Looked to be the original shocks and they were shot. Put on Rancho 5000's with stock ride height. Took me 4 hours to get the top bolts off the front shocks. Rest was cake. Rears went in smooth. Looking back I will make sure I have a grinder next time and just cut the top of the shock off.

 

I just did mine and they were a bitch too. Antiseized up the new one for future change

 

Had my original 2006 shock replaced last year by a shop; they had to torch the bolts off the front shocks.

 

Looking forward to my new shocks, but not looking forward to trying those original front bolts from 07.

 

Throw an impact wrench on them. If the come off, great. If not, torch it off or cut it off.

 

thanks for the warning, was considering changing out the factory shocks on our 2004, now that it has over 30,000 miles on it


what do you think of the Rancho 5000's? How do they ride for you? So far they are top on my list of replacement shocks.

 

the upper shock nuts NEVER come off easily ... cars/trucks/etc...

cut off wheel.. cut the nut, "OFF" they come.

been doing it this way for 40 plus years.

 

I replaced the shocks on my 2013 FX4 and all four were an absolute breeze to remove.

But now who would have thought that shock bolts and nuts that have been in place for 9 years would have been an easy removal. At least not with out soaking them in down with Liquid Wrench in advance of doing the deed.

So, what your saying is that the shock replacement was not difficult, but that the time frozen nuts were.....correct?

 

I think the actual swap is easy, just getting the old parts off is a chore. I'm going to soak mine for a week before I do it

 

??? Changed the shocks to the same ones you're using on my 06 F350 last year and the underside of my truck isn't anywhere near as clean and shiny as yours and it was an easy half hour job with a ratchet and wrench. Did you clean the undercoating off the threads of the bolts before removing the nuts?

 

Just chiming in with my opinion on the shocks.
The Rancho 5000's by far are considerably better than the stock shocks on the 06 F350 SRW, much more planted on bumps in the road on curves and Way better when towing but definitely not any softer for the ride but not worse... Granted I'm talking about a F350.... I wouldn't go back to stock if you payed me for them.

 

thanks andy!


I had the RS5000's on my explorer and REALLY liked them. probably one of the best riding shocks I've ever had. I also had the Monroe Reflex on the explorer and the rancho's were WAY better in every respect. I was hoping that they might be as good on the Super Duty as they were on my explorer. sounds like they are worth a try!


IMO, letting ford put the Rancho name on their crappy stock shocks was a HUGE marketing mistake.


another one I've thought about trying is the Monroe Gas Magnum. a friend of mine put those in his 2500 chebby and I thought they rode really nice too. But, he's only had them a year or so and they already feel like they are worn out to me, so I'm a little gunshy on those.


Is there enough room to get an impact on that upper nut in the front? I looked at ours last night and it looked kind of tight. Of course, mine is an 04, which is decidedly different.

 

Got the shocks done the other day. Probably about 2 hours to do all four corners. Front pass side was the most difficult because no room for impact on top so lots of cranking to get the nut off since the threaded length is so long. Drivers side worked great with a couple extensions on the impact.

 

Before attempting to remove the shocks wire brush the exposed threads on the bolts until they are completely clean of rust/undercoating then soak them with penetrating oil, it helps if you can do this a few days before the swap.

Another tip, don't cut the factory holding straps on the shock until one end of the new shock is installed then cut the strap with the other bolt handy to slip in as it decompresses into place. It isn't exactly easy to re-compress a shock under your truck.

 

No choice on the rancho 9000's, they are twist to release (not strapped) so you have to release before mounting to put the boot on. It wasnt really that hard to compress from under the truck.