Changing rear shocks: Does the spare tire have to be removed?

[Crunch]

I'm planning on changing out my rear shocks and when I crawled under the truck to see what was involved it seemed like the rear tire may have to be removed in order to get the sockets on the bolts. I've never had a flat on this truck, so I've never even had the spare tire off or even lowered. Can I do the shocks without removing the tire, and if not, can I just lower it? Come to think of it, I might replace the front shocks one day to. What's involved in changing the front? It' almost looks like the batteries will have to come out.

 

[wcjp]

On the rear, removing the spare tire makes it an easy job. On the front no need to remove the batteries. On the front shock I recall getting the bottom bolt started before assembling the top. What shock are you installing? I went with the Rancho 9000 series. Many are also happy with Bilstein.

 

[AEdelheit]

You don't have to touch the spare, you can get to the bolts from outside the frame rail, fit a socket with extension between the bed and frame. The fronts you can loosen the 3 tower nuts and pull the whole unit out the top

 

[Bill Stockard]

You don't have to touch the spare, you can get to the bolts from outside the frame rail, fit a socket with extension between the bed and frame.

Yep, I've replaced my rear shocks twice this way and a friend's '03 the same way. Using a long extension and an air impact wrench makes it easier. You will have to hold the self locking nut with the tab on it with an open end wrench.



Bill

 

[SierraRam]

If you have never had the spare off since 03 you may want to remove it to inspect the spare and lubricate the winch assembly. Wouls really be bad that you need the spare and can't lower it or it falls apart when you put it on the truck.

 

[rscurtis]

Good suggestion from Sierra, and a penetrating oil is your friend, espescially on the front lower bolts under the coil springs. You don't want to twist off the ears on that captive nut.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I found the ears on the captive nut were a PIA to dealer with during reinstall. It was alot easier to take them to the grinder and turn them into regular bolts again.

 

[Bill Stockard]

If you have never had the spare off since 03 you may want to remove it to inspect the spare and lubricate the winch assembly. Wouls really be bad that you need the spare and can't lower it or it falls apart when you put it on the truck.

I've never lowered the spare either, but I do check the air pressure regularly. I've been driving 1-ton dually trucks since early '92, and so far, never needed the spare. Now I just jinxed myself...



Bill

 

[Shadrach]

The rear shocks are a pain to change if you have the full inner fender shields like I have. I just put Bilstein HDs on my truck. Shad

 

[Crunch]

On the rear, removing the spare tire makes it an easy job. On the front no need to remove the batteries. On the front shock I recall getting the bottom bolt started before assembling the top. What shock are you installing? I went with the Rancho 9000 series. Many are also happy with Bilstein.

I'd like to get Bilsteins, but cash is tight now. I looked at a couple of Monroe shocks, and I think it was the Monroe 911222 that I priced. It was the shocks that were one step above the OEM shocks. I pitted all the auto parts stores that carried them against each other and the lowest price I got was about $56. I think I asked about the Rancho 9000 series but the guy said that I would be bringing them back in a few days because of the ride. I also passed on the adjustable shocks. How do you like the ride of the Ranchos?

 

[Bernie]

Just my 02 cents, but I would spend the extra money on the Bilsteins. I have just replaced mine and been pleased with the ride.



Why I went with Billstein is from past experience of longevity. I have had vehicles with Billsteins go 200k miles between shock changes, why friends with similar vehicles have replaced theirs every 75k or 100k miles.

 

[Bob4x4]

I'd like to get Bilsteins, but cash is tight now. I looked at a couple of Monroe shocks, and I think it was the Monroe 911222 that I priced. It was the shocks that were one step above the OEM shocks. I pitted all the auto parts stores that carried them against each other and the lowest price I got was about $56. I think I asked about the Rancho 9000 series but the guy said that I would be bringing them back in a few days because of the ride. I also passed on the adjustable shocks. How do you like the ride of the Ranchos?

If money is tight to the point of not buying the shock you prefer you might want to look into buying some take offs from some one who has lifted their truck and pulled off the oem's. I pulled mine off before they even got dirty. I am sure there are many others who have done the same

 

[rscurtis]

When I changed my shocks to the Bilsteins, the OEM's still had some life left in them. Being a cheap SOB who hates to discard anything that might still have some life left in it, I listed them on ebay and sold them, even made a few $ on the shipping.