Tuff Country 12730 User Manual

PART NUMBER : 12730
1988 — 1991 CHEVY BLZR & SUBURBAN 1/2 TON
2” SUSPENSION SYSTEM / WITH REAR BLOCKS

PARTS LIST:

Part # Description Qty.

BL301 3” Rear Lifted Blocks 2
5U-6109R 5/8” X 3 1/2” X 9 5/8” Round U-bolts 1
5U-3507R 5/8” X 3” X 7 5/8” Round U-bolts 3
5U-3511R 5/8” X 3” X 11 3/4” Round U-bolts 4
58NW 5/8” High Nuts & Washers 2
GMSBNB2 Front Spring Eye Bolts 1
GMBLNB Front & Rear Brake Line
Extensions & Hardware 1
MO2360 Front Spring Eye Bushings 4
S10006 Front Spring Eye Sleeves 2
LUBE Lube Pack 2
12730INST Instruction Sheet 1

Special Note: This box kit includes the rear lifted
blocks, front and rear U-bolts, front and rear brake
line extensions and necessary hardware. Tuff
Country EZ-Ride Suspension offers two styles of
front springs, a Heavy Duty spring and a EZ-Ride
spring. If you have not already ordered your front
springs , please contact Tuff Country or your local
Tuff Country dealer and order (2) 18270 (EZ-Ride
Springs) or (2) 18271 (Heavy Duty Springs)

Congratulations on your selection to purchase a Tuff

Country EZ-Ride Suspension System. We at Tuff
Country are proud to offer a high quality product at the
industries most competitive pricing. Thank you for your
confidence in us, and our product.

Before installation begins, it is the customers/installers
responsibility to make sure that all parts are on hand. If
any parts are missing, please feel free to call one of our
customer service representative @ [phone].

Make sure to use locktite on all new and stock hardware
associated with this installation.

It is the responsibility of the installers to make sure
that the rear view mirror hanger is hung from the
rear view mirror. The rear view mirror hanger has
instructions on proper post installation procedures.

Torque Settings

5/16” 15—18 ft lbs. 3/8” 28—32 ft lbs.
7/16” 30—35 ft lbs. 1/2” 65—85 ft lbs.
9/16” 85—120 ft lbs. 5/8” 95—130 ft lbs.
3/4” 100—140 ft lbs.

INSTALLATION MANUAL

2” SUSPENSION SYSTEM

CHEVY/GMC BLZR/SUBURBAN 1/2 TON

1988 —– 1991

PART # 12730

SJ050802

Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension highly
recommends that a qualified and or certified
mechanic performs this installation.

If you desire to return your vehicle to stock, it is the
customers responsibility to save all stock hardware.

IMPORTANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION

This vehicles reaction and handling characteristics
may differ from standard cars and/or trucks.
Modifications to improve and/or enhance off road
performance may raise the intended center of
gravity. Extreme caution must be utilized when
encountering driving conditions which may cause
vehicle imbalance or loss of control. DRIVE SAFELY!
Avoid abrupt maneuvers, such as sudden sharp
turns which could cause a roll over, resulting in
serious injury or death.

It is the customers responsibility to make sure that a
re-torque is performed on all hardware associated
with this suspension system after the first 500 miles
of installation. It is also the customers responsibility
to do a complete re-torque after every 3000 miles or
after every off road use.

After the original installation, Tuff Country EZ-Ride
Suspension also recommends having the alignment
check every 6 months to ensure proper tracking,
proper wear on tires and front end components. Tuff
Country EZ-Ride Suspension take no responsibility
for abuse, improper installation or improper
suspension maintenance.

It is the responsibility of the customer or the
mechanic to wear safety glasses at all times when
performing this installation.

It is the customers/installers responsibility to read
and understand all steps before installation begins.
OEM manual should be used as a reference guide.

The Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension product safety
label that is included in your kit box must be
installed inside the cab in plain view of all
occupants.

