Not sure if this is the right forum...

I have a Full Traction lift on order from northridge, and I have read the detailed write up on project-jk.com a few times. I feel completely confident that I can get it done with the help of a buddy or two. Now this might come across as a stupid question, but when I have to tighten something to 125 ft lbs of torque, can I do that by hand? Is that within the realm of human strength? Would that be the equivalent to me pushing 125 lbs? I'm just trying to figure out if I need an impact wrench or if I can do this with just a ratchet/wrench etc. thanks.

 

You need to get a torque wrench. You don't want to use an impact wrench and if you use a standard wrench you will not know the exact torque.
Something like this:

 

I was planning to buy a torque wrench from canadian tire if neither of the guys I'm gunna do the lift with have one. So with that torque wrench I can get 125 lbs of torque?

Follow up question.... should I re-torque any of the bolts that I tamper with after a few days/weeks/months? is there any tendancy for them to work loose a bit? I beleive you are supposed to re-torque wheel lugs after a certain period. thanks again.

 

Yes, most 1/2 drive torque wrenches will adjust to 125 lbs and more. As a general rule you should always recheck the torque on bolts a few days later of a couple hundred miles. If you wheel hard on a regular basis a monthly check is even better if not after every wheeling trip.

 

I have a Mastercraft torque wrench that goes up to 250ft/lbs as most do. Lets just put it this way...is it humanly possible to get 125 lbs of torque, of course...I just finished installing gears in my rear 44 that requires you to torque the pinion nut down anywhere from 300-400 ft/lbs...I used my torque wrench and FAR surpassed the 250 max (not recommended) somewhere around 350 ft/lbs I'd imagine, all by hand, no cheater bar or leverage pipe required...so don't even worry.

And YES, you should recheck all your torque specs ESPECIALLY suspension components and wheel lugs after about 500 Km or so.
Most of the suspension components should not work themselves loose...however it is ALWAYS a good idea to check up on things once in a while, say every other oil change or so. There are some nuts that you should not re-use once they've been torqued down once as they will not hold their torque a second time but nothing in the suspension department that I can think of.

I should add however, that if you are continually removing and torquing the same nut or bolt down time and time again then they CAN loose the ability to hold their torque.

 

Generally, unless you're a big mofo like mkjeep, your normal range of torque with a standard length torque wrench handle is somewhere around the 300 or so pound foot mark. I can get past there, but only because I've been turning wrenches for thirty years and have a lot of strength in my arms. 125 pound feet should be no problem for you. Remember though, torque the fastener slowly and smoothly. You don't want to "jerk" the torque wrench because you could over torque that way. Lastly, NEVER loosen fasteners with a torque wrench.

 

Make sure you check the specs of the wrench before buying, some only go up to 80 or so. Also, get the longest handle you can to give you more leverage. Of course how long you can go on the handle is limited by the room you have to rotate the wrench, but the longer the better and 125 ft/lbs isn't bad at all with a moderate length handle

 

Curious why you can't loosen with a torque wrench? Are they not designed to have strain on them in that direction?