Tuff Country 16990 - GM 2001-06 HD 3500 6 kit User Manual
Page 7
 
mounting hardware. This will help you make sure that 
the bracket is installed properly. 
Photo # 11
 
42. With the help from a buddy, carefully lift the modified 
front differential back onto a pair of hydraulic floor jacks 
and move the hydraulic floor jacks back underneath the 
vehicle so that the newly modified front differential can be 
re-installed. 
 
43. Locate (2) 9/16” x 1 3/4” bolts, (4) 1/2” USS flat 
washers and (2) 9/16” unitorque nuts from hardware bag 
16985NB4. Carefully install the passenger side of the 
stock front differential to the previously installed 
passenger side differential drop bracket. Secure using 
the new 9/16” x 1 3/4” bolts and hardware. Do not 
tighten at this point and make sure to use thread 
locker or lock tite. 
 
44. Working on the driver side, using a tie down strap or 
bungee cord, carefully tie the driver side of the stock front 
differential up and out of the way so that the new one 
piece lower sub frame can be installed. Once the driver 
side of the front differential is tied up and out of the way, 
remove the hydraulic floor jacks from under the front 
differential. 
Photo # 12
 
45. Locate the new one piece lower sub frame and the 
stock lower control arm mounting hardware that was 
removed from step # 26. On the driver side, install the 
front and rear part of the new one piece lower sub frame 
into the stock front and rear lower control arm mounting 
points using the stock hardware. Do not tighten at this 
point and make sure to use thread locker or lock tite. 
Repeat procedure on passenger side.  
46. Carefully remove the tie down strap or the bungee 
cord that is holding the driver side of the stock front 
differential up and out of the way. Let the stock front 
differential rest on the newly installed one piece lower 
sub frame. 
 
47. Locate the stock hardware that was removed from 
step # 28. Install the rear portion of the front differential 
into the tab on the rear portion of the new one piece 
lower sub frame. Secure using the stock hardware. Do 
not tighten at this point and make sure to use thread 
locker or lock tite. 
Photo # 13
 
48. Locate the stock hardware that was removed from 
step # 35. Secure the newly installed front differential 
relocation bracket to the front portion of the new one 
piece lower sub frame. Secure using the stock hardware. 
Do not tighten at this point and make sure to use 
thread locker or lock tite. 
Photo # 14
 
 
49. Place a hydraulic floor jack under the front portion of 
the new one piece lower sub frame. Carefully raise up on 
the hydraulic floor jack until the front portion of the sub 
frame seats flush with the stock front cross member. 
Using the holes in the front portion of the new one piece 
lower sub frame as a guide, carefully drill (2) 7/16” holes 
into the bottom of the stock front cross member. Special 
note: On some vehicles, you may not have to drill the 
(2) 7/16” holes, they will already be in the stock front 
cross member. 
 
50. Locate (2) 7/16” x 1 1/2” bolts, (4) 3/8” USS flat 
washers and (2) 7/16” unitorque nuts from hardware 
16985NB2. Secure the front portion of the new one piece 
sub frame to the stock front cross member using the new 
7/16” x 1 1/2” bolt and hardware. Torque to 42 ft lbs. 
Make sure to use thread locker or lock tite. Carefully 
remove the hydraulic floor jack from under the front 
portion of the newly installed one piece lower sub frame. 
 
51. Working in this order, torque the following stock and 
new hardware to proper torque specifications. First, on 
the driver side of the vehicle, torque the stock hardware 
that connects the rear portion of the stock front 
differential into the rear pocket of the new one piece 
lower sub frame to 75 ft lbs. Next, working on the driver 
side, torque the stock hardware that connects the new 
driver side differential relocation bracket to the front tabs 
located on the front portion of the new one piece lower 
sub frame to 75 ft lbs. Next, working on the passenger 
side, torque the stock hardware that connects the new 
passenger side differential drop bracket to the stock 
location to 75 ft lbs. Next, working on the passenger 
side, torque the new hardware that connects the stock 
front differential to the new passenger side differential 
drop bracket to 85 ft lbs. Next, working on the driver 
side, torque the stock hardware that connects the new 
one piece lower sub frame to the stock front and rear 
lower control arm pockets to 105 ft lbs. Finally, working 
on the passenger side, torque the stock hardware that 
connects the new one piece lower sub frame to the stock 
front and rear lower control arm pockets to 105 ft lbs. 
 
52. Reconnect the 4WD wiring to the front differential. 
Also, reconnect any other vent hoses and/or wiring that 
was connected to the stock front differential. 
 
53. Locate (2) 6199 poly bump stops from hardware bag 
16985PL. Special note: There are (6) poly bump stops 
located in the poly bag, (4) are the same size and (2) 
are taller, locate (2) of the shorter poly bump stops. 
Also, locate (2) 3/8” unitorque nuts and (2) 5/16” USS flat 
washers from hardware bag 16985NB1. Working on the 
driver side rear portion of the newly installed one piece 
lower sub frame, secure the new poly bump stop using 
the new 3/8” hardware. Torque to 28 ft lbs. Repeat 
procedure on the passenger side. Make sure to use 
thread locker or lock tite.