Rancho 9000 Install Caution

[TboneMan]

I installed my Rancho 9000's on Saturday. Everything was going well until I dropped one of the shock tower nuts. It was the driver's side shock and the nut to the rear of the wheel well. I was working from above and didn't see where the nut fell. Well I looked on my driveway and in the grass on the edge of the driveway for 15-20 minutes. No could find!



I started thinking... this thing must be sitting on the frame or something. Well I looked and looked but I could not find it. I then notice the curved channel formed into the steel. The channel starts near this shock tower bolt and continous down the to the frame and then all the way down to the bottom of the frame.



Could the nut have rolled down this channel and be lodged next to the frame? YUP



I took me another 10 minutes to get the nut out!



All in all, the job was pretty easy (thanks for the TDR article). Three hours total (including the wasted time looking for the nut).



I really like these shocks! Well worth the expense/time/aggrevation.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

My shock install would have been cut in half also, but I spent about 1 hour looking for a dropped washer for the front shock! It was one of the big ones. Also the rubber things, which my new puppy took off with and I never noticed. A few chew marks in it but I have to agree with you on the lost bolts.....

 

[Jeff H]

Thats one of those situations where I say" Why does this always happen too me!"

 

[Scooby]

Well, I feel better - thought it was just me! I had a wastegate nut fall off and not hit the ground - it was caught between the frame and a mounting bracket - dang that took a good 1/2 hour... . luckily I had one of those extending rods with the magnet on it just for such an occasion! At least I'm getting smarter about getting out of dumb situations!

 

[LMautone]

I installed mine on monday and the same thing happened to me. It was the first nut i took off too. ( I said this is not how i want to start the day. ) Anyway took about five minutes to get the nut out. the rest of the job went smooth. me and a freind took a total of 1 1/2 hours start to finish.

 

[willyslover]

on the 3500's you do not have to remove the tower. . don't know 'bout the 2500's as I have never looked at that issue. . they can come off from the bottom with a jacks help. . VERY EASY !!