I'm going to be tackling this probably next weekend. Any tips for removing springs and bushings or short cuts? How about special tools? How much preload is recommended street/strip/towing?
TIA

Do a search on 'caltracs' and you should find lots of info. I too planned on doing the install, did a lot of question asking, etc. then decided to have a local shop do them ... it only took them 1.5 hours and charged me $80! It wasn't worth my time to consider doing it myself. the guys that did mine is good ...he also did my lift 2 years ago.

1.5 HOURS ?

Don't count on that.

1.5 HOURS ?

Don't count on that.
Yep, dropped off at 1 PM and called to tell me it was ready at 2:30. That's what happens when you know what your doing and have a lift and all the right tools. I'm sure I would have taken an entire day to do it and a real good chance I would have at least 1 fewer fingers, etc. :) I would have been happy spending $150 for someone to do it.

I agree that the install is well worth $150 if you don't have a lift or large wrenches.
I think most would agree, If they have performed the install.

However if one shade tree mechanic wants to try the install as I did, count on a day of work. Also you need a big floor jack, large wrenches, 1-1/8" and up (forget the MM but its up in the 23mm+ range) and mechanical ability.
Removing the front bushings will be the biggest challenge, and I as a few more have posted on a few methods. Just search for some posts on the install. Seems like Superdiesel had some good pictures of the bars installed on his website. I too have a few pictures on my work computer.

Well I went ahead and put them on this afternoon, as I thought I was going to have some help. They bailed! Anyway, it took me about four hours to finish the install, the first side took about three of those. Getting the old bushings out while the springs were in the truck was no prob, but getting the new ones in was what took so much time. They were a little bit bigger than the eye in the spring. I was fighting them and refusing to take the spring out of the truck. I gave in before the bushings, and out came the springs. I ended up sticking the new bushings in the freezer and using a Universal seal driver to get them in. Tried using a C-clamp but it didn't work. If I did it agian I could see it only taking an hour or so w/ someone to give a hand.

turbotug, give a report if you notice a difference in traction or what you feel. I have been thinking about this as a mod but if it mainly addresses wheel hop that is not a problem I am having.

I went with this for wheel hop when towing in the sand. My DMAX hauls toys to the dunes and a heavy truck+trailer+sand=wheel hop, and then you are usually stuck because you have to lift out of the throttle and lose momentum.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/Throwup.gif I might have to do a burn out or two to "test" it's streetability!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif The trans is still stock (next on the list) so I'll have to take it easy for now.