Any tips at all? How much time should I plan?
I would give yourself 5-6 hours if doing it on the ground. I work on a 2 post lift and can get it done in 4, maybe 3 if i don't lose my damn tools.
Make sure you have a ball joint separator, you could smack the knuckle but it marrs it up pretty bad (this kind -
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...VCZezCh2hzwjxEAQYASABEgJiNPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Mcpherson style spring compressor, and a set of through sockets (
https://www.harborfreight.com/21-pc-sae-metric-go-thru-socket-set-62305.html) for the top nut, as the top hat design does not allow for an open-ended wrench. Oh and a long hex key socket set. The ones at harbor freight are good enough.
I would make sure you have some very heavy duty set of jack stands, and throw your tires under the frame. These half-ton trucks are heavy these days. If you have two jacks that will help with the rear also.
You'll need a torque wrench, one that goes past 150 ft lbs, as the rear trailing arms have a heavy number plus angle.
Two things i would definitely recommend during the install process. knock the front axle shaft nut loose and give it some room to play. It does not say this in the instructions but when you are pulling down on the hub to get the strut free, the CV axles are VERY easy to pull and dislocate, so just knock that large 36mm nut loose to give it some extra pulling room.
Make sure to retorque all the control arm bolts after the truck is under load. If you torque them in the air, you are putting preload on the control arms (front and rear) and you'll wear out bushings quick, not to mention might not be able to align the truck.