i have 4 new rancho shocks that i need to install before the new tires
arive

the front is not a problem to lift high enuff to relive the pressure off the old shocks its the back im going to have problems with

any tricks or advise you all know to make this easier

 

??? hmm we never jacked my truck up to change my shocks and the rear was the easiest ones

 

Rears are really easy.... Front, I took both front tires off, put the truck on jack stands, then used the jack itself under the lower control arm so it would extend farther down once the shock was removed. All in all, it was a real easy job. Good luck!!

 

yeah you won't have a problem with the back at all

 

you have the same suspension has my mom's '97 Explorer.......

the best way i found to do the shocks was as follows:
- take BOTH front tires off and place the truck on jack stands
- use a floor jack to raise the lower a-arm
- install new shock

rears:
- self explain-a-tory.....crawl under there and you will see.....


while you have the front tires off, check the sway-bar end links....they are known for breaking.....if they are, this would be the perfect time to swap them out...

 

so i should not have to jack the rear up for this

 

I'd say, if you have a tow hitch, use that as a jack point. Lift it to where the tires are just barely on the ground(that way if the shocks are over-extended the axle won't fall). I always just mount the top mounts and then kind of bench press the shock to compress it and slide it into the mount. It's a whole lot easier if you got a buddy to slide that bolt in while you're compressing.

EDIT: It'd be easier if you jacked the rear up. That way you'd have a smaller distance that you'd have to compress the shock.

 

Nope.

 

and that was what i was worried about lol

dope

good idea on the front thought i did not think of that

thanks

 

I just replaced my shocks, and rear was the easier of the two. I have coils up front, so the shock won't come out until you get the front in the air.

The rear just required me to compress the shocks by hand when installing them. I could have lifted the truck, but it was quicker to just push on them.

I have some notes and pictures
http://george-novak.com/shocks.html

 

also, if you have a factory spare in the stock location, then you will need to remove it.....

you shouldn't have to raise the rear of the truck......install the upper shock mount on the rear, then push the body of the shock upward enough to get it in the mount on the axle and slip the bolt through...

 

nice web-page there

 

well got the front ones in tonight

that was loads of fun

ill get to the backs tomorrow and than the t-bar crank

thanks for the help

 

LOL! My thoughts exactly.
At least you didn't forget one of the shock bushings like I did, and have to redo the right front shock.

 

well the backs are done EASY and t-bar cranked new tires tomorrow

 

when i installed my shocks i didnt even lift the truck or remove the tires... took all of 20 minutes to do all 4

 

your lucky or just that dame good took me two hours for the front and 30 min for the back

but i gave it he@@ lol