[Moviepass]

My second disassembly of the Passport rear suspension and managed to get the Traxda 2” spacer kit installed. I’ll be tackling the front install (hopefully) this weekend. I don’t want to drive with this amount of rake unnecessarily.

It was a bit of a pain getting the LCA mounted back up to the subframe but some patient prying paid off in the end. Happy to answer any questions about the install.

 

[Moviepass]

The front install ended up being a complete bust. I spent 2 full days trying to get the lower control arm mounted after installing the spacer kit, and this is about as close as I could get it after 12+ hours of attempts.
I’ll be swallowing my pride and paying someone to install the front, after I call Traxda for a recommended installer in San Diego. Lessons learned this weekend!

 

[REALM]

I’m so sorry and feel for you and I’m sorry, as I considered attempting it myself, but ultimately paid someone at a shop, and the tech told me the front was a real #[email protected]$#! and he had issues with it despite a lift and all their fancy tools.

 

[mouseOfMars]

Moviepass - any luck ever getting the job wrapped up? You went all in on that one! 'A' for effort!

 

[Moviepass]

@mouseOfMars, thanks for that. I wish I could say I did. I have an appointment next Wednesday to get the fronts installed.

I posted somewhere else that I also needed to replace the CV boot because of a tear I caused during install. Here are those photos:

 

[Moviepass]

Hey guys, I got the Traxda 2” lift finished up today!

After learning my lesson trying to install the front Traxda lift, I bit the bullet and took it to Central Tire #5 in Inglewood, CA. Greg from traxda said they order lift kits by the pallet, so I knew they would be a good option.

I had called the owner, Aldo, a few times with questions regarding the install, and by the end of my phone calls I knew I’d be making the trip up to his shop from San Diego ~100 miles. I’d say customer service is the best marketing and will definitely be back for 17”s + axle relocation kit install.

When I arrived around 10am with an appointment, I explained to Aldo that I had installed the rear spacers but stripped 2 rear strut threads and 1 front compliance bracket thread. He chuckled and said he could get it all straightened out.

They had the same tech work on my car the entire time, who sung Spanish ballads through the whole 5 hour process. My total cost was $460, which blew my mind. I expected to pay close to $600 especially because of the issues I threw into the mix. All in all, I appreciate the entire shop experience and as mentioned, will definitely be back.

these are all “after” pics.

BTW, Aldo stocks traxda lifts and relocation kits. Give him a call and get it done all at once.

 

[PNWGarageDad]

Great to know everything worked!

 

[REALM]

Looks fantastic and good info. This may be a naive Southerner view, but I’m curious as to how they have the lift and all that equipment outdoors. Does it never rain there?

 

[Moviepass]

Looks fantastic and good info. This may be a naive Southerner view, but I’m curious as to how they have the lift and all that equipment outdoors. Does it never rain there?

What a timely question! Actually the county of Los Angeles just implemented designated 2 days of the week allowed for watering your lawn due to lack of rain. Watering outside of “allowed” days could cost you a $2k penalty 🙄

That morning gloom in the first pic is the closest it’s gotten to rain in almost 3 months. (LA has received less than 3 inches of rain in all of 2022)

 

[Moviepass]

Since I’m a geek for data, December was the last big storm we received followed by a mild March.

 

[REALM]

@Moviepass wow, that's like desert dry crazy. 😬

 

[mouseOfMars]

Wow - quite a story. On a positive note Moviepass... you now have a good bit of familiarity with the Passports suspension for when you're out on the trails.
Glad to see it was a pretty happy ending and you made contact with a great shop!

Best of luck to you West Coast folks with getting some rain.

 

[Moviepass]

Thanks for keeping up with this guys, yep I'd say despite spending extra on tools+the install, I feel a lot more confident knowing exactly what's going on down there, and that's worth it to me!

Excited to post my first backroad pics after install.

 

[PNWGarageDad]

Hey, I also noticed you added 3/4" bora wheel spacers and I'm looking to install that same size. It appears from the factory the rear wheels stick out a little more than the front. After you added your spacers could you tell a difference? Not sure if I should get thicker front spacers?

 

[Moviepass]

Hey @PNWGarageDad, to my eye I couldn’t notice the rears being wider than the fronts. And the spacers don’t make it any more “obvious” so I’d say you’re good to go with the same size all around.

Also be aware you’ll also have to either replace your wheels studs with something shorter, or trim your current studs about 1/2” since the spacer isn’t large enough to conceal the factory studs, photos for reference.

 

[PNWGarageDad]

Good stuff! Thanks! I'll order the 3/4" all around!

 

[PNWGarageDad]

Just ordered my spacers! 👍 Now, new tires and lift is next.