD/2WD SUSPENSION 4” LIFT KIT

‘07- ’13 KIT# TM102N

WARNING

Installation of a Trail Master suspension lift kit will
change the vehicle’s center of gravity and handling char­acteristics both on- and off-road. You must drive the ve­hicle safely! Extreme care must be taken to prevent vehi­cle rollover or loss of control, which could result in seri­ous injury or death. Avoid sudden sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers and always make sure all vehicle occupants
have their seat belts fastened.

WARNING

Before you install this kit, read and understand all in­structions, warnings, cautions, and notes in this instruc­tion sheet and in the vehicle owner’s manual.

CAUTION

Proper installation of this kit requires knowledge of the
factory recommended procedures for removal and instal­lation of original equipment components. We recommend
that the factory shop manual and any special tools
needed to service your vehicle be on hand during the
installation. Installation of this kit without proper knowl­edge of the factory recommended procedures may affect
the performance of these components and the safety of
the vehicle. We strongly recommend that a certified me­chanic familiar with the installation of similar components
install this kit.

WARNING

This kit should only be installed on a vehicle that is in
good working condition. Before you install the kit, thor­oughly inspect the vehicle for corrosion or deformation of
the sheet metal. If the vehicle is suspected to have been
in a collision or misused, do not install this kit. Off-road
use of your vehicle with this kit installed may increase
the stress applied to the factory components. Failure to
observe this warning may result in serious personal in­jury and/or severe damage to your vehicle.

WARNING

Many states and municipalities have laws restricting
bumper heights and vehicle lifts. Consult state and local
laws to determine if the changes you intend to make to
the vehicle comply with the law.

WARNING

The installation of larger tires may reduce the effective­ness of the braking system.

WARNING

Always wear eye protection when operating power tools.

WARNING

Before you install this kit, block the vehicle tires to pre­vent the vehicle from rolling.

WARNING

DO NOT combine suspension, body, or other lift devices.
Use of vehicle with combined lifts may result in unsafe
and/or unexpected handling characteristics.

NOTE

Lift height may vary depending on vehicle configuration,
engine size, additional accessories, the factory suspen­sion package, and vehicle’s condition.

NOTE

Trail Master recommends using thread locking com­pound on the threads of all kit nuts and bolts unless
specified otherwise in these instructions.

TM102N

Revised

2.4.14

2

Before Starting Installation

NOTE

Kit parts are prefaced by the word kit and appear in
bold print.

1. Carefully read all warnings and instructions com­pletely before beginning.

2. Verify all parts have been received in this kit by
checking the parts list at the end of this document.

3. Only install this kit on the vehicle for which it is
specified. If anytime during the installation you en­counter something different from what is outlined in
the instructions, call technical support at (877) 695-

7812.

4. Park vehicle on a clean, dry, flat, level surface and
block tires so vehicle cannot roll in either direction.

TM102N

Revised

2.4.14

Engine Compartment

1. Disconnect both battery cables. Disconnect nega-
tive cable first, then positive cable.

Torque Specifications:

See factory service manual for torque values when re-using

OE fasteners.

Bolt Size Grade 5 (ft.-lbs.) Grade 8 (ft.-lbs.)

1/4”-20 10 10
1/4”-28 10 12.5
5/16”-18 17 22.5
5/16”-24 20 25
3/8”-16 30 40
3/8”-24 35 45
7/16”-14 50 65
7/16”-20 55 70

5. Measure ride height with the vehicle supporting its
own weight on level ground. To settle the suspension,
the vehicle should be driven forward at least 10 feet
immediately prior to taking these measurements. Ride
height is the measurement from the center of the axle
straight up (vertical) to the fender lip. Record this
measurement for all four wheels.

NOTE

Adhere to recommendations when replacement fas­teners, retainers and keepers are called out in the
factory service manual. When re-assembling the ve­hicle it is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
that certain fasteners are replaced in order to main­tain proper retention characteristics. This system
may not include all replacement hardware as recom­mended by the factory service manual. Additional
replacement hardware should be obtained prior to
installation of this system to meet the requirements
of the factory service manual.

