I just bought a '97 2.3L from my buddy for $300 (a friggn steal if you ask me because it runs great, but has a loooong list of little things that need done). One of the little things I noticed is the back end is squirrely when going over rough terrain (a rough patch of pavement). I took it in to my mechanic so he could loosen the transmission fill nut, so I had him check the shocks and he said they were completely shot (not surprising at all since there is A LOT of rust on the underside of the truck). I didn't have him do a very detailed investigation because money IS an issue and it was bad enough to pay $20 to loosen a nut, otherwise I would have just asked him.

My question: will it be enough to just replace the shocks since that is relatively cheap? or is there another part of the suspension that will likely need changed as well? Are shocks what is normally replaced for "routine" suspension maintenance (if that's even a thing)? I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars on any one part of this truck because it's "just" a fishing truck. However, it is worth more than I paid and I do want to keep it running as long as possible.

 

The only things that need attention in the front end are the sway bar link bushings and the shocks. Coil springs and the lower ball joints take lots of know how and tools to remove and replace. The front shocks can be hell to remove but the easist way to do that is to put a closed end wrench on it and bend the nut and shaft at the top back and forth till it breaks or a take hack saw and cut the shaft off below the nut. Shocks are cheap, sway bar link pins and bushing come in kits. Most auto parts store have them instock. You might pay $40 to $60 dollars for 4 shocks depnding on brand and type you get. The link pin kits are about $6 to 8 dollars. Go to Rock Auto for a peek at whats out there.. These are for 2 wheel drive front coil and rear leaf springs. Monroe economy front was $14.00 rear was $16.00.

 

Thank you.