Need Advise on Front Shocks Installation

[SwampBuggyMan]

Do I take the wheels off, and do I have to use a jack?

I'm mechanically inclined really I just havent ever done a shock before.

Thanks

[Hotsauce]

Take the wheel off. Support the truck by the frame and let the wheel go to full drop, this will minimise how much the shock needs compressing.

John C.

[VehiGAZ]

Swamp,

Spazz's advice will work, unless you get the Bilstein 1738/1739's, which do not ship pre-compressed. Those and the Ranchos 9000s are the most popular choices for replacement shocks.

If you go with the Bilsteins (my recommendation), I have posted a how-to procedure here:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...0&postcount=30

But yes, you need to take the wheel off and lift it to get at the shock mount.

Good luck!

[mbeach]

I agree with VehiGaz' statement on the Bilsteins -I have the Billis and the Ranchos and the Bilsteins are 100x better in every respect.

The will require some effort to compress, I suggest NOT using the crowbar method however.
If you have a copy of the maintenance CD (Tone's site), look for the shock removal/installation section. It details the use of a 'zip-tie', figure-8'd around the shock body to keep it compressed. Use a big zip-tie or two, and have a buddy help you compress the shock.

Holding the shock perpendicular to the ground and upside down, I put the upper (stud) mount on a piece of wood, and put all of my upper body weight onto the lower mount (I put a long bolt through the eyelet to help out my hands). I weigh just about 200 lbs, and after a few seconds the shock will move and compress to its shortest length. While holding the shock compressed, I had my wife loop the zip-tie around the shock body and over its 'shoulders'.
This is sufficient to keep the shock compressed for installation. Don't be tempted to run the zip-tie through the mounting eyelet, it'll damage the bushing and be difficult to remove.

[SwampBuggyMan]

Thanks everyone and VehiGAZ as that guide is exactly what I needed. And the tips from mbeach will help.

Sounds like the Bilsteins are a good option.


Swamp

[VehiGAZ]

No problem - glad we could help!

PS, I posted a while back that I was able to compare the Bilsteins (H1's all around) to Peewog's original stock shocks (with about 77k miles on them) and found them to be very, very comparable in stiffness and roll control - like about 97% as stiff as the originals. From everything people have posted about the adjustable Ranchos, they can be set to give a decent ride, but are not as stiff as the originals in even the stiffest setting.

Good luck with your shocks!

[AnalogVX]

That's the beauty of Ranchos adjustable. Dial it to 1 and you can compress them easily!