It is the responsibility of the installers to make sure
that the rear view mirror hanger is hung from the
rear view mirror. The rear view mirror hanger has
instructions on proper post installation procedure.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRENTY

Notice to all Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension
customers: It is your responsibility to keep your
original sales receipt! If failure should occur on any
Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension component, your
original sales receipt must accompany the warranted
unit to receive warranty. Warranty will be void if the
customer can not provide the original sales receipt.
Do not install a body lift in conjunction with a
suspension system. If a body lift is used in
conjunction with any Tuff Country EZ-Ride
Suspension product, your Tuff Country EZ-Ride
Suspension WARRANTY WILL BE VOID.
Country Inc. (“Tuff Country” ) suspension products
are warranted to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for life if purchased, installed and
maintained on a non-commercial vehicle; otherwise,
for a period of twelve (12) months, from the date of
purchase and installation on a commercial vehicle,
or twelve thousand (12,000) miles (which ever occurs
first). Tuff Country does not warrant or make any
representations concerning Tuff Country Products
when not installed and used strictly in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions for such
installation and operation and accordance with good
installation and maintenance practices of the
automotive industry. This warranty does not apply to
the cosmetic finish of Tuff Country products nor to
Tuff Country products which have been altered,
improperly installed, maintained, used or repaired, or
damaged by accident, negligence, misuse or racing.
(“Racing is used in its broadest sense, and, for
example, without regards to formalities in relation to
prizes, competition, etc.) This warranty is void if the
product is removed from the original vehicle and re­installed on that or any other vehicle. This warranty
is exclusive and is in lieu of any implied warranty of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or
other warranty of quality, whether express or
implied, except the warranty of title. All implied
warranties are limited to the duration of this
warranty. The remedies set forth in this warranty are
exclusive. This warranty excludes all labor charges
or other incidental of consequential damages. Any
part or product returned for warranty claim must be
returned through the dealer of the distributor from
whom it was purchased. Tuff Country reserves the
right to examine all parts returned to it for warranty
claim to determine whether or not any such part has
failed because of defect in material or workmanship.
The obligation of Tuff Country under this warranty
shall be limited to repairing, replacing or crediting, at
its option, any part or product found to be so
defective. Regardless of whether any part is
repaired, replaced or credited under this warranty,
shipping and/or transportation charges on the return
of such product must be prepaid by the customer
under this warranty.

Tuff

Special Note: Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension
recommends running a 32” x 10.50” tire for
maximum tire clearance. Note: This tire size in not
100% accurate due to variations in wheel width,
wheel off set, tire diameters and driving habits.

Please Follow Instruction Carefully

Before installation begins, drive and check to make
sure there are no uncommon sounds and or frame
damage. Also at this time measure from the center of
the hub to the bottom of the fender well and record
measurements below.

Pre Installation Measurements:

Driver Side Front:______________________________
Passenger Side Front:__________________________
Driver Side Rear:______________________________
Passenger Side Rear:__________________________

At the end of the installation take the same
measurements and compare to the pre-installation
measurements.

Post Installation Measurements:

Driver Side Front:______________________________
Passenger Side Front:__________________________
Driver Side Rear:______________________________
Passenger Side Rear:__________________________

Please follow instructions carefully:

Front End Installation:

1. To begin installation, block the rear tires of the vehicle
so that the vehicle is stable and can’t roll backwards.
Safely lift the front of the vehicle and support the frame
with jack stands. Place a jack stand on both the driver
and passenger side. Next remove the wheels and tires
from both sides.

2. Working on the driver side, remove the stock shock
from the stock upper and lower mounting point and save
hardware for later re-installation. The stock shock may
be discarded.

are needed, if you have not already ordered shocks,
please contact Tuff Country or your local Tuff
Country dealer and order the proper shocks. Tuff
Country recommends using a 20” fully extended
nitrogen gas shock. Repeat procedure on the
passenger side. Special Note: If the vehicle that you
are working on has the dual shock option, remove
both shocks and discard.

3. Working on the driver side, disconnect the stock brake
line at the frame mount. Let the stock brake line hang.

Special Note: Brake fluid is going to leak out, it is a
good idea to place a bucket under the vehicle to

Special Note: New longer front shocks

catch the brake fluid that will leak out. After the
installation is complete, the brake lines will need to
be bleed. Repeat procedure on the passenger side.

See Illustration # 1

4. Place a pair of hydraulic floor jacks under the front
axle. Place one hydraulic floor jack on the driver side and
one on the passenger side.

5. Working on the driver side, remove the stock U-bolts
from the stock location. The stock U-bolts and hardware
may be discarded. Repeat procedure on the passenger
side.

