Big Suspension Upgrades - Installing LCI Road Armor EQ, Wet Bolts, Bushings & Shackles

Link to all my LCI product installation and review videos - www.loveyourrv.com/tag/lci/
In this video, I replace multiple worn OEM suspension parts on our Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. They get swapped out with heavier-duty replacements from Lippert Components (LCI).
First, the OEM Trail Air EquaFlex equalizer gets upgraded to the beefier LCI Road Armor EQ. Next, the regular bolts are replaced with greaseable bolts along with bronze bushings. A big step up from the existing plastic bushing. Finally, the thin steel shackle links are swapped out for much thicker aluminum ones.
Overall the upgrades should provide a smoother safer towing experience and last much longer. Once I put a decent amount of test miles on this suspension upgrade, I'll come back with a review video.
Disclaimer: Love Your RV! received the LCI product samples free of charge for the video.
Parts & Tools:
Road Armor Equalizer - www.loveyourrv.com/roadarmor
Short Link Wet Bolt Kit - store.lci1.com/tandem-axle-ap...
Long Shackle Wet Bolt Kit - store.lci1.com/tandem-axle-eq...
Bronze Bushings - amzn.to/37F3wsz
20 Ton Bottle Jack - amzn.to/3lJUBuX
6 Ton Jack Stands - amzn.to/2Ih0qSU
Plastic Dead Blow Hammer - amzn.to/2IeByLB
2 1/2 lb Steel Hammer - amzn.to/39Ipgq1
Brass Punch - amzn.to/3ganC1A
Dewalt Torque Wrench - amzn.to/3qy218i
Mechanics Socket Set - amzn.to/3gdexoI
Cordless Impact Wrench - amzn.to/33IBU4u
Grease Gun - amzn.to/3mIuJ3H
PDF Manuals Mentioned:
Road Armor Installation PDF - lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws....
Lippert Suspension Torque Quick Reference PDF - lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws....
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[@LoveYourRV]

Link to all my LCI product installation and review videos

[@TheMinnow101]

For anyone planning on doing this a couple of hints; first make sure the bolts take grease before installing. Some of the bolts may not be drilled all the way through or as Ray found out, the zerks were defective. Also the bolts should be installed with the grease hole at the 3 or 9 o'clock position to keep the weight of the RV from pressing down at the location of the grease hole in the bolt(6 & 12 o'clock position is what you want to avoid). Also as Ray showed the bolts need to be pressed in and not twisted into the bushings. The serrations just below the head of the bolts is what keeps the bolt from spinning in the shackles. Also the nuts supplied are single use nuts. The flat part of the nut slightly deforms when torqued correctly and acts like a lock washer. These nuts cannot be reused. So if for any reason, you need to remove a nut, toss it and replace with a new one. Lastly it is recommended to press the new bushings into the spring ends. Pounding them in can cause the end of the bushing to mushroom making it impossible to fully seat the bushing in the end of the spring.

[@garryhammond3117]

Thanks Ray! - Can't wait for the on-road review. Cheers!

[@beauvelo8981]

Great safety upgrade, I’ll have to mine sometime soon as well. Thanks Ray

[@michaelcunningham2899]

Nice upgrade. I like how they come with the heavier shackles and wet bolts. They should be quieter also. Thanks for sharing as always.

[@tsanx4562]

Another excellent DIY project, thanks Ray!!

[@aross3699]

Ray, You make more work for me! Now I have to check out my suspension on my 2007 trailer. I never thought of checking the suspension. Thank you for your videos, they help a lot. Maintenance is so important. The Road Runner

[@1moebush]

You re hired! Man you work fast. I'm curious how they work out. Glad you decided to do a follow-up video. Be well my friend!

[@tommcl386]

Great video. Will have to size up for the spring. Plus make sure it is in the budget as a must upgrade/maintenance.

[@brianluvs2rv]

Nice video, Ray. Thank you. That's a project I've been considering so nice to see the process.

[@getnautical9579]

Great set up. Have a similar one. I removed the zirc fittings and installed 90 degree angle ones to make greasing easier

[@simonlawson2772]

Planning on the same upgrade on our redwood over the winter but undecided on the lippert system or the morryde 4000. Currently have the same system as the one you removed that looks equally beat up. Look forward to your review. Thanks for putting this together

[@rvfamilylife]

Excellent walk-through, thanks so much for making this video.

[@terryhaynes1596]

So much for the weather man. Of course that shouldn’t be a surprise. I elected to upgrade my suspension with the Roadmaster slipper springs. Both are big improvements. I know you will be happy. I still haven’t seen you fail at any RV modification. I wish I could say that.

[@bradriley3099]

I've found your how-to videos very helpful. I've learned about and tackled new landing gear, new brakes and a solar system from watching you easy to follow tutorials. Next project, a suspension upgrade on our 2003 Keystone Laredo. Thanks, and keep em coming. Brad

[@robertburgess6100]

Great upgrade for your 5er Ray! It was good to see you put the grease zirks on the inside so you can grease it without pulling the wheels. So many people put them on the outside.

[@elisamuelcuadrado2144]

Awesome video. Best explanation I’ve seen. I’m installing the equa flex in my trailer soon.

[@n1njazx7]

Another great one Ray, keep them coming.

[@hammer-r]

Thanks for the demo. Just bought a new rv trailer and I’m guessing I need to do this in the coming year or two to prevent future roadside work.

[@robertmartin4821]

Great job, a lot faster than my rebuild went. I changed my 5th wheel shackles recently and I'm 74. If you have the tools and take the time it's not a hard or difficult project. Videos like this really help the DIYer's who want to save a little or just want the challenge of doing it.