here is my setup
Mounting new Bilstein shocks
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
Wow, Barry's pic shows what I got from theshockwarehouse, the rears are on the left, boots at the top installed and the fronts are on the right, boots down installed. Don't know what else to tell you also.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
The pictures are from Shockwarehouses site and are the numbers Earl listed which are exactly what I got on my truck and they had instrustions stating boots down on the front and boots up on the rear. Labels on the shocks also indicate that as well. Not sure what the difference it and it probably don't matter.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Middletown, PA
Both of mine look like the ones on the right. They both have the accordian bellows on them with drain holes. Not sure what is going on. The fronts state specifically to mount boots down. Like I said in the first post i would have had to drive out the factory installed metal sleeve in the rubber bushing to actually put them on the other way around, I did try and it was darn near impossible to get it out.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 4
From: Suffolk, VA
The fronts are pretty self explanatory and go boot down. The rears on mine are boot down. The top busing on the shock body shouldn't have a steel bushing since it slides over a stud. Sounds like you described it how it should be.
In the end, it really doesn't matter, just mount them how they are set up from Bilstein. Don't take the bushing out and swap ends, just put it on how it goes.
In the end, it really doesn't matter, just mount them how they are set up from Bilstein. Don't take the bushing out and swap ends, just put it on how it goes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 146
From: San Diego, CA
It looks like if you have the accordion looking soft boots they get mounted down, and if you have the firm (smooth) boot it gets mounted up. As much as everybody raves about the Bilsteins, there always seems to be a question about which way they get mounted. I'm surprised that a top-notch company like Bilstein doesn't include better instructions, but that won't stop me from getting a set soon 
.
I live about 5 miles from their headquarters and one of these days I'm going to have to stop by and ask them...
.I live about 5 miles from their headquarters and one of these days I'm going to have to stop by and ask them...
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
[quote=FSJ-EARL;7865121]Both of mine look like the ones on the right. They both have the accordian bellows on them with drain holes.[quote] I don't know but there has been stories of different shocks in boxes, mistakes, returns, ect. Call the place where you got them and question them the reason for the same shocks all around. Barry's pic tells the story, thats the shocks you should have per your part numbers, I have the same, unless i,m missing something, but I think a mistake was made with your rears.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
Earl, what Middletown, Pa.?? Is that in Delaware county or in Montgomery Co.?? Maybe we could meet up and take a look as these shocks. Maybe Barry's right, maybe they did switch over to the better boots, the plastic ones are kinda cheap(IMO) subscribing again.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Middletown, PA
EARL!