Question about changing shocks.....
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
Question about changing shocks.....
1990 f150 4x4. So I know this is pretty straightforward but before I do the job, I was wondering if I have to compress the shock enough to bolt into the top and bottom brackets. Or will the shock just bolt in out of the box? Do I have to raise the bed to get clearance? Looking under, it looks like I will have to find a way to get enough clearance to put the 2 bolts back. I hope this isn't too confusing. Thanks. BTW, I only have a 3 ton jack and 2 axle stands.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Unless they are coilover shocks, you should be able to compress the and extend them by hand with some force to get them to.slide on properly.
I put shocks in my truck a year ago, and I think that the rear just has a lag bolt type thing on the top that you take a nut off and shimmy the end off the mount. I didn't have to take the bed off or anything goofy. Id venture to guess the set up is the same for 150s and 250s anyway.
Just out of curiousity, what brand of shocks are you getting?
I put shocks in my truck a year ago, and I think that the rear just has a lag bolt type thing on the top that you take a nut off and shimmy the end off the mount. I didn't have to take the bed off or anything goofy. Id venture to guess the set up is the same for 150s and 250s anyway.
Just out of curiousity, what brand of shocks are you getting?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Lexington Park, MD
I just installed a set of Monroe Gas Magnums on my 91 about 2 months ago. I normally have to compress them a little bit to line up the bolt holes. The rear ones I bought had plastic lanyard like things on them that kept them compressed. I slid the shock top onto the mounting stud, started the nut and then cut the lanyard thing loose. While the shock was extending I guided it toward the bracket and popped the bolt in. Had to be quick though. Didnt have to muscle it as much that way.
I normally dont even jack the truck up to change shocks. I just turn the wheels all the way to each side. The back has enough room to slide under. If yours has the quad shocks up front it may be a different story though.
Chris
I normally dont even jack the truck up to change shocks. I just turn the wheels all the way to each side. The back has enough room to slide under. If yours has the quad shocks up front it may be a different story though.
Chris
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Id recommend Rancho. They have an excellent ride quality. They are also made by monroe, so you can't really go wrong
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Poway, CA
I'm a big fan of KYB Monomaxes. They do ride 'like a truck', but that's the way I like it. For the rear install, I used a small 2-ton jack to help compress the shock while installing it (can be done by hand, but why work harder when you can work smarter?). For the fronts, I jacked the truck up enough to get the suspension to fully articulate and then bolted the shock in. It took a mixture of playing with the jack and using a long screwdriver to line up the shock bolt hole to the mounting holes on the arm, but it wasn't difficult. Install took about 2 hours for everything. The wheels stayed on for the whole job, though I did turn the fronts to full lock to gain access.
Mike
Mike
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scott-PDX
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
18
Aug 27, 2018 04:30 PM
