need help with shock install

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Jul 13, 2008 | 03:56 PM

bigsteve1969

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From: Tupelo,Ms

need help with shock install

alright prolly gonna do my shocks tomorrow afternoon so any instructions and tips would really help. I have a jack but i dont trust it under that diesel so im gonna try and avoid jacking the rearend also i'll be doing an upgraded sterring stabilizer soo any tips on that would also help out. ha prociate the help guys

Jul 13, 2008 | 04:03 PM

ron's power stroke

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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire

no jack needed..turn the front wheel all the way for each side..2 bolts to come out...one at the top..one at the bottm....shock should pull right off but you may need a hammer....slide on new shock and re bolt them nice and tight.. same for the back.....what kind of shocks did you get??

Jul 13, 2008 | 04:15 PM

big poppa

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From: Lancaster, Pa.

Just what Ron said but I needed the jack for mine for the back so i could get the bolts in the bottom part of the shock. Jacked it up on the hitch a little to eye up the bolt holes then cut the strap compressing the shock. Spray the bolts tonite for a easier install tomorrow. As for the stabilizer, i turned the wheel all the way to the left then installed the bracket and shock so when you turn the wheel the oppisite way it stretches out evenly. Good luck.

Jul 13, 2008 | 04:43 PM

PaysonPSD

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From: Payson, AZ

Measure the stock shock length before removal. If you are going to jack up vehicle measure shocks after jacking and leave jack at same height. Compress or extend new shocks to that length and tie them up in such a way you can install them tied. A loop over each mounting ring works good. This will make them much easier to install. The new shocks will be a bear to compress and hold. Worked for me. Also, the front nut on the front shocks has a tab on it to hold it while the bolt is turned. If you turn that nut the tab will bend. Just remove the bolt keeping that nut pushed to the rear. Impact wrench works great for all the bolts.

Jul 13, 2008 | 05:01 PM

Texas Outlaw

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From: Cut & Shoot, Texas

I did mine (all four) by myself with no jack in a little over an hour. The fronts are super easy. The rears are a little more difficult simply because they are tough to compress if you let them extend all the way. For the rear, I hung the tops first and then muscled them up and caught the hanger with a drift pin. Once that was in I chased the drift pin out with a bolt.

Jul 13, 2008 | 05:15 PM

ron's power stroke

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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire

if you have a floor jack..you can use that to help install the rear shocks..hang the top..use the jack to push the shock up till the holes match...

Jul 13, 2008 | 05:41 PM

PowerstrokeJunkie

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From: 21791

Come on now, some of you guys must have twigs as arms. When i was 15-16 i installed sets of shocks on work trucks, and a few months ago i easily compressed a set of bilsteins. Steady force on the shock, give it 15-20 seconds to compress. Its easier to do it that way than heaving on it and trying to compress it quickly.