Al Nuggs
09-12-2009, 07:11 PM
I am planing on installing a lift on my truck next week. However I am a little concerned about fitment on this new body style; even though all of the manufactures that make Ridgeline lift kits are stating that the 06-08 lifts will fit on the 2009
The reason for the concern is that I checked the Hond parts book and it looks like the "RUBBER, FR. SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING" (the top part of the front strut that mates with the lift spacer) is different on the 2009 than it is on the 2006-2008.
I ran into a fitment issue with a test pipe last week and also discovered the 2009 exhaust is different. I don't like these kinds of suprises.
So if any one with a 2009 has added a lift, please speak up. I would love to hear it first hand so that I can put my mind to ease.
Thanks
Al Nuggs
09-20-2009, 02:11 PM
The Truxxx lift is installed!!
As far as 2009 fitment; the front bolt pattern is the same. So the holes in the Truxx flange lines up and slides over the studs on the top of the shock assembly.
However my guess is Honda decided to make it easier to install the the front shock absorber by elongating the studs and using longer bolts.
The problem arose when the studs from the shock hit the bottom of the studs that were pressed into the lift spacer, thus creating a 1/4 inch gap between the bottom of the Truxxx spacer and the top of the shock.
Simple Solution: grind a 1/4 inch off of the top of the shock absorber studs.
Fits like a charm.
Al Nuggs
09-20-2009, 02:26 PM
Here are pictures before installation of the Truxxx lift.
These are the longer studs and nuts on the Shock assembly.
You have to grind down those points or else they will hit the bottom of the studs pressed into the lift, and it wont seat properly.
Al Nuggs
09-20-2009, 04:00 PM
There is no difference in the Honda parts list with the rear shock absorber for the '09 vs. '06-'08; so installation in the rear went according to plan.
Howerver I just checked how things werre looking back there and noticed cracks in the plastic shock seat cover (the cup just under the spring). The crack is directly below the end of the coil, it is on both the driver and passenger side (see pictures). Would some one with a lift on their RL be so kind to stick their head under the rear of their truck to see if they also have these small cracks as well.
I sure hope this is not a big problem, I hope there is metal under the plastic.
07_rtx
09-20-2009, 04:53 PM
Mine is an 07 and I don't have any cracking at all
Al Nuggs
09-20-2009, 05:53 PM
So I have done some additional research on hondapartsnow.com
2009
http://www.hondapartsnow.com/online/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?catalogID=70&productID=17&yearID=40&doorID=4&gradeID=167&areaID=2&transmissionID=7&originID=-1&colorLabelIDs=-1&colorLabelID=-1§ionID=6&idAndImageID=13479%20467362&refNo=&isBigPicture=False&isDisplayAll=True&pageName=pageName
2008
http://www.hondapartsnow.com/online/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?catalogID=70&productID=17&yearID=39&doorID=4&gradeID=167&areaID=2&transmissionID=7&originID=-1&colorLabelIDs=-1&colorLabelID=-1§ionID=6&idAndImageID=13479%20467362&refNo=&isBigPicture=False&isDisplayAll=True&pageName=pageName
While the top of the shock absorber assembly is the same for the '09 as is on the '06-'08 and the Truxxx lift mounted fine. It turns out that the shock absorber itself is actually different on the '09; and the plastic cup is part of the shock absober. I sure hope it is not a problem to rotate the '09 assembly the 180 degrees that is apparently not an issue for the '06-'08 shock absorber.
I wonder what the actuall difference is between the '09 and '06-'08 shock absorber??
TigerRidge
09-22-2009, 08:24 PM
Mine is an '07 and I do not show any cracking at all. Also, for the '07, that piece is an extremely thin (~1/32 in) plastic guard and nothing more. There's no way Honda is utilizing that thin of a plastic piece for a structural member.
For those with an '09, when you grab the plastic piece that is cracked, is it really flimsy? Mine sure is. It is definitely not a stressed member at all on an '07.