6. Carefully lower down on both hydraulic floor jacks at
the same time approximately 3”. This will allow enough
room for the new front springs to be installed into the
stock location.

7. Working on the driver side, remove the stock spring
from the stock location. The stock front spring, stock
front spring hanger hardware and stock front spring
shackle hardware may be discarded. Repeat procedure
on the passenger side.

8. Locate the new front leaf springs. Working on the front
and rear eyelet’s of the front springs, remove the new
sleeves and bushings from each end and set the front
eyelet bushings and sleeves a side for later re­installation. The rear eyelet bushings and sleeves may
be discarded.

9. Locate the new polyurethane lube packs, (4) MO2360
spring eye bushings and (2) S10006 spring eye sleeves.
Spread the new polyurethane over the new bushings
and re-install them back into the new front spring
assembly. Make sure to re-install the new sleeves.

Special Note: Make sure to use the new polyurethane
lube packs prior to inserting the new bushings back
into the new front springs. This will increase the life
of the bushing, prevent squeaking and help with ride
quality.

10. Locate the new front spring eye hardware. Working
on the driver side, install the new front spring into the
stock location and secure using the new spring eye
hardware.

Make sure to use thread locker or locktite

on these bolts. Torque the front spring eye hanger
hardware to 120 ft lbs. Special Note: Do not torque
the front spring eye shackle hardware at this time.
Once the vehicle is lowered to the ground, the front
spring eye shackle will be torque to 40 ft lbs. Repeat

procedure on the passenger side.

See Illustration # 2 / Front Spring Hanger

See Illustration # 3 / Front Spring Shackle

11. Carefully raise up on both hydraulic floor jacks at the
same time until the newly installed front springs seat
properly to the stock front spring perches.

12. Locate (2) new 5/8” x 3” x 7 5/8” Round U-bolts, (4)
5/8” U-bolt High Nuts and (4) 5/8” U-bolt Washers.
Working on the driver side, install the new U-bolts into
the stock location and secure using the new U-bolt high
nuts and washers. Torque to

130 ft lbs.

See Illustration # 4

13. Locate (1) new 5/8” x 3” x 7 5/8” Round U-bolt, (1)
new 5/8” x 3 1/2” x 9 5/8” Round U-bolt, (4) 5/8” U-bolt
High Nuts and (4) 5/8” U-bolt Washers. Working on the
passenger side, install the new 5/8” x 3 1/2” x 9 5/8”
round U-bolt into the stock location around the stock
front differential inside location. Secure using the new U­bolt high nuts and washers. Secure the new 5/8” x 3” x 7
5/8” round U-bolt into the stock outside location. Secure
using the new U-bolt high nuts and washers. Torque to

130 ft lbs.

See Illustration # 5

14. Carefully remove both hydraulic floor jacks from
under the front differential.

15. Locate (2) larger brake line relocation brackets, (2)
5/16” x 1” bolts, (4) 5/16” flat washers and (2) 5/16”
unitorque nuts. Working on the driver side, secure the
new brake line extending bracket to the stock location
and secure using the new 5/16” x 1” bolt and hardware.
Torque to

18 ft lbs. Make sure to use thread locker or

locktite on these bolts. Repeat procedure on the

passenger side.

16. Working on the driver side, move the stock hard
brake line located in the inner part of the frame rail under
the stock frame. Reconnect the hard line and the soft line
together back together around the new brake line
extending bracket that was installed in step # 15. Repeat
procedure on the passenger side.

See Illustration # 6

17. Working on the driver side, install the new front
shocks absorbers using the stock hardware removed
from step # 2 . Special Note: Shocks are not included

with this suspension system, shocks need to be
ordered as a separate part number, Tuff Country EZ­Ride Suspension recommends using a 20” fully
extended nitrogen gas shocks. If the vehicle that you
are working on has the dual shock option, Tuff
Country EZ-Ride Suspension recommends using a
23” fully extended cellular gas shock for the auxiliary
shock. Repeat procedure on passenger side.

See Illustration # 6

18. Install the tires and wheels and carefully lower the
vehicle to the ground.

19. With the weight of the vehicle on the ground, torque
the top and bottom spring eye shackle bolts on the driver
and passenger side to

40 ft lbs.

Front End Installation Complete