4x4 Shock Install

[Shortee723]

Just a quick question: How hard is it really to install a set of shocks? My Haynes Manual devotes a whole 3-4 paragraphs to both the front and the back with no special tools or warnings, so I just want to make sure that I'm not missing anything.
Thanks :biggthump

[Brian22]

its just 2 bolts on each shock for all 4, for the front ones, you will probably wannt take take the wheels off (not really necessary), but it will give you room to work and you will probably have fun breaking the bolts loose... just dont do what i did (broke off a bolt in the lower control arm (had to be blown out with a torch), the back is even easier, just break the bolts loose and pull the shock out and put the new one in... might take you an hour to do all 4 once you have the wheels off.

its stupid easy to change shocks on 4x4 daks...

[Shortee723]

Nice, thanks for the response. I thought that it would pretty much be unbolt old shock and bolt up the new one but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks again!

[caulk04]

Yeah, its not bad at all and maybe even easier for you since the body is 3" out of the way. :biggthump

[Shortee723]

Yeah, its not bad at all and maybe even easier for you since the body is 3" out of the way. :biggthump


Hey, thanks again, the more I looked at the shocks, the more it seemed too easy, but now I'm gonna get me a set of RSX's at slap 'em on!! :woot:

[scentralpirate]

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?p=430964#post430964

a short thread that has a couple of how to's for replaceing shocks.

:drive:

[chris4x4]

Hey, thanks again, the more I looked at the shocks, the more it seemed too easy, but now I'm gonna get me a set of RSX's at slap 'em on!! :woot:
Good choice in shocks. I have them and they are great.

[Rob454]

You dont need to remove the tires to change shocks. the fronts are really easy. Just crank the tires all the way to give you some room and the rears are a little harder for the top bolt but the tires wont make a difference if theire on or off the bolts are accessible either way. Save soem time and leave the tires on.
I have rancho 9000s on my truck and I like them a lot. if I were to switch ot a different shock I woudl go with bilsteins
Rob

[petrock]

Replacing the shocks are simple. Its a simple bolt on proceedure. I'd recommend taking the front wheels off to do the front shocks. Yeah, it can be done with the wheels on, but having the extra room makes things ALOT easier, especially if the bolts are rusted and/or hard to remove. Taking the tire off only takes a couple extra minutes. This isn't Nascar, so speed is not really important. Doing it right is.

A good braker bar and some penetrating lube will help alot too. Removing the spare tire will help to give you plenty of room to work for the rear shocks... don't forget to torque the bolts down to the proper specs. Take your time, and do it right. Shouldn't take more then an hour or two, and thats with a couple beers inbetween each shock. Good luck...