NOTE

On some vehicles the driver’s side OE chassis wire har­ness that connects to the ABS wire may be shorter, from
the factory, than others. If the line needs to be extended
GM #19149296 (ACD#PT2232) can be installed into the
chassis wire harness.

1/2”-13 75 100
1/2”-20 80 115
9/16”-12 105 135
9/16”-18 115 150
5/8”-11 150 195
5/8”-18 160 210
3/4”-16 175 225

Tire & Wheel Information:

Due to differences in manufacturing, dimensions and inflated
measurements, tire and wheel combinations should be test fit
prior to installation. Tire and wheel choice is crucial in assur­ing proper fit and performance of your modified vehicle.
Body and or fender modifications may be required to prop­erly install the maximum tire d iameter and maximum wheel
width listed. In most cases modifications may consist of
minimal trimming of plastic bumper valances and or plastic
fender liners. Use of wider than factory rims with less back­spacing is more likely to result in tire to fender contact and
require more modification. The factory wheel and tire com­bination will not fit once this kit is installed.

For this application:
285/70-17 tires on aftermarket rims
not to exceed 9” in width and backspacing of 4.5”.
295/65-18 tires on aftermarket rims
not to exceed 9” in width and backspacing of 4.5” to 5”.

3

295/55-20 tires on aftermarket rims
not to exceed 9” in width and backspacing of 4.5” to 5”.

TM102N

Revised

2.4.14

Prepare to Install Front
Suspension

1. Place the vehicle in neutral. Place your floor
jack under the frame and raise the vehicle.
Place jack stands under the frame rails and
lower the frame onto the stands. Remove the
jack and place the vehicle back in gear, set the
emergency brake, and place blocks both in
front and behind the rear wheels.

2. Remove the front wheels from the vehicle.

3. Unbolt and remove the OE lower skid plate
from the vehicle. Save the hardware for rein­stallation.

8. Remove the ABS line from the OE upper con-

trol arm. Leave bracket bolted to arm.

9. Using a flat blade screw driver carefully open
the upper control arm brake line retaining
bracket. Carefully, remove the rubber brake line
from the bracket. NOTE: Spraying the brake

line with lubricant will aid in it’s removal. Be
very careful to not damage the rubber line in
any way during it’s removal from the bracket.

OE Brake
Line Bracket

OE Control
Arm

OE Brake
Line

Spray
Lubricant

OE Skid Plate

4. Work on one side of the vehicle at a time.

5. Unclip the ABS line from the bracket on the
top of the control arm pocket. Unplug the
ABS wiring connector.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the
ABS line during removal.

ABS Line
Clip

10. Remove the tie rod end nut. Using the proper
tool, carefully separate the outer tie rod end
from the OE knuckle.

OE Tie
Rod End

OE
Knuckle

11. Unbolt the sway bar end links from the sway
bar. Save the links and hardware for reinstal­lation.

4

OE Sway Bar

TM102N

Revised

2.4.14

15. Remove the clips that hold the ABS wire to
the upper strut mounting studs.

OE Sway Bar
End Link
Hardware

OE Sway
Bar End
Link

12. Unbolt the OE CV axle from the differential.

Rest the CV axle on the lower control arm.
NOTE: Be very careful not to overextend
the CV axle during removal.

Differential
Flange

OE
CV Axle

OE Wire
Clip

OE Strut
Studs

16. Support the lower control arm with a jack and
unbolt the lower strut mounting bolts from the
lower control arm mount.

OE
Strut

OE Strut
Hardware

13. Using the proper tool carefully separate the
upper ball joint from the knuckle. Loosen but
DO NOT remove the retaining nut from the
upper ball joint.

14. Unbolt the previously loosened upper ball
joint retaining nut.

OE Upper
Ball Joint

17. Unbolt the nuts on the upper strut mounting
studs. Carefully remove the strut from the ve­hicle.

OE
Strut

5