I just installed Monroe OESpectrum 37153 shocks to the front of my 01 2wd coil spring ford ranger. The threaded area is much shorter than the oem one i pulled off. I got the new one on there but when I release the jack from under the spring, the bushings are like pancakes. Even if I back the top nut off to the very last thread, they are still pancakes. I don't understand. Are these the correct shocks for my vehicle? Everywhere I look says these should work. I'm afraid to put the tire back on and drive it until I am certain.

 

Did you get the correct shocks for your truck? There are two different size. One for coil springs and the other for torsion bars. If you still have the old shock, pull the new ones and lay them side buy side.

 

Yup, coil spring. They should be the right ones according to rock auto and other places i've checked. But side by side, they appear shorter.

 

That's your answer and the reason why the bushing got pancaked as you said.
Is the truck lifted?

 

The old shock is permanently compressed but you can see how the threaded area is shorter on the new one. Everywhere I look, these say they should fit. No not lifted

 

Yeah doesn't look right. You need to pull that old shock out to get a correct measurement.

 

For coil spring, the shock should measure Ext. 13.73 and Compressed 9.45

 

Well here's a thought - does the truck need to be lowered onto the ground before tightening the top nut? If the suspension was under load, the shock would expose enough out the top for me to put the bushing and nut on without pancaking.