Question for the guys who added the AAD rear suspension components

[Old Mopar Guy]

I asked this at the other place too just to cover all the bases. I'm considering adding the AAD rear suspension pieces. I've already installed the BMR Cradle Lock Out Bushing Kit, and dropping the cradle wasn't bad. When I installed the BMR Kit I was able to drop one side at a time to gain enough room. When you guys installed the AAD Kit by dropping the cradle, did you have enough access dropping one side at a time, or did the whole cradle have to come down? I’m a one man show here. Also, I've got a set of Demon / Redeye axles to install, I guess it's best to do it all at once?
Thanks for the help.

 

[oilburner]

I never lowered mine for the arms . to remove the bolts l put blade in Sawzall upside down an cut heads of bolts teeth up. after you loosen off , cut between washer an bolt head.

 

[16GoManGoHC2]

There’s one bolt each side going to give you issue which you’ll have to drop the cradle down a bit again to put the AAD arms in, or you can Saw z all the bolt heads off like oil burner suggests, and it’s a perfect time to do axle swap too. I’d give it 8-10 hours on jack stands

 

[oilburner]

There’s one bolt each side going to give you issue which you’ll have to drop the cradle down a bit again to put the AAD arms in, or you can Saw z all the bolt heads off like oil burner suggests, and it’s a perfect time to do axle swap too. I’d give it 8-10 hours on jack stands

Agree great time to do axles as well.

 

[vortecd]

@Speedy! has a video and @jonx96 did it

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Thanks guys...

@Speedy! has a video and @jonx96 did it

Saw that on Speedy's channel, it is the first place I go to investigate mods. Thanks vortecd.

 

[jonx96]

Extra hand always helps with any project. But yes you could do it yourself just going to take a little more time. The first side took me a little while. The second side went real quick

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

@jonx96 if you dropped the cradle, could you just drop one side at a time, or the whole set up down at one time?

 

[jonx96]

@jonx96 if you dropped the cradle, could you just drop one side at a time, or the whole set up down at one time?

One side at a time. But the other side does has to be loosened to get it low enough.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Great, thanks Jon.

 

[Speedy!]

What Jon said. I think Ieft one bolt in there but loose to give enough room. It's not really that bad to be honest. More intimidating than anything. Just make sure you align the cradle back up when you lift it back in place. It's obvious where it should go based on the puck marks.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Thanks Speedy. Progress already ground to a halt as I don’t have a 12mm Allen Key to get the lower knuckle free. Car resting on Quick Jack, axle on the bench, and AAD parts ordered. Hope to have Allen Key here mid-week. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[white1]

Im spoiled with a shop and a lift, however I did my cradle lockout and AAD upper control arms in my carport on jackstands by myself recovering from covid. Took me about 4 hours and that included a run to the shop to get the cradle lockout as it was a last minute decision while I had the cradle down.

I dropped the entire cradle and took the bolts out vs cutting the head off

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Thanks White. I’m going to drop the cradle as well.

 

[Wizza]

extra hands is a must for axle swaps as I learned recently.....if you get the rest done, you can drop the diff and do the axles with a lot less stress from the inside rather than removing the hubs and all.....again

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Yup. Extra hand would be great. Knowing what I know now, I would have dropped the center section, and installed the lock out kit while swapping out the axles. Other than this crap, the job is a breeze. I had the axle out in under an hour.