Have been lurking on the site for several months. I never heard of bilstein shocks prior to reading the threads. Ordered them over the net and put them on yesterday. What a difference. Like night and day. Expo handles much better and the ride is drastically improved. Had 79, 500 on original shocks. Noticed that my sway bar links were gone. One was missing and the other was connected at the top and swinging freely. Thanks for all the helpful info on the shocks and sway bar links. Truck rides like it is brand new.

 

How hard was it to replace the shocks? I am assuming you did it yourself. am I assuming correctly? I also have a 2000 EB I was looking at the monro shocks. they are a little bit cheaper then the ones you got. Any info will help thanks.

 

Danquin,

I did do the job myself. The front was pretty easy if you remove the tires. The rear was a little more difficult because of clerance issues with the top nut. There wasn't much room between the stud/nut and the floor of the cab body. Expect some scraped knuckles. The job is very doable if you have an assortment of ratchets, extensions, etc.

The Bilstein shocks were very stiff and I had a hard time compressing them by hand to manaveur them into position. If I had another set of hands it would have been easier. Eventually, I compressed them by hand off the vehicle, kept them compressed with plastic ties put them into position and than cut the ties. I only had to do this for the front.The whole job took about an hour and forty five minutes laying in the driveway.Had the weather been warmer and if I did it again I could probably do it in about an hour or a little more.

I had monroes and ranchos in the past on other vehicles (1978 F-250 supercab & 86 Full size Bronoco) and they were okay better than factory. I absoutley love the Bilstein's, dramatic improvement in handling and ride. Of course I had 80,000 miles on original shocks and anything probably would have been an improvement. I priced monroes reflex shocks here locally and they were 79.00 each plus tax. Ordered the Bilsteins from internet and they were 64.95 no tax but $18.00 shipping arrived in 2 days UPS ground. Could not have been happier.

Local dealer wanted $100.00 plus tax and shope fee for install. Reasonable but since I spent alot of money on hand tools 25 years ago I wanted to continue to justify my pruchase of the tools. Was very stiff and sore the next day. Seemed this stuff was easier to do when Iwas thirty instead of fifty. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the info WMBell. I guess I will look into the Bilstein's, I have 75k on the original shocks now. I guess I can handle doing it myself, I have done most of my own work on all my cars in the past, it just seems as you get older the idea of getting up under the hood or any other part for that matter.. kind of like the thrill is gone. I'm 42 myself. But I am retired Air Force, so I have use of the Auto Hobby Shop on base, so I can get the truck up on the lift, and whatever tools I don't have, they will. (kind of the same boat as you I bought $$$ tools when I bought my last house finally had my own garage, figured I needed a good complete set of tools, so I could hang them on the wall in my new garage. Got be honest, they do look good hanging there.... Just don't use them like I use to. Well again thanks for the info, you have been very helpful. Take care and good luck with your Expy. I love mine. 2000 EB 2wd Quad seating wouldn't give it up.

 

Danquin,
If you have access to a garage and lift it becomes much simpler. You probably won't have to remove front tires if you have lift. Save the $100.00 for more tools or take your wife and kids to dinner. I too love my expo. Runs like a top and I never had a problem to date just routine maintenance. I have to get the CC disconnected before it goes up. Good Luck.

 

I also replaced my shocks with Bilsteins and am totaly satisfied with the quality of the ride. I also replaced the factory rear swaybar with a Helwig and the ride improved even more, no more body roll on corners. I'm now considering installing some high performance lower control arm bushings, front Helwig swaybars, and a steering stabilizer. Does anyone have any thoughts on these additional upgrades?

 

I have 2000 EB and 4 months now with the new Bilsteins. Love them, glad I spent the money. Made a big improvement in handling especially when towing our travel trailer.

 

I took my Bilsteins to a local shop and they installed them for $10 per shock. Midas wanted $145. Made turning a heck of a lot easier.

 

Wow, I'd pay $10 a shock right now to get my new Bilstein's on the rear of my '01. I got the fronts on before the weather got too cold here in MA, but the rears have to wait until it thaws out a little. $20 to have someone drop them in for me would be a dream.